ANNAPOLIS — There were 202 wild turkeys harvested in Somerset County during the spring season which made it the best year for hunters out of the last seasons.

The 1.5% increase over 2023 beat the state average which saw a harvest 7% lower than the year before, but both the county and state reported the best harvest this year compared to any year since 2020.

“Hunters took advantage of favorable weather and abundant turkey populations with another high harvest,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said. DNR surveys documented average to excellent reproductive success in many regions during the summers of 2021 and 2022, resulting in a good number of 2-3 year-old gobblers available this spring.

Adult gobblers comprised 87% of the total harvest.

Youth hunters started the spring turkey season statewide on April 13-14 with the Junior Turkey Hunt. Across Maryland there were 4,959 wild turkeys harvested with Garrett County recording the highest at 546.

On the Lower Shore, Worcester reported 442 birds and Wicomico County 238 which were both records, according to DNR, and 211 were taken in Dorchester County.