Turkey Season Summary - Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

2006-07Turkey Season Summary2 Natural Resources DriveLittle Rock, AR 72205c=85 m=19 y=0 k=0 c=57 m=80 y=100 k=45 c=20 m=0 y=40 k=6(800) 364-4263www.agfc.comc=15 m=29 y=33 k=0 c=100 m=0 y=91 k=42 c=30 m=0 y=5 k=0

Looking OutFor Arkansas’s longbeardsConservation education is one of the mostimportant missions of the ArkansasGame and Fish Commission. Thevery future of wildlife conservation hinges oneducated and informed citizens – without them,who will speak for wildlife? To help educatethe general public, we have increased educationstaff and programs, built nature and educationcenters, published award-winning Web sites andmagazines, and sought innovative ways to reachout to a changing audience.We also have increased our efforts to workwith and educate Arkansas hunters andlandowners. Programs such as the DeerManagement Assistance Program, federal FarmBill programs and the National Wild TurkeyFederation’s Hunting Heritage State Super Fundhave been developed and implemented, andprivate lands biologists have been added to theAGFC to help landowners with managementdecisions.Despite all the improvements in educationand technology, we still look for new avenuesto inform our hunting public about the manyprograms taking place year-round to monitor theturkey population and improve wildlife habitatand hunting opportunities throughout the state.This annual report is much more than simpleharvest numbers; it is a tour through some ofthe AGFC’s many surveys as we follow the wildturkey throughout the year.If you are interested in helping conservehabitat and promoting the future of turkeyhunting in Arkansas, I encourage you to joinus in our conservation mission. We constantlyseek participants for hunting and observationsurveys and are always open to feedback from thepublic. If you would like to voice your concernsabout the turkey season or turkey habitat inArkansas, please plan to attend one of our springturkey season public meetings in August. If youcan’t attend a meeting, we’re happy to acceptyour comments through letters and e-mailsyear-round.The wild turkey holds a special place in thehearts of many Arkansans. With the help oforganizations like the National Wild TurkeyFederation and hunters throughout the state, wehope to keep it that way for the next generationof hunters.Scott Henderson, AGFC Director

C O N T E N T STurkey Season SummaryCover photo courtesy of the National Wild TurkeyFederation.2006-07 harvest summaries4 2007 Spring harvest summary8 2006 Fall harvest summary2006-07 turkey survey summaries10 2006 Brood survey summary14 2007 Gobbling survey18 2007 Spring hunting surveyTurkey conservation in Arkansas22 Setting the seasons26 Habitat management through the seasons28 Turkey stocking summary29 The NWTF in Arkansas31 Enforcement32 Record turkeys33 Corn feeders34 Acknowledgements2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 3

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 H A R V E S T S U M M A R I E S2007Spring harvest summaryJakes made up 25 percentof the 2007 springharvest. Photo by MikeCartwright.IntroductionA conservative spring season was in place in2007. A three-week season began April 14 andended May 4, with a special youth hunt April7-8 for most of the state. Some zones had arestricted two-week regular season. In Zone 17,special youth hunts were one week earlier, andthe regular season was April 7-29. The regularseason was one week shorter and one week laterthan 2005 and 2006 spring seasons. It was 16Table 1. 2007 Arkansas spring season turkey harvest by region.Number harvested % Change from WMA harvestRegion (% of total) spring 2006 (% of region total)Ozarks 5,003 (45%) 22% Decrease 396 (8%)Ouachitas 2,163 (20%) 20% Decrease 228 (11%)Gulf Coastal Plain 2,679 (24%) 11% Decrease 77 (3%)Delta 1,224 (11%) 4% Decrease 125 (9%)Statewide 11,069 (100%) 18% Decrease 826 (7%)days and three weekends shorter than the liberal2004 spring season. Bag limits were unchangedfrom recent years, with a two-gobbler limit, withonly one jake (immature gobbler) allowed.Information in this report is from mandatorychecking of wild turkeys through check stationsand agfc.com.Results11,069 turkeys were checked in 2007, downfrom 13,598 in 2006 (Table 1). The 2007harvest was 44.5 percent lower than the recordharvest of spring 2003. Spring turkey harvestrose dramatically following five above-averagebrood production years (1997-2001) and liberalizationof seasons from 2000 until 2006. Butharvest has dropped with below-average broodproduction beginning in 2002 (Figure 1).A total of 889 turkeys were harvested duringstatewide youth hunts prior to the regular season,down from 944 in 2006. Jakes made up 25percent of the statewide harvest, varying from 314 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

