Spring gobbler harvest down slightly for 2022

WV DNR PRESS RELEASE

SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV — According to preliminary data reported by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources on Thursday, hunters harvested 9,366 turkeys during the 2022 spring gobbler season, a 7.6 percent decrease compared to last year’s harvest of 10,134 birds.The 2022 harvest is 13.8 percent below the five-year average (10,864) and 11.3 percent below the ten-year average (10,556).

Youth hunters harvested 471 turkeys during the two-day youth season, with 366 birds harvested on Saturday and 105 on Sunday. The youth harvest accounted for 5 percent of the total harvest. Those numbers are included in the attached table with county totals.

For the second year, DNR Districts 2 and 4 reported harvest increases compared to previous years. Harvest in the remaining districts, however, decreased. Districts 5 and 6 show the biggest declines from last year’s harvest at 18.1 and 19.8 percent, respectively. District 1 hunters harvested the most birds (2,066), followed by District 4 (1,877), District 6 (1,547), District 5 (1,392), District 3 (1,311) and District 2 (1,173).

The top five counties with the highest turkey harvests are Preston (357), Mingo (351), Greenbrier (321), Jackson (309) and Monroe (295) counties.

WV SPRING TURKEY HARVEST NUMBERS  2018 – 2022





More Outdoors

Outdoors
Ready for free fishing weekend in West Virginia
The DNR hopes waiving license requirements for two days will encourage people to try fishing for the first time or at least try it again if they haven't been in a while. You could also give your kids a first fishing experience as part of the event.
June 7, 2023 - 10:06 am
Outdoors
W.Va. anglers qualify to advance in BASS event
For a fourth year in a row a West Virginian wins either the boater or non-boater top spot at the organization's regional championship event
June 6, 2023 - 1:58 pm
Outdoors
DNR Police ready for start of boating weekend
Memorial Day weekend typically kicks off the pleasure boating season, officers will be looking for break downs and violations on the waters of the Mountain State.
May 25, 2023 - 2:29 pm
Outdoors
Hunting is a family affair for the Shell family in Wyoming County
Buford and Lena Shell and their 11 year old son Levi all tag out during the spring gobbler season, for the second time in three years.
May 22, 2023 - 2:34 pm