Getting turkey started!!

[mudcatz71]

I have been wanting to get turkey started back up on a place! There used to be a few around years ago, havent seen any since hogs moved in 6 or 7 years ago! Ya'll think I could try raising them and turning them loose or would they not take to the wild?? Hogs have slowed way down he last year! Just a idea wondering if anybody has tried something like it?

[JSF]

I have been wanting to get turkey started back up on a place! There used to be a few around years ago, havent seen any since hogs moved in 6 or 7 years ago! Ya'll think I could try raising them and turning them loose or would they not take to the wild?? Hogs have slowed way down he last year! Just a idea wondering if anybody has tried something like it?

I might be completely wrong but is that even legal? I know you cant release pigs or deer.....im just assuming the same would apply..

[Joel]

Turkeys need tall trees to roost, a water source and cover (food/insects). If you have that might be worth a shot.

[mudcatz71]

I might be completely wrong but is that even legal? I know you cant release pigs or deer.....im just assuming the same would apply..

I don't know either people do it with quail!! Got the trees water and food and cover!

[Horitexan]

First off, I'd inquire to the NWTF and ask them. I doubt there's anything about turkey that they can't answer.

As Joel said, you'll need some bigger trees for them to roost in and WATER. If you don't provide all their needs, you won't hold them. Also, especially if you raise and release them, you better have your predator population under pretty strict control. Coons, bobcats, coyotes particularly. If you don't, it would take a pretty good number of birds released to survive long enough to establish a breeding group.

Do you have turkey in your area - like on your neighbors'? If you do, you might be able to draw them to your place by providing more of what they need.

Contact National Wild Turkey Foundation.

[JSF]

First off, I'd inquire to the NWTF and ask them. I doubt there's anything about turkey that they can't answer.

As Joel said, you'll need some bigger trees for them to roost in and WATER. If you don't provide all their needs, you won't hold them. Also, especially if you raise and release them, you better have your predator population under pretty strict control. Coons, bobcats, coyotes particularly. If you don't, it would take a pretty good number of birds released to survive long enough to establish a breeding group.

Do you have turkey in your area - like on your neighbors'? If you do, you might be able to draw them to your place by providing more of what they need.

Contact National Wild Turkey Foundation.

Sounds like solid advice

[mudcatz71]

Thanks, I will try to get ahold of nwtf and see what info they are willing to share. I scratch my head wondering what happened to the bird years ago! Got a place covered up with turkey but its a four hour drive It would be nice if i could Injoy them in my back yard!

[Playa]

First off, I'd inquire to the NWTF and ask them. I doubt there's anything about turkey that they can't answer.

As Joel said, you'll need some bigger trees for them to roost in and WATER. If you don't provide all their needs, you won't hold them. Also, especially if you raise and release them, you better have your predator population under pretty strict control. Coons, bobcats, coyotes particularly. If you don't, it would take a pretty good number of birds released to survive long enough to establish a breeding group.

Do you have turkey in your area - like on your neighbors'? If you do, you might be able to draw them to your place by providing more of what they need.

Contact National Wild Turkey Foundation.

Call your area wildlife biologist too. The hogs likely didn't have an effect on the turkey, just a coincidence? Mew have hig & turkey on our place. There is a bigger reason turkey left & it likely has to do with habitat. You may need to grub out areas overgrown with mesquite, cedar or hardwood & restore with native pasture grass.

And as mentioned predator control! Don't underestimate skunks, they will decimate a nest full of eggs

[Horitexan]

Call your area wildlife biologist too. The hogs likely didn't have an effect on the turkey, just a coincidence? Mew have hig & turkey on our place. There is a bigger reason turkey left & it likely has to do with habitat. You may need to grub out areas overgrown with mesquite, cedar or hardwood & restore with native pasture grass.



And as mentioned predator control! Don't underestimate skunks, they will decimate a nest full of eggs

Yeah, I know skunks are devastating but they're so awful to deal with, LOL! I figure, if you deal with the coons, bobcat, fox and coyote you can let the skunk slide and just shoot them. Lol!

Local biologist is a good idea. If you contact TPWD they can give you the number for your state biologist and you can talk to him for free!

[Coach W]

Drought hit us a while back. Water hole went dry and the turkeys left. I even tried to keep a stock tank full but they are gone off that place now. Gotta have water. A good month of rain is needed right now. .. But I'm not seeing it in our future. Both my leases are DRY.

[ground level]

I have been wanting to get turkey started back up on a place! There used to be a few around years ago, havent seen any since hogs moved in 6 or 7 years ago! Ya'll think I could try raising them and turning them loose or would they not take to the wild?? Hogs have slowed way down he last year! Just a idea wondering if anybody has tried something like it?

Sec. 64.006. RELEASE OF TURKEYS. (a) Except as provided by this section, no turkeys may be propagated, purchased, sold, transported, or released for the purpose of establishing a free-ranging wild turkey population.(b) The department may release turkeys in certain areas of the state for the purpose of maintaining a wild turkey population.(c) The department may adopt regulations regulating the release of turkeys by persons other than department employees.(d) This section does not apply to any turkeys maintained for agricultural purposes.(e) The department may contract with private sector sources to release wild turkeys in certain areas of the state for the purpose of maintaining or expanding a wild turkey population.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 771, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987.

[boy wonder]

Turkeys you raised and released would get eaten pretty quick. Catching and transplanting wild turkeys would be the way to go. Either way is illegal without TP&W involvement/approval.

[Horitexan]

I'll bet, if any one can, NWTF could help navigate the process - IF there is a process. Might be more trouble than it's worth, though. Seems weird they have such stringent rules for turkey when you can propose all the quail you want. Wonder why that is?

[mudcatz71]

May of just been wishful thinking! In still gonna get in touch with nwtf! I don't know if they will be interested considering im only working with about a section of land!