Mass Wildlife’s Wild Turkey Project Leader David Scarpitti reports that preliminary harvest figures indicate 3,054 wild turkeys were taken by licensed hunters during the 2016 spring hunting season.
This represents the second highest spring season wild turkey harvest since turkey hunting began in the Commonwealth in 1980; the highest spring season harvest occurred in 2009 when 3,085 turkeys were harvested. This year, 83 turkeys were reported during the one-day youth season, and 2,971 turkeys were reported during the regular four-week season. As is typically the case, the harvest was dominated by adult male birds which accounted for about 2/3 of the harvest.
Above average brood production in 2015 was likely the biggest factor influencing the near record harvest. In addition, winter conditions in 2015-2016 were quite moderate compared to the previous two winters, which likely further enhanced juvenile turkey survival and recruitment.
The population estimate in Massachusetts is 35,000 healthy birds.
The 2016 fall turkey season is October 24 through November 5, 2016 statewide (except Nantucket, WMZ 14) and open to all hunters possessing a valid hunting or sporting license and a wild turkey hunting permit, provided they didn’t harvest their season limit of two in the spring. More turkey hunting information and regulations are posted on the Wild Turkey Hunting page.
Turkey Hunting in Massachusetts
Spring gobbler seasons are a challenging way to hunt these wary birds. Because toms can breed with several hens - and the season is timed to coincide with the period when the protected hens are already on their nests - gobblers can be taken without adversely affecting production. A well established turkey population can easily withstand a limited either-sex hunting season without adverse effects, however, and this is the case in western and central parts of the state where the first fall turkey season opened in 1990. Combined with the spring gobbler season, this either-sex fall season offers hunters greater opportunities to bag one of North America's premier game species. Spring or fall, turkey hunting requires a high degree of skill in imitating the calls of the birds to lure them within range. It is a challenge found in few other types of hunts, and with fewer than one in fifteen hunters being successful, the turkey is truly a bird of trophy status.
Turkeys are back in the Northeast, and they are here to stay thanks to the support of members of the National Wild Turkey Federation , sportsmen and other interested conservation minded citizens. Recently, the wild turkey was designated as the state's official game bird! Under careful management, the future looks bright for turkeys; sportsmen, naturalists and other wildlife enthusiasts welcome their return.
August is the last month to participate in the Wild Turkey Brood Survey; report all turkey sightings, including jakes and toms. MassWildlife conducts the brood survey each year from June to August to evaluate turkey brood numbers. Citizen involvement in this survey is a cost-effective means of gathering useful data and all interested people are encouraged to participate. A new turkey brood survey form
is posted on the agency website. Be sure to look carefully when counting turkey broods, the very small poults may be difficult to see in tall grass or brush. Multiple sightings of the same brood can also be noted. MassWildlife is interested in turkey brood observations from all regions of the state, from rural and/or developed areas. After August 31, completed forms should to be mailed to: Brood Survey, MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581.
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