spittin’ drummin’€¦ · harvest rates and age structure harvest rates provide an index to...

2018 Mississippi Wild Turkey Report 1

2018&Spittin’Drummin’

M I S S I S S I P P I W I L D T U R K E Y R E P O R TM I S S I S S I P P I D E PA R T M E N T O F W I L D L I F E , F I S H E R I E S , A N D PA R K S

2 2018 Mississippi Wild Turkey Report


Mississippi DepartMent of WilDlife, fisheries, anD parks1505 Eastover Drive | Jackson, MS 39211

2018 MISSISSIPPIWILD TURKEY REPORT

Spittin’ And Drummin’


Mississippi Wild Turkey Population StatisticsBased on Spring Gobbler Hunting and Brood Surveys

THE SPRING GOBBLER HUNTING SURVEY (SGHS) WAS INITIATED IN 1995 TO PROVIDE THE MISSISSIPPI Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) biological information about the state’s wild turkey resource. Each

year, cooperating hunters record information about their spring gobbler hunts. The database obtained from this survey assists the MDWFP in monitoring populations and making management decisions in the best interest of the turkey resource and turkey hunters. The MDWFP appreciates the data collection efforts and comments from all hunters and hunting clubs who participate in the SGHS. All turkey hunters, regardless of their ability or experience, are encouraged to participate. This is an opportunity to be directly involved in the conservation and management of the wild turkey in Mississippi. An application for participation in the SGHS is provided at the end of this report.

Private land data from the 1995 – 2017 SGHSs are presented graphically in the following statewide and regional summaries. The remainder of this introduction describes how the data were collected and summarized, along with important points to consider during interpretation. Most parameters are expressed as an average number per every 10 or 100 hours of hunting. Standardizing values by a specific number of hours hunted allows the rates to be compared among regions and years, even though hunter effort varies.

ReproductionDuring June, July, and August, the annual wild turkey brood survey (initiated in 1994) is conducted by personnel from the MDWFP, Mississippi Forestry Commission, U.S. Forest Service, and other cooperators. Brood surveys provide indices to reproduction and are valuable in monitoring turkey population trends. Hens observed with at least one poult are considered successful. Hens without poults are considered unsuccessful and either did not attempt to nest, abandoned their nest, lost their nest to predation or human disturbance or had no poults survive. Average brood size is the total number of poults divided by number of successful hens and is an index to poult survival. “Poults per total hens” is defined as the number of poults observed divided by total number of hens seen. “Poults per total hens” is the most practical reproductive index because it considers successful hens, unsuccessful hens and poult survival.

Turkey ObservationsTurkey observations are classified as gobblers, jakes, hens, or unknowns. Observation rates are reported as the average number of gobblers, jakes, or hens seen during 100 hours of hunting. Total observations combine all turkeys seen, including unknowns. Observation rates provide indices to sex ratios, gobbler age ratios, population size, and population trends. Jake observations re-flect the recruitment of males into the population from the previous year’s hatch and provide an index to the potential number of 2-year-old gobblers in the population during the next spring turkey season.

Steve Gulledge

Steve Gulledge

SPITTIN’ AN

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Gobbling ActivityThe number of individual gobblers heard and the total number of gobbles heard are used as indices to gobbling activity. Gobbling activity is reported as the average number of gobblers and gobbles heard during 10 hours of hunting. Gobbling activity is consid-ered an indicator of hunting quality and may show a trend reflecting the number of gobblers in the population.

Harvest Rates and Age StructureHarvest rates provide an index to hunter success and population size. Spur lengths generally increase with age and therefore provide an index to age structure of harvested gobblers. Spur lengths are classified into four length categories based on the longer of the two spur measurements for each harvested gobbler. Spurs less than half an inch long are classified as jakes or 1-year-old gobblers. Lengths between a half and one inch are generally 2-years-old. Gobblers with spurs one to one and a quarter inch are

considered 3-years-old, while birds with spur lengths over inch and a quarter are considered 4-years-old or older. Monitoring spur length distribution should reflect changes in gobbler age structure over time. If age structure is increasing, a higher per-centage of gobblers harvested should be in the larger spur length categories. Spur length distributions are used to monitor the im-pact of harvest on the gobbler population and to evaluate season lengths and bag limits.

Steve Gulledge

POPU

LATI

ON

STA

TIST

ICS

Steve Gulledge

Steve Gulledge


Statewide

STATEWIDE PRIVATE LAND DATA WERE COLLECTED DURING THE 2017 season by more than 54 hunting clubs and approximately 463 indi-

vidual hunters participating in the Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey.

ReproductionThroughout June, July, and August of 2017, the MDWFP tur-key brood survey tallied a total of 1,061 hens. Of these, 354 (33%) successfully raised young. A total of 1,483, poults were observed, and the average overall brood size was 4.19 poults. Of broods lead by a single adult hen, average brood size was 5.5 poults. The statewide average number of poults per hen (PPH) was 1.4 (Figure 1). This tally was below the values of the prior three years, and approximately 12% below the 10-year PPH average (1.6 PPH). Regional variation in reproduction was observed throughout the state.

Harvest Rates & Age StructureHarvest per unit of effort increased statewide in 2017. On aver-age, participants in the Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey (SGHS) harvested approximately 3.2 gobblers per 100 hours hunted (Fig-ure 2), which was a 10% increase over the 2016 harvest rate. Par-ticipants in the SGHS harvested 645 gobblers throughout Mis-sissippi. Of these, 37% were likely 2-year-old birds, whereas 58% had spurs greater than one inch, likely making them 3-year-old or older. Interestingly, 4% of the statewide harvest carried spurs ≤1/2”, which was the greatest proportional value of juvenile gob-blers (i.e., jakes) in the harvest since the enactment of the No-Jake rule in 1998 (Figure 3).

