The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled an informational open house May 8 in Acme to discuss a proposal to introduce wild turkeys to Whatcom County.

The public meeting is scheduled from 6-8p.m. at the Acme Elementary School, 5200 Turkington Rd.

Representatives from WDFW will provide information on a proposal to release wild turkeys at a site about five to 10 miles northeast of Acme. The possible release site was determined after the department conducted a habitat evaluation of several sites in Whatcom and Skagit counties, said Mick Cope, WDFW upland game bird manager.

Since 2006, WDFW has been discussing the idea of establishing wild turkeys in the northern Puget Sound area with the National Wild Turkey Federation, the U.S. Forest Service, the local Nature Conservancy, the Washington Waterfowl Association and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

“We’ve selected a location that could work as a suitable release site, and we’d like to hear from others who are interested in the project,” Cope said. “Our goal is to introduce a self-sustaining turkey population that could provide recreational opportunities for hunters and wildlife viewers.”

Washington has three turkey subspecies, all of which are non-native and have been introduced within the past 45 years to provide hunting and viewing opportunities. Eastern turkeys can be found in southwestern Washington; Merriam’s turkeys live along the eastern slope of the Cascade Range and in northeastern Washington; and Rio Grande turkeys are found primarily in the southeastern corner of the state.

For more information on wild turkey management, visit WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/turkey/management/.

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters to get their gear ready for the upcoming spring gobbler hunting season. The four-week season opens April 28 and closes on May 24, according to Bill Igo, the DNR’s wild turkey project leader. Igo recommends spring gobbler hunters make sure they are prepared with proper clothing, a shotgun that is appropriately patterned, and adequate hunting gear (e.g., turkey calls, knife, rain gear, compass/GPS unit, matches, maps and a pencil for completing field tags). Hunters are advised not to wear clothing with the colors of red, white or blue – the colors of a mature gobbler’s head and neck area.

A special one-day, youth spring gobbler hunt opens on April 26, just prior to the regular Monday season opening. Youth participating in this hunt must be at least eight years of age and no more than 14 years old on the day of the season. The youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult of at least 21 years of age, who cannot carry a gun or bow and must remain close enough to render advice and assistance to the youngster. The only legal weapon that can be used by a youth hunter is a shotgun with shot sizes 4, 5 or 6. Last year, youth hunters harvested 298 toms during the one-day youth spring gobbler season. “This special youth hunt provides an ideal opportunity for seasoned hunters to introduce young people to the joys of spring turkey hunting,” said Igo. “In addition to having a great day afield, these adult mentors pass along their hunting knowledge, create great memories and keep the fine hunting tradition alive for the next generation of hunters.”

Wildlife biologists are predicting a slightly higher harvest of birds this spring when compared to last year’s kill of 9,965. “West Virginia’s brood count was up 12 percent in 2006 over the previous year, but was an average brood count when compared to the last 5 years,” Igo said. “Our data indicate brood counts accurately predict spring turkey harvests two years down the road. With more two-year old birds in the population this spring, a slight increase in overall harvest is expected.”

Igo also advises hunters to be aware that radio transmitters and/or leg bands have been placed on some gobblers. These marked birds are part of a statewide gobbler survival study to determine causes of mortality, effects of hunting and gather more biological data designed to assist the DNR in its efforts to effectively manage the state’s wild turkey resource. Hunters harvesting a banded or radioed bird should contact their local DNR District Office or the Elkins Operations Center.

The DNR, in conjunction with the West Virginia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, is also conducting the Annual Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey. Cooperating turkey hunters submit daily records of their hunts and complete a brief questionnaire. A hunter does not have to kill a gobbler to provide useful data. Much of the survey information collected involves what a hunter hears, sees or has an opinion about. Any hunter interested in participating in the survey is encouraged to contact Patty Fordyce, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, PO Box 67, Elkins, WV 26241, telephone: 304-637-0245 or email: pattyfordyce@wvdnr.gov.

Applications for the 2008 Minnesota spring turkey hunt now are being accepted wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

Spring turkey hunters may apply for one of 37,992 permits to hunt a five- or seven-day season in one of 67 permit areas. Last year, spring turkey hunters harvested 9,412 birds.

“Turkey hunters can look forward to more great opportunities this spring,” said Bill Penning, DNR farmland wildlife program leader. “Turkey numbers remain strong and their range continues to expand into parts of northern Minnesota.”

The 2008 spring hunt will include eight new permit areas. They are:

• Area 152, Mille Lacs Wildlife Management Area
• Area 156, which includes portions of Aitkin, Pine and Carlton counties
• Area 183, which includes portions of Pine and Carlton counties
• Area 241, which includes portions of Otter Tail, Becker and Wadena counties
• Area 243, which includes a portion of Wadena County
• Area 262, which includes portions of Clay and Norman counties
• Area 421, which includes portions of Wilkin, Otter Tail and Grant counties
• Area 423, which includes portions of Grant and Stevens counties.

Hunters also should note that areas 228 and 337, which comprise much of the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area, have been combined into a single area now known as area 601. The same number of permits are being offered in area 601 this year as the combined totals in areas 228 and 337 last year.

A map of permit areas for the 2008 spring turkey hunt is available at < ahref=”http://mndnr.gov”>mndnr.gov.

This spring’s hunt will consist of six five-day and two seven-day seasons. All Minnesota residents must apply no later than Friday, Dec. 7, at any of 1,800 locations where hunting and fishing licenses are sold or by telephone at 1-888-665-4236. A nonrefundable $3 application fee must be paid at the time of application. An additional nonrefundable $3.50 convenience fee will be charged for all applications made by telephone or the Internet. Nonresident hunters may apply by mail or by telephone.

