Introducing turkeys to Whatcom and Skagit counties...

[popeshawnpaul]

NEWS RELEASE
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091 

April 23, 2008
Contact: Mike Davison, (360) 466-4345 ext. 280



Open house scheduled May 8
to discuss release site for wild turkeys


OLYMPIA – 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/.


Sounds like an interesting idea.  I hope they are talking about introducing eastern turkeys.  Anyone think this is a bad idea?

[Snowman]

I think it would be a great thing. Then us up here in the northern west part of the state wouldn't have to travel far to go hunting. But it would be awhile before we are allowed to hunt them.

[BrushChimp]

Not if the WDFW has their way. They want to start hunting them in 2010. I think I got an email from Washington Fishing and Hunting news as a source for that. At any rate, they are terrible game managers. Transplant and slaughter. They can't think enough to let the turkey population get started good before they open a hunting season for them. Same thing down here where I'm at in Lewis County.

[Coasthunterjay]

i think they need to bring them farther northwest onto the penninsula........that would be awesome.......there are a few up here already from what i here, but they need serious help......not a large population by any means........


but increasing turleys anywhere is a good idea to me!

I LIKE TURKEYS .................

[ICEMAN]

How about releasing some in my backyard to save me gas!!! 

[Wacenturion]

popeshawnpaul .........you said...."Sounds like an interesting idea.  I hope they are talking about introducing eastern turkeys.  Anyone think this is a bad idea"?

Agree with your statement.  I really doubt though they are talking about Easterns.  My hunch would be nuisance birds from the NE (Merriams).  Funny thing is that Region 4 of the WDFW(these same people) did about everything possible to keep turkeys out of the counties north of Seattle during the 90's when Easterns were available.  Some plants were made, but only after in house threats and pressure.  Not sure of the status of those birds, other than an occasional report.  Not a large number though in those initial releases.

Would be a good thing to get some easterns for releases, but that's probably too much work for these management types.  Merriams would be the wrong subspecies for that area in my opinion.  My guess is though that the rush to get something up there for the sake of close recreational opportunity will outweigh the proper choice.  Too bad....stayed tuned though...they will probably try and hybridize our eastern flocks in the SW next.   
   

[Wacenturion]

i think they need to bring them farther northwest onto the penninsula........that would be awesome.......there are a few up here already from what i here, but they need serious help......not a large population by any means........


but increasing turleys anywhere is a good idea to me!

I LIKE TURKEYS .................

Some folks (regional and Hqts) in the WDFW also opposed that early on during the 80's when Easterns were also available from Pa.  Had local interest in the Port Angeles area and a desire by the those in the agency who controlled the turkey program to do so, but it got nixed by the politics of some.

[popeshawnpaul]

Well, wouldn't it have to be the eastern or merriams?  Rios are a dry climate bird right?  I guess merriams are located in areas that get that much rain.  I think it would be easy to get a bunch of merriams from NE WA...but I'm not sure that's the best species to transplant.  I guess I would have to see some research on whether certain subspecies are better adapted to wet climates.  Interesting question though...does anyone have an answer to that question?

[alecvg]

there are already a few turkeys up in north whatcom county, but i defently hope they introduce some up here, i nedd something to do in the spring since im not a huge fishing fan.

[Wacenturion]

The ones up there are Easterns that were released, although I have heard of some individual release(s) of game farm stock.  You can tell those pretty easy as they are somewhat tame and end up hanging around residences etc.

popeshawnpaul ...........Easterns would be the appropriate subspecies......merriams would not be.  They prefer a more open timber type habitat....not the brushy type on the coast.  They also do not occur generally in areas with as much precipitation as western Wa.  Rio's as you mentioned are found in areas with even less.

Is there a chance that Merriams could be somewhat successful in Whatcom County?  Possibility they might, but odds are they might not....then WDFW will say ...no more attempts as habitat there is not suited for turkeys.

The desire by locals to have something now will probably override the big picture....that is...we have good strong populations of Merriams and Rios on the eastside, with a slowly growing Eastern population in the SW (slow due to less numbers released), but they are there.  We could expand that eastern base to the few birds already present up north and continue Eastern releases in western Washington to eventually end up with the absolute best scenario.....three healthy subspecies in Washington forever.

 

[Wacenturion]

popeshawnpaul ........just heard from a friend on another board that a little bird told him the introduced birds are coming from the Blues....thats right....Rio's.  Dumber than I thought.


If anyone on this board in Whatcom county is going to or could attend the meeting I would  suggest you and your turkey hunting buddies comment as such....yeah will go along with the release, we're in favor of (WDFW is already on the hook for approving the release....so turkeys are a go)....but we will be willing to wait a year or two so Easterns can be brought in...not Rio's or Merriams.  Easterns only.

[popeshawnpaul]

Wow, Rios?  Why don't we just transplant some desert bighorns and cous deer while we are at it.  Maybe they don't believe there is a physiological difference?  Crazy. 

[MountainWalk]

were turkeys ever naturally native to the o.p or whatcom? if not, i dont see a huge pressing need to transplant them. seems like the state agency has a hard enough time managing whats on its plate already.

[bowhuntin]

were turkeys ever naturally native to the o.p or whatcom? if not, i dont see a huge pressing need to transplant them. seems like the state agency has a hard enough time managing whats on its plate already.

I don't think any species of turkey were ever native to washington, but were brought here for wildlife viewing/hunting opportunities.

[popeshawnpaul]

Whitetail deer weren't native originally.  Let's get rid of them as I don't see a huge pressing need to have them...lol.  Get the point?

