Western Maryland contains the state's largest public land holdings, as well as excellent numbers of wild turkeys. The area held wild turkeys prior to the DNR's successful trap- and-transfer program, and many state sportsmen still consider it the traditional wild turkey range.

In Garrett County, public-land hunting can be found within the Garrett, Savage River and Potomac state forests. Allegany County public lands include Dans Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA), located near Frostburg.

Green Ridge State Forest furnishes another extensive parcel of public land in Allegany County. Washington County public areas include the Indian Springs and Sideling Hill WMAs and the Woodmont Tract.

Each year, the DNR conducts a Hunter Mail Survey to determine preferences and opinions of spring turkey hunters in regard to management, populations and regulations. While done in Maryland only, the survey is likely indicative of such matters in neighboring states.

The survey revealed that bagging a gobbler was only a moderately important aspect of the turkey-hunting experience. Of greater appeal was getting away from work, and seeing/hearing turkeys.

Safety and access to land were also important issues. The majority of respondents hunted only one county. Similar numbers also hunted public land on at least one day of the season.

The Eastern Coastal Plain Region received the most attention from hunters. Other regions of the state receiving significant interest were the Ridge and Province Region, Western Coastal Plain Region and the Appalachian Plateau Region.

The survey respondents spent an average of $455 on turkey-hunting related expenses in 2007. Travel and hunt-club lease fees accounted for much of that expenditure. Some 85 percent of respondents felt that turkeys were moderate or abundant in the counties they hunt.

The exception was the Piedmont Region -- central Maryland -- where 47 percent felt turkeys were scarce.

Minimal interference from other hunters was reported in the survey. A total of 22 percent indicated they had encounters that negatively affected their hunt. Six percent felt unsafe at some time during the season.

Most respondents were satisfied with season structure and bag limits, though there was some dissatisfaction with always having the season opener on a Saturday.

Maryland spring gobbler hunters are restricted to the use of shotguns loaded with No. 4, 5 or 6 shot shells. Vertical bows are also permitted.

Harvested turkeys must be checked in. In 2005, the DNR eliminated the requirement to check in birds physically, replacing it with an electronic system. Within 24 hours of their kill, successful hunters must register the harvest, either by logging on to www.gamecheck.dnr.state.md.us, or by calling toll-free 1-888-800-0121.