Strong turkey hunting season expected

“Gobble, chuck and purr.” Three notes of music to the ears of all the eager Georgia turkey hunters ready for the season to open Saturday.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division expects the 2018 season to be better than last year.

“Reproduction in 2016 was the best we have seen since 2011, so that should mean a good supply of vocal 2-year-old gobblers across much of the state in 2018,” said Kevin Lowrey, Wildlife Resources Division wild turkey project coordinator.

With a bag limit of three gobblers per season, hunters have from Saturday through May 15 (one of the longest seasons in the nation) to harvest their bird(s). With many pursuing wild turkeys on private land, hunters are reminded to obtain landowner permission before hunting.

What should hunters expect this spring? The Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Upper Coastal Plain should have the best success, based on 2016 reproduction information. The Lower Coastal Plain had two good years of reproduction in 2015 and 2016 and, despite declines in reproduction in 2017, it, too, should produce a good 2018 season. The Ridge and Valley is very stable, and hunters will not see much change in that area compared to recent years.

Hunters age 16 years or older, including those accompanying youth or others, will need a hunting license and a big game license unless hunting on their own private land. Get your license at www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com, at a retail license vendor, or by phone at (800) 366-2661.

All turkey hunters must report their harvest using Georgia Game Check. Turkeys can be reported on the Outdoors GA app (www.georgiawildlife.com/outdoors-ga-app), which now works whether you have cell service or not, at gooutdoorsgeorgia.com or by calling (800) 366-2661. More information is available at www.georgiawildlife.com/HarvestRecordGeorgiaGameCheck.

Georgia DNR knows you are ready to get out there and get to the woods this spring in pursuit of a gobbler or two, but before you go the Wildlife Resources Division encourages all hunters to take some time to review important turkey hunting safety tips.

“Firearms safety is critical to keeping you, and others, safe while in the woods,” advised Jennifer Pittman, Wildlife Resources Division statewide hunter education administrator. “In addition to firearms safety tips, hunters should review and practice safety precautions specific to turkey hunting.”

Take time before going out to review the following:

Never wear red, blue, white or black clothing while turkey hunting. Red is the color most hunters look for when distinguishing a gobbler’s head from a hen’s blue-colored head, but at times it might appear white or blue. Male turkey feathers covering most of a bird’s body are black in appearance. Camouflage should be used to cover everything, including the hunter’s face, hands, and firearm.

Select a calling position that provides at least a shoulder-width background, such as the base of a tree. Be sure that at least a 180-degree range is visible.

Do not stalk a gobbling turkey. Due to their keen eyesight and hearing, the chances of getting close are slim to none. Besides, this technique, when it comes to turkeys, can be very dangerous.

When using a turkey call, the sound and motion might attract the interest of other hunters. Do not move, wave, or make turkey-like sounds to alert another hunter to your presence. Instead, identify yourself in a loud voice.

Be careful when carrying a harvested turkey from the woods. Do not allow the wings to hang loosely or the head to be displayed in such a way that another hunter may think it is a live bird. If possible, cover the turkey with a blaze orange garment or other such material.

Although it is not required, it is suggested that hunters wear blaze orange when moving between a vehicle and a hunting site. When moving between hunting sites, hunters should wear blaze orange on their upper bodies to facilitate their identification by other hunters.

Turkey hunting is fun, challenging and even a bit “addictive” to a lot of Georgia hunters. The 2018 season has the potential to be one of the best in recent years. Enjoy it. And make it a safe one.

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