Ohio Opening Weekend of Turkey Season | OHUB News

I do know most individuals contemplate Ohio a whitetail state, and that’s true. It’s the main sport animal, as in a lot of the Midwest. Nevertheless, turkeys within the Buckeye State aren’t far behind. I do know individuals who dwell and breathe for Spring turkey season, much more than deer. I believe it’s as a result of there’s extra motion. You name them in and arrange decoys. It requires a bit extra planning and setup—although some will argue that time. However I do know method too many informal deer hunters, and all of the turkey hunters I do know are severe about it. Anyway, let’s check out how large the opening weekend was.

Opening Weekend Units the Tempo

Ohio’s 2026 spring turkey season opened with a powerful displaying, as hunters within the south zone checked 4,646 birds throughout opening weekend—effectively forward of final 12 months’s 4,281 and comfortably above the three-year common of 4,239.

That early success echoes a well-known story for seasoned turkey hunters: when circumstances and fowl numbers align, opening weekend can set the tone for all the season. Main the cost had been Tuscarawas (144), Belmont (142), and a decent cluster of counties, together with Brown, Guernsey, Gallia, and Highland, every posting triple-digit harvests that replicate each wholesome populations and energetic participation throughout the area.

Youth hunters additionally made a stable contribution, tagging 2,058 birds statewide throughout the south and northeast youth weekends, together with 119 within the northeast zone alone.

Sturdy Outlook Backed by Biology and Participation

The broader outlook is encouraging. ODNR knowledge present constant brood success over the previous a number of years, with poults-per-hen averages of three.0 in 2022, 2.8 in 2023, and a couple of.9 in 2024—proper according to the long-term common of two.8. Poults-per-hen is a key indicator as a result of turkey harvests are inclined to mirror hatch productiveness from two years prior.

Even 2025’s 2.7 poults per hen suggests steady recruitment. With 41,669 permits already issued, participation stays robust as seasons roll out throughout zones, every with outlined taking pictures hours and a one-bird statewide bag restrict.

Zooming Out

Whereas opening day’s numbers had been wonderful, they’re a far cry from the place issues began. Wild turkeys had been extirpated from Ohio by 1904. Reintroduction efforts within the Nineteen Fifties led to a modest 12-bird harvest in 1966. In the present day’s numbers underscore how far the species—and Ohio’s hunters—have come.

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Sources:

Cory Ross

Cory Ross labored within the firearms trade for practically 13 years earlier than shifting to writing full-time. Throughout that interval, he was lucky to work with and construct relationships with some unimaginable individuals and firms. He additionally accomplished a Grasp of Arts in Historical past from Cleveland State College, the place he targeting American Imperialism. Whereas he loves taking pictures and all issues firearm, his different hobbies embrace coaching, gear, studying, movie, and watches. He contributes to a number of different publications, together with Out of doors HUB, The MDT Weblog, Athlon Properties, Weapons & Ammo Precision Rifle Shooter, Guide of the AR-15, Capturing Occasions, Safariland Cadre Dispatch, The Armory Life, and Capturing Information Weekly, amongst others.