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Too Many Turkeys in Colorado?

September 12, 2011.

From Colorado Parks and Wildlife:

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will have its first briefing Thursday on a growing problem in some parts of the Eastern Plains – large flocks of wild turkeys that are creating conflicts with agricultural producers during the winter months.

Commissioners will be presented with recommendations for managing so-called "conflict turkeys" during their monthly meeting, which is being held at the Doubletree Hotel, 1775 East Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs. The meeting is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Colorado's turkey restoration program stands as one of the most successful species conservation programs in state history. Beginning in the early 1980s, wildlife biologists began transplanting turkeys in an effort to restore populations of the small game bird.  Since then, wild turkeys have colonized most of the available habitat in the state. They can now be found in 53 of the state's 63 counties.

However, in some places turkeys have become so abundant that they are causing problems with farmers, ranchers and homeowners. Current regulations provide few options to deal with these conflict turkeys during late winter, when limited food resources cause the problems to escalate.

To address the issue, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is proposing a number of changes to turkey hunting regulations that seek to enlist the aid of hunters in managing these growing populations. One recommendation is to create a new late season targeting hen turkeys on private lands in specific eastern Colorado locations that are experiencing conflicts. Another recommendation is to offer unlimited over the counter private land tags for either sex in Game Management Units 101 and 102 in Yuma County during the regular fall season. Wildlife managers are also proposing to increase the existing bag limit of two hen turkeys per year if the new late seasons are approved.

The proposed changes are being presented to Commissioners for their consideration Thursday. A final vote on the turkey recommendations would be scheduled later for November.

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