Bag a free-range bird in winter turkey hunt

Published 6:27 am Monday, November 9, 2015

It’s a beautiful time of year to wander through the woods — and maybe get your free-range, antibiotic-free Thanksgiving dinner while you’re at it. Fall turkey hunting is open from Oct. 15-Dec. 31.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) reports that turkeys wintered well in Wallowa County due to mild winters the past few years; the population of birds is excellent. Turkey populations have been growing so well that ODFW transferred 80 birds from Western Oregon to Eastern Oregon public lands in 2015.

Last year, about 650 turkeys were taken during the general fall season. During the spring season, almost half (47 percent) of the turkeys harvested were harvested east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains. Mt. Emily and Sled Springs consistently rank high in terms of total harvest and individual hunter success rates are generally better in the northeast part of the state. Many northeast Oregon birds are found on public lands, particularly National Forests.

Hunters must have permission to hunt on private property. Some hunters knock on landowners’ doors where they see turkeys and ask. If you are lucky enough to have access to private land, remember to build a good relationship with the landowner if you expect to come back next year.

Hunting strategy is a little different in fall/winter hunting than for spring. It’s snowing this week in Wallowa County, so the birds should be coming down to lower elevations for the winter, making your hike a little easier. However, since it is no longer breeding season, hunters may not have the same success with calls as they did in the spring; scouting and setting up decoys may be essential.

Hunters are reminded that cooperative travel management areas are in effect in the Wenaha and Sled Springs Units, including on Hancock Timber property.

All you really need to hunt is a shotgun, camouflage clothing and a willingness to explore the woods. Turkeys favor oak habitat and will eat just about any seed, fruit, nut or insect. So look for the hawthorne, dogwood, crab apple, oak and other trees that drop seed and mast.

Hunters also need a hunting license ($29.50 for resident adults/$14.50 for youth) and turkey tag ($22.50 for adults/$10.50 for youth).