BROOKHAVEN — Turkey season came to an end as the sun set Monday evening. It could be the last time turkey hunters in the state have to use GameCheck to report harvests as the department of wildlife discusses changes to future turkey seasons. 

Physical tags could take the place of GameCheck but in the meantime, Game Check provides digitally accessible data about how the turkey season went. Hunters reported a harvest of 11,257 turkeys this year compared to 9,926 turkeys harvested in 2022. State law requires hunters to report harvest of turkeys on the day of harvest by 10 p.m. through GameCheck online or on the MDWFP phone application. 

According to Game Check, Lincoln County took 156 turkeys, three more gobblers than the harvest last year. Copiah County managed to produce 22 more birds this season with 265 turkeys bagged. 

Amite County was down 15 birds from 2022 with 190 reported harvests. Wilkinson County was down 45 birds with 145 reported harvests this year. Adams County was down to 199 turkeys harvested this year compared to the 212 the county took in 2022. 

Jefferson County had 182 turkey harvests reported through Game Check, an increase of 43 from 2022. Claiborne County produced 11 more turkeys this year with 151 birds. Franklin County saw 210 turkeys harvested this year, a growth of two birds from last year. 

In north Mississippi, Marshall County, which is in the hot zone of Chronic Wasting Disease, saw 337 turkeys harvested this year. 

It is important to note while GameCheck is required by state law it does not reflect the true number of birds harvested due to outlaws.

Check out recent stories looking at Mississippi’s proposed turkey season changes in 2024. The stories look at what led to the proposals, what is being done and what tools are needed to address turkey needs.