For the second straight year, the Louisiana turkey harvest was higher than average and, in fact, the second best since 2009 Turkey hunters took 2,883 birds in 2023, only down 13 from 2022, based on tag validation.
Webster Parish fell right in the middle with 68 birds harvested in 2023.
“Good weather conditions throughout the season, combined with relatively good reproduction in some management regions of the state the last two years, are likely contributing factors to the harvest increase,” Louisiana department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Small Game Program Manager Cody Cedotal said.
The 2023 season began with above average reported harvests during youth weekend and the first two weeks of the season.
Results from 2022/2023 Louisiana Big and Small Game Harvest Survey will be available this summer.
“This is encouraging has potentially set the stage for good nesting and brood rearing conditions,” Cedotal said. “Good quality habitat is also essential for long-term sustainability of turkey populations.”
