Turkey hunting numbers down in youth hunt in Ohio
Youngsters took their yearly shot at bagging wild turkeys a couple of weekends back, coming up short of past performance.
Numbers were down from a year ago, from the three-year average and from bygone peak seasons, the Ohio Division of Wildlife reported. Youths age 17 and under tagged 1,103 birds April 9-10. That’s 370 fewer than taken a year ago, a decline of about 25.1%, and 442 fewer than the three-year average, a tumble of about 28.6%.
The 2020 take was 1,843, a difference of 740 birds compared with this year.
Whether the somewhat meager results were caused by few birds, few hunters or lousy weather — or some mix of all three — remains open to shrewd surmise. A total of 5,707 discounted youth permits was purchased, suggesting a good number of purchasers got a return on their investment.
Youngsters who failed to fill their tag can do so during the regular turkey season, which started Saturday in 83 counties, including those in central Ohio, and continues through May 22. The season in five northeastern counties begins Saturday and runs through May 29.
The depressed youth take does leave more turkeys on the landscape for the regular hunt. Opening week, which generates a bubble of enthusiasm, invariably accounts for the largest chunk of bearded birds checked.
The hunting day in the 83-county zone begins one-half hour before sunrise and ends at noon through next Sunday, after which the day’s close comes at sunset. Turkeys must be checked by 11:30 p.m. on the day taken.
Especially significant this season is that only a single turkey may be bagged, down from two in recent years. The limit was imposed in an effort to help boost a waning population.
Top-producing counties during the spring hunt a year ago included Columbiana with 454, Belmont 444, Meigs 437, Tuscarawas 417 and Jefferson 408.
Monroe led during the recent youth hunt with 41, followed by Coshocton with 38, Jefferson 34, and Harrison, Tuscarawas and Muskingum, each with 32. As is typical, Licking led central Ohio counties with 22, followed by Fairfield with eight, Delaware six, Union three, and Pickaway and Franklin, each with one. Madison’s count was nil.
Hunting dates
While Ohio’s wild turkey population could take a big bounce upward with a successful spring nesting season, the wildlife division isn’t betting the house on a maybe.
A productive hatch a year ago didn’t save the two-bird limit spring season this year and next, and officially the division has tightened the 2022 fall hunt as well. The autumn hunt, during which a single turkey of either sex may be taken, has been reduced to 37 days from the 52 days in effect during recent years.
The Ohio Wildlife Council approved the change at its April meeting, meaning the season will open in 70 counties on Oct. 8 and run through Nov. 13.
Also approved were the following dates for deer hunting seasons:
• Archery: Sept. 24-Feb. 5
• Youth gun: Nov. 19-20
• Gun: Nov. 28-Dec. 4; Dec. 17-18
• Muzzleloader: Jan. 7-10
The deer season limit will increase in 18 counties, although limits in Franklin and bordering counties will not be affected.
Wildly diverse
The 38th annual Ohio Wildlife Diversity Conference, this year tagged as “New Critters on the Block,” is scheduled May 11 at the Ohio Union on the Ohio State campus in Columbus.
The conference brings experts to discuss state wildlife such as ants and crayfish that often get overlooked. Check out wildohio.gov for details, reservations and topics.
Read More: Turkey hunting numbers down in youth hunt in Ohio