Hunting News

WVDNR ANNOUNCES INCREASED 2022 FALL TURKEY HARVEST

West Virginia’s 2022 fall turkey harvest increased by almost 46 percent over last year’s harvest, according to preliminary results released by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Fall turkey hunters harvested 1,012 birds this past season compared to 694 birds last year. The fall 2022 harvest was just 0.24 percent below the five-year average and 9.6 percent below the 10-year average. Although fewer counties had a two-week season this year due to a decline in the spring harvest, the fall harvest generally remained on par with long-term averages.

Fall turkey harvest numbers are influenced by hunter participation, but also depends on the current year’s brood production and mast conditions. This year’s brood survey results were similar to last year’s, resulting in the best two production years in the past five years. While last year’s fall harvest did not mirror the increase in brood production, this year’s fall harvest reflected the increase.

All six districts reported increased fall turkey harvests compared to last year, with Districts 1 and 3 reporting more than double the number of harvests. District 3 had the highest harvest with 261 birds, followed by District 2 with 187, District 4 with 166, District 1 with 150, District 5 with 128 and District 6 with 120.

Counties with the most harvests were Randolph County (72), Nicholas (65), Greenbrier (57), Monroe (41) and Webster (39), all of which had a four-week season.

Reporters who wish to report on a specific county’s harvest numbers may download a detailed spreadsheet here.

County20182019202020212022
Barbour  221814613
Brooke  7412111
Hancock  6151166
Harrison  18171896
Marion  20142298
Marshall  241414216
Monongalia  2316211214
Ohio  85847
Preston  5443421033
Taylor  10151337
Tucker  261318316
Wetzel  14126713
District 1 Total 23218619972150
Berkeley  1213171720
Grant  4722322625
Hampshire  2220193129
Hardy  2121123637
Jefferson  42445
Mineral  3019191826
Morgan  1310131723
Pendleton  1923341922
District 2 Total 168130150168187
Braxton  8177811
Clay  35574
Lewis  142016510
Nicholas  6851452365
Pocahontas  4144373434
Randolph  7661641672
Upshur  5859371626
Webster  5127201239
District 3 Total319284231121261
Fayette  183635715
Greenbrier  6565534157
McDowell 169673
Mercer  172126168
Monroe  5356463641
Raleigh  2425232015
Summers  101716198
Wyoming  2719191619
District 4 Total230248224162166
Boone  98171314
Cabell  879511
Kanawha  1020191010
Lincoln  12891315
Logan  96151614
Mason  4533233321
Mingo  8810710
Putnam  1420171027
Wayne241126
District 5 Total117114130109128
Calhoun  1210554
Doddridge  76889
Gilmer  19325
Jackson 2927181225
Pleasants  136311
Ritchie  12159612
Roane  151911820
Tyler  615929
Wirt  171510313
Wood  3729281522
District 6 Total14915110462120
Total Harvest1215111310386941012

Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Giveaway Returns
West Virginia’s lifetime license giveaway is back for a fourth year and hunters and anglers who purchase an annual 2023 hunting, trapping or fishing license in the month of December will automatically be entered into a drawing for a lifetime license and other prizes.

The giveaway is open to residents and non-residents. One resident will win a lifetime hunting, trapping and fishing license, and one non-resident will win a three-night lodge stay at Pipestem Resort State Park with two zipline tour tickets. Other prizes include state park gift cards, cabin stays and gift bags. The prize drawing is sponsored by the WVDNR and the West Virginia Department of Tourism. Winners will be announced in January 2023.

For more information about the giveaway, rules and prize descriptions, visit WVdnr.gov/licensegiveaway.

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