Figure 1. Arkansas spring turkey harvest, 1960-2007.2 0 0 6 - 0 7 H A R V E S T S U M M A R I E S25,00020,000Spring Harvest15,00010,0005,0000196019621964196619681970197219741976197819801982198419861988199019921994199619982000200220042006percent in the Ozarks to 14 percent in the GulfCoastal Plain. The jake harvest is on target withbrood survey results since the one-jake regulationwent into effect in 2000.Sharp County led the state with 419 turkeyschecked (Figure 2). In 2007, nine of the top 10counties were in the eastern and central Ozarks– this has been the case for the last decade(Table 2). Harvest increased from 2006 levels in18 of Arkansas’s 75 counties, mostly in the GulfCoastal Plain and Delta.Weight of wild turkeys checked in 2007increased slightly from 2006. Average weightof adult gobblers varied from a high of 20.7pounds in the Ozarks to a low of 19.08 poundsin the Gulf Coastal Plain. Average beard lengthof adult gobblers varied from 9.82 inches inthe Ozarks and Ouachitas to 9.49 inches in theDelta. Average spur length of adult gobblersvaried from 0.97 inches in the Ozarks to 0.92inches in the Gulf Coastal Plain (Table 3).Comments on the spring seasonSpring turkey harvest declined as predictedin 2007. The reduced season length is responsiblefor about one-third of the decline. Thedecline was expected primarily because turkeyshave not reproduced well in most areas ofArkansas since 2001. One or two bad hatchesusually do not impact turkey numbers or turkeyharvest drastically, but five years in a row canbe devastating. The 2005 turkey hatch wasparticularly poor, translating into very few2-year-old gobblers during 2007. The averagespur length of harvested gobblers rose in 2007.This reflects the low amount of 2-year-old birdsin the overall harvest. Because 2-year-old turkeysusually have spurs about ¾-inch long, the risein spur length indicates that older birds madeup a larger percentage of the harvest than inrecent years. Liberal seasons in place from 2001through 2006 (up to 39 days of hunting) alsolikely played a part in the rapid decline in springgobbler harvest. Data collected by the AGFCsuggests gobbler survival declined rapidly after2001, when seasons were lengthened and openedearlier.Hunters harvested 11,069 turkeys during the spring2007 season. Photo courtesy of the NWTF.2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 5

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 H A R V E S T S U M M A R I E SThe conservative seasonstructure was responsiblefor only about one-thirdof the harvest decline.Photo courtesy of theNWTF.Weather conditions may have played a minorrole in the harvest decline in spring 2007.Temperatures during the youth hunt April 7-8,were as much as 20 degrees below average withlows around 15 degrees in portions of Arkansas.Table 2. Top 10 spring turkey harvest counties and WMAs in 2007.CountyWMASharp – 419 Ozark NF WMA – 91Fulton – 392 White Rock WMA – 71Baxter – 325 Sylamore WMA – 68Independence – 317 Winona WMA – 58Randolph – 315 Piney Creeks WMA – 58Izard – 314 Mt. Magazine WMA – 56Cleburne – 283 Muddy Creek WMA – 56Union – 280 White River NWR – 45Boone – 279 St. Francis NF WMA – 44Searcy – 277 Lake Greeson WMA - 19Temperatures on opening day of the regularseason were as much as 15 degrees below average.Harvest declined about 10 percent for the specialyouth hunt and about 38 percent on openingday of the regular season when compared to2006. Reduced hunting activity because of thecold may have contributed to the decline, butgobbling surveys suggest that turkeys gobbledat “normal” levels during this cold period, with asecond peak of gobbling in mid-April when theregular season opened (Page 14).Unfortunately, recent trends in Arkansas’s lowspring turkey harvest will probably continuefor at least a couple of years, as 2006 broodproduction was only average or above in theeastern Ozarks and along the Mississippi River.2007 brood production appeared fair in mostof the state. However, the ratio of gobblers tohens in the preliminary findings of the 2007Brood Survey (Page 11) increased significantly.Conservative spring turkey seasons are stillneeded to stabilize and manage spring turkeyharvest in Arkansas well into the future.6 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