Hunters also will be asked to state a second choice from the three latest spring seasons (May 11-15, May 16-22 and May 23-29). In the event they aren’t successful in the lottery for their first choice of spring season, their second choice will be used. If hunters are successful in the lottery for their second choice and purchase a license, they will lose their preference points for future drawings. Hunters should not specify a second choice if they do not intend to hunt there.

Hunters who are successful for either the first or second choice drawing and choose not to purchase a tag, will lose the current year’s preference point for future drawings but not accumulated preference from past years. Hunters who were not successful in either the first or second choice drawing will be eligible to purchase surplus turkey permits, which are sold on a first-come, first-served basis in mid March.

Archery spring turkey licenses will once again be available to residents and nonresidents. Archery spring turkey licenses may be purchased for the last two time periods (May 16-22, May 23-29) only for any permit area with 50 or more applicants.

Applicants who are successful in the spring permit lottery are ineligible for the spring archery license.

All wild turkey hunters seeking to hunt in spring 2008 must obtain an application booklet at one of the ELS agents or an application worksheet on the DNR Web site at mndnr.gov.

The application booklet contains maps of open wild turkey permit areas, permit quotas, dates and an application worksheet.

The application worksheet should be filled out in advance to ease completion of the application process at an ELS agent. Turkey hunting licenses are made available by a preference system drawing.

A special landowner-tenant preference drawing for up to 20 percent of the permits is also a part of this system. Successful applicants in the drawing will be mailed the 2008 Spring Wild Turkey Hunt Book in February.

For more information, call the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or toll-free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).

Those who hunt wild turkeys in New Hampshire should note that the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold a public hearing on proposed changes in the regulations affecting 2008 turkey hunting on Thursday, November 8, 2007, at 3:30 p.m. at Fish and Game headquarters on Hazen Drive in Concord.

N.H. Fish and Game is proposing to eliminate the separate permit for fall shotgun turkey hunting and consolidate this into the turkey license. Currently, for residents and nonresidents alike, in addition to a valid New Hampshire hunting license, turkey hunters purchase a $5 turkey license and a separate $10 fall shotgun turkey permit (a $1 agent fee is added to each).

Earlier this year (2007), the Legislature changed state law (Chapter 263:64) to increase the turkey license fee to $15 for residents and $30 for nonresidents (plus a $1 agent fee in each case). This change will affect licenses purchased for 2008. It was the N.H. Fish and Game Department’s intent to repeal the requirement for a separate additional fall shotgun turkey permit along with this change. Under this rulemaking proposal, a single New Hampshire turkey license will allow a hunter to participate in any established New Hampshire turkey season: the spring gobbler season, the fall archery season, and the fall shotgun season in those wildlife management units where it is allowed. (A valid N.H. firearms or archery hunting license is also needed for the respective seasons.)

The public hearing will not address the price of the turkey license, as that change was made by law and cannot be changed through a rulemaking process. It will only address the proposal to delete the separate fall shotgun turkey permit.

Written comments on the proposed change may be submitted by November 19, 2007. E-mail to comments@wildlife.nh.gov (please specify “Comments on Turkey Rules” in subject line); fax to (603) 271-1438; or mail to Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats

The 2007 Fall Wild Turkey Hunting Season is scheduled to begin Monday, October 29 and will continue through Saturday, November 3. Hunters need a permit to participate in this season. Fall is a great time to be outdoors in New Jersey and our colorful foliage rivals that of any New England state. The cooler temperatures and low humidity of autumn are ideal conditions for the turkey hunter.

SEASON OUTLOOK

The Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife continually monitors wild turkey populations to ensure their continued success and survival. The Division’s Wild Turkey Project Leader reports that although turkey populations were depressed in recent years due to poor productivity, preliminary research indicates fair to good production of young birds (poults) this year.

The lack of lengthy, cool, rainy periods this past summer allowed for better survival of poults; however, the number of adult hens available for nesting was diminished in northern and central parts of the state due to the poor productivity of past years. Hunters should expect a fair density of juvenile birds in the forests and fields this fall.

FALL TURKEY PERMITS

Leftover Turkey permits are now available for the following Turkey Hunting Areas (THAs): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 10, 11 and 20. Turkey Hunting Area 21 sold out in the lottery.

These are permits that were left over after the lottery was held and will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Permits can be purchased via the on-line licensing system or at a license agent. The only Division office that sells permits is the Pequest Office. Permits cost $21.00 for each adult permit and $12.00 for each youth permit.

For more information on over-the-counter turkey permit sales see the Fall Turkey and Deer Season Permits page or call the 24-hour computerized permit hotline at 609-292-9192. The “real time” report on actual permit availability is at https://www3.wildlifelicense.com/nj/ALS/unit_report.php.

HUNTING SAFETY AND GENERAL REGULATIONS

Turkey hunting in New Jersey is an extremely safe activity. Successful hunter education programs and low turkey hunter densities help ensure participants will have a safe and enjoyable hunting experience. While hunter orange is not required for hunting turkeys in New Jersey, it is recommended that hunters wear orange when walking through woods in search of flocks, especially since other hunting seasons are open at the same time. Hunters should always understand and follow the regulations in the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Digest hunting issue.

Turkey hunting areas 1-11, 20 and 21 are open for hunting. Hunting hours are ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. Turkey hunters may take only one wild turkey of either sex per permit during the fall season. However, hunters may only take one turkey per day regardless of the number of permits the hunter holds.

