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Ohio’s wild turkey hunting season results through Sunday, May 5 released

By
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Press Release

Ohio’s wild turkey hunters have checked 12,934 birds through Sunday, May 5 of the spring 2024 season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

This year’s statewide total represents 16 days of hunting in the 83 counties comprising the south zone, nine days of hunting in the northeast zone, and the 1,785 turkeys harvested over the two-day youth hunting weekend April 13-14.

During the spring 2023 season, hunters harvested 12,755 turkeys over the same time period. The three-year average for wild turkeys checked through this point in the season (2021 to 2023) is 11,294 birds.

The top 10 counties for wild turkey harvest in the 2024 season so far are Belmont (392), Monroe (385), Tuscarawas (381), Washington (358), Gallia (349), Muskingum (346), Meigs (331), Jefferson (329), Guernsey (323) and Harrison (314).

Hunting is open in the 83 counties comprising the south zone until Sunday, May 19. Hunting in the northeast zone (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull counties) is open until Sunday, May 26.

The Division of Wildlife has issued 49,755 spring turkey permits through Sunday, May 5 that are valid throughout the spring hunting season. Statewide, turkey hunting is now permitted from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset. The season limit is one bearded turkey. Find more information in Ohio’s 2023-24 hunting and trapping regulations booklet.

Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license in addition to a spring turkey permit, unless exempted. Successful hunters are required to game-check their turkey no later than 11:30 p.m. on the day of harvest. Game check, licenses, and permits are available on the HuntFish OH app, via the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System, or at a participating license agent. Game check can also be done by phone at 1-877-TAG-IT-OHIO (877-824-4864).

Find more information about Ohio’s wild turkey hunting at wildohio.gov.

The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.
  
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.

In 2024, join ODNR in celebrating 75 years of protecting Ohio’s natural resources and providing outstanding and award-winning recreational opportunities.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.

A list of all wild turkeys checked by hunters in each county through Sunday, May 5 is shown below. Results include 16 days of hunting in the south zone, nine days in the northeast zone and the two-day youth season. The first number following the county’s name shows the harvest numbers for 2024, and the three-year average (2021-23) through the corresponding dates is in parentheses. The numbers below are raw data and subject to change.

Adams: 303 (277); Allen: 65 (54); Ashland: 155 (122); Ashtabula: 294 (247); Athens: 272 (232); Auglaize: 44 (24); Belmont: 392 (314); Brown: 244 (247); Butler: 166 (150); Carroll: 296 (246); Champaign: 57 (61); Clark: 18 (16); Clermont: 213 (205); Clinton: 65 (43); Columbiana: 303 (310); Coshocton: 279 (275); Crawford: 47 (34); Cuyahoga: 12 (3); Darke: 60 (47); Defiance: 132 (135); Delaware: 65 (70); Erie: 32 (31); Fairfield: 72 (74); Fayette: 10 (6); Franklin: 14 (13); Fulton: 137 (81); Gallia: 349 (297); Geauga: 189 (113); Greene: 20 (18); Guernsey: 323 (301); Hamilton: 87 (75); Hancock: 32 (27); Hardin: 67 (70); Harrison: 314 (278); Henry: 59 (38); Highland: 256 (241); Hocking: 197 (183); Holmes: 183 (146); Huron: 76 (65); Jackson: 207 (207); Jefferson: 329 (295); Knox: 167 (190); Lake: 36 (37); Lawrence: 186 (160); Licking: 219 (215); Logan: 102 (92); Lorain: 93 (80); Lucas: 73 (39); Madison: 4 (5); Mahoning: 165 (137); Marion: 38 (24); Medina: 104 (74); Meigs: 331 (305); Mercer: 18 (15); Miami: 29 (22); Monroe: 385 (312); Montgomery: 25 (24); Morgan: 211 (197); Morrow: 110 (101); Muskingum: 346 (315); Noble: 305 (256); Ottawa: 1 (0); Paulding: 64 (55); Perry: 209 (205); Pickaway: 14 (13); Pike: 168 (157); Portage: 183 (144); Preble: 82 (95); Putnam: 35 (26); Richland: 196 (160); Ross: 224 (209); Sandusky: 31 (20); Scioto: 244 (179); Seneca: 97 (92); Shelby: 27 (31); Stark: 232 (192); Summit: 43 (43); Trumbull: 267 (186); Tuscarawas: 381 (323); Union: 37 (38); Van Wert: 19 (13); Vinton: 182 (180); Warren: 70 (59); Washington: 358 (278); Wayne: 81 (82); Williams: 187 (157); Wood: 23 (17); Wyandot: 97 (69).

2024 Total: 12,934
3-Year Average Total: 11,294.

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