TUNICATATE

DESOTO

MARSHALL

PANOLA

BENTON

COAHOMA

TALLAHATCHIEYALOBUSHA

BOLIVAR

QU

ITM

AN

SUN

FLO

WER

LEFLORE

GRENADA

CARROLL

MONT-GOMERY

WEBSTER

WASHINGTON HUMPHREYSHOLMES ATTALA

CHOCTAW

CALHOUN

WINSTON

OKTIBBEHA

CLAY

CHICKASAW

ISSA

QU

ENA

SHAR

KEY

YAZOOMADISON

LEAKE

SCOTT

HINDS

WARREN

COPIAH

RANKIN

SIMPSONCLAIBORNE

JEFFERSON

LINCOLNFRANKLIN

ADAMS

LAW

REN

CE

PIKEAMITEWILKINSON

WALTHALL

MARION

JEFF DAVIS

LAMAR

FORREST PERRY

GREENE

COVINGTON

JONESWAYNE

JASPERCLARKE

PEARLRIVER

STONEGEORGE

HARRISON

HANCOCK

JACKSON

SMITH

NEWTONLAUDERDALE

NESHOBA

KEMPER

NOXUBEE

LOWNDES

MONROE

LAFAYETTE

UNION

PONTOTOC

TIPPAH

PRENTISS

ALCORN

LEE

ITAWAMBA

TISH

OM

ING

O

2.3

1.5

2.3 2.32.2

2.1 2.2

2.72.6

1.51.3

1.8 1.81.9

1.7

1.1

1.8

1.5

2.1

1.0

1.9

1.7 1.61.4

0

1

2

3

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Poults Per Total HensFigure 1

3.4

3.8

4.54.2

4.03.9

3.6 3.8

4.44.7

3.4

2.8

3.23.4

3.6

3.12.9

3.8

3.0

3.5

2.5

2.93.2

0

1

2

3

4

51995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Harvest Per 100 Hours HuntedFigure 2

2014 19

2 1 2 0 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 3 1 2 1 1 4

37 48 42

5651 50 48 49 52 49 44 45 45 46 45 48 43

5047 48

43 45 37

3431 33 35

39 37 44 40 39 4043 38 42 43 45 39

41

3842 38

43 4245

9 7 6 7 8 11 7 9 8 10 12 15 12 10 8 12 159 10 12 12 12 13

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

0.1-0.5" 0.5-1.0" 1.0-1.25" >1.25"

Spur Length Classes (%)Figure 3

SPITTIN’ AN

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’: MISSISSIPPI W

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Gobbling ActivityGobbling activity increased statewide during the 2017 spring season. The total number of gobbles heard per 10 hours hunted (70.8) was above the figure’s 10-year average (68.4; Figure 4), while the number of gobblers heard per 10 hours hunted increased to 5.1 individuals. Statewide, gobbling activity tended to decline throughout the spring season. The number of both total gobbles and individual gobblers heard per 10 hour hunted was greatest during the Youth week. During the regular season, the third week of the season, corresponding to March 29th through April 4th, was the peak of gobbling activity (Figure 5).

Turkey ObservationsDuring the 2017 spring season, turkey sightings were slightly above the previous year, but still below their long-term average. Participants in the SGHS observed an average of 78.4 total turkeys per 100 hours hunted, including 32.7 gobblers (including both jakes and adult gobblers) and 37.1 hens (Figure 6). Statewide sightings of jakes increased approximately 7% to 14.5 jakes seen per 100 hours hunted (Figure 7).

2018 Season ForecastPatterns in brood data, turkey observations, and the relative abundance of jakes in 2017 suggest that, on average, Mississippi turkey hunters should expect a 2018 spring turkey season that is on par with what they experienced in 2017. While not covered in the previous section, available data suggests that gobbler carry-over from 2017 was above-average throughout much of the state, and this suggests increased availability of adult gobblers in 2018. Still, the lackluster hatch of last summer may mean overall turkey observations are likely to drop in many areas. Spring weather and regional variability will play a large role in the timing of gobbling activity, but if prior years are any indication, Magnolia State turkey hunters will hear the most gobbles during the week or so that straddles April 1st.

0

2

4

6

8

10

0

20

40

60

80

100

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Gobb

lers

Gobb

les

Gobbles Gobblers

Gobblers & Gobbles HeardPer 10 Hours Hunted by Year

Figure 4

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

YOUTH MAR 15 -MAR 21

MAR 22 -MAR 28

MAR 29 -APR 4

APR 5 -APR 11

APR 12 -APR 18

APR 19 -APR 25

APR 26 -MAY 1

Gobb

lers

Gobb

les

Gobbles Gobblers

Gobblers & Gobbles HeardPer 10 Hours Hunted by Week

Figure 5

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Gobblers (Includes Jakes) Hens Total (Includes Unknowns)

Turkey ObservationsPer 100 Hours Hunted

Figure 6

7.19

11.3

17.6 16.6

18.4

18.7

13.9

20.6

20.0

12.9

9.6

11.9

17.8

17.3 16.6

9.3

18.8

13.8

16.9

8.5

13.1

13.5

14.5

0

5

10

15

20

25

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Jake ObservationsPer 100 Hours Hunted

Figure 7

STAT

EWID

E


3.4

2.4 2.5

2.2

3.0

2.2

2.62.4

3.2

1.41.6

1.1

1.8

1.3 1.4

0.9

1.4 1.4

1.9

0.9

1.6

2.3

1.0

1.5

0

1

2

3

4

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

5.1

3.4

4.3

3.13.3

3.6

3.0 3.1

4.54.2

3.4

3.0 2.9 2.83.1

2.9

3.5 3.5 3.6

3.2

2.5

3.0

3.7

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

17 1728

0 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 2 4 0 2 0 2 4

70

4637

5851 53 52

6553

51 5159

3748

3851

54 49 57 51 49 45 40

13

31 3138

43 38 42

33

3738

4234

47

44

38

3834 39 35 43

39 42 46

06 4 4 6 9 6 2 7 11 6 7

148

2411 10 8 8 5

11 10 10

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

0.1-0.5" 0.5-1.0" 1.0-1.25" >1.25"

Turkey Region 1

TURKEY REGION 1 CONSISTS OF 21 COUNTIES IN NORTH-CENTRAL AND NORTH-EAST Mississippi. The two primary forest types in Region 1 are oak-

hickory and oak-pine. The oak-hickory forest type is located on the western side of the region and in association with the Blackland Prairie. While this forest type is dominated by various oaks and hickories, it also includes beech, black cher-ry, and yellow poplar. The oak-pine forest type runs along the Alabama state line and in the central portion of the region. Here, upland oaks comprise about 50% of the forest community and are mixed with minor amounts of loblolly and shortleaf pines.