Dogs and artificial decoys may be used while turkey hunting during the fall season, however, the use of electronically-operated decoys and electronic calling devices is prohibited. All turkey hunters are required to have a calling device with them while hunting and turkeys may not be hunted by a group of hunters larger than five individuals. Hunters may not attempt to chase or drive turkeys for the purpose of putting them in range of other hunters. However, hunters may rush a flock of turkeys in order to scatter them.

No shot larger than #4 fine shot or smaller than #7½ fine shot can be used. Hunters may not use shotguns larger than 10 gauge or smaller than 20 gauge. Properly licensed hunters may use archery tackle for hunting turkeys. Turkeys may not be hunted within 300 feet of any baited area.

Successful turkey hunters must complete the transportation tag on their fall hunting permit immediately upon killing a turkey and must take the bird to an official wild turkey check station by 7 p.m. on the day it is killed. The hunter who killed the bird is the only person who may transport and check the turkey.

TURKEY RESTORATION IN NEW JERSEY

The Wild Turkey Restoration Project represents one of the greatest wildlife management success stories in the history of the state. By the mid-1800s, turkeys had disappeared in New Jersey due to habitat changes and over-exploitation. In 1977 biologists released turkeys captured in other states and as the population grew, biologists and technicians began to live-trap and re-locate birds.

Since then, using rocket nets and drop nets, nearly 1,700 birds have been trapped and re-located, resulting in healthy populations of wild turkeys throughout most of the state. Even in South Jersey (parts of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland and Gloucester counties) where wild turkeys had been struggling just a few years ago, intensive restoration efforts have improved population numbers significantly.

OUTSTANDING GARDEN STATE GOBBLER RECORDS PROGRAM

The Outstanding Garden State Gobbler Records Program is administered by the New Jersey Chapter of the Wild Turkey Federation. Minimum entry weight is 20 pounds. The minimum score for a typical entry is 60; non-typical (multiple beards or spurs) is 80.

To calculate the score, add the weight plus two times the beard length plus 10 times the combined spur lengths. For example, a 19-pound gobbler with a 9-inch beard and one-inch spurs would score 57 points. A wild turkey that scores more than 50 points is considered an outstanding bird. For more information, contact a chapter representative at 856-785-0455.

Those who hunt wild turkeys in New Hampshire should note that the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold a public hearing on proposed changes in the regulations affecting 2008 turkey hunting on Thursday, November 8, 2007, at 3:30 p.m. at Fish and Game headquarters on Hazen Drive in Concord.

N.H. Fish and Game is proposing to eliminate the separate permit for fall shotgun turkey hunting and consolidate this into the turkey license. Currently, for residents and nonresidents alike, in addition to a valid New Hampshire hunting license, turkey hunters purchase a $5 turkey license and a separate $10 fall shotgun turkey permit (a $1 agent fee is added to each). 

Earlier this year (2007), the Legislature changed state law (Chapter 263:64) to increase the turkey license fee to $15 for residents and $30 for nonresidents (plus a $1 agent fee in each case). This change will affect licenses purchased for 2008. It was the N.H. Fish and Game Department’s intent to repeal the requirement for a separate additional fall shotgun turkey permit along with this change. Under this rulemaking proposal, a single New Hampshire turkey license will allow a hunter to participate in any established New Hampshire turkey season: the spring gobbler season, the fall archery season, and the fall shotgun season in those wildlife management units where it is allowed. (A valid N.H. firearms or archery hunting license is also needed for the respective seasons.)

The public hearing will not address the price of the turkey license, as that change was made by law and cannot be changed through a rulemaking process. It will only address the proposal to delete the separate fall shotgun turkey permit.

The turkey rulemaking notice forms, with original and proposed rule language, may be found at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/Notices_summary.htm.

Written comments on the proposed change may be submitted by November 19, 2007. E-mail to comments@wildlife.nh.gov (please specify ”Comments on Turkey Rules” in subject line); fax to (603) 271-1438; or mail to Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. 

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.HuntNH.com.

Maryland’s fall turkey season opens Saturday, October 27 and runs through Saturday, November 3. As in the past, the season will only be open in Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties with a bag limit of 1 turkey.

Wild turkeys are traditionally abundant in the western mountains and this year should be no exception. Field surveys conducted by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) suggest that turkey populations in the western region remain strong.

“The number of young turkeys produced per adult hen was about average this summer,” stated Bob Long, DNR Wild Turkey Biologist. “However, a higher than average number of turkeys were counted on the survey overall so this season should be a productive one,” Long added.

Although not required for turkey hunters, DNR recommends turkey hunters wear fluorescent orange while moving and tie an orange ribbon or other marker around a nearby tree when calling turkeys.

Paul Peditto, Director of the Wildlife & Heritage Service added, “Always positively identify your target and never stalk or sneak up on turkey sounds - it may be another hunter.”

Successful Maryland turkey hunters must register their turkey by calling 1-888-800-0121 or online at www.gamecheck.dnr.state.md.us. Hunters must immediately attach a completed Field Tag on the turkey’s leg and record the harvest on their Maryland Big Game Harvest Record portion of their hunting license before moving the turkey from place of harvest. Both forms must be completed in ink. Hunters will receive a confirmation number to be recorded on the Big Game Harvest Record.Complete bag limits, season dates, deer and turkey registration procedures and other hunting information can be found online at www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide.

