COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s wild turkey hunters have harvested 10,734 birds through Sunday, May 15, 2022. The total statewide harvest represents 23 days of hunting across most of the state, 16 days in the five northeastern counties (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull), and includes the 1,103 wild turkeys taken during the youth season April 9-10The three-year average (2019, 2020, and 2021) using the same dates is 15,538 wild turkeys. During the 2021 season, the number checked was 13,365.
Spring wild turkey hunting in the northeast zone is open until Sunday, May 29. Across the remainder of the state, the season will close Sunday, May 22. Hunting is open from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset statewide. The bag limit is one bearded turkey. More complete details can be found in the 2021-22 hunting and trapping regulations booklet.
The top 10 counties for wild turkey harvest during the 2022 season so far: Tuscarawas (308), Guernsey (288), Columbiana (283), Ashtabula (279), Belmont (279), Harrison (279), Muskingum (278), Jefferson (267), Gallia (261), Adams (251).
Declining wild turkey harvests, likely a result of lower wild turkey numbers and decreased hunter participation, have been a long-term trend since 2001, when Ohio’s harvest peaked. Several factors play a role in fluctuating turkey populations, including weather events, predation, disease, and hatch productivity. The Division of Wildlife is taking conservation measures to reduce the wild turkey harvest while ongoing research looks closely at Ohio’s population.
Each summer, the Division of Wildlife conducts a turkey brood survey to estimate population changes. Poor hatches from 2017-2019 have caused a temporary depression in turkey numbers. The Division of Wildlife remains vigilant in monitoring Ohio’s wild turkeys. Biologists expect the population dip to be temporary given the 2021 brood survey showed encouraging results. Young turkeys will be tracked closely in the coming years. The brood survey is largely based on public reports. Submit observations of young turkeys during July and August at wildohio.gov.
The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
Editor’s Note: A list of all wild turkeys checked by hunters in each county through Sunday, May 15, 2022, is shown below. Results from the state include 23 days of hunting in the south zone, 16 days in the northeast zone, and the two-day statewide youth season. The first number following the county’s name shows the harvest numbers for 2022, and the three-year average through the corresponding dates are in parentheses. Harvest numbers below are raw data and are subject to change.
Adams: 251 (369); Allen: 55 (65); Ashland: 122 (159); Ashtabula 279 (356); Athens: 210 (363); Auglaize: 23 (37); Belmont: 279 (473); Brown: 250 (364); Butler: 130 (182); Carroll: 243 (317); Champaign: 67 (78); Clark: 19 (15); Clermont: 187 (287); Clinton: 52 (66); Columbiana: 283 (362); Coshocton: 248 (402); Crawford: 43 (48); Cuyahoga 4 (5); Darke: 54 (53); Defiance: 137 (182); Delaware: 67 (99); Erie: 24 (44); Fairfield: 78 (97); Fayette: 3 (11); Franklin: 6 (17); Fulton: 78 (100); Gallia: 261 (357); Geauga 114 (167); Greene: 22 (20); Guernsey: 288 (438) Hamilton: 73 (101); Hancock: 27 (32); Hardin: 72 (83); Harrison: 279 (394); Henry: 32 (52); Highland: 230 (343); Hocking: 158 (239); Holmes: 161 (210); Huron: 60 (97); Jackson: 167 (320); Jefferson: 267 (381); Knox: 185 (279); Lake 33 (53); Lawrence: 150 (203); Licking: 197 (291); Logan: 108 (96); Lorain: 80 (117); Lucas: 45 (51); Madison: 4 (7); Mahoning: 127 (168); Marion: 27 (33); Medina: 88 (106); Meigs: 251 (465); Mercer: 20 (18); Miami: 26 (22); Monroe: 249 (484); Montgomery: 16 (25); Morgan: 187 (304); Morrow: 109 (116); Muskingum: 278 (442); Noble: 231 (373); Ottawa: 0 (2); Paulding: 53 (65); Perry: 185 (254); Pickaway: 5 (21); Pike: 139 (186); Portage: 151 (210); Preble: 102 (102); Putnam: 26 (49); Richland: 148 (220); Ross: 203 (271); Sandusky: 16 (21); Scioto: 133 (248); Seneca: 88 (116); Shelby: 33 (37); Stark: 195 (243); Summit: 50 (65); Trumbull 222 (289); Tuscarawas: 308 (459); Union: 50 (43); Van Wert: 18 (16); Vinton: 159 (260); Warren: 59 (89); Washington: 243 (445); Wayne: 93 (107); Williams: 155 (183); Wood: 19 (24); Wyandot: 67 (75).
2022 Total: 10,734
Three-Year Average: (15,538)