CONCORD, N.H. - Hunting opportunity looks good for the 2015 spring gobbler season, according to N.H. Fish and Game Turkey Biologist Ted Walski. The spring turkey hunt opens Sunday, May 3, and runs through Sunday, May 31, statewide.

Walski reports that turkey flocks have survived the winter in fairly good shape. "Acorn availability was good during fall and early winter," said Walski. "The icy crusts during December and January enhanced turkey mobility."

The tough period for turkeys during the winter of 2015 was January 27 through February 27, when two feet of loose, powdery snow cover was present in most of the state. "These conditions are not good for turkeys," said Walski, "They burn too much energy sinking in the snow and are more vulnerable to predators." During this month-long period, turkey flocks were often seen in driveways, roads and roosting in trees. Virtually every flock visited back-yard birdfeeders.

In spite of the longer-lasting snow cover at the end of this winter, "Turkeys were displaying and breeding throughout March in response to the strong sun and lengthening daylight," said Walski.

Last year (2014), New Hampshire hunters took a total of 3,911 turkeys during the spring season - 30.8% jakes and 69.2% toms. Of these, 471 birds were taken during the youth weekend. Another 705 turkeys were taken during the fall 2014 turkey seasons, about two-thirds (465) during the five-day shotgun season and a third (214) during the three-month fall archery season.

Walski advises that pre-season scouting is important during late March and throughout April. Do some early morning "gobbling surveys" on the back roads. Start about one-half hour before sunrise. Drive and stop at one-half to one mile intervals, and get out and listen for four minutes at each stop.

This is the start of the fourth year where two pox viruses have been present in the turkey population in New Hampshire, as well as the other states in the Northeast. Hunters are being asked to report any observations of avian pox on turkeys to Fish and Game at theodore.walski@wildlife.nh.gov or call a Fish and Game regional office or the Wildlife Division at 603-271-2461. The avian pox virus is not harmful or transferable to humans. It is characterized by wart-like growths on the head and upper neck area of the bird.

"So far, not many turkeys seem to have died from the virus," said Walski. "During the 2013 spring gobbler season, hunters at registration stations donated turkey feet, which were sent to the National Wildlife Disease Lab in Georgia. It was found that approximately 71% carried the virus, but fortunately, only a small number of turkeys showed the debilitating lesions around the head/eye area. Learn more at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/turkey_virus.html.

A New Hampshire turkey license is required for hunters of all ages ($16 for state residents and $31 for nonresidents). This license allows the taking of one gobbler during the spring season (May 3-31, 2015) and one turkey of either sex during the fall archery season (September 15 – December 15) OR during the fall shotgun season (October 12-16, 2015). Hunters age 16 and older must hold either a current New Hampshire hunting or archery license AND a turkey permit. Licenses are available online at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us or from any license agent.

Fish and Game officials expect continued interest in N.H.'s apprentice hunting license, which allows those 16 and older interested in trying hunting to do so under the guidance of an experienced hunter without first taking Hunter Education. Learn more at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/apprentice.html.

All hunters should keep in mind key safety guidelines for turkey hunting:

•Always positively identify your target.
•Never assume that calls and movement indicate the presence of a turkey - hunters commonly imitate turkey calls and use decoys in order to locate and/or attract turkeys.
•Never stalk a turkey; you could be mistaken for game - rather than stalking, scout out a good spot, call and wait for the turkeys to come to you.
• Be seen! Turkey hunters should always wear a blaze orange hat or vest as they enter and leave the area they are hunting. Tie blaze-orange survey tape around a decoy/calling location to alert other hunters to your presence; it won't scare the birds.
•Avoid clothes with the colors red, white and blue and black, as these are the colors of the male turkey.

For more information on turkey hunting in New Hampshire, including a summary of rules, a list of registration stations, and a three-minute video about a successful N.H. turkey hunt, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_turkey.htm.



CONTACT:
Ted Walski: (603) 352-9669
Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211