With the start of the spring wild turkey season looming, gobbler enthusiasts across Quebec and Ontario will soon be in hot pursuit of beards and spurs!
For thousands of Ontario wild turkey hunters, April 25th marks the beginning of another coveted spring gobbler season. Thanks to successful reintroduction programs dating back 30 years, wild turkey populations across the province have reached sustainable levels. As we have witnessed over the past few years, there are more bird sightings than ever in the valley and around eastern Ontario, and the hunt is improving each spring. The glorious gobbler has evolved into one of the most prolific and tastiest games species around, so you had better get used to them.
For Ontario hunters, remember that it is illegal to pursue turkeys within 400 meters of any place where bait has been deposited unless the place has been bait-free for at least one week. Bait is described as corn, wheat, oats or any other feed that may attract wild turkey or any imitation of such feed. Standing crops, crops stacked in accordance with normal farming practices and grain scattered as a result of normal farming operations are not considered bait. Following the rules is part of the game and it would be a shame to ruin a great hunt by pushing your luck.
Folks in Quebec should read the provincial regulations for seasons and bag limits in your area…
Good luck to all the gobbler gurus’ out there and feel free to drop me a line with news from your area.
Outdoors Guy
Fortunately or unfortunately I’ll be in Ocean City Maryland when the season opens, chasing golf balls around. I need something to do in the summer months when there is no hunting and the fishing slows down
Has anyone else noticed a sharp decline in the turkey population.
It has been very apparent here on my farm just outside of Carleton Place.
There is no doubt that the overwhelming coyote population is to blame.
I have shot 2 and had 2 others come in to my decoys while hunting turkeys.
We have a gang that runs dogs most of the winter, and no matter how many they kill they are quickly replaced.
Coyotes are also causing a drastic decline in the deer population as well.