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?