2017 Spring Turkey Hunting Forecast Turkeys Hunting Opportunities Continue Expansion; NE Winter Impacts Numbers and Access
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2017 Spring Turkey Hunting Forecast Turkeys hunting opportunities continue expansion; NE winter impacts numbers and access Turkey hunting opportunities have drastically expanded in the last 20 years. Hunters can now find good turkey hunting in northwest and northeast, not just in southwest Oregon. Last year’s spring harvest of 5,245 turkeys was up 12 percent from the previous year and the highest since 2010. Expect similar conditions in most of the state this year—except in northeast, where a tough winter likely reduced turkey numbers and will limit access at higher elevations early in the season. “Production was good last year, but deep snow in some areas, particularly northeast Oregon, will have reduced over-winter survival,” said David Budeau, ODFW upland bird coordinator. “However, the above average precipitation should result in good habitat conditions throughout the state.” Where are the turkeys? Southwest Oregon continues to be the leading place to find turkeys. For the third year in a row the Melrose Unit did not take first place in turkey harvest— that honor went to Rogue Unit again. This was partly due to a decline in hunting pressure in Melrose, which could be related to lack of public lands in the unit (just 16 percent of Melrose is public land and some private land is tied up by leases). ODFW is working to increase accessible turkeys throughout Oregon. This winter, about 300 nuisance turkeys from private land were relocated to public lands or public accessible areas. Those who want to hunt southwest Oregon may have an easier time accessing land in Rogue, which is 57 percent public lands, or another leading unit like Applegate or Evans Creek. While a lot of turkey harvest in the Rogue is on private land, there is good turkey habitat in the Jackson Cooperative Travel Management Area and some USFS land. See the Jackson County report below for more information. The White River Unit continues to lead in hunting pressure and came second in overall harvest level. Biologists advise scouting in advance, hunting on a weekday or waiting until later in the season for the best experience in White River Unit. Don’t forget about northeast Oregon. Nearly half (49%) of the turkeys harvested during the spring 2016 season were harvested east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains. Mt. Emily, Sled Springs, Ukiah, Heppner, Northside, consistently rank high in terms of total harvest and individual hunter success rates are generally better in the northeast part of the state. Many northeast Oregon birds are found on public lands, particularly national forests. In most years, birds can take advantage of open southern exposures at higher elevations before the hunters can get to them, but this year snow may not limit access to these areas. Finally, if you have access to private land, hunting can be excellent in northwest Oregon. Visit ODFW’s oregonhuntingmap and click on Game Bird Range Maps/Turkey to get a sense of where to find turkeys in Oregon. ODFW’s turkey hunting page also provides a map showing turkey distribution throughout the state. The Game Bird Harvest Statistics page shows the level of effort and harvest in each wildlife management unit. This year more than ever, it’s important for hunters to check road conditions and access before heading out, especially early in the season. Snow may limit access to some areas. Tags and regulations All you need to spring turkey hunt is camo, a call, and a shotgun. A hen or jake decoy can also improve your odds. You can hunt for six weeks (April 15-May 31) anywhere in the state. The daily bag limit remains one and hunters need to purchase a tag before harvesting each turkey. There is no deadline, just get one before you go hunting. Spring turkey hunting is general season, and anyone can purchase a tag any time before going hunting. Turkey tags are $22.50 for residents, $10.50 for youth hunters (age 17 and under). Hunting licenses are $29.50 for residents. The daily bag limit is one male turkey or a turkey with a visible beard (so hens with beards may be lawfully taken). The season limit is three legal turkeys; hunters must purchase a tag for each turkey. See page 19 of the Oregon Game Bird Regulations for more information. Finally, don’t forget to report results for each tag you purchased no later than Jan. 31, 2018. Report online or by phone (1-866-947-6339), even if you didn’t take a turkey or didn’t go hunting. Hunters need to know their hunter/angler ID number, hunting location (wildlife management unit), and days spent hunting to complete the report. Spring turkey hunters that do report by Jan. 31, 2018 are entered into a contest to draw a special 2017 big game tag of their choice (deer, elk or pronghorn). Turkey hunting: Tips, equipment, and safety The sight and sound of a turkey’s mating display is enough to quicken the pulse of even the most experienced hunter—and makes calling in a spring tom as exciting as calling in a bull elk. While turkeys are notoriously difficult to sneak up on due to their excellent eyesight, the urge to mate makes wary toms (males) a little less cautious when they hear the call of a hen in the spring. The fairer sex in the turkey world, toms use their iridescent red, green, copper, bronze and gold feathers to their advantage when trying to attract a mate—fanning their tails and strutting out in the open to show off. Adding to the spectacle, their brightly colored heads can alternate between red, white and blue, often changing color in just a few seconds. In general, turkeys will be moving higher in elevation in the spring, following the snow line. They do not favor areas with a lot of underbrush for mating displays, so look for openings in the forest (meadows, old roads, power line clearings, etc.). Don’t forget to visit recent burns or clear cuts when doing your pre-season scouting. Wild turkeys will vocalize most in the morning and evening, so go early and stay late to figure out where the birds are spending their time. Toms can become harder to hunt and less vocal later in the season as the mating season falls off the peak. A realistic jake or hen decoy which will draw the bird’s attention away from you and put him right where you want him. The National Wild Turkey Federation’s website collects their best tips and tactics, or check out ODFW’s turkey hunting brochure (PDF). Highlights: Scout the area where you want to hunt first. Look for turkey sign like tracks and droppings. Once you know where to hunt, set up to call. Stay at least 100 to 150 yards from roosting turkeys; getting closer could spook them away. Don’t set up to call in cover or thick brush—turkeys tend to avoid these. If possible, set up with a tree or rock wider than your shoulders and taller than your head at your back, to protect yourself from a shot by a careless hunter. Be motionless while calling. Remember turkeys have a great vision. Experience will teach you how to call. Sometimes loud, aggressive calling works; other times soft, infrequent calls are best. Call your bird within 25 yards before taking a shot; aim for the base of the head when shooting. (Turkeys are very large birds and can be tough to bring down, so don’t shoot from too far away.) Immediately tag your bird and don’t delay in dressing it either. For safety, place your bird in a sack or cover with hunter orange when leaving the woods. Equipment needs: You need a shotgun no larger than 10 gauge or smaller than 20 gauge, camouflage clothing (because turkeys have excellent eyesight) and a turkey call to get started. Shot size must be no larger than No. 2 but there are no longer minimum shot size restrictions. Sizes 4, 5 and 6 tend to be best for turkey. Bows are also legal weapons for turkey hunting. A hen or jake decoy can help improve your odds. Safety: Never wear red, white, blue or black when turkey hunting. You could be mistaken for a turkey. Use caution when calling turkeys where other hunters may be present—and realize that the calling you hear may be other hunters. Reports from local districts follow. Southwest Oregon Coos County The winter of 2016/17 was very wet, windy and cold in Coos County. These conditions are not conducive to high winter survival for turkeys. However, prior to 2016/17 the past several winters were very mild and the summers were relatively dry—good conditions for turkey survival. So, turkey populations are still relatively high in the county and birds can be found in almost all areas where there is a significant amount of agricultural land. Since these lands are private, in most cases, hunters should be prepared to knock on doors to gain access to quality hunting areas. Hunters who are willing to do that have fairly high odds of filling their tags. Turkeys are beginning to create nests and incubate eggs. If wet, cool conditions persist as is anticipated, brood survival is expected to be poor compared to past years. Curry County The turkey population has been low for several years. Reproduction along the coast is often slower than inland areas; survival is harder with the rains that occur here. Hunters will need to have scouted early to find turkey flocks and obtained permission to hunt on private property.