In this article, we look at Georgia’s turkey population, the state’s turkey hunting statistics and opportunities, as well as the upcoming 2023 turkey season.
In the past two decades, the occurrences of those gobbles have decreased, which is unfortunate for hunters in Georgia. When I think about it, I imagine pleasant spring mornings and the distinct calls of a mature male turkey resonating across a forested area as the final day of deer hunting season comes to an end, almost like instantly turning on a light.
If you have undoubtedly hunted turkeys for a very long time, decline the notice. We are only half of the turkeys we once were, but still considered hunters in Georgia. The harvest rate per hunter has dropped from an average of 0.65 to a low of 0.34 in 2021. Overall, the turkey harvest in Georgia has declined from over 40,000 birds in 2005 to just 18,763 in 2021. This information is based on data from 2021.
However, this is not solely a problem in Georgia.
The turkey population appears to be declining in a significant area of the southeastern region, and several states are initiating proactive measures.
In response to the consistent decrease in turkey population and hunter achievement, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) implemented a series of assertive modifications for both the 2022 and 2023 spring turkey seasons.
One bird may be taken per day, and the limit for gobblers is reduced to two to three per season, as per the DNR. Additionally, there is an additional week delay on public lands, and the season opener on private land is delayed by one week, which are the first changes of those.
The numbers of turkey are declining as the tide turns, leading to reduced bag limits and a shorter season. If we truly know before several years, it is likely that the population of turkey will take a decline. I’m not sure what impact the new regulations on turkey population have, as data from the spring 2022 turkey harvest has not been released yet.
Applying for Georgia Quota Turkey Hunts
You can see the odds of specific drawing hunts based on previous years on the Georgia DNR’s website. The best hunts will probably take two to four years to draw. You will earn a preference point, which improves your odds of being drawn in future seasons. If you don’t get drawn, you must apply for a hunt each year to participate. That means you must apply prior to the turkey hunting season in order to be drawn. As mentioned earlier, many of Georgia’s best public land turkey hunting hunts are quota hunts.
After the specified time limit, the DNR usually carries out the selection process and informs all individuals within a day or two. Annually, the time frame for applying for quota turkey hunts starts on June 1 and ends on February 15.
2023 Georgia Turkey Season Dates
So, what does all this imply for the season of 2023?
Make sure to review the current hunting regulations and specific season dates for each of Georgia’s wildlife management areas (WMAs) before heading out to your favorite WMA. Keep in mind that the statewide turkey season in Georgia will open on Saturday, April 1st, 2023 on public lands and on April 8th, 2023 on private lands.
Exclusively on privately owned properties, young hunters who are 16 years old and below are granted a head start of one week for the season through a Special Opportunity Season held on March 25-26.
Prior to embarking on your hunting expedition, make sure to verify the prevailing hunting rules for the WMA you plan to hunt in, as each Georgia WMA has its unique season dates and regulations.
Best Public Lands to Kill a Turkey
There are some WMAs that allow turkey hunting through a quota system, while others are open to anyone who wants to sign in and hunt. Hunters in Georgia are fortunate enough to have access to over 1 million acres of public hunting land spread over 100 national forests and wildlife management areas. If you don’t have access to private land, there are plenty of public land options for turkey hunters in the Peach State.
Some WMAs boast much higher success rates than others, however, it is important to keep in mind. The overall success rate is a dismal 6.7%, which is quite low. In 2021, just under 16,000 turkey hunters signed up to hunt on Georgia’s WMAs, with only 1,069 gobblers harvested.
In terms of each acre, other WMAs actually yield a greater number of turkeys, but when you take into account the immense expanse of the forest, the Chattahoochee National Forest had the highest turkey kill compared to any other public land. Additionally, the quality of turkey hunting plays a significant role in determining the size of the property and the number of hunters utilizing it. It’s important to note that the overall turkey harvest on a property cannot be solely determined by the complete picture, but it is worth considering that the areas with the highest turkey harvests from the previous season can provide a potential starting point. While I can identify the areas with the highest turkey harvests from last season to give you a potential starting point, it is not possible for me to cover every public land option in this single article.
Taking that into account, here are some of the top public lands in Georgia for turkey hunting in terms of overall productivity:
Best Counties to Kill a Turkey
While the numbers of turkeys in Georgia have been declining, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t great turkey hunting opportunities in the Peach State. Some public and county lands offer higher odds of success than others.
The local-level harvest in northwest Georgia is primarily driven by multiple counties. However, in the past twenty years, the Piedmont and Upper Coastal Plain regions of Georgia have consistently yielded the highest numbers of turkeys during the harvest season.
In the southeast, Laurens (163) and Dodge (129) counties took the lead. In the southwest region of the state, Stewart County with 85 birds followed Talbot County as the frontrunner with a harvest of 96 birds in 2021. Hancock County, located nearby, recorded a count of 164 birds, while Burke County in the east-central part of the state had a harvest of 200 birds. Walker (171), Gordon (172), Bartow (188), and Polk (222) counties were the top turkey-producing counties in that particular area for the year 2021, with Floyd County following closely behind at 246 birds.
In order to obtain in-depth information on turkey harvest data for every county, you have the option to investigate the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Interactive Turkey Harvest Map.
Summary
I will be attentively listening for the first gobble of the spring season. However, the declining turkey population may cause the bag limits and season dates to be shifted to more conservative options by those who are knowledgeable. There are still plenty of great hunting opportunities in the Peach State. The good old days of turkey hunting in Georgia may be in the past, but there are still plenty of opportunities.