OHIO — Many young hunters found success during Ohio’s 2016 youth spring wild turkey season after 1,564 birds were harvested, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). In Preble and Butler Counties, a total of 20 birds were harvested this year.

In Preble County, 10 birds were harvested, which is the same amount as last year. In Butler County, 10 birds were also harvested, down from 19 in 2015.

Hunters age 17 and under were eligible to participate in the two-day season, April 16-17. The total harvest was a slight decrease from 2015, when 1,589 wild turkeys were checked.

All participants were required to possess a valid Ohio youth hunting license, a spring turkey permit and be accompanied by a non-hunting adult. The youth turkey season was open statewide, with the exception of Lake La Su An State Wildlife Area in Williams County, which required a special hunting permit.

The youth spring turkey season is one of four special youth-only hunting seasons designed by the ODNR Division of Wildlife to offer a safe and productive early hunting experience for young hunters. Special seasons are also set aside for upland game, white-tailed deer and waterfowl hunting opportunities.

The regular spring turkey season began on Monday, April 18, and closes Sunday, May 15. The spring turkey season is open statewide except for Lake La Su An Wildlife Area. Find more information in the 2015-2016 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations, available where licenses are sold, and at wildohio.gov.

Ohio’s first modern day wild turkey season opened in 1966 in nine counties, and hunters checked 12 birds. The total number of harvested turkeys topped 1,000 for the first time in 1984. Turkey hunting was opened statewide in 2000.