Figure 2. Spring 2007 turkey harvest by county.2 0 0 6 - 0 7 H A R V E S T S U M M A R I E STable 3. Physical characteristics of adult gobblers by region, 2007.Region Weight (lbs.) Beard length (in.) Spur length (in.)Ozarks 20.70 9.92 0.97Ouachitas 19.28 9.92 0.95Gulf Coastal Plain 19.08 9.86 0.91Delta 20.10 9.49 0.922 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 7

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 H A R V E S T S U M M A R I E S2006-07Fall harvest summaryFall firearms turkeyseasons are availableonly where populationsmay support them. Photocourtesy of the NWTF.Unlike many Southeastern states, Arkansashunters may enjoy a limited fall turkeyhunting season. Spring turkey hunting is moreof a tradition in Arkansas, but some huntersenjoy fall hunting immensely. According to themost recent information, only a few thousandArkansans specificallypursue turkeysin fall with firearms.While even fewerspecifically pursueturkeys with archeryequipment becauseof the extreme difficultyof the hunt, many bowhunters pursuingdeer become “incidental” turkey hunters whenbirds approach their stands.Fall gun turkey seasonArkansas has a very conservative fall gunturkey season. Under the Strategic Wild TurkeyManagement Plan (available at agfc.com), onlyMany bowhunters pursuing deerbecome “incidental” turkey hunterswhen birds approach their stands.turkey zones with a spring harvest greater than0.5 turkeys per square mile of forest are open tofall gun turkey hunting. In fall 2006, zones 2, 3,6, 7 and 17 met this criterion and were open tohunting Oct. 23-29, 2006, with a limit of oneturkey (either sex).A checked harvestof 297 turkeys wasrecorded, down 32percent from 437checked in 2005.(The record fallgun season harvestwas 3,137 in 1987when seasons ran throughout October.) IzardCounty led the state with 28 turkeys checked(Figure 1), followed by Sharp (24), Randolph(23), Fulton (20) and Garland (14) counties.Most of these counties are in the eastern Ozarks,which typically leads the state in spring harvest.On public hunting areas, Mount MagazineWildlife Management Area led the state with8 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 H A R V E S T S U M M A R I E Sseven turkeys, followed by White Rock WMA(five), Caney Creek WMA (four), Winona WMA(three), Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA (three)and Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA (three).Thirty-six percent of the fall gun harvest wasmale turkeys; 64 percent was female. Juvenileturkeys made up 47 percent of the harvest, upfrom 37 percent in 2005. Juvenile hens andjuvenile males made up 29 and 18 percent ofthe harvest, respectively. Adult hens and adultgobblers made up 36 and 18 percent of theharvest, respectively.Fall archery turkey seasonThe season ran Oct. 1, 2006-Feb. 28, 2007,with a limit of one turkey (either sex). Nearlythe entire state was open to fall archery turkeyhunting.A total of 145 turkeys were checked in thearchery harvest. This harvest declined 44 percentfrom 257 turkeys checked during 2005-06.Sharp County led the state with 12 turkeyschecked (Figure 2), followed by Cleburne (10),Pope (nine), Fulton (seven) and Randolph(seven) counties. No turkeys were checked in 32of the 75 counties in Arkansas. Turkeys werechecked on 11 WMAs or NWRs, led by FortChaffee WMA and Bald Knob NWR with twoeach.Sex of birds harvested was the reverse of thefall gun season: 59 percent were male and41 percent were female. Thirty-nine percentwere adult gobblers, followed by adult hens at27 percent, juvenile males at 20 percent andjuvenile females at 14 percent.Figure 1. Arkansas 2006 fall gun season turkey harvest by county.Figure 2. Arkansas 2006-07 fall archery/crossbow season turkeyharvest by county.Comments on fall seasonsSeveral factors probably contributed to thedecline in fall turkey harvests in 2006-07.Abundant mast over most of Arkansas scatteredturkeys and made them more difficult to hunt.Continuing declines in turkey numbers frombelow-average reproduction since 2002 alsoundoubtedly contributed to the decline in fallharvest. Lack of interest in fall hunting becauseof decreased turkey numbers also played a part.Based on criteria in the Strategic Wild TurkeyManagement Plan, several more turkey zones areslated for closure to gun hunting in fall 2008.2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 9