 The Hunting & Trapping In Maryland 2007-2008 Guide, issued with each hunting license, also contains detailed information about all Maryland’s hunting seasons.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission earlier this year, approved a new “special unit” tag for some turkey hunts in the Panhandle Region.
For the fall 2007 wild turkey season, which opens September 15, Idaho resident hunters will be able to buy up to three “special unit” turkey tags for units 1, 2, 3 and 5, in addition to the two tags hunters could have in any Idaho turkey season.
The special tags cost $5 each, including vendor fee. Hunters may take as many turkeys as they have valid tags in units 1, 2, 3 and 5.
The fall season in all Panhandle units have been extended to December 15.
High populations and landowner complaints prompted the changes.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency would like to remind hunters that calling wild turkeys from March 1 to the opening day of spring turkey hunts on wildlife management areas is prohibited.
Hunters are not allowed to call or attempt to call wild turkeys using any sound that mimics those made by a wild turkey. Locator calls may be used.
The reason for this regulation is to minimize the possibility of making gobblers call-shy before the hunting season opens.
Remember that this regulation only applies to wildlife management areas, not to private lands.

Five lucky wild turkey aficionados will win Resident Lifetime Conservation Partner Permits in the next five years, according to Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer with the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Beringer is looking for up to 500 volunteers to take part in a five-year study of turkey gobbling habits. The objective is to discover when the peak periods of gobbling activity occur so the Conservation Department can time Missouri’s spring turkey season to coincide with the period when gobblers are most receptive to calling.
As an incentive for participating in the study, the George Clark Memorial Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, in cooperation with the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, will hold a drawing among volunteers each year of the study. Each of the winners will receive a lifetime small-game hunting and fishing permit. Volunteers must be Missouri residents to qualify for the drawing, since nonresident lifetime permits are not available.
Volunteers will count the number of gobbles and the number of gobbling birds they hear during a 20-minute period before sunrise twice a week between March 15 and May 15. These “gobbleteers” will choose their listening locations.
The study will begin this spring and run through 2011. To sign up, e-mail Beringer at Jeff.Beringer@mdc.mo.gov. Type “Gobble Study” in the subject line, and provide your name, address and county in the body of the e-mail.
Tom turkeys are most vocal just before hens become receptive to mating and just after hens begin incubating their eggs. This creates two peaks in gobbling. Volunteer reports will help Beringer determine whether the current timing of spring turkey season meets the goal of putting hunters in the woods during the second peak in gobbling.
The study also seeks to discover any relationships between gobbling and other factors, such as weather and spring leaf-out. The results will be published on the NWTF Missouri Chapter’s website.
For years, Missouri’s spring turkey season opened on the Monday closest to April 21. That changes this year, with the season opening on the third Monday of the month. As a result, turkey season opens April 16 this year - a week earlier than it would have under the old system. In the long run, the change will result in opening dates that average three days earlier than in the past. The change was made to accommodate the desire many hunters have expressed for an earlier opening date.
The youth season will be much earlier this year as a result of the formula change and to avoid a conflict with Easter weekend. Instead of opening nine days before the regular season as usual, this year’s youth hunt will open on the Saturday before the Easter weekend, which is the last weekend in March. The youth season will take place in March only twice during the next 20 years.

OLYMPIA - Hunters have until midnight Aug. 31 to enter a drawing for special permit applications for a new late fall turkey season in northeast Washington.
The permit-only hunt, approved by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to help address nuisance and damage complaints, will run from Nov. 20 through Dec. 15 in game management units 101 through 124. The bag limit is one bird for the season.
Hunters may purchase drawing entries at any local dealer, over the Internet , or by calling 866-246-9453. The entry cost is $5.48 for the drawing, which is limited to one entry per person. Only individuals who have already purchased a turkey tag for the 2006 season may enter. No group entries will be accepted.
A total of 800 special permit applications will be drawn for the 2006 season. All who enter will receive a notice in the mail letting them know if their names were drawn or not. The drawing results will be also available on the agency’s website. Those who have not received notification by Sept. 30 can call 360-902-2515.
Hunters who plan to hunt on private property should be sure to get landowners’ permission, said Mick Cope, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife upland bird and turkey manager. “Most hunters will need to access private lands for this season, since weather conditions typically force turkeys into lower elevations.”