[Bofire]

No Roosevelt elk either.
Carl
How bout Pheasants?

[ICEMAN]

Rocky Mountain Elk... Goat....


Roosevelt have always been on the western slope cascades...

[bobcat]

Far as I know, Rocky Mountain elk and whitetail deer have always been in Washington as well. Maybe not distributed as they are now, but still, they were present in the state somewhere.

[popeshawnpaul]

Weren't goats native? 

Oh yeah, let's get rid of the chuker too...

[bobcat]

Yes mountain goats are native here except for the ones that are/were in the Olympic Mountains.

[MountainWalk]

as far as i know, there have always been sheep, goats, and rocky mt elk in wa.

[ICEMAN]

Rocky mountain elk were introduced into this state in 1913.

Olympic goat herd was established in the 20's.

[bobcat]

Rocky mountain elk were introduced into this state in 1913.

Yes but there is no proof that they weren't already in the state before the introduction. In fact, from what I've read there is no doubt they were already in the Blue Mountains. It's the east slope of the Cascades that is in question.

[Bofire]

Yep, I mixed up Elk names, Teddy brought the Rockys. Iceman nailed it as far as I can find any info. I guess it depends how far back you look. They found a Rhino fossil by Sun lakes state park too.
Carl

[bobcat]

This is an interesting report regarding the historical presence of elk in Washington:  http://www.nps.gov/archive/mora/ncrd/elk_study_84/elkstudy-84.htm

[NWTFhunter]

Good topic. I hope the people who attend have some good things to share with the fish and game about what sub species to get..
I know that the Merriams that were released in La Connor in 05 are still kicking... despite the rain and different weather from the east side.  One of the reasons that they are not affraid to go into town, is because they have never been shot at and dont know what danger is other than the yotes...

[Wacenturion]

Good topic. I hope the people who attend have some good things to share with the fish and game about what sub species to get..
I know that the Merriams that were released in La Connor in 05 are still kicking... despite the rain and different weather from the east side.  One of the reasons that they are not affraid to go into town, is because they have never been shot at and dont know what danger is other than the yotes...

If Merriams were released in LaConner in 05.....they were game farm birds raised and released by someone, which by the way is illegal.  Not wild trapped birds as the only turkeys as such up north were Easterns by the WDFW in late 90'/2000.  Oh and the reason they are not afraid to go into town is because they are .....TAME.  The wrong kind of turkey...they end up being problems.

[yelp]

Hey everyone ....new to the forum hope to contribute to the discussion.  Easterns need to be planted over in Whatcom.  They are the best choice.  Not Merriams.  Also the population issue of people is about 20 times over their and I bet that if Rios or Merriams are released their will be more nuisance issues due to all of the people.  Then the turkey releases will be looked at in a negative way.  Easterns aren't as social as Rios or Merriams, they have smaller home ranges and smaller family groups.  It takes patience to...or we might as well have turkey release sites just like the damn pheasant program.  There is a meeting in Acme on Thursday...Is anyone going?

Yelp

[Shannon]

Did anyone go to the meeting tonight?

[NWTFhunter]

Wa, it seams you have all the answers.  But I will tell you you are incorrect with your assumption.  They were Merriams, and they were not farm birds.

[Wacenturion]

NWTFhunter......ok then give me some specifics as I'm unaware of the Dept. releasing any Merriams in 2005 in the LaConner area.  When...how many...etc.?
I'm not disputing that they may be Merriam's....just their origin is all.....so fill me in if you would please.
Thanks

[Wacenturion]

This may help...........


La Conner's Wild Turkeys Start Holiday Shopping!
November 15, 2007
 
 We couldn’t resist a Turkey Picture and Story before Thanksgiving. Where did these La Conner Wild Turkeys come from anyway? Kris Schmaltz of La Conner has a good idea. A couple of months before the Wild Turkeys of La Conner showed up, Kris was given two 6 month old Wild Turkeys to release in their Sneehoosh area backyard filled with brush and food for the Wild Turkeys. Ansel Hyland, of Guemes Island, raised the Turkeys. The Wild Turkey eggs were in 28 days of incubation before they hatched. Ansel fed the turkeys for 6 months before giving them to Kris. These two turkeys were of the North America Eastern Wild Turkey variety. Wild Turkeys eat bugs, berries, grass shoots, and dandelions in the wild. If you would like to feed the wild turkeys to keep them around feed them corn and apples. The La Conner Wild Turkeys have been the town's official bird for the past three years...which has saved them from landing on a Thanksgiving table. Visit La Conner’s Wild Turkeys and start your Holiday Shopping at La Conner’s locally owned boutiques and galleries! Happy Thanksgiving!
 

[Wacenturion]

You Tube to the rescue........

[Wacenturion]

NWTFhunter......not wild birds by any stretch of the imagination as evidenced by the above article and link....sorry.  As I said before.... from game farm stock raised by someone and turned loose.  Then they produced some offspring.  Again.....the reason they are tame.

"Wa, it seams you have all the answers."

No, not really....but thats an easy one to figure out.   

[LITTLEBUCK]

Wacenturion I completely agree with, may be Merriam's but not wild birds and also against the law. I am surprised the game dept hasn't gotten involved already.

[Wacenturion]

Littlebuck....I think that WDFD has just ignored it as the town likes them.  LaConner made them the official city bird I think.  So as long as the people and town do not complain and seem to hold them in high esteem.....the Dept. will just ignore it.   My take on it anyway.