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S U R V E Y S U M M A R I E S2006Brood survey summaryThe average statewidehatch date for 2006 wasJune 7. Photo courtesyof the NWTF.Reproduction was better in2006 than it was in 2005, butstill remains below average ona statewide basis.Turkeys are relatively short-lived animals.Because of this short lifespan, annual reproductionis very important to the total population.Several years of good reproduction canresult in abundant turkey numbers, while severalpoor years can result in falling turkey numbers.Long-term data collection in Arkansas has shownthat turkey harvest is strongly related to annualpoult production.The AGFC hasworked with manyorganizations toconduct the annualWild Turkey BroodSurvey since 1982.The survey evaluatesturkey stockingsuccess, examinesspread and growth ofexisting populations, and determines trends inturkey numbers. Five hundred twenty-five surveyforms were returned to the AGFC in 2006.One thousand individual turkey observationsfrom 259 respondents were recorded, down fromthe survey record of 1,305 observations in 1998.Reproduction was better in 2006 than it wasin 2005, but still remains below average on astatewide basis. 2006 was the first year since2001 in which more than 3,000 poults werereported (Figure 1). However, 4,000-5,000poults were reported during the above-averagereproduction years of the late 1990s and early2000s. The poult/hen index of 1.81 (Table 1) for2006 was much better than the 1.39 recorded in2005, but remains below the long-term averageof 3.28 poults/hen. In 2006, 46 percent of henswere seen with poults, down from around 60percent in above-average years.Gobblers reported on the survey were downfrom the previous year, with 668 reported in2006 and 746 reported in 2005. The gobbler/hen index has declined steadily since 2001,and is the lowest it has been statewide since1995. This index is especially low in the Ozarks1 0 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S U R V E Y S U M M A R I E Sand Gulf Coastal Plain, suggesting carryoverof gobblers into the spring 2007 season wasminimal. The low number of gobblers followsthe record low poult/hen index of 2005 (1.39)and the low spring jake harvest of 2006 (17percent of gobblers taken). Figure 1 illustratesthe close link between poult production andgobbler carryover in following years.The primary reason for these declines has beenbelow-average hatches since 2001, but liberalspring seasons during 2001-2006 have speededthe decline.Table 1. 2006 wild turkey brood survey results by physiographic region.Surveys Hens Number Number Poults GobblersRegion returned Gobblers with poults without poults poults broods per hen per henOzark 132 206 319 259 1185 222 2.06 0.358Ouachitas 123 108 111 145 481 100 1.88 0.422Gulf Coastal Plain 119 161 199 331 664 132 1.25 0.304Delta 151 213 143 186 726 123 2.21 0.647State 525 688 772 921 3056 577 1.81 0.406Figure 1. Reproductive and gobbler carryover indices in Arkansas, 1982-2006.86Poults/HenPoults x 100Gobblers/Hens x 104201982198419861988199019921994199619982000sneak peek2002200420062007 Brood survey resultsTurkey reproduction during summer 2007 was verysimilar to previous years. The poult/hen index of1.78 was down slightly from 1.81 in 2006 while thenumber of broods reported (557) was down slightlyfrom the 577 reported in 2006. Total poult numbersalso were down from 3,056 to 2,769. These numbersindicate that statewide turkey reproduction was belowaverage for the sixth consecutive year.However, the total number of gobblers reportedand the gobbler/hen index rose significantly in 2007,suggesting that carryover of gobblers through the2007 spring season was good. The gobbler/hen indexhad been falling since 2001 – the year spring seasonswere liberalized to 35 days of hunting. Better gobblersurvival should help mitigate the effects of continuedbelow-average reproduction during the 2008 springseason. The conservative 2007 spring turkey seasonappears to be the primary reason for increased gobblersurvival and carryover. Conservative seasons shouldhelp stabilize future spring harvests.2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 1 1

