Everything you need to plan your west virginia hunting trips for 2020. Spring turkey hunting is general season, and anyone can purchase a tag any time before going hunting. Map of wild turkey population status in virginia pdf aging turkey. If a dnr proposal to lengthen the spring turkey season is approved, a fiveweek season will go into effect in 2021. Statewide in counties, cities, and areas with a fall turkey season. As part of our comprehensive guide to us hunting seasons by state on this page you will find out when is hunting season for west virginia. There were 3,120 wild turkeys harvested in virginia during the 201617 fall turkey season. Our pure turkey dvd was a great success and quantities are dwindling for this version. This is the video of my new virginia state record turkey from the 2016 virginia spring gobbler season.
Youth and apprentice fall turkey hunting weekend season dates. Spring turkey hunters needed for ruffed grouse drumming survey. The grand slam network was created to help improve your turkey hunting skills and help you network with other turkey hunters to find turkey hunting opportunities in west virginia. West virginia 2018 spring turkey harvest largest in 15 years wv dnr. Wild turkey population status in virginia 20162017 virginia dgif. The date of the season was based on the earliest time a season could be opened and still provide some protection of wild turkey hens. Virginia s spring turkey season ran from april to may 18. West virginias fall wild turkey season opens october. When west virginias spring turkey season opens on monday morning, heaven only knows how many gobblers will be killed. Each person killing a turkey must either attach a completed field tag to the turkey or remain with the turkey and have upon their person a completed field tag before removing the carcass from where it was killed. Thats the short answer virginia department of game and inland fisheries officers gave after the agency released the 2016 deer, bear and turkey harvest numbers last. If you wish, instead, to receive a printed copy, please visit an authorized hunting license agent or request a copy from a dnr district office. The mountaineers were coached by bob huggins, in his 10th season as wvus head coach, and played their home games at wvu coliseum in morgantown, west virginia as members of the big 12 conference.
The mountaineers played as members of the big 12 conference big 12 and were led by head coach dana holgorsen, in his sixth year. Being that this was potently going to be tylers second spring gobbler we were both. Taking elk counts towards a hunters deer permits and bag. Bag limit is one turkey either sex per youthapprentice hunter, per weekend. West virginias statewide fourweek spring gobbler season opens monday, april 15, and runs through may 11. In addition to having over 2 million acres of public hunting land, virginia s spring hunting season lasts for five weeks, and has a threebird bag limit. Hunters can harvest one bearded bird per day with a season bag limit of two. West virginia dnr makes changes to squirrel, turkey hunting. Hunters may purchase two spring turkey licenses with one license for season 4. Iowa spring turkey season is right around the corner. Last years take was 6 percent greater than 2017, and more than 10 percent above the 10year average. A few soft calls and they strutted up the ridge to us.
Bedford county tops in 2016 deer and turkey harvest. Hunting prospects for the 2016 west virginia spring turkey. West virginia dnr alters regulations that will affect turkey and squirrel hunting seasons and change the definition for bear baiting. Virginia has the perfect combination of beautiful scenery, american. May 07, 2016 another beautiful hunt in west virginia. Virginia offers some of the best early season turkey hunting opportunities in the eastern region. West virginias spring gobbler season opens april 15 wv. Only one eithersex turkey may be taken during the fall hunting season with either bow, crossbow or. More info on regulations, where to hunt, how to be successful on public lands, and wild turkey recipes. While the data suggests virginias turkey population. Turkey spring 2016 bearded only april 18 may 14 1 2 2 turkey 2016 youth season see page 35 april 16 april 16 1 counts towards spring season bag limit of two squirrel gray, black, albino and fox september 12 january 31 6 24 none squirrel youth season see page 32 september 5 september 5 6 ruffed grouse october 17 february 29 4. Predicting a harvest is a dicey proposition at best, and the coronavirus. Contest extending across the entire commonwealth of virginia.
No more than one legal turkey may be taken per day. Permit fall turkey season only one turkey of either sex may be taken during the fall season with either a bow or a gun. During department research to determine survival rates of wild turkey hens, it was discovered that at least 6% of the hen population is poached during the early part of the spring gobbler season. Not only did the poults have plenty of protein themselves. A limited number of west virginia resident hunters will be permitted to participate in turkey hunting in counties open to permit hunting. Virginia spring turkey hunt on national forest 2016 youtube. West virginia offers several big game hunting seasons through the beautiful appalachian mountains. Jun 28, 2016 this is the video of my new virginia state record turkey from the 2016 virginia spring gobbler season. Bear, deer and turkey tag validation and checking requirements. Any combination of male turkeys, or female turkeys with visible beards, may be included in this twobird season limit. Aptly named the mountain state, west virginia gives hunters the opportunity to hunt in majestic solitude while pursuing deer, bear, turkey and small game.
