Finally, Maryland also works closely with members of local clubs and conservation groups, including the National Wild Turkey Federation.

GARDEN STATE
GOBBLERS
Now on to New Jersey, where the top numbers seem to come from the southern reaches of the state. It may not stay that way for long, according to Anthony McBride, chief of New Jersey”s Division of Fish and Wildlife”s Turkey Project Program.

“Last season, turkey gunners in New Jersey harvested 3,067 bearded gobblers. But that”s about 10 percent below the 2006 season, which was 3,422 birds (or about 11 percent below the last five-year average).

“The good news is that the top Turkey Hunting Area (THA) during the 2007-spring season was THA 20 in Salem County, where hunters took 598 birds. THA 21 in Cumberland County came in a close second, with 472 birds bagged.

“The third-best THA was far to the north in Sussex County”s THA 5, where hunters bagged 171 birds.”

So how about turkey hunting in the rest of the state? McBride said that last spring”s fairly good hatch should account for increased harvest numbers this spring in THA 8, which is primarily in Hunterdon County; THA 9, primarily in parts of Hunterdon and Morris counties; THA 10, primarily in Morris County; and THA 11, located in primarily -- but not exclusively -- in the western portion of Somerset County.

“It”s difficult trying to assess just what any THA will produce, especially at this time of year,” McBride said. “But if all goes well with this year”s hatch, and the weather treats us kindly and there”s no monsoons, those areas we just spoke of should produce some truly excellent harvests.”

Nevertheless, first-time hunters or non-resident hunters eager to take advantage of New Jersey”s fine turkey gunning should know that the THAs referred to are similar to Delaware”s Turkey Hunting Zones.

In the Garden State, hunters can apply on-line for their permits, but those permits allow the hunter to hunt in only the THA for which the permit indicates.

In addition, the season runs in segments. The first day is reserved for youth hunters. Only youngsters may carry a firearm afield, though a properly licensed adult must accompany them.

In addition, the two cannot “set up” individually. The adult hunter must be at the same setup as the youngster.

The Garden State”s youth day is April 12, with the same regulations that pertain to adults: One-half hour before sunrise to noon.

And “noon” means hunters must be out of the woods by noon, as opposed to “getting ready to leave.”

The regular season kicks off April 14 and continues through May 23.