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S U R V E Y S U M M A R I E SFigure 2. Statewide reproductive success based on 2006 Arkansas wild turkey brood surveyresults.Nesting successReproduction in the Boston Mountains of thewestern Ozarks appeared below average, whilereproduction appeared average or above averagefor the north-central and eastern Ozarks. TheArkansas River Valley appeared to have averagereproduction in the western half and belowaveragereproduction in the eastern half. TheOuachitas appeared to have average reproductionin northwestern areas, but below-averagereproduction in southern and eastern areas.Most of the Gulf Coastal Plain appeared to havebelow-average reproduction, although southernareas near the Ouachita River appeared better.The Delta appeared to have a “mixed bag,” withnortheastern Arkansas showing good reproductionadjacent to the Ozarks, poor reproductionnorth of West Memphis, above-averagereproduction along the lower White River andexcellentreproduction in the southern part of zone 17.These categorizations are subjective and basedon limited data in some areas.Hatch datesThe average statewide hatch date for 2006 wasJune 7. Regionally, the average hatch date wasJune 10 in the Ozarks, June 7 in the Ouachitas,May 28 in the Gulf Coastal Plain and June 10 inthe Delta. The average hatch occurred June 10north of Interstate 40, and June 4 south of theinterstate. The one-week difference in averagehatch dates between north and south Arkansas ismore than most years, and is primarily the resultof a good late hatch in northern areas.Hatch dates are figured by back-dating poultsbased on size. These data were examined by weekon a statewide and regional basis. Statewide, theweek of June 18-24 was best, with 67 broodsrecorded to have hatched during this week.The statewide hatch in 2006 began to peakduring the week of May 14-20 (59 broods) andcontinued to be good (from 47 to 67 broodseach week) until the week of June 18-24 (67broods). It appears that there was a good early1 2 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S U R V E Y S U M M A R I E SBrood counts increasedslightly in 2006 with1.81 poults seen foreach turkey hen. Photocourtesy of the NWTF.Brood production in the OuachitasA C a s e H i s t o r yIn the 1970s, the Ouachita Mountains inwest-central Arkansas had one of the best turkeypopulations in the nation. However, severedrought in 1980 led to a decline in turkeynumbers in the Ouachitas for several years.Populations did recover and checked harvestin 1987 was about the same as it had been inthe late 1970s. Then the bottom fell out – sixconsecutive years of poor hatches occurred in theOuachitas from 1988 to 1993. Turkey harvestplummeted, and hunters began to worry aboutthe future of this once-fertile flock.A turkey research projectwas initiated in 1993 toexamine the reasons for poorbrood production in theOuachitas. During the firstyear of the study, 40 radioequippedhen turkeys bredand laid eggs. None of thenesting attempts resulted inany poults hatching. Theprimary cause of nest failurein the study was from nestpredators such as raccoons.5,0004,0003,0002,0001,0000198219841986Fur prices declined dramatically in the late 1980sand furbearer numbers had spiked upward froma lack of trapping and hunting pressure.Cycles in animal populations are common,and a distemper outbreak soon brought raccoonnumbers down dramatically. By 1995 almost 40percent of radio-equipped hens hatched broods.This trend continued for several years untilresearch ended in 1997. Even with successfulnesting, six years of poor reproduction had takena toll. Spring turkey harvests did not recover to1987 levels for 12 years (Figure 3).Figure 3. Spring harvest and brood counts in the Ouachitas,1982-2006.PoultsSpring Harvest1988199019922 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 1 31994199619982000200220042006

