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News Release: For Immediate Release
March 21, 2003
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Turkey Season Opens March 29
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Contacts: Scott Gardner, Wildlife Programs Branch, (916) 445-3690; Troy Swauger, Information Officer, (916) 654-2096
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The spring wild turkey season opens March 29 and runs statewide through May 4. Based on observations by Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wildlife management experts, turkey populations are holding steady.
Turkey hunters are required to carry a valid 2002-2003 California hunting license and Upland Game Bird Stamp. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until 4 p.m. The limit during spring turkey season is one bearded turkey per day, three per season. A bearded turkey is one having a beard visible through the breast feathers. Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller with shot size no. 2 or smaller, are the most commonly used weapons for turkey hunting. Archery, crossbows, and air rifles, .20 caliber or larger, are also legal methods of take.
Wild turkeys are well established in the mixed oak and pine woodlands of the Coast Ranges and lower elevations of the Sierra Nevada. Wild turkey hunting opportunities are available to the public on many National Forests, some Bureau of Land Management lands, and several DFG-owned wildlife areas. Contact local agency offices to obtain maps of public lands and for more information regarding local turkey populations.
Turkeys roost in trees at night and fly down shortly after daybreak where they spend the day on the ground. When scouting an area, look for tracks, feathers, signs of scratching and dusting, and droppings. Large amounts of droppings under a tree may give away a roost . In dry areas, search around water sources for turkey tracks. The best times to look or listen for turkeys include the early morning hours until mid-morning, and late in the evening as the turkeys go to roost.
Turkey hunting can prove to be quite challenging, as the gobblers are known for their elusive and skittish nature. Because of their superior eyesight, hunters should wear camouflage clothing to avoid being seen by turkeys. Hands, face, and gun should be camouflaged. A variety of calls are also an important part of turkey hunting. However, hunters should use caution when calling, which can often also scare turkeys away. Crow and owl calls are used to "shock" turkeys and make them gobble to give their location away. Once turkeys are located, calls used to imitate the sounds of a hen turkey are used to lure wild gobblers within the suggested 20- to 30-yard shooting range.
Because hunters wear camouflage, imitate turkey calls, and may even use decoys, some safety precautions are required. The proper way to notify an approaching hunter is to calmly and clearly speak to him or her. Do not move, wave, or use a turkey call to alert the hunter. Another safety tip is never to wear red, white or blue colored clothing because the coloration can be mistaken for colors found on wild turkeys. Most importantly, know your target before firing your weapon and turkey hunting will be a very safe sport.
For complete rules, consult the 2002 California Hunting Regulations for Resident and Migratory Upland Game Birds, available at DFG offices statewide and on the DFG web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov.
March 21, 2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Turkey Season Opens March 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contacts: Scott Gardner, Wildlife Programs Branch, (916) 445-3690; Troy Swauger, Information Officer, (916) 654-2096
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The spring wild turkey season opens March 29 and runs statewide through May 4. Based on observations by Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wildlife management experts, turkey populations are holding steady.
Turkey hunters are required to carry a valid 2002-2003 California hunting license and Upland Game Bird Stamp. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until 4 p.m. The limit during spring turkey season is one bearded turkey per day, three per season. A bearded turkey is one having a beard visible through the breast feathers. Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller with shot size no. 2 or smaller, are the most commonly used weapons for turkey hunting. Archery, crossbows, and air rifles, .20 caliber or larger, are also legal methods of take.
Wild turkeys are well established in the mixed oak and pine woodlands of the Coast Ranges and lower elevations of the Sierra Nevada. Wild turkey hunting opportunities are available to the public on many National Forests, some Bureau of Land Management lands, and several DFG-owned wildlife areas. Contact local agency offices to obtain maps of public lands and for more information regarding local turkey populations.
Turkeys roost in trees at night and fly down shortly after daybreak where they spend the day on the ground. When scouting an area, look for tracks, feathers, signs of scratching and dusting, and droppings. Large amounts of droppings under a tree may give away a roost . In dry areas, search around water sources for turkey tracks. The best times to look or listen for turkeys include the early morning hours until mid-morning, and late in the evening as the turkeys go to roost.
Turkey hunting can prove to be quite challenging, as the gobblers are known for their elusive and skittish nature. Because of their superior eyesight, hunters should wear camouflage clothing to avoid being seen by turkeys. Hands, face, and gun should be camouflaged. A variety of calls are also an important part of turkey hunting. However, hunters should use caution when calling, which can often also scare turkeys away. Crow and owl calls are used to "shock" turkeys and make them gobble to give their location away. Once turkeys are located, calls used to imitate the sounds of a hen turkey are used to lure wild gobblers within the suggested 20- to 30-yard shooting range.
Because hunters wear camouflage, imitate turkey calls, and may even use decoys, some safety precautions are required. The proper way to notify an approaching hunter is to calmly and clearly speak to him or her. Do not move, wave, or use a turkey call to alert the hunter. Another safety tip is never to wear red, white or blue colored clothing because the coloration can be mistaken for colors found on wild turkeys. Most importantly, know your target before firing your weapon and turkey hunting will be a very safe sport.
For complete rules, consult the 2002 California Hunting Regulations for Resident and Migratory Upland Game Birds, available at DFG offices statewide and on the DFG web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov.
