New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife

For more information contact:
Bob Eriksen at 908-735-8793

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, Garden State spring turkey hunters had yet another outstanding season. The five-week season ended on May 22 with a reported 2,372 wild turkeys harvested, marking a 16 percent increase over last year's 2,034-bird harvest.

"Mild winter weather and increased numbers of turkey hunting permits are likely responsible for the record harvest of turkeys," said Division Director Bob McDowell. "This year, more than 13,000 spring turkey hunting permits were issued for the 1998 season."

Turkey hunters experienced a success rate of more than 28 percent in the opening week and an overall success rate of 18 percent for the season. Since weight and beard length are affected by winter weather and snow depth, the spring gobblers harvested were in excellent condition having come through a mild winter with plenty of food readily available.

Turkey hunters experienced good weather conditions for the first week of the season. However in early May, rain appeared to impact hunting success. Hunters reported 337 gobblers in the third week of the season, which was the smallest weekly harvest of the entire spring season.

"We're especially pleased with harvest increases in the southern part of the state where considerable effort has been spent restoring turkey populations," said Division Wild Turkey Biologist Bob Eriksen. "The supplemental release techniques used over the past five years to increase reproductive potential is now bearing fruit. This technique was used in Turkey Hunting Areas 21 and 22 between 1993 and 1996. There has been a dramatic increase in the turkey population in both areas. The Area 21 harvest increased to more than 100 birds this year and hunters took 68 birds in Area 22. More trap and transfer work needs to be done in Areas 12, 14, 15 and 16, however, due to the Division's current financial situation, this work will be put on hold until sufficient funding becomes available."

Estimated harvest totals appear in the tables below. Harvest totals from 1997 are given for comparison.