Report by: Kevin Lowrey, Wildlife Resources Division Senior Biologist
The 2012 turkey season is well underway and saw a fast start in Georgia. Many regions are reporting outstanding turkey hunting, with hunters seeing, hearing and harvesting plenty of gobblers, particularly in the Piedmont, Ridge and Valley, and Blue Ridge areas. Berry College WMA (Ridge and Valley area) and Dawson Forest WMA (Upper Piedmont area) are on pace to break all time harvest records, while hunting in the Upper and Lower Coastal Plain has generally been described as decent. Increased foliage due to the early green up has made gobblers difficult to hear in parts of the coastal plains. Also, the mild winter and 90 degree opening week days in these regions made snakes and mosquitoes more active, which have kept some hunters out of the woods. Additionally, the drought in the coastal plain has forced some turkeys into inaccessible creek drainages, further slowing success. There are reports of a good amount of turkeys being seen and heard in the coastal plain, but that has not been represented by the harvest.
With the season a little more than half complete, where should you go hunt now? Below, “Table 1” shows the top two producing WMAs in each region this spring. While these areas will likely continue to produce some turkeys for the remainder of the season, there may be better choices. After speaking with several GA DNR biologists about their strategy for late season success they were nearly unanimous in the idea of looking for less pressured areas. For example: 1.) Areas with less vehicle access, 2.) Bowhunting only areas, 3.) Areas that were quota early in the season and are now general open hunts the remainder of the season and 4.) Small overlooked areas. These are the types of areas where a late season hunter, who puts in the time, can have great success. “Table 2” has a list of WMAs with some late season potential in each region.
Now is the time to get after wild turkeys. Most hunters have given up for the year so there is less competition. Hens are nesting, gobblers are lonely, and with spring in full bloom it’s a great time to be in the woods. Late season hunting does come with challenges. Many turkeys that have been called to become a little call shy, so vary your technique late season by calling less often and softer. Scout harder to locate turkeys and be alert for smart gobblers to come in silent.
Wherever you end up hunting this last leg of the season, remember three things: Be safe, have fun and introduce someone new to turkey hunting!
Remember: Turkey hunting requires a Big Game license in addition to a Hunting license. To hunt on a WMA, you need a Wildlife Management Area license. BUY A LICENSE! Click HERE for a map of all WMAs in Georgia!
Table 1:Top WMA’s (Total Turkey Harvest) This Season (2012) |
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Region | WMA | Number of Hunters | Total Harvest |
1 |
Berry College |
160 |
41 |
1 |
Paulding Forest |
500 |
43 |
2 |
Lake Russell |
468 |
42 |
2 |
Dawson Forest |
580 |
48 |
3 |
Tuckahoe |
152 |
32 |
3 |
Dilane |
130 |
42 |
4 |
Cedar Creek |
470 |
70 |
4 |
Ocmulgee |
433 |
42 |
5 |
Chickasawhatchee |
N/A |
20 |
5 |
Silver Lake |
N/A |
8 |
6 |
Bullard Creek |
85 |
14 |
6 |
Flat Tub |
59 |
11 |
7 |
Sansavilla |
151 |
13 |
7 |
Griffin Ridge |
9 |
4 |
Table 2:Best WMA’s for Late Season Success | |
REGION | WMA |
1 |
Sheffield WMA |
1 |
Rocky Mountain PFA |
2 |
Warwoman WMA |
2 |
Chestatee WMA |
3 |
Tuckahoe WMA |
3 |
Dilane WMA |
4 |
Big Lazer Creek WMA |
4 |
Blanton Creek WMA |
5 |
Chickasawhatchee WMA |
5 |
Silver Lake WMA |
6 |
Bullard Creek WMA |
6 |
Big Hammock WMA |
7 |
Altamaha WMA |
7 |
Townsend WMA |
suntaneducation
Great report–much appreciated. Have heard lots of birds on Dawson Forest–so not a surprise that so many have been taken. A couple of weekends left to try and get it done there! Thanks again for the info.
suntaneducation
Great report–lots of good info. Have heard many birds on Dawson Forest –and still do–so not a surprise with the high amount taken. Still a few weekends left to get it done there. Thanks for the report and tips.
sidney smith
Not quiet as accurate for Talbot County GA. Season has been pretty much a bust! No birds to see or hear. Hunter success in our eastern part of the county is much less than past years. Many seasoned hunters here with no birds to their credit this year. We need better reproduciton and fast. No turkeys showing up on game cams either.
Grant - Grand Slam Network
Nice report! And unfortunately, reality matches the cover story here. I live near a few of these WMAs, one in particular I’ve hunted for a few years now. I spend lots of time scouting throughout the year locating birds. Last year, after the first couple weeks of season, I’d hardly ever saw anyone out turkey hunting. This year has been TOTALLY different. Just yesterday I put in a quick hunt before work. In one of my honey-holes I had two other hunters, which surprised me for a mid-season weekday hunt. What’s more, I typically take pride in finding good spots away from the parking lots to get away from the potential crowd. In the end, its hard to hide those eastern gobbles! My lesson learned is to diversify your hunting spots! Its time to buckle down, as the article mentioned and capitalize on those late season lonely toms! Good luck! Grant – GrandSlamNetwork.com
Carl McNally
Washington County has been really off this year,in my opinion,I have hunted 10 days and with the exception of the opening saturday have not heard a gobble.Don’t see hens along the road like in years past,last saturday i rode from Tennille to Dublin via Buckeye rd,did not see the first turkey,of course not hunting along the roads for hens,just am use to seeing lot more turkeys when out driving,,
Turkey Hunting
You guys have done a great job managing some of the WMAs I’ve hunted. There was an awesome turkey population, but those weary public land turkeys are hard to kill!
hogpredators
You guys should come check out the turkey hunting around Americus and Sylvester. It is great. Visit hogpredators.com for guided Nightvision hog hunting at its best!