Missouri’s spring turkey harvest was strong, despite poor weather for hunting and the past three years’ below-average turkey nesting success.
Missouri’s 2006 spring turkey harvest topped 50,000 for the eighth consecutive year, guaranteeing the Show-Me State’s reputation as a turkey hunting Mecca.
Hunters checked 51,018 turkeys during the season April 24 through May 14. That is a 5 percent decrease from last year’s harvest of 53,798 but still the seventh-largest in the 47-year history of Missouri’s modern turkey season.
Top harvest counties were Texas, where hunters bagged 946 turkeys, Franklin with 902 and Macon with 873. Regional totals were: Northeast, 8,436; Central, 7,577; Northeast, 7,308; Southwest, 6,504; Kansas City, 6,336; Ozark, 6,120; Southeast, 4,771; and St. Louis, 3,966.
The spring turkey harvest is in line with predictions from the Missouri Department of Conservation. Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer said before the season he expected the statewide harvest total to top 50,000, but that below-average reproduction over the past three years made it unlikely the 2006 harvest would equal last year’s. In an interview the day after the season ended, he said unfavorable weather also probably helped hold down this year’s harvest.
Missouri also has a month-long fall turkey hunting season. The fall harvest is much smaller than the spring harvest, with about 13,000 birds taken. That exceeds the annual harvest of most other states, according to statistics from the National Wild Turkey Federation. The Show-Me State’s total annual harvest of 60,000 to 70,000 turkeys makes it the top turkey-hunting state in the nation.
“Hunters had to deal with very poor hunting conditions for much of the season,” said Beringer. “The first weekend was awful, with lots of rain, cool temperatures and windy conditions. We had good hunting conditions only intermittently through the season, but the harvest still topped 50,000. That is an indication of a very robust turkey flock.”
Beringer said bad weather decreases turkey harvest by keeping hunters out of the woods. It also makes turkeys harder to hunt. Windy weather is especially difficult, because constant movement of vegetation makes turkeys spooky.
Weather might have worked to hunters’ advantage in at least one way, however. Hens whose nests are destroyed by flooding or predators usually try again. This means they go back to mating. That keeps gobblers interested in hens and makes them more likely to respond to hunters’ calls.
Beringer believes that coyotes, raccoons and other predators are better able to find turkey nests in cool, moist weather, because these conditions aid their sense of smell.
“I would expect renesting hens to keep gobblers in breeding mode longer,” said Beringer. “That would benefit hunters late in the season. There are no studies to back this up, but it makes biological sense to me.”
Beringer said the decreased spring harvest does not make him worry about the health of the state’s turkey flock. He said record spring harvests were normal during the 40 years when the Conservation Department was reintroducing turkeys into areas where they had been eliminated by unregulated hunting. However, the era of record harvests had to end eventually.
“There is a limit to the number of turkeys that can live in a particular area,” said Beringer. “In Missouri, we discovered that the limit was much larger than we originally thought, but there still was a limit. We have reached that limit in the past few years, and the turkey population is at a plateau now. From now on, I expect the number of birds harvested each year to stay in the same range, going up or down from year to year depending on reproduction and hunting conditions.”
Beringer said the Conservation Department will continue to monitor turkey numbers. One way it does this is through a partnership with citizens. Each summer, hundreds of cooperators around the state report the number of turkey hens and poults they see in the Turkey Brood Survey. Dividing the number of poults by the number of hens yields a poult-to-hen ratio.
Over the past 10 years, the survey has found approximately two poults per hen. The figure dropped to 1.6 in 2003 and 2004. Last year’s figure was 1.2.
The Conservation Department also tracks the number of one-year old male turkeys, commonly called “jakes,” taken by hunters each spring. A large jake component in the harvest indicates a strong hatch the year before and serves to verify the results of the previous year’s brood survey.
In the past, jakes usually made up approximately 25 percent of the spring harvest. This year the figure was 19 percent.
“This confirms last year’s brood survey results,” Beringer said. “2005 was the third year in a row when unseasonably cool, wet spring weather cut into turkey nesting success, and we are seeing the results in both the total harvest and the jake percentage. We can expect to see those numbers rebound when we get two or three good nesting years behind us.”
Beringer said it is too early to tell whether 2006 will be the start of an upswing in turkey numbers. Like almost everything else related to turkey hunting, that will depend on weather.
Young hunters killed 3,694 turkeys during Missouri’s youth season April 8 and 9, bringing the spring turkey harvest grand total to 54,712. The record harvest occurred in 2004, with a total of 60,744 turkeys taken during the regular and youth seasons combined.
Missouri also has a month-long fall turkey hunting season. The fall harvest is much smaller than the spring harvest, with about 13,000 birds taken. That exceeds the annual harvest of half the states in the nation.

Hunters in West Virginia harvested 11,869 turkeys during the 2006 spring gobbler season, according to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Preliminary harvest figures indicate that the turkey kill was about 1,000 birds, or 8.3 percent, higher than last year’s kill of 10,957 birds.
The top six counties this spring were Mason , Wood , Preston , Jackson , Ritchie , and Mercer . Thirty-six of the state’s 55 counties showed increases in the harvest this year, with most of the increase in the northern counties. Ten counties had their largest harvest of the past five spring gobbler seasons. The highest harvests were reported in DNR District 6 , followed by District 1 , District 4 , District 5 , District 3 , and District 2 . District 2 and District 3 had the largest percentage increases in harvest from 2005.
“We had predicted better gobbling and a higher harvest prior to the season since a good hatch occurred in 2004,” remarked Taylor. “Our biologists have found that the level of brood production accurately forecasts spring turkey harvests two years later.”

The 2006 spring wild turkey season in West Virginia opened on April 24 and will run through May 20, according to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section. Wildlife biologists expect the spring wild turkey harvest to be similar to last year when 10,000 to 13,500 birds being harvested. The 2005 spring gobbler kill was 10,957, of which 302 birds were harvested during the youth spring gobbler hunt.
“West Virginia has some of the best wild turkey hunting in the nation,” said Taylor. “Our mountains are even more beautiful this time of the year, abundant wild turkey populations are found in all 55 counties, and each of these counties is open to spring gobbler hunting. With careful planning and common courtesy, hunters in West Virginia can generally gain access to private lands because of the generosity and thoughtfulness of our state’s landowners. In addition, the hunting pressure on most public lands is not heavy in West Virginia, and these public lands offer outstanding opportunities for sportsmen and women.”
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has designed the spring gobbler hunting season to protect the wild turkey resource, provide quality hunting recreation, and assure aesthetically pleasing hunting experiences. The opening date of the spring season is set to occur during the week when the majority of the hens are incubating eggs and are less likely to be illegally killed by poachers.
Hunters are reminded that shooting hours begin one-half hour before sunrise and end at 1 p.m., at which time hunters are required to be out of the woods. The spring gobbler season bag limit is two bearded birds, and hunters are required by law to check their gobblers at an official checking station.
“The harvest data obtained from these official checking stations provides essential information used by our wildlife biologists to monitor turkey populations and better manage the wild turkey resource in West Virginia,” said Taylor.
For more information check the 2005-2006 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations. West Virginia hunting licenses may be purchased online at www.wvhunt.com.