ReproductionIn Region 1, turkey reproduction during the summer of 2017 increased more than 50% from 2016, and was slightly above the 10-year PPH average for the region (Figure 1). Across the region, a total of 348 hens were observed during the survey period, of which approximately one-third (115) were accom-panied by a brood. The average overall brood size was 4.6 poults, which was similar to the observed average in the pre-vious year.

Harvest Rates & Age StructureIn 2017, northeast Mississippi led the state in harvest per unit of effort with 3.7 gobblers harvested per 100 hours hunted (Figure 2). This was an impressive 23% increase over 2016, and nearly 16% above the 10-year average for the region. Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey participants harvested 191 gobblers, which was more than any other region in 2017. Of those har-vested, approximately 4% were jakes (spurs less than 0.5”), 40% were likely 2-year-olds (spurs between 0.5” and 1”), and 56% were three-years-old or greater (spurs ≥1”; Figure 3).

TUNICATATE

DESOTO

MARSHALL

PANOLA

BENTON

COAHOMA


BOLIVAR

QU

ITM

AN

SUN

FLO

WER

LEFLORE

GRENADA

CARROLL

MONT-GOMERY

WEBSTER


CHOCTAW

CALHOUN

WINSTON

OKTIBBEHA

CLAY

CHICKASAW

ISSA

QU

ENA

SHAR

KEY

YAZOOMADISON

LEAKE

SCOTT

HINDS

WARREN

COPIAH

RANKIN

SIMPSONCLAIBORNE

JEFFERSON

LINCOLNFRANKLIN

ADAMS

LAW

REN

CE

PIKEAMITEWILKINSON

WALTHALL

MARION

JEFF DAVIS

LAMAR

FORREST PERRY

GREENE

COVINGTON

JONESWAYNE

JASPERCLARKE

PEARLRIVER

STONEGEORGE

HARRISON

HANCOCK

JACKSON

SMITH

NEWTONLAUDERDALE

NESHOBA

KEMPER

NOXUBEE

LOWNDES

MONROE

LAFAYETTE

UNION

PONTOTOC

TIPPAH

PRENTISS

ALCORN

LEE

ITAWAMBA

TISH

OM

ING

O




SPITTIN’ AN

D DRUM

MIN

’: MISSISSIPPI W

ILD TURKEY REPO

RT


0

2

4

6

8

0

20

40

60

80

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Gobb

lers

Gobbles Gobblers

0

2

4

6

8

10

0

20

40

60

80

100


MAR 22 -MAR 28

MAR 29 -APR 4

APR 5 -APR 11

APR 12 -APR 18

APR 19 -APR 25

APR 26 -MAY 1

Gobb

lers

Gobb

les

Gobbles Gobblers

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017


12.0

14.4

16 13.6

25

16.7

17.9

21.0

37.0

17.9

20.6

16.9

27.7

15.4

32.1

11.7

19.7

21.3

18.0

10.4

17.9

21.1 18.7

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Gobbling ActivityDuring the 2017 season, hunters heard an average of 4.5 gobblers and 57.1 gobbles for every 10 hours hunted (Figure 4). Each of these values were well above the previous year, and also above their long-term average. Gobbling activity had a clear mid-season peak in northeast Mississippi. The total number of individual gobblers heard peaked during the third week of the regular season (March 29th – April 4th) at 6.5 gobblers heard per 10 hours hunted. Meanwhile, total gobbles heard was highest during weeks three through five, with the weeks of March 29th – April 4th and April 12th – April 18th both reporting near 87 total gobbles heard per 10 hours hunted (Figure 5).

Turkey ObservationsSightings of turkeys stayed relatively unchanged from recent years in northeast Mississippi during the spring of 2017. For every 100 hours hunted, SGHS participants saw 103.1 total turkeys, including 55.0 hens and 37.8 total gobblers (including jakes and adults; Figure 6). Jake observations fell slightly in 2017. Hunters saw an average of 18.7 jakes per 100 hours hunted, which was similar to the long-term average for the region (Figure 7).

2018 Season ForecastNortheast Mississippi was a hot-spot in 2017 and, as mentioned, had the SGHS’s highest regional harvest rate. Available data suggests that populations coming into the 2018 spring season will be similar to the previous few years. The combination of positive gobbler to hen ratios, brood survey tabulations, and comparable jake observations all suggest that the hunting should still be very good in the Northeast during 2018, although maybe not quite as good as 2017.


Figure 4


Figure 5


Figure 6


Figure 7

TURK

EY R

EGIO

N 1


1.2

0.5 0.5

1.6

0.5

1.2

2.2

1.3 1.3

1.91.7

3.3

2.6 2.5

0.1

0.4

2.0

0.0

2.3

0.0

1.7

0.70.5

0.00

1

2

3

4

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

4.5

2.7

3.33.1 3.2 3.3

3.5

4.4

3.7

3.0

2.2

3.02.8

4.1

3.1

1.9

1.1

4.2

1.5

5.0

2.1

2.52.2

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2 4 0 0 2 3 1 1 1 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4

55

44

18

5157 52

49 50 5937

54

37 32 41 36 3844

61

0

56 52 51

26

14

38

82

3935

34 44 44 42

44

38

51 5148 54 46

44

30

80

3348 49

52

715

010 7 11

5 6 816

8 12 13 11 1016 11 9

2011

0 0

17

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

0.1-0.5" 0.5-1.0" 1.0-1.25" >1.25"

Turkey Region 2

TURKEY REGION 2 COMPRISES THE TEN DELTA COUNTIES AND IS SUBJECT TO extensive, annual spring flooding that has a major impact on turkey reproduction. The

dominant forest type in the Delta is oak-gum-cypress. This region can be subdivided into the batture lands (west of the mainline Mississippi River levee) and the interior floodplain. The batture area is dominated by sugarberry, sycamore, cottonwood, sweetgum, elm, and cypress. Pecan is the only hard mast producer of any significance. The interior Delta con-sists of extensive agricultural areas containing fragmented hardwood forests interspersed with cypress swamps. The major tree species include overcup oak, Nuttall oak, water oak, green ash, sweetgum and cottonwood.

