In just a few days, west virginia s statewide spring gobbler season will start. The season will open monday, april 15, and runs through saturday, may 11. West virginia s turkey hunters could find little solace in last years decentbutnotgreat spring gobbler harvest. One of the best places to get a statebystate forecast for the 2014 spring turkey hunting season is from the national wild turkey federation nwtf. The 2020 forecast indicates a stable population of birds statewide. This bird has one of the best mountainbird gobbles i have ever heard. It found that the timing of new yorks spring season was ideal based on data for breeding and nesting turkeys in our region. Without a doubt, one of the bestkept secrets in the country is the vast numbers of turkeys available. This year, however, the season will be saturday and sunday, april 1819. Resident limited entry spring wild turkey hunt 01 bonus point code.
Bowhunting wild turkeys make comeback in west virginia wild turkeys make comeback in west virginia fewer than 100 years ago, the states wild flocks had all but been exterminated, and until the 1960s turkeys could be found in only a relative handful of counties. Dnr proposes adding a day to buck seasonand a week of spring. Statewide in counties, cities, and areas with a fall turkey season. South charleston, wv preliminary harvest figures for the 2014 spring gobbler season indicate west virginia hunters checked. If youre looking to do some west virginia turkey hunting this spring, this is your onestop shop for population numbers, harvest info, and. Only one eithersex turkey may be taken during the fall hunting season with either bow, crossbow or gun. West virginia spring gobbler season set to open wowk news. The spring turkey permit is valid for the general spring season and allows a hunter to harvest up to the spring season bag limit of turkeys. General information bag limits general one per day, three per license year, no more than two of which may be taken in the fall.
Upland game bird hunting california department of fish and. As part of our comprehensive guide to us hunting seasons by state on this page you will find out when is hunting season for west virginia. West virginias spring gobbler season opens april 15 wv. Fatherinlaw and i are hopefully going to start hunting squirrel and coyote this year, recently bought a weatherby vanguard in. Key things to know in west virginia while spring brings opportunity for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing and rafting, it also brings the opportunity for hunting. Wbp wild turkey season dates season dates inclusive open counties hunter choice number quota special regulations and information march 29 may 4, 2014 unit 091 of elko county 300 5 application deadline. Bag limit is one turkey either sex per youthapprentice hunter, per weekend. All west virginia hunting seasons are held in the fall, with the exception of spring gobbler season, which was begun in 1968 and has become immensely popular. By adding an extra day to the youth season, we wanted to give kids more opportunities to get out and enjoy a hunting adventure, peters said. In past years, the youth turkey season was set for the saturday before the opening day of the regular spring turkey season.
A total of 34 counties in west virginia will be open to wild turkey hunting this fall. Spring gobbler season starts april 15 west virginia. Turkey wild turkeys are found in the black hills, riparian drainages with suitable woodland habitat, and in established woodland areas across the state. Spring gobbler season began in 1966 on our wildlife management areas. West virginias spring gobbler season opens april 15. Photo courtesy of the west virginia department of commerce. Everything you need to plan your west virginia hunting trips for 2020. It is a whole different kind of hunting, i swear there is nothing in this world. Delegate eric porterfield, rmercer, and senate natural resources committee chairman mark maynard, rwayne, today announced they have asked the u. West virginias spring gobbler season opens april 22, 20. Hunters can harvest one bearded bird per day with a season bag limit of two. May 06, 2014 my friend from florida, larry hamilton, hunting in west virginia. The maryland department of natural resources announced that the statewide spring turkey season will kick off saturday, april with junior turkey hunt day. The spring turkey hunting season in west virginia begins april 23 and runs through may 19.
For years the department has conducted a statewide survey of spring turkey hunters to collect their observations and opinions, but participation has been declining. As tens of thousands of camouflageclad hunters sit in the woods, making hen sounds. The 2020 spring turkey hunting statebystate forecast. The fall turkey hunting season opens in 34 counties of west virginia october 11. Habitat suitability for turkeys in virginia morris 2014. Counties open to fall turkey hunting include the following. West virginia s statewide fourweek spring gobbler season opens monday, april 15, and runs through may 11. Gobbling rates decline as the spring season progresses tagged birds and hunting pressure are cited factors. West virginia s 2019 spring gobbler season begins april 15 and runs through may 11. Sagegrouse hunting for general, archery, and falconry seasons is by permit only. Jun, 2014 preliminary harvest figures for the 2014 spring gobbler season indicate west virginia hunters checked in 9,017 bearded turkeys, according to curtis i. Spring gobbler season opens april 15 sports register. Ideal for buddies to enjoy their own little piece of wild wonderful wv. The bag limit is one bearded or male turkey for the spring season.