Thirty-eight wild Gould’s turkeys are roaming around the Santa Rita Mountains and 15 wild Gould’s turkeys were added to the population in the Pinaleno Mountains, thanks to a recent release by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the National Wild Turkey Federation. The birds were released on April 12 as part of the “Go for the Gould’s” program aimed at bringing back the species in Arizona.
Gould’s turkeys once thrived in the mountains of Arizona, but populations declined dramatically around 1900 without present-day restrictions on harvest and land management. By 1920, the Gould’s wild turkey had all but disappeared from Arizona’s landscape.
In early March, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Association of Wildlife Managers in Mexico, and the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources in Mexico were involved in trapping the birds near Zacatecas, Mexico, and transferring them to a quarantine facility in Arizona. Some of the birds were fitted with radio transmitters to allow biologists to follow their survival, movements and reproduction. The April release followed.
“Our goal is to eventually repopulate Gould’s turkeys into all suitable habitat, particularly the sky islands of southern Arizona,” says Game and Fish big game supervisor Brian Wakeling, who has been working on the reintroduction program for more than a decade. “Thanks to this cooperative effort, we’re making great headway.”
Since 2003, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the National Wild Turkey Federation have transferred 230 Gould’s turkeys from Mexico to southern Arizona. Game and Fish biologists closely monitor the progress of Gould’s turkeys in Arizona, and current estimates show they’re expanding their population and range with flocks in the Chiricahua, Catalina, Huachuca and Pinaleno mountains.

With Spring Gobbler Season in West Virginia beginning April 24, Bluestone State Park in Summers County has called up some reduced rental cabin rates for park guests and hunters alike. From April 24 — May 18, Bluestone is offering a mid-week cabin rental package with a diminishing rate the longer the rental time.
Park Superintendent Brett McMillion recognizes that hunters often forget how close the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area is to the state park’s vacation rental cabins. “Although not adjoining the state park, the WMA is another opportunity to enjoy outdoor adventure,” McMillion explains. Situated in Summers, Mercer and Monroe counties, this 18,019 acre public area topography ranges from flat bottomlands to steep mountains. The forest is predominantly oak-hickory and provides some of the eastern United States’ best hunting opportunities for deer, squirrel, raccoon and wild turkey. Bluestone WMA is accessible by several major highways. Take exit 139 off I-64 to WV 20 south and drive 5 miles. From the I-77 south, take the Athens Road Exit to WV 20 north, and travel 22 miles. Wildlife Management Area maps are available at Bluestone State Park office.
Cabin styles at nearby Bluestone State Park vary from two-person cottage-like units to modern four- bedroom accessible cabins. Fully equipped for housekeeping, linens provided, this package generally appeals to individuals looking for some lake fishing and “a whole-lot-of-nothing-to-do but relax,” continues Brett McMillion, park superintendent. “Cabins at Bluestone have always been popular with family reunions in the summer and ski groups in the winter. This winter we’ve had calls inquiring about cabin rentals and hunting opportunities. We had the answer: Bluestone WMA and our cabins here at Bluestone State Park.”
When visiting Bluestone, cabin guests have an additional treat in store: indoor pool facilities at nearby Pipestem Resort are included in cabin rentals as well as tennis court and game court use. “It’s a unique relationship to have two state parks close enough together to share amenities with guests,” says McMillion.” “It is a short 12-mile trip to Pipestem from Bluestone State Park and it’s about 30 minutes to Bluestone Lake WMA.”
“Although hunting is prohibited on state parks, some areas with overnight accommodations are close enough to public lands to provide a sport venue for guests who hunt as an outdoor activity,” Parks lodging sales representative Sissie Summers explains. Like West Virginia state forests, the Bluestone WMA as a whole fills an outdoor niche for sportsmen and women. Hunting information is available online at www.wvdnr.gov or by contacting Division of Natural Resource District Offices.
Located near Hinton WV, Bluestone State Park cabins are open year-round for family vacations, reunions, fishing and winter getaways. Buffered by the 2000 acre Bluestone Lake, Bluestone waters are noted for channel catfish, stripped bass, croppy, largemouth, and bluegill; Bluestone State Park provides overnight cabin and camping accommodations; Bluestone Wildlife Management Area provides hunting opportunities — a Bluestone outdoor trifecta.
The main Web page at www.wvstateparks.com features packages and spring discounts at many areas. Some of those are: Double C Horse and Rider Campground at Camp Creek State Park, smallmouth fishing and golf packages at Pipestem Resort and “Winter to Spring Escape” at North Bend State Park and “Spring Tonic” at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. Additionally, there is a discounted mid-week cabin offer at fourteen of the state parks and forests from April 9 to May 18.
To gobble up more information about ‘Spring Gobbler’ cabin rentals at Bluestone or other area events and packages, call 1-800 CALL WVA or go online at www.wvstateparks.com.

