Learn How to Hunt Turkeys
Free seminar on March 17
Blanding -- If you've ever wanted to hunt wild turkeys but you don’t know the basics, here’s an opportunity you won't want to miss.
The Division of Wildlife Resources is hosting a free Wild Turkey Hunting Seminar on March 17 in Blanding. The seminar runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Blanding Arts & Events Center, 715 W. 200 S.
The event is free, but you need to preregister for it. You can register at www.eventbrite.com/e/wild-turkey-hunting-clinic-blanding-registration-43143402077.
What you’ll learn
The seminar will include presentations by experienced turkey hunters on everything you need to know to bag a gobbler. Topics will include:
· Where to find Merriam’s and Rio Grande turkeys in Utah
· How to tell a mature tom from a juvenile or a hen
· Turkey habitat and food preferences
· Daily and seasonal behavior patterns
· The best hunting equipment and accessories
· How to call in a turkey or stalk one that won't come to your call
“Utah’s turkey populations are doing very well, and opportunities for hunters are plentiful, especially in southeastern Utah,” says Morgan Jacobsen, the DWR’s conservation outreach manager in southeastern Utah. “Even if you’ve hunted turkeys before, this seminar will cover tactics that will make you more proficient in the field this spring.”
For more information about the March 17 seminar, call DWR Regional Wildlife Recreation Specialist Walt Maldonado at 435-820-8147.
Get a turkey permit
Utah’s spring turkey hunting seasons are in April and May. Permits for the April season are available only through a drawing. You can buy a permit for the statewide general season, however, anytime between now and when the hunt ends. General-season permits are available atwww.wildlife.utah.gov. They’re also available at hunting license agent locations and DWR offices.
For more information about season dates and permits, see page 6 of the 2017-18 Utah Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook. The free guidebook is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks and at hunting license agent locations and DWR offices.
Learn to Hunt Turkeys, Win Prizes
Turkey hunting clinic happens March 24
Parowan -- Young people and novice hunters can learn how to hunt wild turkeys and leave with free door prizes at the upcoming Southern Region Turkey Hunting Clinic.
Heather Talley says the March 24 clinic in Parowan is open to anyone 17 years of age and younger, or those who have never hunted before. If you attend, you’ll walk away with a basic understanding of how to hunt turkeys, as well as prizes supplied by The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).
“You don’t need to bring anything—just enthusiasm for learning how to hunt turkeys,” says Talley, regional wildlife recreation coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.
Talley says several experienced turkey hunters will teach the clinic. “Having a variety of experts teach the clinic means you’ll learn a range of techniques that can benefit your hunting success,” she says. “You’ll also gain different perspectives about what it’s like to hunt turkeys.”
The clinic will happen March 24 at the Parowan Fairgrounds Building, 30 N. 300 E. The event is free, but you must preregister to attend. You can register at www.eventbrite.com/e/wild-turkey-hunting-clinic-registration-43092571040.
After you arrive at the clinic, you’ll rotate through seven stations where you’ll learn about turkey habitat, turkey biology and how to call turkeys. You’ll also learn how to pattern a shotgun. You’ll even get a chance to shoot a bow and arrow.
The clinic runs from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. A light lunch will be offered.
“At 2:40,” Talley says, “the rotation through stations will end, and we’ll present door prizes. The clinic will finish with a question-and-answer session.”
Young people and wild turkeys
Those who organized the event say getting more young people involved in turkey hunting is important to the future of wild turkeys in Utah.
“Many of us were introduced to hunting at an early age because our families had established a hunting tradition,” says Ron MacIntosh, Cedar City Chapter president for the NWTF. “As sportsmen and sportswomen, it’s our job to help educate the youth and mentor new hunters. Young and new hunters are the future of turkey conservation and turkey hunting in Utah.”
Jason Nicholes, assistant regional wildlife manager for the DWR, says turkey hunting is a great way to get outside with your family in the spring and enjoy the woods.
“If you’re just getting started in turkey hunting,” he says, “learning about turkey habits and the habitat the birds live in is the pathway to success.”
Talley says wild turkeys are doing really well in many parts of southwestern Utah. This has allowed DWR biologists to remove turkeys from dense populations and place them in areas in southwestern Utah where there’s room for more birds.
Fishing reports - available at http://wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots .
