Learning about turkey hunting
The National Wild Turkey Federation (nwtf.org) is a resource for turkey hunters or anyone who wants to start turkey hunting. The NWTF raises money for the habitat and preservation of the turkey species and helps promote the sport, finding ways to combat the population decline.
Turkey hunting is a “way of life” for Oglethorpe County resident and hunter Douglas Graham, despite the recent steady decline in turkey populations.
For more than 20 years, Graham has hunted turkeys in the county.
“So it’s more of just getting out and having camaraderie with friends and family and maybe helping some other hunters that haven’t been as fortunate as me,” he said.
The turkey hunting season will begin March 29 on private land and April 15 on public land. Both seasons will end May 15.
Phillip Nelson, game warden for the county, said the end of the 2024 season brought numbers “a little below average.”
In comparison to the 110 turkeys harvested during the 2023 season, 87 turkeys were harvested in 2024.
There are efforts to increase the turkey population in 2025, including the shortening of the public land season by one week and predator control, Nelson said.
The state also allows turkey predators, such as armadillos and raccoons, to be hunted year round.
“They eat a lot of the turkey eggs, and there’s not very many people that actually hunt those animals, so they’re very devastating to the (turkey) population,” he said.
Nelson said he’s received reports from county residents about turkeys out in the open fields, a rare occurrence, but a “good sign.”
“So whether it’s the predator control from taking out coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, armadillos, all that, to where turkeys are safe to be out, and they can actually reproduce and do what they’re supposed to do without the fear of something capturing them,” Nelson said. “I think that has helped.”
The limit for the turkey hunting season is two male turkeys, called gobblers, and one harvest per day.
“If you had the two gobblers come out at one moment, you’re only allowed to harvest one of them,” he said. “You can’t take your season limit on the same day of two (turkeys).”
After harvesting the turkeys, most hunters, including Graham, will use the birds for food and a reminder of the hunt.
“Every turkey that I’ve ever harvested … I consume the meat, for me and my family,” Graham said. “And I usually keep some type of trophy, if you will, whether it’s keep a beard or keep a fan.”
He views hunting as a pastime he hopes to help preserve for future generations.
“I grew up hunting and fishing in Oglethorpe County, and (hunting is) something I want to be able to help preserve and continue to do as long as I’m alive,” Graham said. “And then pass it on to future generations.”