Maryland Turkey Hunters Set a Record This Spring

Maryland rarely comes up in conversations about turkey hunting, but hunters there set a record for the state this past spring season.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) has announced that hunters reported taking a record 4,175 wild turkeys during the 2017 regular spring and junior hunt turkey seasons.

According to the MDNR news release, this year's total was 8 percent higher than 2016 (3,874) and marked the third consecutive record in the state. It is also well above the 10-year average of 3,303. The report also said . . .

The high harvest can be attributed to a combination of factors, including growing turkey populations and expanded Sunday hunting opportunities, Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said.

Garrett County reported the highest take with 429 turkeys, followed by Washington County with 426. Rounding out the top five counties were Frederick (332), Charles (320) and Dorchester (303). Wild turkey populations are at all-time highs in some areas, with record harvests reported in eight counties this year.

Hunters in 10 counties were able to hunt on Sundays this year, resulting in a take of 337 turkeys.

Youth hunters kicked-off the spring turkey season with the junior turkey hunt April 15 statewide and April 16 in select counties, reporting 230 wild turkeys.

The spring turkey season ended May 23, 2017.

Go here for the rest of this report, and the Maryland spring turkey kill per county between 2012-2017.

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