The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced that hunters harvested 17 percent more fall turkeys in 2024 compared to last year.
“West Virginia is truly a top destination for turkey hunting, and our thriving turkey populations are a testament to the success of sustainable wildlife management,” said Brett McMillion, WVDNR director. “These efforts ensure that hunters, whether seasoned or just starting out, can continue to enjoy abundant opportunities for years to come. We encourage everyone to experience the incredible hunting opportunities our state has to offer by purchasing a 2025 license and planning a trip in the new year.”
According to preliminary hunting data from the WVDNR’s electronic licensing and game checking system, fall turkey hunters harvested 1,130 birds in 2024 compared to 967 birds in 2023. The fall 2024 harvest was also 17 percent above the five-year average (968 birds) and similar to the 10-year average (1,132 birds). Although fewer counties have a two-week season this year due to a lower spring harvest, the fall harvest was consistent with long-term averages.
Fall turkey harvest numbers are influenced by hunter participation, but also depend on the current year’s brood production and mast conditions. This year’s brood survey results were 4.5 percent above last year’s and 5.1 percent above the five-year average, indicating that the 2024 harvest might be slightly above last year’s harvest.
Counties with the most harvests were Randolph County (77), Nicholas (66), Greenbrier (57), Pocahontas (53) and Mason (41). All of these counties except Mason County had a four-week season.
Harvest in Pendleton County was 26, compared to 22 in 2023. Harvest in the following counties was Grant (26), Hardy (27), Pocahontas (53) and Randolph (77).
Five out of six districts reported increased fall turkey harvest compared to last year. District 3 (Braxton, Clay, Lewis, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur and Webster counties) had the highest harvest with 289 birds, followed by District 1 (Barbour, Brooke, Hancock, Harrison, Maion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ohio, Preston, Taylor, Tucker and Wetzel counties) with 191, District 4 (Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming counties) with 180, District 2 (Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan and Pendleton counties) with 169, District 5 (Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, Putnam and Wayne counties) with 160 and District 6 (Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie,, Roane, Tyler, Wirt and Wood counties) with 141.