Get Ready for Spring Gobbler Season April 24 — May 20. Youth Gobbler Hunting Day April 22
Bill Igo, wild turkey biologist for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources , advises hunters to start getting into shape for the upcoming spring gobbler hunting season. “With the opening date of April 24 quickly approaching, hunters need to begin hiking up and down our hills so they will be in shape when they hit the woods to hunt,” Igo advised. The four-week hunting season will end May 20. Igo also recommended that spring gobbler hunters make sure they are prepared with proper clothing, a shotgun that is appropriately patterned, and have adequate hunting gear, such as turkey calls, knife, rain gear, compass/GPS unit, matches, maps, and a pencil for filling out field tags.
This will be the second year in West Virginia that there will be a special youth spring gobbler season for one day, Saturday, April 22, just prior to the regular Monday season opening. Youth hunters last year harvested 302 toms in the Mountain State’s inaugural one-day youth hunt. Youth hunters must be at least eight years of age and no more than 14 years old on the day of the season. They must be accompanied by a licensed adult of at least 21 years of age, who cannot carry a gun or bow and must remain close enough to render advice and assistance. The only legal weapon that can be used by a youth hunter is a shotgun with shot sizes 4, 5, or 6 permitted. “The youth day hunt will be an ideal time for seasoned hunters to introduce another generation to spring turkey hunting, hopefully passing on some of their hunting knowledge and creating a memorable, rewarding hunt with a youngster,” commented Igo.
Biologists are predicting better gobbling and a higher harvest than last year’s kill of 10,957. “West Virginia experienced a fairly good brood count in 2004,” Igo said. “We have found that brood counts accurately predict harvests two years down the road and generally two-year old toms are more talkative and vulnerable than other gobblers, and therefore easier to harvest.” With brood counts down 22 percent in 2005 from 2004, biologists are already forecasting a lower gobbler harvest for the spring 2007 season.
Igo also advises hunters to be aware of some gobblers wearing radio transmitters. These radios are used in a statewide gobbler survival study to determine causes of mortality, effects of hunting, and other biological data to help the DNR manage the wild turkey. Hunters harvesting a banded or radioed bird should contact their local District Wildlife office or the Elkins Operations Center.
Another DNR project for managing wild turkeys is the Spring Gobbler Survey, conducted jointly with the West Virginia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Cooperating hunters submit daily records of their hunts and complete a brief questionnaire. A hunter does not have to kill a gobbler to provide useful data. Most of the information collected deals with what a hunter hears, sees, or has an opinion about. Any hunter desiring to receive a copy of the annual report is required to participate in the survey. Spring gobbler hunters wanting to participate in the survey are encouraged to contact Patty Fordyce, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 67, Elkins, WV 24241, telephone: 637-0245 or e-mail: pattyfordyce@wvdnr.gov

2006 marks 30th anniversary of reintroduction program
MADISON — 2006 marks the 30th anniversary of the reintroduction of wild turkey in Wisconsin, and several “firsts” this year highlight the successful effort to re-establish this native species.
For the first time this spring, the entire state will be open to turkey hunting. For the first time, more than 200,000 turkey permits were available for the spring season. And for the first time turkey hunters are able to buy turkey permits that remained after the initial drawing over-the-counter. Previously if the number of spring turkey permits exceeded the number of applications for a specific zone and time period, remaining permits were issued through a preference drawing.
“Turkey hunters can again look forward to high quality year of turkey hunting,” said Andrea Mezera, an upland wildlife ecologist for the state Department of Natural Resources. “Populations were good heading into winter, which was mild to moderate in severity depending on location, and we expect a good survival rate.”
The spring turkey hunting season in Wisconsin runs from April 12 through May 21 with six 5-day time periods.
More than 40,000 additional turkey permits went on sale at noon Saturday, March 25, and were initially selling at a rate of 95 permits per minute and only about 8,600 permits remained for sale as of Monday night.
Permits cost $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. The limit is one permit purchase per person, per day. The majority of tags were for the last three hunting periods — May 3-7, May 10-14 and May 17-21.
“Hunters are required to purchase a turkey license and stamp at the time they buy an over-the-counter turkey permit,” Mezera said.
A resident turkey license costs $15 and a turkey stamp $5.25.
Besides all 46 turkey hunting zones, 15 state parks and Fort McCoy will be open for hunting. Fort McCoy conducts its own spring turkey hunt, independent of the state season. In order to hunt at Fort McCoy, hunters must have already received permit authorization from Fort McCoy.
The state’s turkey reintroduction program began in 1976 when the Wisconsin wildlife biologists worked out a deal with the Missouri Department of Conservation to trade two-to-one Wisconsin wild trapped Coulee Region ruffed grouse for Missouri wild trapped turkey.
The first release of turkeys from Missouri occurred in the Bad Axe Watershed of Vernon County in 1976, and over nine years, 334 wild turkeys were released into the southwestern part of the state. Once their population expanded, turkeys were trapped in areas of higher densities and relocated to other areas around the state that had suitable habitat.
The first turkey hunting season took place in the spring of 1983; 1,200 permits were issued, and the hunt was limited to four zones in southwest Wisconsin. Hunters that spring harvested 182 turkeys for a 15 percent success rate. During the spring 2005 turkey hunt, 193,316 permits were issued and hunters bagged 46,159 birds for a 24 percent success rate.
DNR biologists fondly remember early days of trapping and stocking
Many conservationists view the state’s wild turkey program as the most successful reintroduction of a once native species in the history of Wisconsin wildlife management.
Carl Batha was resolute in his opinion that the turkey program would be successful.
“I believed it right from the start. There was never a doubt in my mind,” said Batha, a wildlife program supervisor for the agency’s South Central Region in Dodgeville.
Batha, who was hired specifically to oversee the wild turkey reintroduction effort in the then Southern District, said he looks back fondly to those days of trapping ruffed grouse and stocking wild turkeys in the hills of northern Grant and Iowa counties.
“It was the best of times. The stars were aligned, the habitat was right, the wild Missouri birds had the gene characteristics to survive, unlike the game farm birds,” Batha said in referring to an earlier state attempt to reintroduce turkeys in the Necedah area using farm raised turkeys.
DNR Wildlife Biologist Tom Meier described those days of trapping wild turkeys as “a gas. It was the major highlight of my career. We had great crews, a great supervisor , plentiful numbers of grouse and tremendous landowner support.”
Meier, then based at the long-gone Spring Green Ranger Station, is now the wildlife program supervisor for the Mead Sub-Team at Milladore. He agreed with Batha that the late 1970s and early ’80s was the “perfect time” to launch the reintroduction program.
“Missouri wanted our hardy Coulee Region ruffed grouse and local landowners were extremely receptive to not only turkey stocking, but grouse trapping,” he noted.
Besides trapping grouse, the two men chose locations where birds could be released and spent many hours talking to landowners, hunters and sports groups.
Time has flown by for both men and now they are the only active DNR wildlife biologists who took part in those early days of the grouse trapping and wild turkey stocking program.
“Carl was right when he forecast the program’s success. How right he was,” Meier added.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Mezera - 261-8458 or Carl Batha - 935-1922

