During the 2007 season, a total of 598 male birds were taken in THA 20, as compared with 624 the year before. Another southern area, THA 21, was second-highest in the state, with a harvest of 472 turkeys.

THA 15, found in portions of Burlington and Camden counties, represented the third-highest harvest last year, with 243.

Other zones producing high harvest numbers include areas 5 and 22. THA 22 is found in the southern portion of the state, while THA 5 is in extreme northern New Jersey in Sussex County. Over 50 percent of the land holdings in this hunting zone are in public ownership, which equates into excellent opportunity for hunters from a part of the state that lacks good access to private lands.

New Jersey's spring season is managed by way of six separate time segments. The first five correlate with the five weeks of the season (Monday through Friday), minus Saturdays. The final segment covers the four Saturdays.

Hunters apply for permits by way of a lottery system. They can file applications through late February. (Last year's final date was Feb. 23.)

The pickup period begins in mid- March. Over-the-counter sale of leftover permits begins in early April. As you would expect, the top areas and dates fill up quickly.

Despite being depicted as highly industrialized, New Jersey still boasts significant tracts of public land.

Fortunately for the turkey hunter, some of the more expansive public holdings are found in prime wild turkey zones.

"In the northern part of the state, there is the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area," notes biologist Tony McBride. "That land is in combination with several state wildlife management areas. It is also contiguous with several other public-land areas as well. Basically, it makes up the Kittatinny Ridge in northwestern New Jersey. It's in an area that had high poult productivity this year."

Hunters from the southern portion of the state also have a lot to look forward to. Good numbers of birds, coupled with impressive state wildlife management areas, add up to plenty of excellent opportunity.

"In the southern part of the state, Cumberland County (THA 21) has a lot of public land that's open to spring hunting," McBride continued.

"At present, Cumberland County boasts some of the highest harvests in the state, as well as the highest success rates."

State public hunting areas in THA 21 include Buckshutem, Cedarville Pond, Cohansey River, Six, Egg Island, Fortescue, Nantuxent, New Sweden, Millville and Union Lake WMAs.