Region 2 is unique in that most of the turkey habitat in the interior Delta is on public lands (national forest, wildlife management areas, and wildlife refuges), and the vast ma-jority of the private land habitat is located in the batture lands west of the Mississippi River levee. Therefore, data from the annual brood survey is biased by the majority of turkey observations coming from public lands in the interior Delta, while all the other information in this section is almost exclusively from private lands between the levees.

ReproductionBrood surveys conducted in Region 2 during the summer of 2017 failed to register any successful reproduction (Figure 1). This is a continuation of the region’s trend over the last de-cade in which the summer hatch has been either very good or nearly nonexistent. While there is little indication that a strong hatch occurred in the Delta in 2017, it was likely better than indicated, and the zero values reported here are doubt-less a function of the very limited sample (24) of adult hens that were observed across the region during the MDWFP brood survey period.

Harvest Rates & Age StructureIn 2017, SGHS hunters in the Delta harvested approximately 2.2 gobblers per 100 hours hunted (Figure 2). This was near the values of the previous two springs, but was more than 20% below the 10-year harvest average. Unsurprisingly given the region’s recent reproduction woes, most of the harvest was comprised of older age class gobblers. Two-year-old gobblers (spurs between 0.5” – 1.0”) only accounted for 26% of the har-vest (Figure 3).

TUNICATATE

DESOTO

MARSHALL

PANOLA

BENTON

COAHOMA


BOLIVAR

QU

ITM

AN

SUN

FLO

WER

LEFLORE

GRENADA

CARROLL

MONT-GOMERY

WEBSTER


CHOCTAW

CALHOUN

WINSTON

OKTIBBEHA

CLAY

CHICKASAW

ISSA

QU

ENA

SHAR

KEY

YAZOOMADISON

LEAKE

SCOTT

HINDS

WARREN

COPIAH

RANKIN

SIMPSONCLAIBORNE

JEFFERSON

LINCOLNFRANKLIN

ADAMS

LAW

REN

CE

PIKEAMITEWILKINSON

WALTHALL

MARION

JEFF DAVIS

LAMAR

FORREST PERRY

GREENE

COVINGTON

JONESWAYNE

JASPERCLARKE

PEARLRIVER

STONEGEORGE

HARRISON

HANCOCK

JACKSON

SMITH

NEWTONLAUDERDALE

NESHOBA

KEMPER

NOXUBEE

LOWNDES

MONROE

LAFAYETTE

UNION

PONTOTOC

TIPPAH

PRENTISS

ALCORN

LEE

ITAWAMBA

TISH

OM

ING

O




SPITTIN’ AN

D DRUM

MIN

’: MISSISSIPPI W

ILD TURKEY REPO

RT


0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017


5.7

5.4

5.1

15.2

14.3

16.6

28.5

21.9

14.0 11.3

16.4

15.6

34.9

18.9

1.9

6.1

24.6

3.6

59.7

12.7

37.8

14.0 11.7

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

0

2

4

6

8

10

0

20

40

60

80

100

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Gobb

lers

Gobb

les

Gobbles Gobblers

0

2

4

6

8

10

0

40

80

120

160

200


MAR 22 -MAR 28

MAR 29 -APR 4

APR 5 -APR 11

APR 12 -APR 18

APR 19 -APR 25

APR 26 -MAY 1

Gobb

lers

Gobb

les

Gobbles Gobblers

Gobbling ActivitySpring Gobbler Hunting Survey participants heard an average of 3.7 individual gobblers and 49.1 total gobbles per 10 hours hunted (Figure 4). Both of these values were down from 2016, and were also below their 10-year average. Gobbling activity was noticeably greater during the Youth week than at any other point during the spring season, with an astounding 8 gobblers and 160 gobbles heard per 10 hours hunted (Figure 5). During the regular season, the peak of gobbling was the third week of the season (March 29th – April 4th).

Turkey ObservationsTotal turkey observations dropped in Region 2 during 2017 for the second straight year. Hunters averaged seeing 32.0 gobblers, 38.8 hens, and 7.0 unknown birds, for a total of 77.8 turkeys seen per 100 hours hunted (Figure 6). This was nearly 25% below the 10-year average observation rate. Observations of juvenile gobblers dropped slightly from 14.0 observed per 100 hours hunted in 2016 to 11.7 in 2017 (Figure 7).

2018 Season ForecastUnfortunately, there isn’t much good news to be shared with Delta hunters. Untimely floods over the last decade have been a chronic problem keeping populations along the Mississippi River from reaching their full potential. The last hatch that was able to significantly bolster populations occurred in 2014 and has mostly played out. The only bright spots are that recent restoration efforts in parts of the interior Delta have slightly expanded hunting opportunities, and regulation changes on public lands have successfully increased harvest rates by keeping hunting pressure down.


Figure 4


Figure 5


Figure 6


Figure 7 TURK

EY R

EGIO

N 2


Turkey Region 3

TURKEY REGION 3 IS THE 21 COUNTY AREA LOCATED IN EAST-CEN-TRAL Mississippi. The two major forest types in this region are loblolly-

shortleaf pine, which occurs on the drier, more sandy soils, and oak-pine. Lob-lolly and shortleaf pines constitute more than 50% of the commercial trees in this forest type. Upland hardwoods, primarily various oaks and hickories, make up the rest of the forest community. In the oak-pine type, upland oaks make up more than 50% of the trees with the remaining species including hickories, sweetgum, black gum, loblolly, and shortleaf pines.

ReproductionIn 2017, east-central Mississippi was not able repeat the stel-lar hatch it experienced in 2016. The regional average was 1.3 PPH, which was a 43% decline from the previous year, and was 24% below the 10-year average (Figure 1). Apparent nest success was 34%, as 127 of the 376 hens observed during the brood survey period were accompanied by poults. The aver-age overall brood size was 3.97 poults, whereas single brood hens averaged broods of 4.26 poults.

