Page 2 - Sept/Oct 2021 Outdoor Oklahoma

Panoramas

klahoma’s wild turkey populations have had some To help us better understand our hunters’ viewpoints before
rough years lately. Bird numbers were noticeably recommending any changes, we decided to seek public opinion. We
lower — sometimes alarmingly lower — in many received more than 5,000 responses — the highest number of com-
Oparts of southwestern Oklahoma this past winter ments on any one rule proposal in the Department’s history — which
and spring. Turkey numbers in most areas of the overwhelmingly indicated that ODWC needs to
state were down as well. do something to help stabilize turkey populations.
Wildlife Department biologists have moni- Many respondents even suggested more restrictive

tored the state’s wild turkey populations for many actions than what ODWC originally proposed.
decades, since restoration efforts peaked in the The new rules have drawn great support from
1960s. In 2017, biologists noted the beginnings of hunters and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
a downward trend in bird populations in western We believe the changes strike an acceptable bal-
Oklahoma. They have also tracked hunter numbers ance between protecting the natural resource now
and total birds harvested. In 2019, the number of and for future generations, and giving today’s hunt-
turkey hunters increased, but the number of birds ers an opportunity to continue enjoying the activity
Bill Dinkines
harvested dropped. When the hunter/harvest gap they are passionate about. And most hunters we’ve
widened in 2020, it was an obvious red flag that changes in managing heard from seem to agree this is a good first step.
Oklahoma’s wild turkeys were needed. Regulations were passed last Biologists will continue to monitor turkey populations and harvest
year to reduce the limit to one tom per county. data to see if the new rules have their intended effects. In addition,
Then, this June, the Wildlife Conservation Commission made we have mapped out a new $1.5 million plan for research into Okla-
substantial changes in turkey hunting rules, which will start this homa’s wild turkey populations, looking into such things as survival
fall. The changes were based on scientific data, but hunter input and rates for poults and hens, nesting ecology, seasonal movement, and
opportunity were also part of the equation. genetic diversity.
Research shows the three primary factors driving turkey populations We are hopeful that weather conditions will improve and thus

are weather, habitat, and mammalian predators. Our biologists are provide optimum nesting conditions across the state. Additionally,
concerned with the effects of weather and habitat, but those factors are the delayed opener in the spring season will allow early undisturbed
outside of ODWC’s control. Thus, hunting regulations were proposed breeding/nesting attempts. If that all happens, turkey populations
to reduce the bag limit and delay the spring season opener, the most can rebound over time and return to a suitable level that will allow
viable options in our effort to stop the declining turkey populations. even more opportunities in the future. We thank you for your support
Under the new turkey regulations, hunters are: as we continue to work together for the wild turkeys in Oklahoma.
• Limited to one tom in the fall, and one tom in the spring,

regardless of method of take.
• Allowed a statewide spring season from April 16 to May 16.
• Restricted to using shotguns only during the fall gun turkey Bill Dinkines,
hunting season in open counties. Chief of Wildlife, ODWC

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