By Jeff Knapp

Prospects look good as spring gobbler hunters from across the Mid-Atlantic Region prepare for the 2004 season. Relatively poor breeding conditions experienced throughout the region last year will influence turkey populations to some degree for the coming spring. Recently, the top wild turkey biologists from Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware shared their thoughts on the upcoming season.

The top spring gobbler producing counties in Maryland last season were Garrett (431), Allegany (332), Washington (325), Dorchester (325) and Worcester (304).

Though nesting conditions were poor last spring, Wildlife and Heritage Division biologist Bob Long, who heads the division's wild turkey section, doesn't see the outlook for this spring's hunt as being that terribly bleak.

"I would expect a slightly lower harvest this coming spring," said Long. "But it shouldn't be too much different than the harvests of the previous two years. I wouldn't be surprised to see a harvest of around 3,200 birds."

The majority of wild turkeys taken each spring are juvenile birds (jakes) hatched the prior spring and 2-year-old gobblers. During the 2003 season, 31 percent of the harvest was made up of jakes, which is actually lower than normal. With the reproduction success lower last season, it's likely even fewer jakes will be available this go around.

Photo by John Trout Jr.

"Throughout the state we had poor reproduction conditions last season," noted Long. "The prior spring, things were not good in the western part of the state."

It is natural for wild turkey populations to fluctuate in response to the success of a spring's nesting season. On the more positive side, though, it's important to remember that turkeys are hearty birds, and will nest several times throughout the spring in an effort to reproduce. Long said that many smaller than normal poults were observed last year, indicating that some re-nesting activities were successful. Too, overall wild turkey populations continue to expand into other areas, somewhat offsetting lower numbers due to a poor year- class of birds.

Winterkill can be a limiting factor to wild turkey populations, but in other than the western mountains of Maryland, Long said winters are rarely harsh enough to have a significant impact on turkey numbers in the Free State. He did note that late-hatched birds might be more susceptible to winterkill than ones hatched earlier.

"We've never done any specific research on the subject, but it stands to reason that late-hatched juveniles may be at a greater risk due to underdevelopment," he said.

As is demonstrated by the harvest records of last season, as well as in previous years, Maryland's greatest number of wild turkeys occurs in the western and eastern portions of the state. Some expansion has taken place in central Maryland, but the best options, particularly on public lands, lie to the east and west. Wild turkey populations have always been present in the western part of the state, and relocation efforts have successfully spawned great flocks of birds in the east. Here's a look at some of the better Maryland public areas.

The top three ranked Maryland counties, in terms of spring gobbler production, are found in the western reaches of the state. That's not surprising, given the fact that this is traditional wild turkey range. Public lands are numerous in these rugged hills.

Two of the best places to try are the Savage River and Green Ridge state forests, which together provide nearly 100,000 acres of prime wild turkey hunting open to the public.

Jim Mullan, western regional manager for the Wildlife and Heritage Division, said Green Ridge SF is composed of a variety of habitats, but mainly contains rolling hills with some steep terrain.

"It's primarily forested, with some scattered openings," he notes. Mullan said hunters can expect to find plenty of oak-hickory forest, with some northern hardwoods such as hemlock. Pine plantations remain from the Conservation Corps days, which he said provide excellent roosting areas for wild turkeys, especially during winter and inclement springtime weather. Old homesteads provide some of the openings, the kinds of places spring turkeys find attractive.

There is an extensive network of county roads that divide Green Ridge into manageable pieces. Wild land areas comprise about 7,000 acres, and can allow a hard-working hunter to go back into less hunted spots.

Several publications can be obtained to assist in planning a hunting trip to Green Ridge SF, including forest maps and maps of walking trails. Call the state forest office at (301) 777-2139.

Expect some higher elevations and rugged terrain in this state forest, which is located in Garrett County in the extreme western portion of the state. Topography wise, Savage River SF is located in the plateau region. At last count, the state forest covered 53,892 acres, with about 7,000 acres being managed as wild lands.

"This is primarily an oak and hickory forest," reports Mullan. "Access is good, though it might not get hunted as some areas to the east, in that it's an extra 45-minute to an hour drive there from points to the east. There are fewer roads here than at Green Ridge."

County roads allow sportsmen to get close to the spots they wish to hunt. More adventurous hunters can leave the hunting pressure behind by utilizing one of several hiking trails, which provide access to interior areas of the forest.

Several maps are available that are of great benefit to the hunter new to the area. One publication is a general map of the forest. Specific maps of hiking trails are also available. To order maps or for more information on Savage River State Forest, call (301) 895-5453.

Bennett said the forest is made up of various types of growth, including 5,000 acres of pine forest, 4,000 acres of mixed pine and hardwoods, 1,000 acres of hardwood stands and another 5,500 acres of swamplands and bottomland hardwoods.

"It's a pretty good mixture, one that the turkeys have taken well to," he reports.

Included in this mix are some natural herbaceous openings and openings created by timbering operations.

Access is good, with over 50 miles of roads. Most of these roads are open to foot traffic only, though a 6.5-mile all-terrain vehicle trail is available

"The birds seem to use the roads as dusting areas," notes Bennett. "Also, the drains and creeks seem to serve as travel corridors."

Pocomoke SF is located in Worcester County and covers over 14,000 acres in total. Additional information can be obtained by phoning the state park office at (410) 632-2566.