Wild
Turkey Hunting 2002-2005
Mick Cope, Upland Game Section Manager
The good
ole days of turkey hunting may very well be taking place right
now.Turkey hunting has been pretty good over the past three
years. In fact, WDFW wild turkey harvest estimates have been
at an all time high with about 4,500 turkeysharvested each
year from 2002 to 2004 (Figure 1).
A part
of the increased spring harvest was due to a new youth hunting
season. In 2004, the first youth turkey season in Washington
State history took place on the weekend prior to the regular
spring season. Purchase of youth small game licenses with
turkey tags increased by 500 for the past two years.
The increase
in spring harvest is only part of the picture. In 2002 the
Department began to expand fall hunting opportunity in northeastern
Washington by increasing the number of fall permits made available
in some Game Management Units (GMUs). In 2004, a general fall
season was established for GMUs 105 – 124 in place of
the permit only season. These increases in fall hunting opportunity
were created to help address nuisance and damage complaints
from landowners. Complaints had dramatically increased during
the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.
Even
with this increased fall harvest, additional hunter opportunity
may still be available as the Department tries to address
continuing nuisance complaints. As part of the 3-year hunting
season setting process, the Department will be considering
various options to expand hunting opportunity. |
