During the recent youth turkey hunts on April 12 and 13, young hunters aged 6 to 15 in Arkansas checked in a total of 1,443 gobblers, marking a 22 percent increase from last year’s figures. In Ohio, youth hunters also thrived, harvesting 1,740 birds over the same weekend, surpassing their three-year average of 1,571. These impressive numbers indicate a steady increase in turkey populations, bolstered by several years of above-average hatches, according to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Turkey Program Coordinator David Moscicki.
Moscicki highlighted that while the number of immature gobblers taken has risen slightly, only 317 of the total harvest were jakes, maintaining a balance in turkey conservation efforts. As the regular turkey season approaches later this month, hunters can expect continued robust gobbling activity, supporting exciting opportunities for participants across both states. The trends set this season not only celebrate youth participation in hunting but also promote wildlife management and preservation.
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