Wild Turkeys in New Jersey

Wild Turkeys on The Jersey Shore

As a boy growing up on The Jersey Shore, we'd be out looking for animals, whether actually hunting or just observing, there was always waterfowl, rabbits, squirrels, deer, the occasional pheasant and very rarely a fox, but never a wild turkey.  There wasn't even a slim chance of seeing a turkey other than the butterball my mom brought home for Thanksgiving.  The only place I had seen a wild turkey was at a relative's cabin in northwestern Pennsylvania. It was a rarity for anyone to see ANY wild turkeys anywhere in the entire state.  Today, it's quite a different story as the American Wild Turkey as made a strong comeback on The Jersey Shore, Ocean County and throughout New Jersey.  

The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife's Turkey Restoration Project represents one of the greatest wildlife management success stories in the history of the state.

By the mid-1800s, turkeys had all but disappeared in New Jersey due to habitat changes and killing for food. Division biologists, in cooperation with the NJ Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, reintroduced wild turkeys in 1977 with the release of 22 birds. In 1979 biologists and technicians began to live-trap and re-locate birds to establish populations throughout the state. By 1981 the population was able to support a spring hunting season, and in December, 1997, a limited fall season was initiated.  

There is now an abundance of wild turkeys throughout the state with turkeys found wherever there is suitable habitat. Even in South Jersey, where wild turkeys had been struggling just a few years ago, intensive restoration efforts have improved population numbers significantly. The population is estimated at 20,000 - 23,000 with an annual harvest of more than 3,000.  

There was even a wild turkey trotting around toll booths at the 14B interchange of the Turnpike in Jersey City last year....something I would never believed possible just a few years ago.  

Ocean County, NJ is extraordinarily diverse; the county has a total area of 2,372 square kilometres, 1,648 square kilometres of it is land and 724 square kilometres of it (30.53%) is water. It is the second largest county by area in New Jersey. Much of the county is flat and coastal, possessing many great beaches, but there are also State and National Parks located throughout the area including the Pine Barren Forests.   If you're interested in buying, selling or investing in Real Estate in Ocean County or anywhere along The Jersey Shore, click on TheJerseyShoreHomeFinder.com and get free access to thousands of home listings.    

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Looking for something do this weekend in Ocean County or just want to keep up with current events? The Jersey Shore News will keep you informed with local community information and happenings.  

Karl Hess - Ocean County, NJ and Jersey Shore Homes and Real Estate - Get free access to all listings with photos in Ocean County including waterfront, beachfront and water-view homes on The Jersey Shore