by Jack Kiser
Correspondent
Ohio hunters killed 10,374 wild turkeys in the first seven days of the spring hunting season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Wildlife.
Last year, 9,114 birds were harvested during the season's first week.
"This season has got off to a fantastic start with many hunters, from the young to the more experienced enjoying success," said David Graham, chief of the DOW.
So far this season, the five counties reporting the highest numbers of turkeys harvested are: Ashtabula 386, Harrison 348, Guernsey 323, Coshocton 322 and Tuscarawas 317. Portage County tallied 125 (74 last year), Summit 53 (36) and Geauga 217 (221).
Hunters ages 17 and younger killed 1,838 birds during a special youth-only season held the weekend of April 19-20.
That number was a sharp increase over last year's total of 1,630 harvested. Top youth counties this year were: Ashtabula 69, Trumbull 64, Coshocton and Washington 61 each, and Monroe 57.
This year's opening-day harvest figure of 2,768 birds was an increase from last year's 2,569. The season remains open through May 18.
Spring wild-turkey hunters may hunt in all 88 counties, except at the Lake La Su An Wildlife Area in Williams County. Turkey hunting is permitted a half-hour before sunrise until noon daily.
Hunters may take two bearded turkeys per spring season. Shotguns using shot, crossbows and longbows are legal during this season. A spring turkey permit is required, along with an Ohio hunting license.
For more information about Ohio's spring wild turkey hunt, visit wildohio.com.
Kiser is the host of TV's "Buckeye Angler' and is Ohio editor of Midwest Outdoors magazine. He can be reached at www.buckeyeangler.com.