Post by 4pointer on Jul 10, 2006 19:52:08 GMT -5
2006 NJ Spring Turkey Season a Success
Information on the 2006 Spring Turkey Season has been posted on the NJ
Div. of Fish and Wildlife website at
www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2006/turkseasonresults.htm . The
text of the page follows:
The preliminary spring wild turkey season harvest numbers are in, and
they indicate that Garden State hunters had another successful season.
The preliminary harvest was 3,524 birds, which is 7.9% higher than last
year's total of 3,264. This was the third highest harvest since 1981.
Most turkey hunting areas had increases in harvest. In southern New
Jersey, turkey hunting area 16 saw an increase from 123 birds taken in
2005 to 160 birds in 2006. Turkey hunting area 20 saw an increase in
harvest from 600 to 714 gobblers.
Turkey hunting area 2 was the notable area in northern New Jersey with
an increase from 110 birds in 2005 to 198 birds in 2006.
Of the turkey hunting areas that saw a decline in harvest totals, none
was significant.
In 2004, production was better than the five-year average. The birds
hatched in 2004 were jakes for the 2005 spring season (the 2005 spring
season harvest was composed of 40% juvenile birds). This same age class
was two years old during the 2006 season. Two year old turkeys are vocal
and vulnerable to spring harvest since their testosterone levels are
high enough to keep them breeding throughout the season, and they have
not gained as much experience and are not as wary as older birds. The
high harvest in 2006 is likely attributable to these two year old gobblers
that hatched in 2004, but data has not been analyzed as of now to
confirm this.
Weather was generally good during the hunting season, especially during
the first segment. Great weather on the youth turkey hunting day
contributed to the youth day statewide harvest of 192 birds. This is the
highest youth day harvest since the special youth turkey hunting day was
initiated in 2002.
Final numbers for the 2006 spring turkey season will be released soon
and will be posted on the this web site when available.
For more information about the Wild Turkey in New Jersey, and turkey
hunting opportunities visit
www.njfishandwildlife.com/turkey_info.htm .
Information on the 2006 Spring Turkey Season has been posted on the NJ
Div. of Fish and Wildlife website at
www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2006/turkseasonresults.htm . The
text of the page follows:
The preliminary spring wild turkey season harvest numbers are in, and
they indicate that Garden State hunters had another successful season.
The preliminary harvest was 3,524 birds, which is 7.9% higher than last
year's total of 3,264. This was the third highest harvest since 1981.
Most turkey hunting areas had increases in harvest. In southern New
Jersey, turkey hunting area 16 saw an increase from 123 birds taken in
2005 to 160 birds in 2006. Turkey hunting area 20 saw an increase in
harvest from 600 to 714 gobblers.
Turkey hunting area 2 was the notable area in northern New Jersey with
an increase from 110 birds in 2005 to 198 birds in 2006.
Of the turkey hunting areas that saw a decline in harvest totals, none
was significant.
In 2004, production was better than the five-year average. The birds
hatched in 2004 were jakes for the 2005 spring season (the 2005 spring
season harvest was composed of 40% juvenile birds). This same age class
was two years old during the 2006 season. Two year old turkeys are vocal
and vulnerable to spring harvest since their testosterone levels are
high enough to keep them breeding throughout the season, and they have
not gained as much experience and are not as wary as older birds. The
high harvest in 2006 is likely attributable to these two year old gobblers
that hatched in 2004, but data has not been analyzed as of now to
confirm this.
Weather was generally good during the hunting season, especially during
the first segment. Great weather on the youth turkey hunting day
contributed to the youth day statewide harvest of 192 birds. This is the
highest youth day harvest since the special youth turkey hunting day was
initiated in 2002.
Final numbers for the 2006 spring turkey season will be released soon
and will be posted on the this web site when available.
For more information about the Wild Turkey in New Jersey, and turkey
hunting opportunities visit
www.njfishandwildlife.com/turkey_info.htm .
