Why The 2000 Gobbler Season Looks Better Than 1999
Biologists have been busy studying detailed information from each state, describing where the turkeys have nested best and the average size of each hatch. The reports seem to indicate that most states have much larger hatches this year than in 1999 due to drier weather. The Turkey Hatch Report shows the hotbeds of turkey hunting in the United States.
Turkey Food And Habitat Crucial Factors
The supply of turkey food and availability of habitat are among the greatest factors resulting in the resurgence of one of our greatest game birds. A mild winter is another factor that has kept winter kill numbers at an all-time low in many of the states. 2000 will be a great year for beginners as well as for the veterans of turkey hunting.
Southern Mississippi Faring Very Well
Southern Mississippi will provide the best turkey hunting in that state, with a predicted statewide bag total of around 35,000 to 40,000 gobblers. According to Ronald Seiss of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, the poult per total hen ratio was 2.1 in 1999, compared to 2.2 in 1998. He says that weather, predation and habitat have affected the hatch. Southeast Mississippi has previously had the best hatch, while the Delta region showed poor results.
State-By-State Breakdown for 1999 and 2000 Predictions
| STATE | 2000 | 1999 | | Alabama | 12,000 | 10,000 | | Arizona | Better | Good | | Arkansas | 15,500 | 15,471 | | California | 12,000 | 11,000 | | Colorado | Good | Average | | Connecticut | 15,000 | 12,000 | | Delaware | Great | Good | | Florida | 15,000 | 14,000 | | Georgia | Average | Good | | Hawaii | 400 | 338 | | Idaho | 5500 | 5000 | | Illinois | 10,800 | 9,000 | | Indiana | 7,000 | 6,548 | | Iowa | 18,000 | 18,000 | | Kansas | Fair | Poor | | Kentucky | 18,000 | 16,200 | | Louisiana | 6,000 | 5,500 | | Maine | 1,100 | 1,000 | | Maryland | Excellent | Good | | Massachusetts | High | Good | | Michigan | 25,000 | 24,000 | | Minnesota | Excellent | Good | | Mississippi | 40,000 | 30,000 | | Missouri | 50,000 | 48,500 | | Montana | Good | Average | | Nebraska | Fair | Poor | | Nevada | Great | Good | | New Hampshire | 1500 | 1450 | | New Jersey | 2,600 | 2,560 | | New Mexico | Average | Poor | | New York | Good | Good | | North Carolina | 6,000 | 5,900 | | North Dakota | Good | Good | | Ohio | 15,500 | 14,419 | | Oklahoma | 35,000 | 29,000 | | Oregon | Excellent | Good | | Pennsylvania | 41,000 | 35,000 | | Rhode Island | Excellent | Excellent | | South Carolina | 12,000 | 11,800 | | South Dakota | Better | Good | | Tennessee | 18,000 | 16,000 | | Texas | Excellent | Excellent | | Utah | Good | Good | | Vermont | Excellent | Excellent | | Virginia | 13,000 | 11,000 | | Washington | 8,000 | 5,000 | | West Virginia | 17,000 | 14,000 | | Wisconsin | Excellent | Excellent | | Wyoming | Excellent | Excellent |
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