Quite naturally, there are other restrictions concerning methods of hunting. For instance, Long said that the state has outlawed the use of mechanical moving decoys, and the use of electronic calls is also unlawful.

Nevertheless, the top harvest data comes from three counties. Keep in mind, though the tallies are impressive indeed, Long said he feels Maryland has reached a “leveling-out” period where harvest totals probably will not rise much above what they are at present.

“We”ve had a slight decline in harvests statewide during the last three years,” he said, “but that isn”t necessarily a negative element. Turkeys, like other wildlife, sooner or later will plateau, and harvests will generally be in and around the top tallies for quite a few years.”

Garrett County hunters bagged 303 gobblers last year, compared to 342 birds during the 2006 season and 365 in 2005. That”s an average decline of 11.4 percent, but still far from being a shabby harvest.

Next in line is Washington County with a total of 269 birds, compared to 322 and 340 during the previous two seasons. Still a decline of 16.5-percent, but the 2007 figure remains in the “good-to-excellent” range.

In the meantime, Allegany County hunters bagged 259 birds, compared to 331 and 328 for the last two seasons. That”s a decline of 21.8 percent.

Regardless of the declines, keep in mind what Long said about harvest rates leveling off. He doesn”t anticipate a record-setting season this spring, but does expect a “good” spring season.

“As most turkey hunters know, Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties are located in what we call the Appalachian Plateau and the Ridge Valley Regions,” said Long.

“They are almost always our lead counties for turkey harvests. Still, we had only slightly below poult production last spring, and for that reason -- combined with what I”ve labeled the leveling-off of turkey harvest numbers -- we should have an excellent spring season.

“I don”t expect it to be a record-setter, although we”d like to see an increase in harvests, even if that increase is slight.”

Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties are the three westernmost counties in Maryland. These three counties offer a wealth of differing habitat, but there isn”t any shortage of forestlands in any of the three.

Between the three counties, it”s a bit of a turkey hunter”s dream come true, despite current declines in harvest rates.