Each spring, the National Wild Turkey Federation’s wildlife biologists hear the fears of concerned hunters who don't understand that prescribed burns in March and April -- months generally known as wild turkey nesting months -- are far more beneficial than harmful to wild turkey populations. However, the NWTF's wildlife biologists have research showing the years of improved nesting and brood habitat created by a growing season prescribed fire is far more important to the turkey population than the loss of a few nests.

Richmond, VA — Wildlife biologists with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) have compiled preliminary figures for bear, deer, and turkey harvests for the 2007- 2008 fall seasons. Several notable results of the 2007-2008 hunting season stand out. Deer harvests reached a record high this past season but even more importantly the doe harvest was greater than the buck kill for the first time since the check station system was initiated in 1947. The bear harvest was the second highest kill documented in Virginia and continues to show an increasing trend over the past decade. The fall turkey kill also increased over last year, an encouraging change considering turkey production has been poor in recent years. A summary of the preliminary harvest numbers for all three seasons follows.