SOCIAL CIRCLE — The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division encourages hunters to review important turkey-hunting safety tips before hitting the woods.
“Hunters should be 110 percent certain of their target and what is in front of and beyond it before pulling the trigger and should never shoot at sound or movement,” said Walter Lane, hunter development program manager for the Wildlife Resources Division. “Turkey hunters have to utilize their firearms safety knowledge and remember ways to keep themselves and others safe while in the woods.”
Georgia’s current turkey population is estimated at 335,000 birds. Seasonal bag limit is three gobbler. The season last through May 15. Hunters are reminded to always obtain landowner permission before hunting.
Georgia offers turkey hunting on several wildlife-management areas. Through the WMA system, resident hunters have access to nearly 1 million acres of prime hunting land for $19 a year.
Hunters are encouraged to review the following safety precautions:
• Never wear red, white, blue or black clothing while turkey hunting. Red is the color most hunters look for when distinguishing a gobbler’s head from a hen’s blue-colored head, but at times it may appear white or blue. Male-turkey feathers covering most of the body are black in appearance. Camouflage should be used to cover everything, including the hunter’s face, hands and firearm.
• Select a calling position that provides at least a shoulder-width background, such as the base of a tree. Be sure that at least a 180-degree range is visible.
• Do not stalk a gobbling turkey. Due to their keen eyesight and hearing, the chances of getting close are slim to none.
• When using a turkey call, the sound and motion may attract the interest of other hunters. Do not move, wave or make turkey-like sounds to alert another hunter to your presence. Instead, identify yourself in a loud voice.
• Be careful when carrying a harvested turkey from the woods. Do not allow the wings to hang loosely or the head to be displayed in such a way that another hunter may think it is a live bird. If possible, conceal the turkey in a blaze orange garment or other material.
• Although it’s not required, it is suggested that hunters wear blaze orange when moving between a vehicle and a hunting site. When moving between hunting sites, hunters should wear blaze orange on their upper bodies to facilitate their identification by other hunters.
For additional information, go to www.gohuntgeorgia.com/hunting.