Wild Turkey ~ Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.org

At one time or another, all of us have wanted to shoot a turkey or two.

Licensed hunters in Georgia will have a legal opportunity to shoot turkeys when the 2014 season opens on Saturday, March 22nd.

Authorities believe the turkey hunting in the Lake Allatoona region should be good.

“One of the best areas of the state will be the coastal plain, thanks to reproduction numbers that were stable in 2012, and then saw an increase this past year,” says Kevin Lowrey, Wildlife Resources Division wild turkey project coordinator. “However, due to both low reproduction numbers and a good harvest of gobblers for the past two years, 2014 might be a challenging year for hunters, especially in the piedmont and ridge and valley.”

Georgia’s current turkey population is estimated at 335,000 birds and turkey hunters in this state are privileged with one of the longest turkey seasons nationwide. With a bag limit of three gobblers per season, hunters have from March 22 through May 15, 2014 to harvest their bird(s).  With many pursuing wild turkeys on private land, hunters are reminded to always obtain landowner permission before hunting.

A new video, featuring Lowrey, provides forecast information about the 2014 Georgia turkey hunting season.  Video available at www.youtube.com/user/GeorgiaWildlife. 

WMA Hunting Opportunities

Georgia offers excellent turkey hunting on several wildlife management areas. Through the WMA system, resident hunters have access to nearly one million acres of prime hunting land for just $19 a year.  Detailed below are some of the WMAs with the highest 2013 turkey hunting season success rates in the state:

• Northwest: Berry College and Paulding Forest WMAs
• Northeast: Lake Russell and Dawson Forest WMAs
• West Central: Clybel and Rum Creek WMAs
• East Central: Di-Lane and Tuckahoe WMAs
• Southeast: Griffin Ridge and Sansavilla WMAs
• Middle: Moody Forest and Horse Creek WMAs
• Southwest: River Creek and Chickasawhatchee WMAs

A WMA license is required for any person 16 years or older who does not possess a valid honorary, sportsman or lifetime license when hunting wild turkey on a WMA or public fishing area.  In addition, a valid hunting license and a big game license are required.

Legal firearms and archery equipment for hunting wild turkey are shotguns (loaded with No. 2 or smaller shot), any muzzleloading firearm, longbow, crossbow or compound bow.

Click Here for Turkey Hunting Safety Tips