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Washington Wild Turkey Status and Trends Report
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Turkey harvest within Region 6 increased in 2000, as did effort, however harvest totals remain fairly low. Thirty eight turkeys were harvested in Region 6 in 2000 (Table 1).

In the Blue Mountains (Region 1), turkey releases were documented historically in Asotin and Walla Walla counties in 1929 and 1919. These were likely the eastern subspecies raised on game farms.  Turkeys were released again during the 1960s by the Department of Game in Walla Walla and Columbia counties. A total of 18 Merriam’s turkeys were released in Walla Walla County on Coppei Creek and 16 were released on W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area. These releases did not result in long-term population establishment.  From 1988 to 1990 Rio Grande turkeys were brought in from Texas and released at several locations in Asotin, Columbia, and Garfield counties. In all, 87 turkeys were released in Asotin County, 40 were released in Columbia County, and 49 in Garfield County. Additional Rio Grande turkeys were trapped in these counties and translocated to other parts of the Blue Mountain foothills including Walla Walla County (34 birds) and along the Palouse River in Whitman County (56 birds). Harvest of Rio Grande turkeys in southeast Washington was 236 in 2000. Based on harvest trends (Table 1), the Blue Mountains population has expanded significantly. The Blue Mountain foothills seem to provide excellent habitat conditions for Rio Grande turkeys as does the northern half of Lincoln County. Wild turkeys of the eastern subspecies were released in Stevens County in 1919, but a sustainable population did not develop. In 1961, 15 Merriam’s turkeys were released in the Rice area of Stevens County and a population became established. Birds were subsequently trapped from this population and released throughout the state. Fourteen were released in Ferry County over a 3-year period and 12 birds were released in Spokane County. Initially, turkeys did very well in Stevens County with a fall harvest of 120 birds in 1965. Harvest declined and stabilized near 20/year. By the mid-1980s harvest had declined to about 10 birds/year.  In 1988 and 1989, 170 Merriam’s turkeys from South Dakota were released throughout  Stevens County.  Spring harvest in Stevens County has climbed each year with a record harvest of 761 turkeys in 2000. During the 1988-89 time period, 32 Merriam’s turkeys were also released in Ferry County. Harvest in Ferry County has generally increased from 12 birds in 1992 to 114 turkeys in 2000. Stevens, Pend Orielle and Ferry counties contain good habitat for the Merriam’s subspecies, which seems to be increasing and rapidly occupying available habitat.  While the only release records for Pend Oreille County were 60 Merriam’s turkeys released in 1996, a few turkeys have been harvested each year since 1993. 57 turkeys were harvested in Pend Oreille county in 2000. This harvest is attributed to a combination of 1996 releases, game farm-raised turkey releases, and birds moving in from adjacent release sites in Idaho and Washington. Harvest records suggest that populations in Ferry and Stevens counties continue to expand their range and increase in density. This population should continue to expand depending on winter conditions and pine seed production. While severe winter conditions have limited turkey populations in other parts of the United States, the harsh winter of 1995-96 did not appear to significantly impact the northeast Washington population.  In the central district of Region 1, the earliest recorded releases occurred in 1970 when 10 Merriam’s turkeys from Stevens County were translocated to the Hawk Creek area in Lincoln County. One or 2 birds were harvested each year until 1981. Northern Lincoln County near the Columbia and Spokane River breaks is currently the highest quality and most densely populated area of the central district in Region 1. Harvest in Spokane County increased from 9 in 1996 to 59 in 2000; these turkeys are occupying edge habitat in urban areas and are the result of natural expansion because WDFW has not recently released birds into Spokane County.  Beginning in 1988, there were several turkey releases in Lincoln County. In 1988, 37 Merriam’s turkeys were released; in 1989, 39 Rio Grande turkeys were released; and in 1990, 33 more Rio Grande turkeys were released. Turkey harvest in Lincoln County increased dramatically from 23 gobblers in 1991 to 185 in 2000 (Table 1). Turkey populations in Region 1 continue to expand and should provide high harvests as populations continue to grow. Precipitation levels were near normal during the 2000 nesting season and production has been only moderate to good. During drought years of the early 1990s, production was often excellent in many areas of Region 1. Observations of wild turkey broods were very limited in 2000, but averaged between 5 and 6 young/brood in Lincoln County. This is moderate to good production; during a year of poor production an average brood might contain only 1 or 2 young. Winters have generally been very mild so there has been excellent carryover from year to year. Turkeys in

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