Successful Spring

The West Virginia DNR reports hunters bagged more than 10-thousand gobblers in the recently completed 2010 spring gobbler season.  The total number of birds taken in the four week period was 10,006, representing a near two-percent increase from the 9,787 killed in 2009.   Game biologists note it’s the first time since 2006 the spring harvest has exceeded 10,000.

Mason County was the top county for the spring harvest with hunters killing 536 gobblers.  Marshall County was second with 316.   Rounding out the top five counties were Putnam, Lincoln, and Harrison. 

“Our biologists predicted a very similar kill in 2010 based on brood reports,” said Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “Normal weather conditions across much of the spring season enabled hunters to have plenty of time afield. In addition, a good carryover of mature toms provided many mornings of recreation for Mountain State hunters.”

Although a mast failure last fall may have left birds in some parts of the state struggling, most seem to have survived the harsh winter in reasonably good shape.   Taylor says if favorable weather conditions hold and food is sufficient, the abundance of gobblers for next year’s spring season should also be strong.