Harvest Rates & Age StructureIn 2017, SGHS hunters in east-central Mississippi harvested 2.9 gobblers per 100 hours hunted (Figure 2). This value was identical to the previous year, but considerably below the re-gion’s long-term average. The majority (56%) of the 192 gob-blers harvested by SGHS hunters in Region 3 were 3-years-old or older (Figure 3). Only 41% of the harvest was comprised of 2-year-old birds.

TUNICATATE

DESOTO

MARSHALL

PANOLA

BENTON

COAHOMA


BOLIVAR

QU

ITM

AN

SUN

FLO

WER

LEFLORE

GRENADA

CARROLL

MONT-GOMERY

WEBSTER


CHOCTAW

CALHOUN

WINSTON

OKTIBBEHA

CLAY

CHICKASAW

ISSA

QU

ENA

SHAR

KEY

YAZOOMADISON

LEAKE

SCOTT

HINDS

WARREN

COPIAH

RANKIN

SIMPSONCLAIBORNE

JEFFERSON

LINCOLNFRANKLIN

ADAMS

LAW

REN

CE

PIKEAMITEWILKINSON

WALTHALL

MARION

JEFF DAVIS

LAMAR

FORREST PERRY

GREENE

COVINGTON

JONESWAYNE

JASPERCLARKE

PEARLRIVER

STONEGEORGE

HARRISON

HANCOCK

JACKSON

SMITH

NEWTONLAUDERDALE

NESHOBA

KEMPER

NOXUBEE

LOWNDES

MONROE

LAFAYETTE

UNION

PONTOTOC

TIPPAH

PRENTISS

ALCORN

LEE

ITAWAMBA

TISH

OM

ING

O

2.2

1.5

2.72.6 2.6

2.01.9

2.4

2.7

1.21.4

1.6

2.0

1.8

2.3

1.2

1.7

1.9

2.3

1.0

2.2

1.3

2.3

1.3

0

1

2

3

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017


3.74.0

4.54.3 4.2 4.1

3.73.5

4.7

5.3

3.3

2.5

3.0

3.7

3.3

3.8

2.6

3.9

2.93.3

2.3

2.9 2.9

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017


7 1016

2 1 2 0 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 2

4646

4060

49 50 50 4855 50

3847 48 48 45 46

36

54

4052 47

42 41

35 34 3632

44 37 43 4035 41

47 33 37 40 45 3846

35

4736 39

46 42

12 10 8 6 7 11 7 11 9 8 13 17 14 11 814 15

9 12 12 12 12 14

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

0.1-0.5" 0.5-1.0" 1.0-1.25" >1.25"


SPITTIN’ AN

D DRUM

MIN

’: MISSISSIPPI W

ILD TURKEY REPO

RT


Gobbling ActivityGobbling activity in Region 3 increased in 2017. Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey participants heard an average of 4.4 gobblers and 67.2 gobbles per 100 hours hunted in the east-central region (Figure 4). Both these values were very near their 10-year regional average. When viewed per unit effort, the Youth week offered the most gobbling activity. Hunters afield during that time heard 6.8 gobblers and 114.0 total gobbles per 10 hours hunted (Figure 5). During the regular season, total gobbles peaked in week three at 90.6 total gobbles per 10 hours hunted, whereas the most gobblers (5.3) were heard during the regular season in week four.

Turkey ObservationsTotal turkey observations in Region 3 have been on a clear upswing over the past three years. In 2017, turkey observations in-creased to 20% above their recent low in 2015. Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey Hunters in east-central Mississippi saw 79.3 total turkeys per 100 hours hunted, including 32.7 gobblers (including adult and juvenile gobblers) and 37.2 hens. Jake observations made an impressive 35% increase to 15.0 juvenile gobblers observed per 100 hours hunted.

2018 Season ForecastThe 2017 season proved tough in much of central Mississippi, with a rate of harvest that was considerably below the region’s average. Nevertheless, all indications are that 2018 will see a significant rebound. This portion of the state had excellent reproduction in 2016, corroborated by both brood survey data and 2017 jake observations. This spike should translate into plenty of naïve 2-year-old gobblers roaming the woods this spring. Total turkey observations have increased in each of the last two springs, and last season overall gobbling activity was higher than at any time in the last five years (although much of this gobbling was being done by jakes). If you hunt in central Mississippi, you should have plenty to be excited about.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Gobb

lers

Gobb

les

Gobbles Gobblers


Figure 4

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

0

20

40

60

80

100

120


MAR 22 -MAR 28

MAR 29 -APR 4

APR 5 -APR 11

APR 12 -APR 18

APR 19 -APR 25

APR 26 -MAY 1

Gobb

lers

Gobb

les

Gobbles Gobblers


Figure 5

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017



Figure 6

13.5 12.3

17.8

17.3

17.3

18.9

10.7

18.3

18.6

12.9

6.9

10.3

12.5

15.1

20.5

9.1

17.6

11.8

15.7

7.0

11.0

11.1

15.0

0

5

10

15

20

25

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017


Figure 7

TURK

EY R

EGIO

N 3


Turkey Region 4

TWELVE COUNTIES IN THE SOUTHWEST PORTION OF THE STATE comprise Turkey Region 4. The oak-hickory forest type is located along

the loess hills bordering the Mississippi River floodplain. Adjacent to the loess hills is a narrow transition zone consisting of the oak-pine forest type. The eastern and southern section of the region is made up of the loblolly-shortleaf pine forest community. Descriptions for these forest types are provided in pre-vious regions.

ReproductionIn Region 4, 147 adult hens and 225 poults were observed dur-ing the summer survey, resulting in a 1.53 PPH average (Figure 1). This was 15% below the long-term average for the region. Thirty-eight percent of all hens were accompanied by poults, which was the highest regional average across the state. The average brood size was 4.02 poults.

Harvest Rates & Age StructureHarvest per unit of effort increased in Region 4 for the sec-ond straight year. Spring Gobbler Survey Hunters in south-west Mississippi harvested an average of 3.5 gobblers per 100 hours hunted (Figure 1), which was slightly above the region’s 10-year average. There were 188 gobblers harvested by SGHS participants in Region 4 during 2017. Of these, 34% were likely 2-year-olds with 0.5” to 1.0” spurs. Gobblers with greater than one inch spurs comprised 61% of the harvest. Interestingly, gobblers with spurs less than one-half inch, which are likely juveniles, accounted for their largest percentage of the harvest (4%) since the enactment of the No-Jake law in 1998.

