Wild Turkey hunting
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Where to hunt Wild Turkey
Wild turkey is one of the great successes of hunting-funded conservation. A hundred years ago many conservationists believed the species can’t survive in the modern agricultural environment and is doomed for extinction. Now, with the eastern turkey range covers half of the country, and together with Osceola turkey in Florida, Rio Grande turkey on the Great Plains, Merriam’s turkey in the Rockies, and transplanted and hybrid populations in many other localities, there’s is some turkey hunting in just about every US state. In addition, you can hunt Gould’s and ocellated turkey in Mexico.
Price distribution
You can find a wild turkey hunt for as low as $250-$300, but that would most likely be a fall hunt, often a semi-guided one. Spring season hunts in the USA are typically within $700-$1,000 range. Expect to pay $2,000-$3,000 for a more exotic species like Gould’s or ocellated turkey.
Tags, Licenses and Rules
Most wild turkey populations are numerous enough to allow over-the-counter tags, but occasionally a hunter might have to enter a draw. For some species and locations (most notably Gould’s turkey in Arizona) success is far from guaranteed. Rules and regulations vary, but the default sets: no rifles (shotguns and/or archery only), no dogs, no electronic calls, and no hunting over bait. Typically, only bearded birds (males and an occasional transgender female that wears a beard and may be easily confused) are legal in spring, and either-sex birds are legal in the fall.
1 Feb 2018 One Shot, One Memorable Experience in Kansas Turkey Hunting with a Vintage ShotgunWhen to hunt Wild Turkey?
There are two main seasons for turkey hunting. The spring season is the most attractive one for most hunters. It takes place during the mating season, and the hunter who is set on nothing but a big, old gobbler in full glory, and experience the ultimate turkey hunt, should schedule the hunt for spring. The spring season may start as early as first weeks of March and end as late as end of May, depending on the state, but most hunting opportunities take place in April and early May. The fall season may be longer, but it more about taking “any turkey” to fill the freezer than a big male tom for trophy.
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