The high end excitement of opening day and the first week of 2002 Spring gobbler time last month is behind us now but not the rest of the season, which in Maryland and Virginia continues into May. There are still a few weeks left to hunker down inside quiet predawn field edges, bottomlands and woods as you listen for treetop gobbling that signals the remaining season and wild turkey mating cycle is still very much underway. Cycles of hens going “on-nest” to lay eggs, incubate and hatch their poults, will be well underway this month. In some areas where there is a high ratio of wild turkey hens to mature gobblers, hunters enjoy an increased chance in bagging a bird when the real life “competition” goes to nest and leave hunters to do the calling. Spring gobbler hunting in May can also be a rewarding experience as the remaining “wood lot” bullies tally up their spurs to see who really is the dominant “alpha” bird in the local turkey woods. Some of our greatest hunting experiences have occurred during this later part of the season. Even if you don’t get a shot, there is a lot to enjoy in a timberline sojourn this May. Toward the end of the seasons in both the Commonwealth and the “Freestate” a quiet and concealed hunter may even get to see a hen turkey showing her brood of new poults the ropes of survival. Enjoy the sights because before you know it, the young birds will be joining adult ranks of resilient wild turkey flocks who flourish across Maryland and Virginia. 

     In Virginia, Spring gobbler season continues through May 18 with hunting hours being one half hour before dawn until 12 noon, Monday through Saturday. The daily bag limit is one bearded bird per day. A total of three bearded birds can be harvested during the 2001-2002 license year in the Commonwealth. Thus if no wild turkeys were harvested during the 2001-02 fall season, then your Spring gobbler season limit in Virginia is three bearded birds. For additional information on Virginia’s 2002 Spring gobbler season call the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) at 804-367-1000 or visit the DGIF website at;  www.dgif.state.va.us
In Maryland, the Spring gobbler season continues through May 16. Hunting hours during Maryland’s 2002 Spring gobbler season are one half hour before sunrise to 12 noon, Monday through Saturday. The daily bag limit is one bearded bird per day and two bearded birds per season, if no wild turkeys were harvested during the Maryland Fall, 2001 season. Additional information on the Maryland 2002 Spring gobbler season can be obtained by calling the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife & Heritage Division at 877-620-8367 or 410 260-8540. Another source of information is the DNR website at; www.dnr.state.md.us .

     Spring gobbler season is a great time to share the opportunity with others. Don’t let the excitement of a hunt interfere with the most important part of the experience which is always safety. Camouflage and concealment are paramount strategies when turkey hunting. Someone approaching your location may not see you or be aware of your presence. If you sense another hunter is moving up on your position, never stand up move your arms, hands or legs. Before you move, call out in a clear voice and identify where you are. Avoid wearing clothing or displaying items that are red, white or blue while spring gobbler hunting. These are colors closely associated with a mature spring gobbler’s head and upper neck area, which also happens to be where a hunter aims on the bird. Blaze or fluorescent orange is not required for display or wear during the Maryland and Virginia spring gobbler seasons, but it is a good idea to keep some with you at all times. If you harvest a bird, tie a wide strip of blaze orange material on it as you carry it out. Wear some blaze or fluorescent orange clothing or cloth when you are moving to and from your hunting location. Never shoot at movement and always positively identify your target as well as what is in front of, behind it and all around. 

© 2002 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved