Other Hunting > Turkey Hunting
Introducing turkeys to Whatcom and Skagit counties...
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:
--- Quote from: Coasthunterjay on May 01, 2008, 11:00:40 PM ---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
--- End quote ---
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.
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