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Biologists File Field Reports Ahead of Spring Turkey Hunting Seasons
This weekend (April 12 and 13) is youth spring turkey hunting season in all of Oklahoma. Hunters 17 and younger will have the first chance to harvest a gobbler during these two days ahead of the regular spring turkey season, which runs from April 16 to May 16 statewide.
Bill Dinkines, chief of wildlife for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, said winter turkey flock survey results show a general increasing trend in statewide numbers, with some parts of the state higher than others.
"Last year's quail hunting season was one of the best in years, and we are hopeful that our turkey season returns similar results," Dinkines said.
The wildlife department is continuing a 4.5-year, $2 million research effort to investigate turkey population declines and what can be done long-term to manage turkey populations. Researchers are examining nesting success, nesting site characteristics, and cause-specific mortality of poults and hens, along with genetic health studies.
Hunters wanting to support biologists in current turkey research, along with ODWC’s conservation and management efforts, can simply purchase a hunting license, whether they intend to hunt or not. Each hunting license sold secures federal matching funds at a rate many times the price of the license, giving ODWC more resources to fund wildlife conservation activities.
For those hoping to harvest a tom turkey this year, several ODWC biologists in the field have shared reports from their regions in this year’s Gobbler Report.
NORTHWEST REGION
Report by Eddie Wilson, Wildlife Senior Biologist
Current gobbler activity: Toms are currently grouped up with hens. Toms are strutting and doing some gobbling while establishing dominance.
Condition of habitat: Conditions have been very dry throughout the northwest and Panhandle counties. Recent rainfall in the northwest will help vegetation green up and increase food availability. Nesting and escape cover are good due to late summer rain last year.
Reports from landowners or scouting hunters: Landowners and hunters are reporting stable bird numbers throughout the northwest and Panhandle counties with slight to moderate bird increases in some locations.
WMA best bets: Canton, Fort Supply and Cooper Wildlife Management Areas all provide the opportunity to find a tom. Lands enrolled in the Oklahoma Land Access Program also provide some excellent turkey hunting opportunity throughout the northwest.
Tips for success: Spend as much time as possible scouting the area you intend to hunt. Hunt all day if you can, not just mornings.
Mistakes to avoid: Avoid calling too often. Always be patient and give toms plenty of time to get to you. Be still!
Opening-day expectations: Bird numbers in the northwest continue to be much lower than they were 10 years ago. On the bright side, numbers have increased some over the past year. Weather permitting, toms should be gobbling and responding to calls by opening day. Public hunting lands will likely be busy. Introduce a new hunter to turkey hunting this season. Be courteous to your fellow hunters and hunt safe!
SOUTHWEST REGION
Report by Ron Smith, Southwest Region Wildlife Supervisor
Current gobbler activity: Turkeys have been broken into smaller groups for two to three weeks. Toms are actively strutting and sparring with others to maintain the social order. Smaller groups of hens have moved off to themselves, and individuals are beginning to separate into nesting behavior. The breeding season is in full swing.
Condition of habitat: Habitat conditions across most of the southwest are improved over the previous few years. Recent rains have produced good green-up. Winter wheat is in good condition. Cover will be mixed, with the most extreme southwest portion of the region still showing impacts of lingering drought from recent years.
Reports from landowners or scouting hunters: Landowners are reporting improved numbers and seeing birds in areas they have been absent for the past three to five years. Most are seeing improved numbers of Jakes and 2-year-old birds. Scouting hunters are seeing great gobbler activity with strutting throughout much of the day. Weather has provided a moderate transition into spring with temperatures and moisture allowing more activity throughout the day.
WMA best bets: Packsaddle, Black Kettle, and Waurika WMAs.
Tips for success: Put in as much work as you can scouting. There may be some areas overlooked due to lower numbers and areas where they have been absent for some time. Be prepared to hunt all day. Use your scouting observations to plan your best approach into hunting areas. Try to reduce disruption to their daily cycles until you work your way into position. Be aware of differing regulations for private land and public use management areas. Remember to E-check your bird!
Mistakes to avoid: Leaving the field too early can limit opportunity. Practice your approach and calling techniques while trying not to overdo it. Let them go about their routines and try to work yourself into the mix.
Opening-day expectations: 2025 should provide the greatest opportunity for success we have seen in some time. Improved numbers are very encouraging. Expect hunter traffic to be up, so keep your options open.
CENTRAL REGION
Report by Jay Rouk, Wildlife Biologist
Current gobbler activity: Recent warm temperatures have encouraged turkey flocks to split up from winter flocks and into breeding groups. Gobblers have begun spring mating rituals and can be heard gobbling off roost and strutting in their lekking zones, especially on calm, cool mornings. Hens have been reported leaving groups to begin nesting.
Condition of habitat: The warmer temps and recent rains have promoted the rapid appearance and emergence of spring plants. Oak trees are starting to leaf out, and most fields are green with cool-season grasses. Most wheat fields are lush and will be attractive to turkeys until the crop becomes tall.
Reports from landowners or scouting hunters: Turkey hunters who have been scouting have reported an increase in turkey numbers compared to recent years. Toms have been observed strutting and escorting hen groups. There are numerous sightings of single hens foraging and even a report of a nest with several eggs. Sightings of turkeys in fields and crossing roads have become more common.
WMA best bets: Kaw WMA near the Kansas border has considerable ag production that usually produces turkeys. Deep Fork WMA, within reasonable distance of Tulsa and Oklahoma City, has seen increased turkey numbers in surrounding areas. Hickory Creek WMA is a traditional good choice for south-central hunters.
