Turkey hunting numbers down in youth hunt in Ohio

Kids took their yearly shot at bagging wild turkeys a few weekends again, arising in need of previous efficiency.

Numbers had been down from a 12 months in the past, from the three-year common and from bygone peak seasons, the Ohio Division of Wildlife reported. Youths age 17 and underneath tagged 1,103 birds April 9-10. That’s 370 fewer than taken a 12 months in the past, a decline of about 25.1%, and 442 fewer than the three-year common, a tumble of about 28.6%.

The 2020 take was 1,843, a distinction of 740 birds in contrast with this 12 months.

Whether or not the considerably meager outcomes had been attributable to few birds, few hunters or awful climate — or some mixture of all three — stays open to shrewd surmise. A complete of 5,707 discounted youth permits was bought, suggesting a superb variety of purchasers received a return on their funding.

Kids who didn’t fill their tag can accomplish that through the common turkey season, which began Saturday in 83 counties, together with these in central Ohio, and continues by Could 22. The season in 5 northeastern counties begins Saturday and runs by Could 29.

The depressed youth take does go away extra turkeys on the panorama for the common hunt. Opening week, which generates a bubble of enthusiasm, invariably accounts for the biggest chunk of bearded birds checked.

The searching day within the 83-county zone begins one-half hour earlier than dawn and ends at midday by subsequent Sunday, after which the day’s shut comes at sundown. Turkeys should be checked by 11:30 p.m. on the day taken.

Particularly vital this season is that solely a single turkey could also be bagged, down from two in recent times. The restrict was imposed in an effort to assist enhance a waning inhabitants.

High-producing counties through the spring hunt a 12 months in the past included Columbiana with 454, Belmont 444, Meigs 437, Tuscarawas 417 and Jefferson 408.

Monroe led through the latest youth hunt with 41, adopted by Coshocton with 38, Jefferson 34, and Harrison, Tuscarawas and Muskingum, every with 32. As is typical, Licking led central Ohio counties with 22, adopted by Fairfield with eight, Delaware six, Union three, and Pickaway and Franklin, every with one. Madison’s depend was nil.

Searching dates

Whereas Ohio’s wild turkey inhabitants might take an enormous bounce upward with a profitable spring nesting season, the wildlife division isn’t betting the home on a perhaps.

A productive hatch a 12 months in the past didn’t save the two-bird restrict spring season this 12 months and subsequent, and formally the division has tightened the 2022 fall hunt as properly. The autumn hunt, throughout which a single turkey of both intercourse could also be taken, has been lowered to 37 days from the 52 days in impact throughout latest years.

The Ohio Wildlife Council permitted the change at its April assembly, which means the season will open in 70 counties on Oct. 8 and run by Nov. 13.

Additionally permitted had been the next dates for deer searching 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 restrict will enhance in 18 counties, though limits in Franklin and bordering counties is not going to be affected.

Wildly numerous

The thirty eighth annual Ohio Wildlife Variety Convention, this 12 months tagged as “New Critters on the Block,” is scheduled Could 11 on the Ohio Union on the Ohio State campus in Columbus.

The convention brings consultants to debate state wildlife akin to ants and crayfish that usually get ignored. Try wildohio.gov for particulars, reservations and matters.

outdoor@dispatch.com