Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

Thanksgiving may be three months behind us—or nine months ahead of us depending upon how you view things—but won’t stop turkey hunters from bagging big birds this spring.

04—There are going to be a lot of two-year-old gobblers for harvest this year.

Jason Hardin is Turkey Program Leader for Parks and Wildlife. Last year’s heat and drought aside, turkey habitat received rain when it needed it most in 2010, says Hardin, which is why two-year-old gobblers abound.

12—Two thousand ten, we had excellent rainfall—good, timely rainfall. And had really good production across the Rio Grande range, which is the central portion of the state. So, I would expect a really good season.

In addition to hunting Rio Grande Turkeys in Texas brush country, hunters can also find Eastern Turkey in the woodlands of East Texas.

16— The eastern is found in the eastern third of the state. It’s a little bit of a larger, bird compared to the Rio, which is quite numerous. We have more Rios in Texas than anywhere else in the country. The bird’s a little bit smaller and has a little different coloration. But, other than that, they gobble fairly similarly and they’re both pretty tough to hunt.

There is a statewide bag limit of 4 turkeys in Texas, with no more than one Eastern turkey.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series; it’s funded by your purchase of fishing and hunting equipment and motor boat fuel. For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.