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Introducing turkeys to Whatcom and Skagit counties...

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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 ................. :P

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

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