Central Washington Turkey Forecast

[ian_padron]

I was doing a bit of reading on the success of NWTF's efforts in the Evergreen state. Absolutely crazy how many turkeys we have in the NE corner just a couple decades after they started their introduction efforts.

My question is this: Do you ever see central washington holding the same concentrations of birds in the future? Places like the Teanaway, Colockum, etc. hold birds, but man it seems like there could be a ton more given the quality of habitat. Any members of NWTF on here know anything about the stocking efforts in the area or the future outlook of these Central WA birds?

Looking forward to learning a thing or two!

[kevinlisa06]

We started hunting Turkeys in 2002, it was in Central Washington.  We see a few birds every year while Turkey hunting where we go. This year when I shot mine I had 6 come in at once. My dads bird was all by himself. All the birds we called gobbled from a long distance away but the came in silent, assuming due to predators. I do not see the population exploding like it did in the NE corner, but that’s my opinion. In 16yrs of Hunting the Central birds the population has not grown very much where we go. WDFW doesn’t want to trap n transfer anymore birds and hasn’t in quite along time.


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[scottcrb]

Lots of birds on private lands. See a few every year on public .

[Mfowl]

I'm no expert but I don't think a population explosion will happen in Central Wa. I think it would have happened by now, the birds have been there for quite sometime. The Klickitat was the first region in the state to get any plants and although the numbers are stable there hasn't been the significant numbers like the NE corner has experienced. I think there is better wintering opportunity in the NE and more of it and thats what helps feed the population growth. 

[Russ McDonald]

The NWTF state chapter, regional director and biologist is working with WDFW on the turkey plan for the state today expired over 10 years ago.   We broke out the trap and relocate into a SOP order and it is waiting to be signed.  Unfortunately WDFW upland game specialist left the her position so the SOP and turkey plan has been left hanging.  We as the NWTF are pushing to move forward with the plan and SOP but the state doesn't want to move until they fill the position.  We have a good consensus for trapping and moving birds.  Eastern cascades is a target for relocating birds to which includes Yakima area.  I am very much involved in this whole process and will keep everyone up to date

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[ian_padron]

The NWTF state chapter, regional director and biologist is working with WDFW on the turkey plan for the state today expired over 10 years ago.   We broke out the trap and relocate into a SOP order and it is waiting to be signed.  Unfortunately WDFW upland game specialist left the her position so the SOP and turkey plan has been left hanging.  We as the NWTF are pushing to move forward with the plan and SOP but the state doesn't want to move until they fill the position.  We have a good consensus for trapping and moving birds.  Eastern cascades is a target for relocating birds to which includes Yakima area.  I am very much involved in this whole process and will keep everyone up to date

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That is fantastic information Russ, is there a way that I can get involved? I'd love to play an active role in the efforts.

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[kevinlisa06]

Good to hear Russ!


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[Wacenturion]

I was doing a bit of reading on the success of NWTF's efforts in the Evergreen state. Absolutely crazy how many turkeys we have in the NE corner just a couple decades after they started their introduction efforts.

My question is this: Do you ever see central washington holding the same concentrations of birds in the future? Places like the Teanaway, Colockum, etc. hold birds, but man it seems like there could be a ton more given the quality of habitat. Any members of NWTF on here know anything about the stocking efforts in the area or the future outlook of these Central WA birds?

Looking forward to learning a thing or two!

Just a clarification.  The turkey introductions were done by WDFW starting in the mid 80's with Rio's in the Wenas area and progressed over time through the late 90's with three different subspecies based on habitat requirements.  The first Eastern introductions were in 1987 near Tenino.  Merriam's were reintroduced back into both Klickitat county and the NE counties.  There was only a state chapter of the NWTF back then and limited membership.  The local non existent chapter system grew primarily due to the department's introduction efforts of three subspecies.

The NWTF did supply turkey introduction boxes in those early efforts and later on chapter volunteer efforts in some areas assisting on trap and transfer after bird populations exploded.  Members in the chapter system obviously raised money to assist in later efforts as well through banquets.  Just wanted to clear that up.  One thing the NWTF was good at was making people believe it all happened because of them.  Truth be know they actually got in the way especially with eastern efforts as they inserted themselves as middle men brokers based on subspecies values and transfer of funds from one state to another while those states department did all the work.

I can tell you with absolute certainty that if elements in WDFW had not actively fought for turkey introductions during those years, they would not have happened.  Fact.   

[Russ McDonald]

I was doing a bit of reading on the success of NWTF's efforts in the Evergreen state. Absolutely crazy how many turkeys we have in the NE corner just a couple decades after they started their introduction efforts.

My question is this: Do you ever see central washington holding the same concentrations of birds in the future? Places like the Teanaway, Colockum, etc. hold birds, but man it seems like there could be a ton more given the quality of habitat. Any members of NWTF on here know anything about the stocking efforts in the area or the future outlook of these Central WA birds?

Looking forward to learning a thing or two!

Just a clarification.  The turkey introductions were done by WDFW starting in the mid 80's with Rio's in the Wenas area and progressed over time through the late 90's with three different subspecies based on habitat requirements.  The first Eastern introductions were in 1987 near Tenino.  Merriam's were reintroduced back into both Klickitat county and the NE counties.  There was only a state chapter of the NWTF back then and limited membership.  The local non existent chapter system grew primarily due to the department's introduction efforts of three subspecies.

The NWTF did supply turkey introduction boxes in those early efforts and later on chapter volunteer efforts in some areas assisting on trap and transfer after bird populations exploded.  Members in the chapter system obviously raised money to assist in later efforts as well through banquets.  Just wanted to clear that up.  One thing the NWTF was good at was making people believe it all happened because of them.  Truth be know they actually got in the way especially with eastern efforts as they inserted themselves as middle men brokers based on subspecies values and transfer of funds from one state to another while those states department did all the work.

I can tell you with absolute certainty that if elements in WDFW had not actively fought for turkey introductions during those years, they would not have happened.  Fact.   

I can tell you this that NWTF leadership here in this state isn't around anymore.  We are not here to get in the way of the state but want to work together with the state.  I know someone that was very involved in planting the birds in this state and is now our regional director.  Wacenturion your in the know and know who I am talking about.  The state needs to renew the turkey plan, and in my opinion bring back the trap and relocate which right now is a SOP that just needs to reviewed and signed.  All I want is the opportunity for more people to get out and hunt turkeys. 

[Wacenturion]

Russ, I don't have a clue who you are referring to.  Regional Manager in  Region 4?  Someone else?

[Wacenturion]

Sorry Russ, finally got it.  You were not talking about a WDFW regional director but rather NWTF.  Good friend and a lot of help way back when.

[Russ McDonald]

Sorry Russ, finally got it.  You were not talking about a WDFW regional director but rather NWTF.  Good friend and a lot of help way back when.

I knew you would know.    

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