THE FOLLOWING IS THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE’S SPRING TURKEY HUNTING FORECAST
Trask and Willamette Units: Turkey hunting in the Trask and the Willamette Unit (north of Woodburn) remains difficult for hunters who do not have access to private lands since turkey flocks are concentrated on local farms and ranches. Hunting should be good for those hunters lucky enough to have obtained permission to hunt. Those willing to knock on doors may find some willing landowners and hidden flocks of turkeys.
Scappoose Unit: Turkey populations are extremely low and not widely distributed. Hunters will need to have scouted early to find turkey flocks and obtained permission to hunt on private property.
Stott Mt. and Alsea Unit: Turkeys are found on the private agricultural lands with rolling oak woodlands adjacent to the larger private timber holdings. Most turkey populations are in the eastern third of these units, closer to the Willamette unit. Remember to get permission to hunt on private land.
((ODFW)
WHAT A DIFFERENCE 20 YEARS MAKE. (ODFW)
Santiam and McKenzie Units: Hunting success is dependent on access to private lands with turkeys and early scouting. Turkeys are most often found on private lands in the foothills along the west side of these units. It is uncommon to find turkeys in the Douglas fir forests at higher elevations. Hunting can be very good in the McKenzie and southern portions of the Santiam Units for hunters that have done their homework and obtained access to private lands. Turkey are not abundant in the northern portions (north of Silverton) of the Santiam Unit and hunters will have difficulty finding the few scattered flocks.
SOUTHWEST OREGON
Coos County
Coos County has seen a relatively mild winter with lower than normal rainfall and fairly mild temperatures. This has resulted in better than expected survival rate for last year’s broods. If those conditions persist through spring nesting, we should also see higher than average production for the 2014 nesting season. Turkey populations generally do not reproduce as quickly on the coast as they do in inland areas and total numbers are lower. However, populations in Coos County are doing better. Birds can be found in almost all lowland areas associated with agriculture. Since these lands are private in most cases, hunters should be prepared to knock on doors to gain access to quality hunting areas. Hunters who are willing to do that have fairly high odds of taking a bird.
Curry County
Turkey poults are very susceptible to cold wet weather, like occurred in spring of 2012. But nesting season for 2013 was improved, resulting in a slight increase in turkey numbers for this season. Hunting this spring is expected to be slightly better than last year. Hunters will need to have scouted early to find turkey flocks and obtained permission to hunt on private property. Look in areas where oaks and grassy prairies are found.
THIS FATHER-DAUGHTER MOMENT WAS THE FIRST TURKEY HARVEST FOR PRINEVILLE’S KIRSTEN PHAM. SHE WAS 16 WHEN SHE TOOK IT WITH HER DAD AND HUNTING PARTNER NGHIA DURING LAST YEAR’S SPRING TURKEY SEASON IN THE OCHOCOS. (COURTESY ODFW)
Douglas County
Hunters can expect a good spring gobbler hunt this year. The chick/poult counts have been slightly below average for the last few years but an excellent carryover of adult gobblers due to a mild winter will contribute to a good hunting season this year. While the hens are off nesting during the first part of the season, most gobblers can be found on private land, usually in oak savannah habitat. The county has a lot of turkeys on private land in the Melrose unit but there is public hunting opportunity on the Umpqua National Forest (Tallow Butte and Devils Knob in the South Umpqua plus Toketee Air Strip, Little Oak Flats and Fish Creek on the North Umpqua). There are also a few Roseburg BLM lands adjacent to private lands, like N. Bank Habitat Area, offering excellent opportunities for turkey hunting in the low elevation oak savannah habitat turkeys favor. If you are looking for a private lands hunt, asking for permission later in the season, after landowner’s friends, family and guides have hunted, sometimes brings results. It can be hard for a regular hunter to gain access on some private property on the valley floor because private landowners work with guides that have clients that hunt exclusively on their property.