TUNICATATE

DESOTO

MARSHALL

PANOLA

BENTON

COAHOMA


BOLIVAR

QU

ITM

AN

SUN

FLO

WER

LEFLORE

GRENADA

CARROLL

MONT-GOMERY

WEBSTER


CHOCTAW

CALHOUN

WINSTON

OKTIBBEHA

CLAY

CHICKASAW

ISSA

QU

ENA

SHAR

KEY

YAZOOMADISON

LEAKE

SCOTT

HINDS

WARREN

COPIAH

RANKIN

SIMPSONCLAIBORNE

JEFFERSON

LINCOLNFRANKLIN

ADAMS

LAW

REN

CE

PIKEAMITEWILKINSON

WALTHALL

MARION

JEFF DAVIS

LAMAR

FORREST PERRY

GREENE

COVINGTON

JONESWAYNE

JASPERCLARKE

PEARLRIVER

STONEGEORGE

HARRISON

HANCOCK

JACKSON

SMITH

NEWTONLAUDERDALE

NESHOBA

KEMPER

NOXUBEE

LOWNDES

MONROE

LAFAYETTE

UNION

PONTOTOC

TIPPAH

PRENTISS

ALCORN

LEE

ITAWAMBA

TISH

OM

ING

O

1.71.9

1.8 1.7

2.1 2.1

1.7

3.8

2.1

1.7

0.8

1.8

1.2

2.01.8

1.5

2.3

1.0

2.1

1.0

1.81.7

1.81.5

0

1

2

3

4

5

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017


3.1

3.8

4.14.3 4.2

3.6

3.9 3.8

4.7

5.3

3.3 3.2

3.7 3.8 3.9

2.83.0

3.7

3.2

4.0

2.6

3.1

3.5

0

1

2

3

4

5

61995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017


167

21

2 3 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 1 2 3 1 0 3 3 2 1 1 4

41

44

40

55 51 50 4842 46 42 41

32

4940

4740 40

42 44 45 47 41 34

3438

3234 35 39 44

4447

43 4245

4248

4452

4244 43

37 39 43 48

9 11 7 10 12 10 8 136

15 16 209 10 6 7

1711 9

16 18 16 13

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

0.1-0.5" 0.5-1.0" 1.0-1.25" >1.25"


SPITTIN’ AN

D DRUM

MIN

’: MISSISSIPPI W

ILD TURKEY REPO

RT


Gobbling ActivityGobbling activity increased in southwest Mississippi in 2017. The number of total gobbles heard per 10 hours of hunting (95.6) was up from 2016, and was nearly 10% above the figure’s 10-year average. The number of individual gobblers heard increased sharply from 2016 to 7.0 gobblers heard per 10 hours hunted, which was a 17% year-to-year increase (Figure 4). Gobbling activity generally decreased throughout the 2017 season. Both total gobbles and individual gobblers heard per 10 hours hunted peaked during the Youth week (Figure 5). During the regular season, gobbling peaks occurred in both the first (March 15th – 21st) and third (March 29th – April 4th) weeks of the season. There was a noticeable drop-off in both the number of gobblers and total gobbles heard during the final week of the season.

Turkey ObservationsTurkey observations increased slightly in Region 4 during 2017. Turkey hunters observed 60.7 total turkeys per 100 hours hunted (Figure 6). Interestingly, hunters observed more gobblers (30.3 per 100 hours hunted) than hens (23.9 per 100 hours hunted). Jakes sightings were slightly above their value from 2016 at 11.7 jakes seen per 100 hours hunted (Figure 7). Despite the slight uptick, this figure was still below the 10-year average of 13.5 jakes observed per 100 hours hunted.

2018 Season ForecastIn 2017, the southwest region was second to the northeast region in harvest rate, and available data suggests that southwest-ern hunters should expect a similar year in 2018. As was mentioned earlier, the hatch in portions of this region was very good last summer, which should bolster numbers. The summer survey also suggested strong gobbler carryover, which may mean that hunters will tend to encounter older, woods-wise gobblers who are surrounded by harems of young hens. If this proves true, hunters should expect a fun, yet challenging, 2018 season.

0

2

4

6

8

0

20

40

60

80

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Gobb

lers

Gobbles & Gobblers Heard Per 10 Hours Hunted By Year

Figure 4

Gobbles Gobblers


Figure 4

0

3

6

9

12

0

40

80

120

160


MAR 22 -MAR 28

MAR 29 -APR 4

APR 5 -APR 11

APR 12 -APR 18

APR 19 -APR 25

APR 26 -MAY 1

Gobb

lers

Gobb

les

Gobbles Gobblers


Figure 5

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017



Figure 6

12

6.9

16.36

11.2

18.4

20.1

11.3

25.5

17.2

12.9

5.1

11.6

17.2

18.5

14.2

9.4

18.9

13.1

14.7

8.2

15.3

10.7

11.7

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017


Figure 7

TURK

EY R

EGIO

N 4


Turkey Region 5

TURKEY REGION 5 CONSISTS OF 18 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST Mississippi. Forests in Region 5 are dominated by longleaf and slash pine.

This habitat type includes the pine flatwoods of the coastal counties and the adjoining, rolling, pine hills. Longleaf pine and slash pine compose at least 50% of the forest community. Other common tree species include dogwood, beech, magnolia, and sweet bay along creek bottoms and blackjack oak, post oak, and southern red oak on drier sites.

ReproductionTurkey reproduction declined slightly during the summer of 2017 in southeast Mississippi. Field surveys suggested 1.3 PPH (Figure 1), which was below the figure’s 10-year average. The southeastern region posted relatively low nest success, with only 25% of hens being accomplished by poults.

