The end of Wild Turkeys in Washington

[Limhangerslayer]

This is off topic but wacent, what kind of birds are in the wenas? Are they rios or merriams? Or a hybrid?

They are all of the above, I believe the last Rios were planted in the 80's we planted Merriams in the late 90's.  In all honesty the only pure birds are the eastern's in this state

[Wacenturion]

This is off topic but wacent, what kind of birds are in the wenas? Are they rios or merriams? Or a hybrid?

Originally Rio's were released in the Wenas back in the mid 80's.  They didn't fair as well as expected as the habitat base was more Merriam like.  Later Merriams were released in several areas from Yakima north to just south of Blewitt Pass.  So to answer your question, Merriams, with perhaps a small amount of some residual Rio blood here and there in those areas.

[bearpaw]

Turkeys do not compete with squirrels period.  WDFW turkey haters just keep throwing that out there like spaghetti to see if it sticks to the wall and make it seem to the uniformed as though something terrible is happening.  That question has been answered many times years ago. 

Let's see now....if I recall squirrels live in trees.  What is a turkey getting food wise that a squirrel is not?  Good grief.

   agree completely

[ICEMAN]

Safeway is a lot cheaper than shooting a wild one.

So would be stocking your freezer with steak....

Sorry, not giving up my hunts for the sake of cost effectiveness....

[Jester052]

Wacent- thank you for the educated responses. Knowledge is the power for change!

[turkeydancer]

One big problem has been WDFW's Mick Cope ... he would talk to the NWTF State Board Of Directors (BOD), and even when the BOD stated that they didn't want the liberal seasons and bag limits, he would still go off by himself and have them implemented so he didn't have to deal with any landowner complaints ... plus it brought in more money to his department by doing so.  He just doesn't care about the resource ... just about not having to listen to any complaints from landowners.   
 

[idahohuntr]

I don't see much of a problem with turkey management...and really I hope WDFW isn't putting much effort or money into managing them...its great we can hunt them, I like the liberal seasons but they need to focus on deer/elk management not turkeys. If they become a problem for a landowner give him a box of shells and call the foodbank    If turkey numbers decline substantially and sportsmen in the area want restrictions fine...no relocation or efforts by wdfw to re-establish or build numbers though...let NWTF pick up the tab if they want to do something for them.

[bearpaw]

Turkeys provide a significant source of recreation at a time when there isn't much other hunting. Turkeys should be managed prudently just as we should manage all other species. The NE has a lot of birds, but current management has greatly reduced flocks on public lands where most hunters can hunt.

Problems with birds on private lands should be dealt with differently, transplant, hot spot hunt, landowner tags, something, but to establish one of the most liberal turkey hunting season structures in the entire nation continues to degrade our public land turkey hunting opportunities. 

[JODakota]

Turkeys do not compete with squirrels period.  WDFW turkey haters just keep throwing that out there like spaghetti to see if it sticks to the wall and make it seem to the uniformed as though something terrible is happening.  That question has been answered many times years ago. 

Let's see now....if I recall squirrels live in trees.  What is a turkey getting food wise that a squirrel is not?  Good grief.

Oh really? Are you a biologist? State your facts, sources ?

Open mouth insert foot, lmfao!!!

Phool why would I insert my foot in my mouth? Because I asked a guy his profession I should have to watch what I say or feel embarrassed? That doesn't make any sense.

[Limhangerslayer]

Turkeys provide a significant source of recreation at a time when there isn't much other hunting. Turkeys should be managed prudently just as we should manage all other species. The NE has a lot of birds, but current management has greatly reduced flocks on public lands where most hunters can hunt.

Problems with birds on private lands should be dealt with differently, transplant, hot spot hunt, landowner tags, something, but to establish one of the most liberal turkey hunting season structures in the entire nation continues to degrade our public land turkey hunting opportunities. 

turkeys can be hunted about 25% of the year.

[Tom Tamer]

One big problem has been WDFW's Mick Cope ... he would talk to the NWTF State Board Of Directors (BOD), and even when the BOD stated that they didn't want the liberal seasons and bag limits, he would still go off by himself and have them implemented so he didn't have to deal with any landowner complaints ... plus it brought in more money to his department by doing so.  He just doesn't care about the resource ... just about not having to listen to any complaints from landowners.   
 

Nail on the head, but then Al you and I were there to witness that horse crap. Just like I'm sure Wacent and Yelp saw that flippant attitude as well.

[Tom Tamer]

I don't see much of a problem with turkey management...and really I hope WDFW isn't putting much effort or money into managing them...its great we can hunt them, I like the liberal seasons but they need to focus on deer/elk management not turkeys. If they become a problem for a landowner give him a box of shells and call the foodbank    If turkey numbers decline substantially and sportsmen in the area want restrictions fine...no relocation or efforts by wdfw to re-establish or build numbers though...let NWTF pick up the tab if they want to do something for them.

We ARE seeing a substantial reductions in flocks and this is why Hunters are calling for restrictions. The NWTF( volunteers at least) did try and pick up the tab for re-establishment and re-location but the WDFW refused us on every angle. That is fact. The State hasn't the spine to put out a decent program for dealing with the farmers issues and did NOTHING to partner with anyone to try and work out any kind of resolution. They upped the liberal seasons especially the either sex fall hunts and will not take any advice on changing. Myself I think I will start putting in for those fall tags and then burn them. Couple bucks out of my pocket to help a hen make it to spring to breed again.

[Nature Boy]

I like your idea Tom.  Let's have a tag burning party this fall.  1111 Washington Street in Olympia sounds like the perfect venue.

[Wacenturion]

I don't see much of a problem with turkey management...and really I hope WDFW isn't putting much effort or money into managing them...its great we can hunt them, I like the liberal seasons but they need to focus on deer/elk management not turkeys. If they become a problem for a landowner give him a box of shells and call the foodbank    If turkey numbers decline substantially and sportsmen in the area want restrictions fine...no relocation or efforts by wdfw to re-establish or build numbers though...let NWTF pick up the tab if they want to do something for them.

NWTF doesn't have the authority nor the ability or willingness to trap and relocate birds in any state.  They are simply the middle man reaping the financial benefits on the backs of volunteers.  Fact. 

[Wacenturion]

One big problem has been WDFW's Mick Cope ... he would talk to the NWTF State Board Of Directors (BOD), and even when the BOD stated that they didn't want the liberal seasons and bag limits, he would still go off by himself and have them implemented so he didn't have to deal with any landowner complaints ... plus it brought in more money to his department by doing so.  He just doesn't care about the resource ... just about not having to listen to any complaints from landowners.   
 

Nail on the head, but then Al you and I were there to witness that horse crap. Just like I'm sure Wacent and Yelp saw that flippant attitude as well.

Try going higher as well..........hint, hint.  Mick only takes marching orders.  It wasn't too flippant when I managed the program as they couldn't stop efforts.  Only when reorganization came along and they convinced the then newly appointed pinhead Director it needed to be back in Wildlife Management did the program turn south and stop.

Funny how that Director always used "best science" in his management hype.  Yet when Wildlife Management took the program back they kept me as far away from the Commission and turkey issues as possible.  I didn't exist.  Yet I was the resident expert with 20 years of turkey experience and planned everything, and I mean everything, in that time period.  When there was a turkey issue before the Commission, Mick Cope was giving the presentation and recommendations.  In all fairness to Mick, he knew absolutely nothing about turkeys.