Jackson County
Hunters can expect a good turkey season. Nesting season for 2013 appears to be improved from last year, with a mild winter that resulted in a slight increase in turkey numbers for this season. Jackson County has a large portion of public land and private timberland that is open for turkey season. Turkeys will be feeding on green grasses and insects. Use locator calls before light or after dark to locate roosting trees; then set up in an area of their travel and begin calling as light approaches. Most turkeys are found in low-mid elevation of oak and conifer mixed forests with their associated meadows and clearings The Jackson Cooperative Travel Management Area (JACTMA) is a mix of public and private forestland that’s a good spot for hunters to try. Also try Elk Creek, both sides of Butte Falls-Prospect Hwy and Red Blanket.
Josephine County
Over all turkey numbers in Josephine County increased with last year’s higher production of poults and mild winter. Hunting is expected to be improved this year. Turkeys can be tough to hunt in this county as most are found on private property. Don’t be afraid to ask landowners to hunt on their property; turkeys can be a problem for them and they may be willing. Many turkeys are found along the Applegate River andEvans Creek drainages, but turkeys can also be found on most BLM lands. Recommended spots to try are Oak Flat and Horse Creek near Briggs Campground.
NORTHEAST OREGON
Baker County
Turkey numbers going into the winter were average in Baker County. However, a mild winter should have led to good survival. The recent warm weather has triggered a spring green-up at lower elevations and hunters should concentrate their efforts near these areas. Hunters can improve their early season success by walking into areas that are not accessible by vehicles due to snow. Access to forestlands in the mid to upper elevations may still be limited in April. As the season progresses and snow lines retreat, turkeys will follow. There is public land hunting access on BLM and the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest as well as the ODFW-managed Elkhorn Wildlife Area. The Pine Creek, Sumpter and Keating units all hold good numbers of birds on public land. Remember to ask for permission before hunting on private properties. Hunters planning on using Wallowa Mountain Loop Road (Forest Service Road 39) for access should be aware that the Forest Service has closed the road. For the latest information on the road closure check the Forest Service website.
Grant County
Turkeys are widely distributed and continue to increase throughout the county. Over-winter survival was good this year and conditions last spring were favorable for young birds. The turkeys should start moving onto Forest Service lands as snow recedes. Early in the season, some turkeys are on private property and permission is needed to hunt. Hunters have been successful in finding birds in the Middle Fork John Day River, Murderers Creek, and North Fork John Day River. Turkeys are really just about everywhere but here are some recommended drainages for hunters unfamiliar with the unit to try: Murderers Creek try Ingle Creek, Fields Creek, Murderers Creek, or Deer Creek. In Northside, try Camp Creek, Pass Creek, Fox Creek, Cottonwood (but much of Cottonwood is private), Dixie Creek, or just about anywhere on the National Forest. In Desolation, try Big Creek, Mosquito Creek, Vinegar Creek, or Desolation Creek.
Morrow, Gilliam, Wheeler Counties
Turkey numbers on Forest Service land and surrounding forested have decreased over the past couple of years but there are still good numbers of birds for hunters to pursue. Over-winter survival appears good again this year. The light winter will make access easy into most of the forest and hunters should expect the birds to be widely scattered. Target the north slopes of the Blue Mountains as well as the North Fork John Day drainage. As the snow recedes, the turkeys will continue to move upslope following the receding snow line.
Umatilla County
Turkeys inhabit Umatilla County in good numbers all along the front face of the Blue Mountains and they are expanding into new areas. These areas are dominated by private land and access is sometimes difficult. However, turkeys do inhabit some public land areas as follows: central Ukiah Unit on national forestland, southern Ukiah Unit on Pearson Ridge and surrounding drainages, Umatilla National Forest lands in the eastern portion of the Heppner Unit, Umatilla National Forest lands on ridges below Black Mountain in the Mt. Emily Unit. Turkeys will inhabit the low and mid-elevation areas while the snow is still present in high elevation habitats. Low elevation areas are dominated by private ownership and permission is needed to hunt. Warm temperatures in the latter half of March have reduced the snowpack at lower and mid-elevation areas at a faster rate than usual. Turkeys will spread out from their wintering areas into this expanded area and be available to hunters over a larger area than in years when there is more snow.
