DNR FORECASTS HIGHER FALL TURKEY HARVEST

(10/05/2010)
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - "The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources predicts a higher harvest of wild turkeys during the 2010 fall hunting season," said Paul Johansen, assistant chief in charge of game management for the West Virginia DNR Wildlife Resources Section.

This prediction is based on good second nesting of turkeys reported on brood sighting forms and the fact that 15 new counties will be open to fall hunting this year.

According to Johansen, "Good mast conditions will usually scatter wild turkey flocks and make them less vulnerable to harvest. However, we expect that hunters taking advantage of the expanded fall turkey hunting opportunities across the state will help to increase the harvest above 2009 levels."

Hunters should be aware of changes in counties that will be open for the 2010 fall turkey hunting season.

· Fourteen traditional fall hunting counties will be open to a four-week season (October 23 - November 20, 2010).

· Twelve counties will be open to a two-week season (October 23 - November 6, 2010).

· Thirteen counties will have a one-week season (October 23 - October 30, 2010).

· Thirty-nine of the 55 counties in West Virginia will be open for a fall turkey season.

Consult the 2010 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations for additional information pertaining to fall turkey hunting opportunities.