During the Arkansas’ annual youth turkey hunt last weekend, hunters ages 6 to 15 checked 1,147 turkeys, resulting in 75 more turkeys than the previous year. This is the second consecutive year the turkey harvest has topped 1,000 and is only the second time it has happened since 2016.
Allison Fowler, assistant chief of wildlife management at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), said: “we’re obviously excited to see so many successful young hunters out there, and we’re thankful that the weather turned out nearly perfect for an opening hunt. The turkeys that were gobbling and many parents and mentors took the opportunity to get their young hunters out for what we hope will be the first of many birds in their hunting career.”
The youth hunt typically accounts for ten percent of the overall season harvest, so Fowler is hopeful hunters have a good regular season.
Arkansas’ regular turkey season opens on Monday. In Turkey Zone 1 the season runs through April 23, which is composed of the extreme northwest and southwest portions of the state as well as the Crowley’s Ridge area and northern portion of the Arkansas Delta. And in Turkey Zone 2 the season will end May 5 in, which makes up most of the state.
Fowler says, “The forecast for Monday’s regular season opener looks like there is a good chance of rain and overcast skies, but not a sudden decrease in temperature. We hope to continue hearing some good gobbling as many hens begin to head to the nest and the male turkeys get anxious to continue breeding.”
Only one legal turkey may be taken in Zone 1, while two legal turkeys is the seasonal limit in Zone 2. Only one legal turkey may be taken in the first seven days of the regular season. All turkeys taken by youth during the youth hunt will count towards their seasonal limit.
For more information on Turkey hunting in Arkansas, visit www.agfc.com/turkey.
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