Zones 9 through 17 -- all or most of which are located in Sussex County -- had an explosion of birds last season.

“We set another record last year when gobbler hunters bagged 178 birds,” Reynolds said.

“By far the bulk of that number came from Sussex County. I”d call that our hotspot.”

For all turkey zones in Sussex County, the total harvest came to a whopping 110 birds, in addition to one more bearded gobbler that snuck in under the category of “unknown” as to which zone it came from.

The breakdown is as follows: Zone 9 (ten birds), Zone 10 (six), Zone 11 (28), Zone 12 (20), Zone 13 (11), Zone 14 (nine), Zone 15 (seven), Zone 16 (13) and Zone 17 (six birds).

In addition, hunters using public lands also turned in some promising figures. Hunters utilizing Sussex County”s Redden State Forest took nine birds, while hunters in the Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Management Area (Kent County) took four. Another three gobblers were bagged in Blackbird State Forest (New Castle).

The heaviest bird taken in Delaware last spring tipped the scales at 27 pounds, 2 ounces. Of the total harvest, 106 turkeys were adult gobblers, while 72 were jakes.

Reynolds was also quick to point out that barring any unforeseen disasters like a wet spring season, he anticipates this season to be one of the best.

“Wildlife managers understand that weather conditions are one of the deciding factors as to how successful -- or unsuccessful -- any season will be,” he said.

“Wet weather often keeps hunters home, and it has a decided affect on the birds, too. But we had a good spring last year, and the broods were healthy. Thus we expect a good harvest this spring.

“We work closely with sportsmen”s groups and especially members of the National Wild Turkey Federation. If it wasn”t for those folks, our turkey management program in Delaware would not be where it is today.”

For Delaware”s gobbler hunters, there is one final caveat: This spring, for the first time, electronic calls will be unlawful. “We have finally outlawed the use of electronic calls,” said Reynolds. “And some hunters may not have gotten the word yet.”

MARYLAND
TURKEYS
On to Maryland, where despite a slight decline in turkey harvest numbers, the tallies are still in the “good” category.

Maryland”s spring gobbler season kicks off with a youth-day hunt on April 12 for duly licensed youngsters age 16 or younger.

The regular season follows from April 18 through May 23, in all counties. In addition, zones do not restrict Maryland hunters.

“The season is statewide in all counties,” said Bob Long, upland game manager for Maryland”s Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).

“The only restrictions are a limit of two gobblers, unless a hunter has already taken a gobbler during the fall season -- in which case that hunter may take only one gobbler (during the spring).”