Evaluating last year's spring harvest, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologist Bob Long noted, "While there are fewer young turkeys in the current population (following the '06 hunt), 2-year-old turkeys produced during the record-high reproduction of 2004 are plentiful. These likely comprised a large portion of the harvest. We had expected a stable harvest, similar to ones we've had in recent years."

According to the DNR, leading the state in harvest last spring were the western mountain counties of Garrett (342), Washington (340), and Allegany (331).

Dorchester (265), Worcester (253), Charles (227), and Somerset (204) counties also supported respectable harvests, demonstrating that high-quality turkey hunting can be found in most regions of the state. All-time-high harvests in counties such as Talbot, Harford, Baltimore, Caroline, and Kent suggest that wild turkey populations continue to grow and expand in some areas, providing additional recreational opportunities for Maryland's sportsmen and women.

As for expectations for the coming year, Long felt that things are shaping up for a season quite similar to what we've experienced over the past two or three years.

"It looks like most regions of the state saw average or slightly below-average reproduction last summer," he said. "This should translate into another typical harvest. We are not expecting any large increases, nor are we expecting any large declines."

Productivity was up from what it was the year before, so there may be more jakes in the mix, well seasoned with older birds hatched earlier.

"We had very good reproduction in 2004 -- not as high as some states, but very good," notes Long. "The 2005 harvest was below average and last season was about average, so things might be slightly in favor of older age-class gobblers for the coming season."

Maryland offers some outstanding public-land opportunities, particularly in the western portion of the state. Long said that productivity has been good there, and that hunters should have good success targeting several of the public lands.