Apr 01, 2016 wild turkeys west virginia division of natural resources. Virginia releases 20172018 bear, deer, turkey kill data record. West virginia spring gobbler season set to open grand view. Virginia hunting seasons, 20192020 hunting season hq.
Ap the west virginia division of natural resources says spring gobbler season will open monday and run through may 24. Hunters in ohio broke a record of short standing during the first week of the spring wild turkey season. I hit up a hen aggressively because the gobblers are. All harvested deer and turkey must be checked within 48 hours of harvest at an official check station or online at gov. Virginia state turkey hunting championships home facebook. Gobbling rates decline as the spring season progresses tagged birds and hunting pressure are cited factors. Virginia offers a list of larger sized animals for hunters such as deer, elk, bear and turkey, as well as small game like squirrel and quail. The 2016 turkey broods were probably bolstered by the emergence of the 17year cicadas, peters says. Hunters 6 to 15 years old may harvest one jake as part of their twobird limit during the season including the youth hunt.
Pure turkey calls is gearing up for the spring season and looking forward to another great year. Tags hunting, spring gobbler season, turkey season, west virginia. I hit up a hen aggressively because the gobblers are so henned up. In addition, you will find turkey harvest data and tips for hunters. A chance to win cash prizes, other prizes and bragging rights. The wild turkey population has increased from an estimated 2,000 birds in 1970 to an estimated 265,000 birds in 2015. Peak gobbling in virginia normally occurs in early may based on field surveys.
Different seasons also apply depending on whether you are using archery or firearms to hunt the birds. Turkey hunting regulations virginia hunting seasons. The west virginia division of natural resources dnr predicts the wild turkey harvest this fall will be similar to the 2011 fall hunting season, when hunters took 1,186 turkeys in 33 counties. The fishin report is put together from recent reports from avid anglers, fishing guides, marinas and bait shops for major rivers and lakes all across the state. Wild turkeys now exist in all 100 counties in the state and all 100 counties now have a spring gobbler season. During both spring and fall seasons, you must report taking a turkey within 7 days, via the decals online harvest reporting system or by calling 18664263778. Longer turkey season highlights dnrs 2021 hunting proposals. Turkey 2019 fall season 42 west virginia hunting and trapping season limit. Hunters may kill only one bearded turkey per day and are limited to two per season. Hunting prospects look promising for the 2016 spring turkey season in west virginia, which runs april 18 through may 24, with a special oneday youth season april 16. Published on jun 28, 2016 this is the video of my new virginia state record turkey from the 2016 virginia spring gobbler season. A person who does not possess a field tag must make one. Virginia dgif announces bear, deer, turkey, harvest data the. West virginia turkey hunting forum forums are a great place to learn from other turkey hunters and pick up a few tips.
Wild turkeys killed in the spring gobbler season must be checked using the telephone or internet checking system. Spring season runs for a specified period in april and may, while fall season can run for different dates in october to january. Heath hunts the pisgah national forest in north carolina and then heads to virginia to the national forest to take his first public land bird of the season. Season dates kdfwr kentucky department of fish and. West virginia dnr setting of spring gobbler season. One male turkey or turkey with visible beard youths who take a turkey during the youth season may not harvest a second bird until april 27. The 201718 bear harvest was 17% higher than the highest previous year observed in virginia during the 201617 hunting seasons. Check the spring turkey hunting page here for regulations, reports and surveys you can participate in. This is a large 7mb file and may take a long time 20 min or longer to open on a dialup internet connection.
Virginia bear and turkey kills up, but deer kills down smyth county. South charleston, wv hunting prospects look promising for the 2016 spring turkey season in west virginia, which runs april. The 2016 17 west virginia mountaineers mens basketball team represented west virginia university during the 2016 17 ncaa division i mens basketball season. Legal methods and restrictions for archery turkey season. Hunting prospects for the 2016 west virginia spring turkey season. My home virginia our turkey season opens this saturday april 11 and other states specify that outdoor exercise is essential, and though not specifically stated, that includes turkey hunting. In the intervening 33 years of turkey hunting, ive accumulated enough gear that my vest now weighs somewhere. Many west virginia hunters experienced some great mornings during the 2018 turkey season, as the kill of 12,274 was the best in 15 years. Canadian hunters see rules for importing firearms for hunting. Wild turkey master distillers to visit virginia abc stores, autograph bottles in northern virginia february 25, 2016 virginia abc announces renovation of its stanleytown store. West virginia hunting seasons, 20192020 hunting season hq. Why is spring gobbler hunting limited to noon during portions of the gobbler season. Carolina hunting guide and virginia hunting guide service pages below for more information on waterfowl, deer, and turkey hunting. Dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage.