Charleston, wv wowk hunters across west virginia are preparing for spring gobbler or spring turkey hunting season. Its also important for traveling hunters to note, spring turkey hunting closes at 1 p. In the past, dec only summarized the number of birds actually reported by hunters. Virginia offers some of the best early season turkey hunting opportunities in the eastern region. The west virginia division of natural resources says spring gobbler season will open april 28 and run through may 24. West virginias 2019 spring gobbler season opens april 15 west. Hunting prospects for the 2016 west virginia spring turkey season. James earl kennamer, the chief conservation officer for the nwtf who collects forecasts from biologists in each state every year. West virginia celebrates safest turkey season on record. The oneday youth season will be april, the saturday before the regular season. Ready for fall turkey season in west virginia wvmetronews. The same sort of ending would be in store for fall and spring turkey seasons. Spring gobbler hunt opening week west virginia 2017 youtube. Two bearded turkeys may be taken in the spring and one eithersex turkey in the fall.
West virginia division of natural resources west virginias spring gobbler season runs. The wild turkey population has increased from an estimated 2,000 birds in 1970 to an estimated 265,000 birds in 2015. West virginia hunting seasons, 20192020 hunting season hq. Youth and apprentice fall turkey hunting weekend season dates. Division of natural resources officials say no fatalities or injuries were reported during the spring turkey hunting season in west virginia for the first time since. Top counties for 2014 were preston, with a take of 344, mason with 297, jackson with. Turkey hunting is a tradition in the mountain state, and the spring season can be both challenging and fun for hunters of all ages. Underage residents and resident landowners hunting on their own land see page 10 may take three turkeys without a license. When using a shotgun it is unlawful to use or have in possession any shot larger than number 2 fine shot during spring turkey season. Last years successful spring turkey hunting season in ohio bodes well for hunters seeking a trophy tom in 2014. West virginia hunters harvest 9,017 spring turkeys in 2014. Restoring the old last week of spring gobbler season is among several. Before you head out on your hunt, there are a few things you should know. Turkey hunters in west virginia can anticipate increased harvest opportunities during this years spring.
The west virginia division of natural resources dnr predicts the wild turkey harvest this fall will be. The use of dogs is legal during the fall turkey season. The west virginia division of natural resources encourages all spring gobbler hunters to get their turkey calls out and tuned up in preparation for the upcoming season opener. Lodging and river access will all be included for club members. Once youve been to the mountaintop, its hard to come back down. A hunter calls a gobbler during spring turkey season in west virginia. Hunting in west virginia is a timehonored tradition that has been passed down for generations. The date of the season was based on the earliest time a season could be opened and still provide some protection of wild turkey hens.
Weve cherrypicked 10 states where 2014 spring turkey hunting is still open. West virginia spring gobbler season set to open the west virginia division of natural resources says spring gobbler season will open april 28 and run through may 24. Taking elk counts towards a hunters deer permits and bag. Virginia wild turkey management plan virginia dgif virginia. West virginia spring turkey hunting, midmorning action. In addition to having over 2 million acres of public hunting land, virginia s spring hunting season lasts for five weeks, and has a threebird bag limit. Camochair productions heads into the field on some public hunting land in virginia on a quest for a gobbler. Peak gobbling typically coincides with peak nest incubation. Department of agriculture forest service to consider opening up portions of. Its almost time for spring gobbler season in wv sports. Spring turkey harvest in west virginia reaches 15year high. A turkey harvested that day counts toward the season limit of two.
Speaking of turkey hunting, here is the proposal that makes me smile. Apr 03, 2016 hunting prospects for the 2016 west virginia spring turkey season sunday, april 3, 2016 04. Instead of ending on a saturday, they would end a day later on a sunday. The oneday youth season will be held april, the saturday before the regular season.
