The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency recently reported the numbers from the 2024 spring turkey hunting season, with the total turkey harvest coming in at 31,647. Although this marks a minimal 1 percent decline from last year, it represents a more pronounced 5 percent dip below the five-year average of 33,202 turkeys. According to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's announcement, early season hunters bagged substantial numbers, but the momentum didn't last. Roger Shields, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Wild Turkey Program Coordinator, noted, "This year, we started off with a strong harvest but again it dropped sharply as the season progressed."
The two-bird bag limit imposed for the season is believed to have influenced the harvest's downward trend. Shields stated, "The steep drop-off in harvest that followed exceptional opening weekends was likely due in part to the 2-bird bag limit in place again this year where people had filled their bag limit, and could not continue hunting." The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency recorded that 25,479 hunters reported taking at least one turkey, surpassing the five-year average for the number of successful hunters by 12 percent. Of these, 76 percent harvested one bird while the remaining 24 percent reached the two-bird limit.
Regional breakdowns reflect a mixed bag of results across Tennessee. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Region II (Middle Tennessee) and Region I (West Tennessee) both saw harvest increases with 11,961 and 8,304 turkeys, respectively. Conversely, the Upper Cumberland (Region III) and East Tennessee (Region IV) experienced decline in turkey harvests, with 5,860 and 5,567 turkeys taken, showcasing decreases of 297, and 583 from the previous year.
Looking ahead, the agency has already scheduled next year's spring turkey season for April 12-May 25, with a Young Sportsman Hunt earmarked for April 5-6. Hunters of all ages can mark their calendars and, perhaps, anticipate another competitive season as they engage with Tennessee's wild turkey population. Complete details on the new season and regulations will continue to be available through the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's communications channels. For the latest information, keep an eye on Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's official site.