Tips for success: 1. Scout ahead of time and determine the turkey's daily patterns. This will allow you to anticipate the turkey's movements and give you an edge over other hunters. 2. Know the "lay of the land." Turkeys will often move in ways that make sense if you know the terrain and topography. They often will resist coming to calls if they must cross natural obstacles. 3. Wait them out. Many turkeys are interested in your calling but are distracted by flock activities. In some cases, they will return later (sometimes much later) to your location seeking you out.
Mistakes to avoid: 1. Don’t give up too soon. The morning usually has the most turkey group activity, but gobblers often become receptive to calling later, once the hens have moved on to forage. 2. Don't give up if gobblers are quiet on the roost. Public land birds can be very quiet. Stay hidden if you are in a position where you expect them to be, as they may show up quietly. 3. Use caution if/when using gobble-type calls and decoys. These can attract other hunters. Avoid clothing and motions that may confuse other hunters into thinking they see you as a gobbler. This is especially true for public lands.
Opening-day expectations: Opening day usually starts off with the greatest number of hunters in the field of any time. This can result in multiple hunters pursuing the same bird(s). Hunters will need to be considerate of others and apply “hunting courtesy.” This may be the time to rely on scouting or late-day hunting plans to gain an advantage over competing hunters. Dedication and persistence will go a long way toward bagging that gobbler.
NORTHEAST REGION
Report by J.D. Ridge, Wildlife Senior Biologist
Current gobbler activity: Flocks have been breaking up and birds are spreading out. Reports have varied across the region, but gobbling activity is generally reported as good, especially while birds are on the roost. There have been several reports of strutting toms with hens over the last couple of weeks.
Condition of habitat: The spring green-up is well underway, and conditions across the region are reported as good to excellent. Insects are emerging and appear to be in good abundance. Immediate bird response has been reported for several areas where prescribed burns have been conducted.
Reports from landowners or scouting hunters: Landowners are reporting seeing more birds, indicating better reproduction and recruitment last spring. Scouting hunters report observing increasing breeding activity with even some single hens being observed.
WMA best bets: The region has several WMAs open to turkey hunting. Cherokee Game Management Area is a good option and should hold a fair number of birds.
Tips for success: Scout the areas you plan to hunt. There will likely be less hunting pressure on weekdays. Plan to hunt all day if possible. Brush up on private and public land regulations in the Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations.
Mistakes to avoid: 1. Movement while calling a responsive gobbler. A turkey's ability to detect the slightest of movements cannot be overstated. 2. Not being familiar with the terrain. Approaching birds can "hang up" on fence lines or natural terrain features such as drainages, thickets, etc., so think about this when scouting. 3. Giving up too quickly. If a responding gobbler goes quiet, be patient. He may just be sneaking in the rest of the way.
Opening-day expectations: Bird numbers appear to be a little better than last year, so opportunities are out there. Expect hunting pressure to be high on public land, especially early in the season. Above all, be safe and enjoy being outdoors in the springtime!
SOUTHEAST REGION
Report by Eric Suttles, Southeast Region Wildlife Supervisor
Current gobbler activity: Turkey mating behavior is very active. As expected, the birds have begun to break up into smaller groups, and the males are actively displaying to the females. This is a typical phase of the mating season, and it is accompanied by increased gobbling. Gobbling is nearing its peak as we get closer to the opening day of turkey season. For those who are interested in scouting for tom turkeys, mornings and late evenings are ideal times to listen and observe.
Condition of habitat: As the season progresses, we are seeing the typical signs of spring. The plants and trees are beginning to exhibit vibrant green foliage. Thanks to abundant rainfall and moisture conditions indicated by the current drought index, the habitat is expected to be favorable for the upcoming breeding season.
Reports from landowners or scouting hunters: Gobbling surveys are reporting toms spread out far and wide across the landscape. Very few survey sites are reporting more than a couple of birds at best. Turkeys seem to be spread out but are accessible in various locations.
WMA best bets: Honobia Creek WMA and Three Rivers WMA offer access to nearly 260,000 acres of remote mountainous forest for those who choose to purchase a Land Access Permit. Exemptions apply for those 17 and younger or 64 and older.
Tips for success: 1. Hunt in the afternoon. Toms will often be with hens in the morning but will be looking for more after those hens move off to feed or nest. 2. Be still and patient. Birds will often come in without gobbling. 3. Do not overcall. Calling and talking just to call often seems to annoy reclusive, mature toms.
Mistakes to avoid: 1. Calling too loudly or too much. Call when needed, but limit the amount and volume of calling. Think of it as communicating to a specific bird, not just any bird in the woods. 2. Don't go chasing. Trying to “sneak up” or chasing a bird is probably not going to work out. A better strategy is to stay out of sight and be patient for the tom to make the final approach. 3. Not going. The odds might be stacked against you. But if you do not go, you will never know what might have been. Also, success isn’t just in the harvest. Take a youth hunting and make the day special, regardless of the harvest.
Opening-day expectations: Turkey numbers seem to be stable to slightly increasing in the region. If you have access to a hunting spot that has had birds in the past, you should expect to have birds again this year. Expect a hard hunt; limited toms on the landscape will likely have hens nearby.
Oklahoma’s spring turkey season bag limit is one bearded turkey per hunter statewide. While bearded hens are technically legal to harvest, hunters should take every effort to identify any bearded hens and only target the toms.
Hunters have access to hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands open to wild turkey hunting. In addition, the Oklahoma Land Access Program offers walk-in access to private lands leased by the wildlife department.
To find out about license requirements, field tagging, E-check, and other turkey hunting requirements, consult the current Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations found online at wildlifedepartment.com, on the Go Outdoors Oklahoma free mobile app for Apple or Android devices, or in print across the state wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold.