Environment DEC
From the November 2004 issue
DEC Announces Results of Spring Turkey Harvest
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty announced the results from the May 2004 turkey hunting season. There were 26,300 birds harvested statewide during the spring season, and the fall turkey season kicked off on October 1, 2004.
Fewer "Gobblers" = Lower Harvest
Recent wet, cold spring seasons
are responsible for reduced
numbers of turkey poults
(photo courtesy of USDA)
Overall, the take of spring birds in 2004 (26,300) was 28 percent lower compared to 2003 when an estimated 36,800 birds were taken. This decline was expected by DEC and is due primarily to a series of poor production years, especially in 2002. Poor production of turkey poults occurs when spring and early summer are wet and cold. Poor production in 2002 resulted in fewer younger birds in the population, especially two-year-old males. This means that there were fewer "gobblers" available to hunters in 2004. Available reports from other northeastern states indicate declines in their spring harvest, ranging from 6 to 15 percent lower harvests. Only Vermont reported a slight increase compared to 2003.
Harvest Reporting
As announced in the recently released Draft Wild Turkey Management Plan, DEC has begun to change the way the turkey harvest is reported. In the past, DEC only summarized the number of birds actually reported taken by hunters. Starting with the 2004 spring statistics, DEC will summarize the calculated total turkey harvest using surveys of hunters after the close of the hunting season. This will result in a corrected, calculated harvest based on actual reporting rates and provide a more realistic assessment of the status of New York State's wild turkey populations.
Youth Turkey Hunt
This junior hunter was successful
in this year's youth turkey hunt
The 2004 spring hunting season also featured the state's first youth hunt, held on April 24-25, 2004. Youngsters 12 to 15 years old were eligible to participate. Of about 15,000 eligible young hunters, just over 5,300 participated in this special opportunity. DEC estimates that about 1,000 turkeys were harvested by youngsters during the youth hunt weekend-approximately a 20 percent success rate. Four successful young hunters are featured on the cover of this year's Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide.
Commissioner Crotty said "New York State recognizes that our young people represent the future of environmental conservation. I congratulate all the youth and their adult mentors who participated in this special opportunity for young hunters."
Healthy Turkey Population
The fall 2004 turkey hunting season begins October 1, 2004, in northern, eastern and southern New York State, and on October 25, 2004, in the western part of the state. "Despite the wet weather experienced the last several springs, the wild turkey population remains very healthy in New York State," Commissioner Crotty said. "I urge all hunters to carefully review the hunting regulations and guidelines before going afield to ensure a safe, fun turkey hunting experience."