Turkey general regulations 20142015 hunting regulations. There is both a spring season and a fall season for hunting wild turkey, with different timing in different areas. Hunting prospects look promising for the 2016 spring turkey season in west virginia, which runs april 18 through may 24, with a special. The bird was hit hard and went down in some greenbriers on the opposite side of the right. Wvdnr hunting regulations turkey general regulations. Virginia has the perfect combination of beautiful scenery, american history, and southern charm to compliment an exciting hunting season. Two birds traveled a long distance to our setup after daylight.
This is definitely a hunt ill remember for a long time. There are 2 turkey hunting seasons, one in the spring and one in the fall. Specific laws and regulations are found in the code of virginia or the dgif fisheries, wildlife, and boating regulations. Density estimate based on per square mile of turkey habitat. The take of 7,873 bearded birds between opening day, april 20, and last sunday declined. Virus hangs giant question mark over wvs spring turkey season. Establishing opening dates for spring wild turkey hunting seasons seafwa pdf why not open wild turkey season earlier. Use the pages below to learn about regulations for licensing, permits, and reporting. Statewide except in areas where there is a closed firearm season on turkey. The spring gobbler season is scheduled to open on april 20, the youth season is expanding to two days and turkey hunters can anticipate increased harvest opportunities.
If you want a real virginia holiday meal, then you need a real virginia turkey on your table. West virginia s statewide fourweek spring gobbler season opens monday, april 15, and runs through may 11. Despite being a smaller state, west virginia is home to more than 350,000. South charleston, wv the fall wild turkey hunting season in west virginia opens october in selected counties.
Hunting season changes explained in new 20162017 west. Special antlerless season only in counties that initially had a quota of 4, which are now indicated in green on the map updated september 2019 see pg 30 in the hunting and trapping guide. Youth and apprentice fall turkey hunting weekend season dates october 12 and. Virginias spring gobbler wild turkey hunting season begins april 11.
The 2016 17 virginia cavaliers mens basketball team represented the university of. Spring turkey hunting in virginia virginia offers some of the best early season turkey hunting opportunities in the eastern region. Official site of the west virginia division of natural resources, wv state parks, and wv hunting and fishing license. An additional 150 birds were acquired from west virginia in a trade for 100 river otters. Peak gobbling typically coincides with peak nest incubation.
West virginias spring gobbler season opens april 15. Not the frozen fowl you find at the grocery store, but a beautiful bird, born and raised right here on one of the commonwealths many wonderful family farms. Virginia spring turkey hunt on national forest 2016 brian crabill. How covid19 is affecting spring turkey hunting seasons big. Comment on 20202021 migratory game bird hunting seasons federal frameworks and staff recommendations.
Wild turkeys west virginia division of natural resources. The outdoor report fishin report dgif fisheries technician cliff kirk holds walleye caught in southwest virginia. Oct 09, 2014 south charleston, wv the fall wild turkey hunting season in west virginia opens oct. Virginia hunting seasons take place throughout the year in the beautiful appalachian mountains. Hunting prospects for the 2016 west virginia spring turkey season sunday, april 3, 2016 04.
West virginia played its home games at mountaineer field at milan puskar stadium in morgantown, west virginia. During the 201718 virginia bear hunting seasons, 2,861 bears were. If you choose to hunt during the pandemic it is essential that you follow cdc guidelines. A turkey harvested that day counts toward the season limit of two.
Licensed hunters are allowed to harvest three bearded turkeys during the season, but can only kill one in a day. The daily bag limit is one male turkey or a turkey with a visible beard so hens with beards may be lawfully taken. The fourth monday of april spring gobbler season opening date was designed to protect the wild turkey hen resource in west virginia and to permit spring hunting recreation on bearded wild turkeys. Oct 09, 2012 south charleston, wv the fall wild turkey hunting season in west virginia opens october in selected counties. Virginia department of game and inland fisheries dgif wild turkey biologist gary norman believes virginia spring turkey hunters could be in for a challenging spring gobbler season this year, especially in certain areas of the state. For many hunters, it is the most heralded big game season. General regulations turkey west virginia division of. In summertime, a wild turkey hen without poults can be a sign of a poor hatch. Wild turkey weight certification form pdf how to score your gobbler. Turkeys taken by youth during the youthonly season count toward the spring turkey bag limit. Turkey season west virginia division of natural resources. The oneday youth season will be held april, the saturday before the regular season. Wild turkey may be hunted with rifles, handguns, muzzleloaders, shotguns, or bows see exception for youth spring gobbler season on page 35.
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