Spring Turkey Season in Central New York May Be Challenging

Spring turkey season in Central New York may be challenging. According to numbers compiled by the Department of Environmental Conservation, the gobbler population may be declining for a second straight year.

For the past several years, the DEC has collected surveys on turkey sightings during the month of August. Of particular interest is the number of poults per hen in each flock. August of 2017's report showed an average of two-and-a-half babies per mom, with 23% of hens not having any young ones. That's the lowest since 2009. Even worst, Region 6 which includes the Adirondacks and The Mohawk Valley, showed less than 2 poults per hen.

Above average summer rain, last year was blamed for interrupting nesting and breeding. DEC officials think the past harsh winter will drop those numbers even lower. The map below shows the best locations around CNY may be in the Tug Hill area. Only two regions reported an increase in turkey population, Western New York, and Long Island. Check out the complete Summer 2017 Turkey survey at the DEC's website.

DEC.gov

SOURCE: New York Department of Environmental Conservation