Harvest Rates & Age StructureIn southeast Mississippi, SGHS harvested 2.8 gobblers per 100 hours hunted (Figure 1). This was a slight uptick from 2016, but still below the long-term average (3.8 gobblers harvested per 100 hours hunted). Of the gobblers taken by SGHS partici-pants in Region 5, most were older age-class gobblers. Only 33% of the harvest were 2-year-old birds with spurs between 0.5” and 1.0” (Figure 3). The proportion of “limb hanger” gob-blers with spurs ≥1.25” increased to 17% of the harvest, which is the second highest value for this age-class on record.

TUNICATATE

DESOTO

MARSHALL

PANOLA

BENTON

COAHOMA


BOLIVAR

QU

ITM

AN

SUN

FLO

WER

LEFLORE

GRENADA

CARROLL

MONT-GOMERY

WEBSTER


CHOCTAW

CALHOUN

WINSTON

OKTIBBEHA

CLAY

CHICKASAW

ISSA

QU

ENA

SHAR

KEY

YAZOOMADISON

LEAKE

SCOTT

HINDS

WARREN

COPIAH

RANKIN

SIMPSONCLAIBORNE

JEFFERSON

LINCOLNFRANKLIN

ADAMS

LAW

REN

CE

PIKEAMITEWILKINSON

WALTHALL

MARION

JEFF DAVIS

LAMAR

FORREST PERRY

GREENE

COVINGTON

JONESWAYNE

JASPERCLARKE

PEARLRIVER

STONEGEORGE

HARRISON

HANCOCK

JACKSON

SMITH

NEWTONLAUDERDALE

NESHOBA

KEMPER

NOXUBEE

LOWNDES

MONROE

LAFAYETTE

UNION

PONTOTOC

TIPPAH

PRENTISS

ALCORN

LEE

ITAWAMBA

TISH

OM

ING

O

2.6

1.3

3.6

2.9

2.1

2.52.3

2.8

2.5

1.7

1.1

2.6

1.7

3.5

1.8

1.1

2.0

0.8

2.1

1.3

1.81.6 1.6

1.3

0

1

2

3

4

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017


5.4

4.4

6.1

5.6

4.44.1

3.94.3

3.9

4.4

3.9

2.2

3.3

2.5

3.9

3.32.9

4.1

2.5

3.33.1

2.6 2.8

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017


28

718

1 1 1 0 1 1 2 1 4 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 70

6

0

59

53

53 5645 45

53 5662

5156

46 53 53 48 4853 58

42 35

62

33

29

3026

41 34

4050

38 3433

3930

43 3744

4034

38 31

42 52

25

44

43

4 3 5 9 146 9 9 4 9 11 9 10

312

188 11 14

713 17

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

0.1-0.5" 0.5-1.0" 1.0-1.25" >1.25"


SPITTIN’ AN

D DRUM

MIN

’: MISSISSIPPI W

ILD TURKEY REPO

RT


Gobbling ActivitySpring Gobbler Survey Hunters in Region 5 heard 4.7 gobblers and 62.9 total gobbles per 10 hours hunted (Figure 4). Each of these values was an increase from 2016, and were near their 10-year average. Gobbling activity in the southeast was most prolific early in the season. Hunters during the Youth week averaged hearing 13.2 gobblers and 107.4 total gobbles per 10 hours hunted (Figure 5). During the regular season, more gobblers and gobbles (6.2 and 77.0 per 10 hours hunted, respectively) were heard during the opening week (March 15th – March 21st) than during any other period.

Turkey ObservationsIn 2017, total turkey observations in Region 5 were similar to the previous few years. Hunters participating in the SGHS saw an average of 62.3 total turkeys, including 27.5 gobblers and 27.2 hens, per 10 hours hunted (Figure 6). The number of jakes seen increased noticeably to 11.9 per 10 hours hunted; this value was near the region’s 10-year average (Figure 7).

2018 Season ForecastMuch like the Delta, southeast Mississippi turkey hunters have had it tough over the last ten years. And much like the Delta’s forecast, nothing in the data suggests 2018 will be a needed year of relief. Jake observations were up slightly in the southern piney woods last spring, but not enough to foretell a stellar 2018. Furthermore, summer surveys suggested poor gobbler car-ryover from 2017. As a result, the scant numbers of 2-year-old gobblers from the 2016 hatch will likely constitute the bulk of the available harvest, which could mean a quick start and tough finish for 2018. Encouragingly, reproduction appeared good last summer across the western portions of the Pine Belt, although this was far from the case up and down the Pascagoula River basin.

0

2

4

6

8

10

0

20

40

60

80

100

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Gobb

lers

Gobb

les

Gobbles Gobblers


Figure 4

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140


MAR 22 -MAR 28

MAR 29 -APR 4

APR 5 -APR 11

APR 12 -APR 18

APR 19 -APR 25

APR 26 -MAY 1

Gobb

lers

Gobb

les

Gobbles Gobblers


Figure 5

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017



Figure 6

11.0

16.6

23.7

30.1

17.2

18.1

13.6

17.1 14.2

8.1 7.7

8.9

12.2

21.5

12.7

8.1

18.8

10.0

12.8

7.9

13.1

8.5

11.9

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017


Figure 7

TURK

EY R

EGIO

N 5


Join Our Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey TeamHelp the MDWFP with the conservation & management of turkeys in Mississippi.

THE SPRING GOBBLER HUNTING SURVEY (SGHS) WAS INITIATED IN 1996 by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) to fill the

need for a long-term dataset that would aid in monitoring and managing the state’s turkey population. It is one of the sources of data that makes this report possible every year.

The driving force behind the SGHS is Mississippi’s turkey hunters. Every day of the season, hundreds of turkey hunters throughout the state take to the woods and record information about the amount of turkey activity they saw and heard while hunting. The MDWFP then gathers this information from its hunting cooperators at the end of each season and analyzes it to gain insight into gobbling activity, hunter effort, harvest rates, age structure, sex ratios, and characteristics of harvested birds. This dataset allows the MDWFP to learn about trends in the Mississippi turkey population on a local, regional, and statewide basis. Ultimately, this knowledge helps the MDWFP make management decisions that link the interests of the sportsmen with the wise use of the state’s turkey resource. Participation in this process allows Mississippi hunters a unique opportunity to directly contribute to the conservation and man-agement of turkeys in Mississippi. All sportsmen who hunt turkey anywhere in Mississippi, on public or private lands, are eligible and encouraged to participate.

