Battleground Unit

[Kain]

I heard a turkey gobble last night while walking out of the woods.  It had been dark for about 20 minutes.  I have heard lots of people seeing them around but I have never seen one or heard one before.  Does anyone know what the population is like down here? 

[D360]

a few years ago I saw some in La Center but other than that very few around here.

[Kain]

a few years ago I saw some in La Center but other than that very few around here.

My brother lives out there and has seen some in the neighbors field.  My step mom also saw some out in Hockinson (Brush Prairie).  I hope they start spreading but for as long as they have been down here I think they would have done it already if they were going to.

[D360]

It would be nice to have to have some close to home..

[Battle Ready]

Ive taken easterns by Merwin, and seen some in amboy. A friend of mine said he heard someone raised a flock of herritage turkeys out near Hiassen and let them loose...but he said he thinks they are coyote poop now. It would be really cool if we could get some close to town hunting thats for sure.

[packmule]

Not sure where you were at in the Battleground unit, but Merriam's turkeys from eastern Skamania county (and probably Klickitat county before that) have definitely been expanding their range westward.  In terms of populations of these birds right now, they aren't dense, but they've definitely expanded, to the point that western Skamania county now has Merriam's turkeys in certain places.  Kind of neat to watch. . . .I saw a hen last week that had 11 poults so it looks like portions of the hatch down here did really well this year.

[Kain]

Interesting.  I always assumed we had Eastern Turkeys here.  I spend most of my time in Siouxon and Washougal units and have never seen turkeys in either.  I thought they were coming form the north side.  Either way I hope you are right about them growing in numbers.

[cld40]

they are in la center for sure, i see them every once in awhile.
about a month ago they were in my neighborhood, going from yard to yard

[TopOfTheFoodChain]

Have seen a few in what little of the Battleground there is in Kelso area. Seen them all over Rose Valley area in the woods and up Coal Creeak area in Longview. I don't know turkey breeds so I couldn't tell you exactly what they were- except they startle the crap out of you when you are sneaking through the brush and they bust out in a hurry.

[turkeydancer]

Original plant was at northeast end of Merwin Lake ... have spread up to Swift Canal and north of road even past Lake Merrill ... also toward Chelatchee Prairie and up the south side of Yale.   If you're seeing them in Hockinson and Heisson I would believe what you are seeing is "farm-Raised" versus wild turkeys.  Easterns have dark chocolate tipped tail feathers ... Merriams more white or cream color.  Doubt that the Klickitat area Merriams have spread that far west either.   You'll find that Easterns are in small groups scattered throughout western Wa from Shelton south to Lewis River area.  They are also more reclusive and quieter than the other subspeicies.Takes a lot of shoe leather to locate and then hunt. 
I grew up in the Hockinson area and graduated from BGHS.

[turkeydancer]

I should have added that the Merriams are basically a pine forest bird ... doubt you'll see them spread to Douglas fir areas ... but stranger things have happened.

And your friend you raised and released birds is correct ... makes fat and happy predators at best and can spread avians disesaes to truly wild flocks that were tested for disease and innoculated prior to their release.
          

[packmule]

Turkeydancer,

You've provided a lot of great information on this subject.  While it's true that Merriam's turkeys thrive in pine forest habitat, they have spread quickly throughout Skamania county in the past 10 years or so.  Forestland in Skamania county is mostly comprised of douglas fir, and the turkeys are doing very well in these areas.  Just another example of how adaptive these great birds are I guess.

[Wacenturion]

You also need to factor in the precipitation range.  While Ponderosa Pine and Doug Fir are present in Klickitat, there are vast amounts of Oregon White Oak.  Merriams are a more "opened" timber bird, where Easterns are not, preferring the denser wooded types.

Skamania is on the fringe..... some overlap, but that overlap has not changed much.  Pretty well limits expansion westward to any large degree.  Just not preferred habitat.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Long as I can hear a turkey gobble somewhere I am happy ....

[turkeydancer]

Thanks for the great info WaCent ... as usual !