Hunting safety specialists want hunters to aim for an accident-free turkey season
MADISON — Spring turkey hunters could almost be guaranteed an accident-free hunting season this spring, a state hunter education specialist says, if they adhere to the four basic rules of firearm safety, and pay special attention to unique turkey hunting safety concerns.
“Turkey hunters can take steps to keep themselves safe,” says Tim Lawhern, hunter education administrator for the state Department of Natural Resources. “The cornerstone of turkey hunting safety is knowing your target and what’s beyond.”
There were a total of six firearm-related hunting incidents — none fatal — during the 2005 spring turkey season. That was up from just two non-fatal incidents during the spring 2004 season.
There are special safety concerns that hunters need to pay attention to when turkey hunting, Lawhern says.
“Primarily, hunters need to be aware of other hunters in the field during this time,” he says. “Turkey hunters should not stalk a turkey. A turkey hunter who tries stalking a calling turkey is often actually stalking another hunter. Turkey hunters should let others know of their whereabouts by shouting out to them.”
Safety concerns unique to turkey hunting include hunters wearing camouflaged clothing to blend into the landscape, setting up realistic decoys and using calls that might attract other hunters as well as gobblers.
Another safety aspect is to make sure that when two or more hunters go afield together that the partners carefully plan their hunt.
“If you’re hunting with a partner, be absolutely certain of that person’s location at all times,” Lawhern says. “If you see other hunters, get their attention by yelling at them instead of waving your hands.
Lawhern encourages turkey hunters to wear some blaze orange, such as a cap or a pair of gloves when moving to and from hunting areas. They can remove such items when they get to their hunting spot. Hanging a blaze orange sign or piece of cloth to the outside of a blind can alert other hunters to blinds, he adds.
DNR statistics reveal that 80 percent of accidents reported during turkey hunting season involve hunters mistaking other hunters for game; hunters failing to positively identify their target.
“Too many people who shot another hunter during the spring season said they did not see a beard on the turkey before they took the shot,” reports Lawhern.
The only legal turkey in the spring is a male or bearded turkey “so, if a hunter doesn’t see a beard on the turkey, it is a ‘don’t shoot’ situation,” he emphasizes.
Hunters should choose a hunting spot that allows them to rest their back against a tree or some other object at least as wide as their shoulders, because in doing so it will provide both protection from any errant shots fired in their direction and from the turkey’s extremely good vision, adds Lawhern.
He recommends hunters take extra precautions when using calls and decoys such as:
Use gobble-calls only to locate a tom turkey and not to attract one.
Keep hands and head camouflaged when calling.
Never stalk or sneak-up on a turkey and don’t attempt to approach closer than 100 yards to a gobbler.
Select a calling site from which you can see at least 40 yards in all directions.
Never jump and turn suddenly because you hear a turkey close behind you.
Never carry or move an uncovered decoy.
Never assume that what you hear or what answers a call is a turkey.
Hunters should also note that as of this spring, using electronic decoys for turkey hunting is prohibited in Wisconsin.
“As with every kind of hunting, turkey hunters need to follow the four basic safety guidelines: treat every firearm as if it is loaded; always point the muzzle in a safe direction; be sure of your target and what’s beyond it; and keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot,” Lawhern emphasizes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Tim Lawhern 266-1317

Turkey hunters have every reason to be optimistic when the spring season opens statewide April 6.
Rio Grande turkey populations are doing well according to Rod Smith, southwest region wildlife supervisor for the Wildlife Department.
“Turkey populations are in good shape right now. We had a solid hatch last year which will maintain turkey numbers at a high level through this spring,” Smith said.
Some hunters had expressed concern that the warm dry weather may cause gobblers to begin the spring breeding season before opening day. No need to worry, says Smith.
A few winter flocks are beginning to break up into smaller groups, but there are still some large flocks out there in their winter pattern. Overall, I would say they are progressing normally,” Smith said.
Following several good production years, turkey numbers are way up across the eastern half of the state.
“If you found turkeys last year, you’ll likely find them in the same place this spring,” said Jack Waymire, southeast region senior wildlife biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Things are beginning to green up and turkeys are starting to hang out in those open areas.”
With turkey populations high, this year is a good opportunity to focus on taking a mature gobbler, according Waymire.
“I always encourage veteran hunters to try to take an adult. It can be a little more difficult at times, but it is a fun challenge,” Waymire said.
To hunt turkeys in Oklahoma, hunters must possess a resident or non-resident Oklahoma hunting license or combination license and the $5 fishing and hunting legacy permit, as well as a spring turkey permit. Lifetime license holders are exempt from having to purchase the spring turkey permit and the annual fishing and hunting legacy permit.
Hunters do not check turkeys taken west of I-35, but all turkeys harvested east of I-35 must be checked at the nearest hunter check station. For more information on regulations and bag limits, consult the “2005-06 Oklahoma Hunting Guide,” which are available at hunting and fishing license vendors across the state or on line at www.wildlifedepartment.com.