In appreciation for the collection efforts of the dedicated hunters that participate in our sur-vey, the MDWFP shares the results with the state’s sportsmen in our annual Turkey Program Report, entitled Spittin’ & Drummin’. There are also other ways that hunters can benefit:

Benefits of Participating in the SGHS• The information you collect will be made available to you within the MDWFP Turkey Program’s annual report, Spittin’ and Drummin’

which is available online at www.mdwfp.com/turkey. This report discusses turkey population trends in each region.

• You’ll receive an individualized report that summarizes the data you sent us. These reports will allow you to see trends in activity from the time you, or your hunting club, spent turkey hunting. This information can be used to tailor management decisions for your specific property.

• Your name will be entered into a special shotgun raffle aimed at increasing participation in the SGHS.

• You can improve your turkey hunting knowledge and skills by keeping track of your own hunting experiences and habits throughout the season. The MDWFP will provide you with analysis of various topics that will be highlighted for you in special reports and articles.

• Management decisions of the MDWFP that directly affect your recreational opportunities as a sportsman and conservationists will be made using the best available data.

• You will become a part of our natural resource’s history by gathering evidence that stands for or against questions such as should season dates be set earlier, later, or left the same? Should we allow a controlled fall season in areas with high turkey densities? Will certain regulations improve hunting quality, carry-over more gobblers, or increase gobbling activity?

How can I Participate?If you turkey hunt anywhere in Mississippi, you are eligible and encouraged to participate. There will be absolutely no cost to you to take part in the program. The only thing that we will ask of you is to take approximately a minute or two of your time following every hunt to record information on what you observed. Before turkey season starts, we will send you a data collection booklet that will make it easy for you to document your hunting experience. If you have never participated in the SGHS, but would like to become involved, please fill out and return the application provided in this report, or contact a MDWFP biologist. You can also apply at www.mdwfp.com/turkey. Your efforts will assist the MDWFP in monitoring Mississippi’s turkeys and making decisions in the best interest of the resource and hunters.

New SGHS Participants can enroll online at www.mdwfp.com/turkey

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2018 Mississippi Wild Turkey Report 19��

he mississippi Department of wilDlife, fisheries anD parks is lookinG for inDiviDual hunters and hunting clubs interested in participating in the annual spring Gobbler hunting survey. Cooperators are

asked to record various information about their spring gobbler hunts. harvest and population data provided by cooperators will be used to monitor and manage mississippi’s wild turkey resource. results will be summarized in the annual mississippi wild turkey report. a copy of this report will be sent to all cooperators. hunting clubs also will receive a summary report for their individual property.

if your hunting club or any individual members are interested, please complete and return the application below. if you participated in the survey last year, you will automatically receive data collection materials and do not have to complete this application. this is an opportunity to be directly involved with conservation and management of the wild turkey in mississippi. please encourage other turkey hunters to participate. this application may be copied. Data collection instruc-tions and materials, along with the turkey program report will be sent to you prior to spring gobbler season.

name: _______________________________________________________________________________________________

address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

phone: (Home) ______________________________________ (Office) ___________________________________________

Please complete the following information only if your hunting club wants to participate.

Club name: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

County: ______________________________________________________________________________________________

forested acres: (including food plots) ______________________________________________________________________

estimate total number of hunts anticipated on this property During the turkey season: ___________________________

■ Mail application to: Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey / 1505 Eastover Dr. / Jackson, MS 39211-6322

T

Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey Application

��

he mississippi Department of wilDlife, fisheries anD parks is lookinG for inDiviDual hunters and hunting clubs interested in participating in the annual spring Gobbler hunting survey. Cooperators are

asked to record various information about their spring gobbler hunts. harvest and population data provided by cooperators will be used to monitor and manage mississippi’s wild turkey resource. results will be summarized in the annual mississippi wild turkey report. a copy of this report will be sent to all cooperators. hunting clubs also will receive a summary report for their individual property.

if your hunting club or any individual members are interested, please complete and return the application below. if you participated in the survey last year, you will automatically receive data collection materials and do not have to complete this application. this is an opportunity to be directly involved with conservation and management of the wild turkey in mississippi. please encourage other turkey hunters to participate. this application may be copied. Data collection instruc-tions and materials, along with the turkey program report will be sent to you prior to spring gobbler season.

name: _______________________________________________________________________________________________

address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

phone: (Home) ______________________________________ (Office) ___________________________________________

Please complete the following information only if your hunting club wants to participate.

Club name: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

County: ______________________________________________________________________________________________

forested acres: (including food plots) ______________________________________________________________________

estimate total number of hunts anticipated on this property During the turkey season: ___________________________

■ Mail application to: Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey / 1505 Eastover Dr. / Jackson, MS 39211-6322

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Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey Application

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The MDWFP is an equal opportunity employer and provider of programs and services. If anyone believes they have been subjected to discrimination on the basis ofpolitical affiliation, race, color, national origin, marital status, sex, religion, creed, age, or disability, they may file a complaint alleging discrimination with either theMississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Office of Administrative Services, P.O. Box 451, Jackson, MS 39205-0451, or the U.S. Equal EmploymentOpportunity Commission, 1801 L. Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20507.

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDJackson, MSPermit 593

The 2005 Mississippi Wild Turkey Report is a

cooperative effort between the MDWFP Turkey Program

and the Mississippi Chapter of the NWTF.

MS CHAPTERNWTF

MS Chapter NWTF141 Live Oaks Blvd.Pearl, MS 39208

TurkeyRept.04.qxd 3/1/05 1:56 PM Page 60

The MDWFP is an equal opportunity employer and provider of programs and services. If anyone believes they have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of political affiliation, race, color, national origin, marital status, sex, religion, creed, age, or disability, they may file a complaint alleging discrimination with either the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Office of Administrative Services, P.O. Box 451, Jackson, MS 39205-0451, or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 1801 L. Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20507.

The 2018 Mississippi Wild Turkey Report is a cooperative effort between the MDWFP Turkey Program

and the Mississippi Chapter of the NWTF.

spittin’ drummin’€¦ · harvest rates and age structure harvest rates provide an index to...

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