More Turkeys Than Ever Before!

MENAN - Turkey transplant operations have done so well in other portions of the state that surplus turkeys continue to pour into the Upper Snake Region. In the last week a total of 106 gobblers have been release in the region. Prior to these birds, a total of 507 turkeys have been released in the region in the two proceeding years. Population levels are to the point that the Upper Snake Region will now be offering controlled hunt opportunities across most of the region this spring. Wild turkeys are not native to Idaho, but introduction efforts started in the early Sixties have really begun to pay off in recent years for most portions of the state. Turkey populations in the Clearwater, Panhandle, and Southwest Regions have done so well that wildlife biologists are actually starting to have turkey depredation problems in some areas. Trapping and transplanting of these excess birds has been the source for the birds being brought into the Upper Snake Region. Local chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation have supplied volunteers and funding to assist with expansion of turkey populations in the Gem State. Prior to current efforts, the last introduction attempted in the Upper Snake Region was back in 1984 and involved the release of 32 Rio Grande wild turkeys. For a variety of reasons that attempt failed, but the Merriam's sub-species being released in the Upper Snake have proven to be a hardier bird. As with most of the other turkey transplant projects in the state, cooperation with local ranchers is the key to success with turkeys. Willingness of ranchers to allow turkeys on cattle feedlots to pick for leftovers is crucial to their survival during the long local winters when more traditional food sources are not available. Because a turkey can lay up to 15 eggs each spring, turkey populations can really take off when all related factors cooperate. Efforts to trap excess birds are still underway in other portions of the state and future releases will occur in the Upper Snake Region, as birds become available. Mild winter conditions across the state have resulted in lighter concentrations of flocks, making trapping operations more unpredictable. The period for controlled hunt applications for turkeys in the Upper Snake Region is from January 15, 2003 through February 15, 2003. A total of 100 controlled hunt permits will be available for the Upper Snake Region. The hunt will run from April 15, 2003 through May 25, 2003.