The preliminary numbers are in and the 2009 Ohio spring turkey harvest toped 18,500 birds for second year in a row and Ashtabula County again lead the harvest.

Hunters checked 18,936 wild turkeys during Ohio’s four-week, statewide spring turkey-hunting season that ended May 17, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The preliminary total represents a 2 percent increase over last year’s preliminary harvest number of 18,556.



Top 10

Ashtabula County again led the state in the number of turkeys killed with 831. Counties with additional high harvest numbers were: Ashtabula-831, Harrison-631, Tuscarawas-609, Clermont-580, Trumbull-568, Guernsey-560, Highland-517, Washington-485, Jackson-475, and Coshocton-454.

In addition to the turkeys taken during the regular season, young hunters harvested another 1,814 birds during a special hunt for ages 17 and younger held April 18-19.



Big numbers

The ODNR Division of Wildlife estimates that more than 75,000 people hunted turkeys during the season. Prior to the start of the spring hunting season, state wildlife biologists estimated the wild turkey population in Ohio to be more than 200,000 birds.

This was the 10th spring that turkey hunting was open in every Ohio county. Only 57 of the state’s 88 counties were open to spring turkey hunting in 1999.

Wild turkeys were nearly extinct in Ohio before being reintroduced in the mid-1950s by the Division of Wildlife. The first spring turkey-hunting season opened in 1966. Wild turkeys are now present in all 88 counties.



Licenses good in the fall

Turkey hunters are reminded that licenses purchased now are also valid during the 2009 fall hunting season. Spring turkey permits are good for spring season only. Those participating in the fall turkey season will need to buy a fall turkey permit. Remember the 2009-10 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.



Youth fishing

Anglers 15 years and youngster encouraged to enjoy free, accessible fishing Occupying the grounds of the old Akron fish hatchery, the Division of Wildlife District Three youth fishing ponds are open to anglers 15 and under beginning Memorial Day weekend and continuing through Labor Day. Equipment, bait, and assistance are provided at no charge thanks to the purchases of Ohio fishing licenses.

The youth fishing area is located at 912 Portage Lakes Drive in Akron. The Area will be open for fishing from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday as well as Memorial Day (Monday, May 25), Independence Day (July 4) and Labor Day (Sept. 7).

All young anglers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while in the youth area, but adults are not required to have a fishing license. Adults are not allowed to fish in the youth area, but may assist their young anglers. Picnic tables and restroom facilities are available.

Questions may be directed to Wildlife District Three at (330) 644-2293. For driving directions, go to www.wildohio.com



V’s first Tom

This particular Saturday morning was a good time to be in the woods. The Mathia family hit the woods early and set up just inside of the wood line. There were at least 6 Toms gobbling in various places from where they were.



Close enough

They couldn’t go more than about 40 yards into the woods since the birds were so close to the edge, so close they couldn’t even put out the decoys. They had four Toms at less than 50 yards. Young Vince was set up 15 yards to Vince Sr.’s left and Tori was sitting with Vince Sr. (dad).



Hard-hammerin’ birds

They were gobbling hard until Vince Sr. hit the call a few times. Then they seemed to shut down, only gobbling only two or three times after that. Vince couldn’t see them from where he was but they were right in front of him.



A sight to behold

“V”, young Vince, told dad after the hunt that every time he let out a little purr that the one tom he could see would go into full strut while still in the tree. Sr. had never seen anything like that before and made the comment he sure would have liked to have been able to be in the position to have seen it.



It’s rainin’ turkeys

At almost exactly 0600 hours the birds starting dropping out of the trees. First came a hen (she must have been a groupie since she was with four Toms!) followed by the Toms.



Perfect setup, but…

They completely ignored her and started coming right at the Mathia’s. Dad told Tori to take the bird coming at them (there were actually three coming at them). It was about 20 yards out, just the right distance. Just as she was starting to squeeze the trigger and they heard BOOM! Vince had shot another Tom off to their left. Vince Sr. was waiting for Tori to shoot but she held off.

Had she fired as he had anticipated they would have doubled up for sure.



Are we done already?

Vince scurried down to retrieve his bird. If you’ll notice, the tail is a little odd looking since it was flipping around in the water but once it dried out it filled in real nice. Vince Sr. made the comment, “This was the fastest hunt he’d ever had. It was all over by a little after 0600 in the morning”.



Quick stats

Vince was using his Remington 870, 20 gauge shotgun with #5 shot, 3-inch mags. The bird weighed in at 23 pounds, had a 91⁄2-inch beard, with 1-inch spurs. They deep fried the bird a few days later and was it ever tasty is what I heard.



Sunderlin is a freelance writer from Geneva. Reach him at djss@roadrunner.com.



Notebook:



Friend of the NRA

n A Chinese Auction and Banquet is being hosted by the Western Reserve Friends of the NRA. A wide assortment of firearms and accessories will be auctioned. This fund raising Banquet proceeds are used to support youth and other programs for firearm education, safety, wildlife conservation. The event is May 29th, starting at 5.30 p.m., at the EOUV Hall at 8636 Perkins Rd., Novelty, Ohio, 44072. The dinner cost is $35. For more info, contact (888) 752-9119 or WesternReserveFNRA@gmail.com



Steak Fry & Raffle

n Orco Sportsman’s Association is having a fundraising Steak Fry and Raffle on Saturday May 30th, 2009 at the Geneva VFW Picnic Grounds, 5301 New London Road, Geneva, Ohio. From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. you can socialize and shop at the vendors who will be present for cash and carry gun supplies along with vendors of interest to the ladies attending. Dinner will be served from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The menu consists of steak, baked potato, salad, coleslaw, corn on the cob, rolls, and coffee / iced tea. The cost is $15.00 per person and $5.00 for a child ticket consisting of hot dog, chips, and pop. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Dave Johnson 466-7233, Keith Vicars 286-4358 or Geoff Kotzar 272-5285.



Trade Days

n On June 6, The Geauga County Coon Hunters & the Maple Country Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will present its first Trade Days at the Geauga County Coon Hunters Club. The Coon Hunters Club is located at 17131 Peters Road Middlefield, OH 44062. Festivities are to be held on Saturday June 6, 2009 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. TRADE, SELL, BUY, BARGAIN, or JUST TAKE A GANDER! Firearms are permitted, but please NO LIVE AMMO! No Alcoholic Beverages Permitted! Firearms MUST be checked in upon arriving. Bring your firearms; bring your decoys, or any item that has to do with hunting or for the outdoorsman. Be early to get all the good deals. Tables and tables of items for the outdoorsman. Food and Beverages are available. Chinese Auction, support the Bake Sale for Indian Creek School. For questions and pre-registration please contact: Gary Baise Jr. 413-9339, Tony Bitner 221-9786, Kent Clemson 479-1522, or Bill Trump 313-4941.



3D Archery Schedule

n Conneaut Fish & Game club has fired up its 3D shots. The dates are as follows: May 9, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15 & 16 and Sept. 12 & 13.

Shoots are sponsored and attending 5 out of 8 qualifies shooters for a sponsor’s prize raffle.

All shoots start at 7 a.m. and last shooters out at 1 p.m. Donation is $8 per adult and $5 per child 13 and under. $$$ 50/50 shoots available, crossbows welcome, 30 Rinehart targets at each shoot, “hunting scenario setup.” Food and beverages available. Please, absolutely no broadheads. For more information, call Darin Harper at 813-6042.



Upcoming events

n If you have an upcoming outdoor related event you would like me tell the rest of the outdoor sports enthusiasts about drop me a line, I’d be happy to plug your event, djss@roadrunner.com.

— Dale Sunderlin