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Washington Wild Turkey Status and Trends Report
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of turkeys in Yakima County between 1913 and 1931 were unsuccessful. In all, 94 turkeys were released.  These early releases relied on game farm-reared birds of the eastern subspecies. Oak Creek Wildlife Area was the target of some early releases of wild-trapped turkeys in the early 1960s. Twenty Merriam’s turkeys were released, but no significant population was established. In the mid-1960s 4 Merriam’s turkeys were trapped from Stevens and Spokane counties and released on Colockum Wildlife Area in Kittitas County. This release did not result in population establishment.  More recent releases in Region 3 began in 1984. Thirty-eight Rio Grande turkeys were released in Yakima County in 1984 and 1985. Only 5 turkeys were harvested in the last 5 years in this area (Table 1), indicating that it has not seen the same success as turkey introductions in other areas of Washington. Although pockets of Rio Grande habitat occur throughout Region 3, the overall habitat is probably better suited for the Merriam’s subspecies. Since 1999, 267 and 40 wild trapped Merriam’s turkeys from Stevens County were released in Yakima and Kittitas Counties.  In south-central Washington, Klickitat County was one of the first areas in Washington where several early attempts were made to establish wild turkeys. Between 1930 and 1946, 93 turkeys were released in 4 different Habitat in the lower Yakima Valley around Sunnyside is probably suitable Rio Grande turkeys.  The area rarely receives significant snow and food is abundant. However, conflicts with agriculture (e.g., vineyards, orchards) in the area are likely In Region 4, selected landings and roads in the vicinity of release sites were seeded with a clover/grass mix, at the Pilchuck Tree Farm’s expense in spring 1999. Results of this attempt to improve forage conditions for turkeys and other species are not yet known.  Winter conditions in eastern Klickitat County (Region 5) can sometimes be severe. In particular, winter 1996-97 may have caused some mortality in resident turkeys that in turn may have triggered the small decline in turkey harvest in 1997. Harvest in 1998 harvest was also low (82 birds) in Klickitat County, but harvest more than doubled from 1998 to 1999 when 178 turkeys were harvested. This increase in harvest suggests the Klickitat County population recovered from the harsh winter of 1996-97. Although we do not specifically survey habitat conditions related to turkeys in Region 6, conditions should continue to be favorable, as there were no significant changes in habitat management or weather conditions during 2000-2001 that would have affected turkey survival.

Augmentation and habitat enhancement

During the winter of 2000-2001, 745 Merriam’s and 131 Rio Grands wild turkeys were trapped and translocated in Region 1 (Table 2). These birds, trapped primarily in response to damage complaints, have been used to enhance existing populations and establish new populations in appropriate habitat.  The UWRP continues to aggressively enhance habitats for all wildlife within the range of the wild turkey in Region 1. in 1997, several new habitat and hunter access agreements were signed with private timber companies and with the Department of Natural Resources. Since then, several acres of habitat enhancements have been completed with several more planned in the next few years. These landowners have a great interest in working with WDFW to enhance habitats and establish huntable populations of eastern wild turkeys on their land holdings.  Nearly 500 turkeys have been released in Region 2 during 2000-2001. In 2001, 93 turkeys were released in Okanogan County. One-hundred fifty six Merriams turkeys were released in Chelan and eastern Kittitas counties in 2000, and 225 in 2001. Turkeys were released on WDFW, Department of Natural Resources, and private land between the Colockum Wildlife Area and the Chelan Butte Wildlife Area. Flocks were established every 2-6 miles. Landowners were contacted prior to releases and were enthusiastic about release efforts. Fifteen turkeys (11 hens, 4 toms) were released at each site. Turkey feeders were constructed at each release location and were filled with wheat to ensure birds survived a harsh winter. In 2000, movements of released birds has averaged 2 miles (range = 1-6 miles). In 2002, at least 150 additional turkeys will be released in Okanogan County and 200 in Chelan and eastern Kittitas counties.  During winter 1999-00, Merriam’s turkeys were trapped in Stevens County and released in Yakima and Kittitas counties. Eight birds were equipped with radio transmitters. The project created much enthusiasm among local hunters who formed a chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). Releases and radiomarking will continue in 2000-01 with the help of NWTF. The local chapter will feed birds and is exploring habitat improvements as well as releasing Rio Grande turkeys in the Sunnyside area.  Thirty-eight turkeys were introduced on Pilchuck Tree Farm lands in northern Snohomish County between January 1998 and February 2000. No additional introductions have occurred since then. No formal surveys to monitor the turkey population have been conducted. Opportunistic observations suggest the birds have survived and reproduced to some degree. However, the Pilchuck Tree Farm has never opened to hunting because the farm manager feels the population is too low to sustain a harvest.

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