The opening day of the Georgia turkey hunting season is March 26, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division anticipates the 2011 season should be fair, with harvest likely down from the 2010 season.
Statistics from the 2010 season harvest summary indicate that an estimated 47,275 resident Georgia hunters bagged 34,001 turkeys last year.
“We had a real productive 2010, so there will be many juvenile turkeys available for harvest,” said Kevin Lowrey, Wildlife Resources Division wild turkey project coordinator. “However, the poor reproduction levels in 2007 and in 2009 will lower the supply of vocal adult gobblers.”
Georgia’s current turkey population is estimated at 335,000 birds, and turkey hunters here are privileged with one of the longest turkey seasons nationwide. With a bag limit of three gobblers per season, hunters have from March 26 through May 15 to harvest their birds.
Because most hunters pursue wild turkeys on private lands, the Wildlife Resources Division reminds hunters always to obtain landowner permission before hunting.
WMA hunting opportunities
For those looking to hunt on public land, Georgia’s Wildlife Management Areas offer many turkey-hunting opportunities. Through the WMA system, resident hunters have access to nearly 1 million acres of prime hunting land for just $19 a year.
Success rates and total harvest numbers from 2010 may help indicate which WMAs hunters should target this year.
In the northwest, Johns Mountain and Paulding Forest WMAs reported the highest harvest. In the northeast, Lake Russell and Dawson Forest WMAs had the highest harvest.
In west central Georgia, hunters should try Blanton Creek and Big Lazer WMAs. In east central Georgia, Di-Lane Plantation and Yuchi WMAs reported the highest harvest.
In the southeast, hunters should visit Paulks Pasture and Sansavilla WMAs.
Middle Georgia hunter should try Big Hammock and Beaver Dam WMAs. Finally, in southwest Georgia, River Creek and Chickasawhatchee WMAs had the highest harvest rates.
A WMA license is required for anyone 16 or older who does not possess a valid honorary, sportsman or lifetime license when hunting wild turkey on a WMA or public fishing area. In addition, a valid hunting license and a big-game license are required to legally hunt wild turkey.
Legal firearms and archery equipment for hunting wild turkey are shotguns, loaded with No. 2 or smaller shot, any muzzleloading firearm, longbow, crossbow or compound bow.