Union County
Access to lower or mid elevation hunting locations should be good this year, but expect higher elevations to be snowed-in, especially in April. Over-winter survival should be good. Birds may use areas with residual snow cover, so these spots should be considered when scouting for new hunting locations. Look for birds at the north end of the Grande Ronde Valley, Valley and the south end of the Catherine Creek Unit. The highest concentrations of birds will be in the west Sled Springs, Wenaha and east slopes of the Mount Emily units within Union County. The Wallowa Whitman National Forest and Hancock Timber lands both hold great turkey habitat around the edges of the Grande Ronde valley. The Elkhorn Wildlife Area located in the southern portion of the Starkey Unit routinely holds good bird numbers and provides excellent public access.
Wallowa District
Turkeys wintered well and production was fair to good this past year so numbers will be similar to last year. While there is less snow at mid-elevations than last year, access to most units may be difficult the first week or two of the season because of snow drifts blocking the forest roads. Initially, birds can be found in timbered areas near the valley fringe. Later in the season, birds are expected to be widely scattered throughout forested areas so hunters should put in some time hiking, listening, and looking for signs of turkey activity. Hunters are reminded that cooperative travel management areas are in effect in the Wenaha and Sled Springs Units, including on Hancock Timber property.
HIGH DESERT/CENTRAL OREGON
White River and Hood Units
A relatively mild winter and favorable spring conditions have helped maintain turkey numbers in this area for the upcoming turkey season. Turkeys in the White River Unit tend to be found primarily within the oak-conifer transition zone. Focusing your efforts on ridgetops in this zone should prove the most effective. The northern portion of the unit can provide good hunting opportunity but it’s mainly private land, so be sure to secure permission. Birds within the Hood Unit are at lower densities than in the White River, but tend to favor similar habitats. The White River Wildlife Area (WRWA) is a very popular area to hunt with good turkey numbers. Hunting during weekdays may avoid higher hunter densities. Preseason scouting can also be very helpful in locating the elusive spring gobbler. Be careful and aware that other hunters could possibly be hunting the same turkey that you are after. Recent changes on the WRWA prohibit the use of ATV/OHVs, a parking permit is also required for all users of the wildlife area (permit comes with your hunting license but don’t forget to put it on your car dash).
Deschutes County
Although still at very low densities, turkey numbers are increasing slightly in the northern part of the Upper Deschutes unit. Look for turkeys on USFS and private timber company lands between Bend and Sisters.
Harney County
In Harney County, turkeys are restricted to the northern portion of the county on or near national forestland. Wild turkeys are expected to have had good over-winter survival due to an extremely mild winter. Local turkey populations are expected to be fair to good. A below average over-winter snow pack will allow access to almost the entire national forest.
Jefferson County
Hunters should have a fair opportunity in Jefferson County in the Metolius Unit. Birds had a relatively mild winter and are widely scattered. The best locations are on Green Ridge from Black Butte north to the Warm Springs Reservation, and east into the juniper zone. Hunting pressure will drop off significantly after opening week. Some lower elevation roads, although bare, may be soft and muddy, or blocked by downed trees. Contact the Sisters Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest for road conditions and motorized access restrictions.
Klamath County
For Klamath County, turkeys are primarily restricted to the Keno Unit although a few birds have been taken in the Klamath Falls Unit over the last few years. Hunting access is good in the southern portions of the Keno Unit as a result of low snow pack levels over winter. This area is predominantly either open-to-hunt private timberland or BLM land. Areas to check for turkey activity are south of Hwy 66 and west of the Klamath River Canyon to Copco Road. Turkeys can also be found north of Hwy 66 around Johnson Prairie. In addition to natural reproduction which is expected to be at or slightly below normal this year, turkeys removed from populated areas in southwest Oregon due to agricultural damage and nuisance animal complaints were released in the Keno Unit since last year. Hunters who take a banded turkey are asked to please contact the local ODFW district office in Klamath Falls (541-883-5732).