Bag limit the annual bag limit for turkey, in the aggregate for all counties, is four 4, no more than one of which may be an eastern turkey. West virginias 2019 fourweek spring gobbler season opens monday, april 15, and runs through may 11. Wild turkeys now exist in all 100 counties in the state and all 100 counties now have a spring gobbler season. Anyone having any luck with spring turkey season so far. In 20, alabama came into the season ranked as the number one team in the nation and as twotime, defending national champions. Fall 2019 the bag and possession limit for the fall seasons is one bird of either sex, regardless of hunting equipment used or what portion of the season. West virginia spring gobbler season set to open grand view. Jan 31, 2016 last day of west virginia spring gobbler season hunting with my good buddy bryce from beards n booners. The fall wild turkey hunting season in west virginia opens october in selected counties. I have always had more success hunting spring gobblers toward the end of the season. Official site of the west virginia division of natural resources, wv state parks. Wild turkeys make comeback in west virginia grand view. Wild turkey weight certification form pdf how to score your gobbler.
Spring turkey season one per day, bearded turkeys only. We offer turkey hunting in maryland, new york, virginia, new jersey, pennsylvania, vermont, north carolina, west virginia and delaware. April 23 may 19, 2001 shooting hours onehalf hour before sunrise to 1 p. More than 18,000 bearded turkeys were taken during the spring 20 hunt, with increases shown in 50 counties. Actually except for some pest control out at my inlaws, havent done any hunting yet. Best places to hunt turkey in massachusetts 8 matching. Turkey hunting regulations virginia hunting seasons. A recent study by virginia tech looked at the timing of turkey hunting seasons in the northeastern u. Virginia, and west virginia, mean or median dates of first nest incubation. The corps of engineers coe allows hunting on some, but not all, coe properties. This spring, turkey hunters have a lot to look forward to in west virginia, according to keith krantz, wild turkey and upland game biologist for the west virginia department of natural. Spring gobbler season regulations spring gobbler survey. C opies of this brochure are available at dnr offices, license agents, and on the agencys website. Wvdnr hunting regulations turkey general regulations.
For the first part of the regular hunting season, april 18may 9, hunting is allowed from one halfhour before sunrise until noon. The fourth monday of april spring gobbler season opening date was designed to protect the wild turkey hen resource in west virginia and to permit spring hunting recreation on bearded wild turkeys. In fact, there are even special days dedicated to youth hunters. As described in decs wild turkey management plan pdf, dec has changed the way that seasonal turkey harvest is reported. Wvdnr hunting regulations turkey 2007 fall and 2008 spring. West virginias spring gobbler season opens april 15 the. Virginia hunting seasons, 20192020 hunting season hq. The fourweek spring gobbler season began april 28 and concluded saturday. Peak gobbling in virginia normally occurs in early may based on field surveys. State spring turkey hunting season has zero incidents. West virginias fall wild turkey season opens october.
Spring turkey hunting in virg inia virginia offers some of the best early season turkey hunting opportunities in the eastern region. On an upside, west virginia does have good public land opportunity with 500,000 stateowned acres and another million under u. Oct 09, 2012 more information on the fall wild turkey season and other hunting regulations can be found in the 201220 west virginia hunting and trapping regulations summary. West virginia spring gobbler season set to open grand. Now, the dec reports an estimated total turkey harvest based on surveys of approximately 12,000 turkey permit holders after the close of the hunting season. All game species are native animals except for european wild boars, which were introduced into three counties in southern west virginia.
Checking fall and spring turkeys wild turkeys killed in the fall except those killed in january must be checked at a game check station. Floridas osceola season is one of the first spring hunts of the year. Division of natural resources officials say no fatalities or injuries were reported during the spring turkey hunting season in west virginia for the first time since it was established in the late 1960s. Ap the west virginia division of natural resources says spring gobbler season will open monday and run through may 24. The west virginia department of natural resources dnr has announced that the 2014 spring turkey season has gone down as the safest in the states history. West virginia hunters harvest 2,385 black bears in 2014. West virginia spring turkey season was already a few days old when we were offered the incredible opportunity to join in on this hunt. From antlerless deer and turkey to squirrel and waterfowl, youth hunters can take advantage of these days and learn more about the tradition of hunting in the mountain state. Mar 14, 2014 heres where to go ohio turkey hunting on public land in 2014. The 2014 spring wild turkey populations across the country and the 2014 spring hunting harvest rates, as reported by each state with a turkey season. Turkey 2019 fall season 42 west virginia hunting and trapping season limit. Give spring turkey hunters more access to monongahela national forest. Aptly named the mountain state, west virginia gives hunters the opportunity to hunt in majestic solitude while pursuing deer, bear, turkey and small game.
