COLUMBUS, OHIO - Ohio hunters killed 9,114 wild turkeys in the first seven days of the spring hunting season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Last year, 10,797 birds were harvested during the season's first week.

So far this season, the 10 counties harvesting the most turkeys are: Athens-348, Ashtabula-347, Tuscarawas-309, Jackson-302, Harrison-298, Guernsey-291, Clermont-251, Morgan-240, Meigs-234 and Coshocton-228.

"Hunters still have time to get out and enjoy the spring turkey hunt and get their gobbler," said Dave Swanson, forest research biologist with the Division of Wildlife.

Hunters age 17 and younger killed 1,630 birds during a special youth-only season held the weekend of April 21-22, compared to last year's 1,872. Top youth counties this season were: Coshocton-66, Jackson and Tuscarawas- 58 each, Brown and Trumbull-52 each, Athens-49, Harrison-48, Ashtabula and Columbiana-47 each and Washington-46.

Opening day harvest figures of 2,569 birds were down from last year's 3,058. The season remains open through May 20.

Spring wild turkey hunters may hunt in all 88 counties (except at the Lake La Su An Wildlife Area in Williams County). Turkey hunting is permitted a half-hour before sunrise until noon daily. Hunters may take two bearded turkeys per spring season. Shotguns using shot; crossbows and longbows are legal during this season. A spring turkey permit is required along with an Ohio hunting license.

For more information about Ohio's spring wild turkey hunting season, visit ohiodnr.com/wildlife on the Internet.

Media Contact:
Dave Swanson, ODNR Division of Wildlife (740) 589-9930 or Mike Reynolds, ODNR Division of Wildlife (740) 589-9921