Spring turkey harvest in west virginia reaches 15year. Bones n beards now accepting requests for private hunting and fishing club in west virginia. West virginia s spring gobbler season opens april 15. Biologists anticipate increased turkey harvest opportunity. Oct 09, 2014 more information on the fall wild turkey season and other hunting regulations can be found in the 2014 2015 west virginia hunting and trapping regulations summary. Sportsmen bagged,374 toms during the fourweek season the sixth. The spring hunting season lines up with the breeding season for wild turkeys. However, no more than one turkey may be taken in the.
Hunters may kill only one bearded turkey per day and are limited to two per season. This years hunt guide provides two separate sets of data, presented in maps as well as individual state details. Hunters can harvest one bearded bird per day with a. Each recommendation includes specifics on conservationrelated work with wild turkeys, and other game animals, in mind. Spring turkey season runs through may 11, giving hunters a great window of opportunity to catch their yearly gobblers. Spring 2020 the spring season is april 22 through may 10, 2020. West virginia hunting seasons, 20192020 west virginia offers several big game hunting seasons through the beautiful appalachian mountains. The 2014 spring turkey hunting season was a milestone in west virginia. West virginias spring gobbler season to open april 20, dnr. Turkey general regulations 2014 2015 hunting regulations. West virginia dnr setting of spring gobbler season. Taylor says poor wild turkey reproduction in 2012 resulted in fewer birds of this age class available to hunters during the spring season.
The 2018 spring hunt guide provides you with all the useful information needed for turkey hunting in your state, plus public land recommendations from nwtf regional biologists. There is also general information on the different hunting seasons for a wide range of wild game species. General regulations turkey west virginia division of. Archery and fall firearms season one per day, either sex may be taken. Children ages 15 and younger may hunt turkeys during the youthonly hunting weekend and the general spring season. It is the responsibility of the hunter to be aware of applicable federal regulations on federal lands forest service, national recreation areas, etc. Even the most avid vagabond gobbler geek can only chase his spring passion for about weeks assuming an early start in florida and a june finish in maine. All hunters can try to bag a bird during the regular statewide spring turkey season, april 18may 23. Official site of the west virginia division of natural resources, wv state parks, and. The man in charge of west virginia s hunter safety program has strong feelings about spring turkey hunting. Hunting prospects look promising for the 2016 spring turkey season in west virginia, which runs april 18 through may 24, with a special oneday youth season april 16. Turkey hunters in west virginia harvested 12,274 gobblers in spring 2018 a 15year high and a sixpercent increase over 2017, according to preliminary data gathered by the state division of natural resources. Sources of mortality for hen turkeys in virginia and west virginia from 19891994 n549. East of the missouri river most of the suitable habitat has eastern wild turkeys whereas west of the missouri river most suitable habitat will.
West virginia s statewide fourweek spring gobbler season opens april 15 and runs through may 11. Fall seasons are based on countyspecific spring gobbler season harvest, excluding the 14 traditional fall season counties, said mike peters, an. Spring turkey season is officially here and while many hunters are eager to hear that loud gobble, dont let that excitement get in the way of your safety. Wild turkeys make comeback in west virginia grand view outdoors. Persons ages 16 and older may not hunt turkeys during the youthonly season. The success of the spring gobbler season dictates which counties west of the 14 traditional counties will. Status and distribution of wild turkeys in the united states. In my opinion, its the most dangerous time to be in the woods, said lt. For the first time, wvdnr reports no hunting fatalities or injuries. Watch as brothers of the woods pro staffer jim davis takes a nice longbeard during west virginias first week of spring gobbler season. The addition of sunday hunting in west virginia has created the. However, no more than one turkey may be taken in the fall. State spring turkey hunting season has 0 incidents news.