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S U R V E Y S U M M A R I E S2007Spring gobbling surveyStudies indicate that gobbling is uniform throughout the state. Photo courtesyof the NWTF.The AGFC received many complaints in2006 about turkeys being “gobbled out”before the conservative opening day of April 8.However, surveys done in the late 1980s andearly 1990s indicated two peaks of gobblingactivity in northern Arkansas – April 1 andApril 15. Various Mississippi Department ofWildlife, Fisheries and Parks turkey reports alsoindicated that hunters hear most gobbling fromthe last week in March through the third weekin April. The AGFC Wild Turkey Team decidedto perform a new statewide gobbling survey todetermine if timing of peak gobbling in Arkansashad changed in the last decade.MethodsGobble counts were run on 19 areas acrossArkansas in spring 2007 (Figure 1). The surveywill continue for three years to get a clear pictureof gobbling activity. Large areas of turkey habitatthat aren’t hunted are rare in Arkansas. Five areas– Wedington WMA and Cherokee Village in theOzarks, Fort Chaffee ranges and Hot SpringsVillage in the Ouachitas, and Village Creek StatePark in the Delta were identified. Because thesetypes of areas are so rare, other areas were chosenand identified according to hunting pressure.Lightly hunted areas included the Blass ScoutReservation near Damascus and Holla BendNWR in the Ozarks, U of A Pine Tree WDA,Big Lake WMA and Choctaw Island WMA inthe Delta, and Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois D’ArcWMA and Rick Evans Grandview PrairieWMA in the Gulf Coastal Plain. Moderatelyhunted areas included Camp Robinson WMAin the Ouachitas and Felsenthal NWR in the1 4 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S U R V E Y S U M M A R I E SGulf Coastal Plain. Five heavily hunted areaswere selected to compare hunting pressure togobbling rates: Sylamore WMA (Ozarks), MountMagazine WMA (Ouachitas), White River NWR(Delta), Poison Springs WMA and Moro BigPine Natural Area WMA (Gulf Coastal Plain).Gobble counts ran twice a week March 1-May23 on most sites during mornings with no rainand light wind. Stops on these routes were 1 mileapart with 5-minute listening periods beginning30 minutes before sunrise.At each stop, gobbler groups, total gobblersheard and total gobbles heard were recorded.Stimulation (owl hooting, for example) was notallowed. Temperature, wind speed, cloud coverand barometric pressure were recorded at thebeginning of the survey, and all but barometricpressure were recorded at the end of the survey.Common vegetation was selected and data wascollected on bud break, green-up and full-leafconditions.Data was collected on 17 of the 19 sites and325 total surveys were completed. No turkeyswere heard at two sites during March; these areaswere dropped from the survey in 2007.ResultsThe magnitude of data collected is too largeto report in detail in this summary. Somenoteworthy descriptions of gobbling chronologyat individual sites will be presented, but graphsthat are presented are averages from similar sites(same zone, etc.). For the rest of this survey, visitagfc.com/data-facts-maps/reports.aspx#turkey.Figure 1. 2007 gobble chronology/phenology survey sites. 1 – sites that weren’t hunted.2 – lightly hunted sites. 3 – moderately hunted sites. 4 – heavily hunted sites. N – areas thatwere dropped from the survey.2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 1 5

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S U R V E Y S U M M A R I E SWhen the data from all 17 sites was combined,two distinct peaks of gobbling appeared in2007. The first peak was around April 1, and thesecond, almost-identical peak was around April15. The peaks are almost identical to those foundin the late 1980s and early 1990s in northernArkansas.Very little gobbling occurred before March22. After April 18, gobbling decreased to half ofpeak activity, but still well above early March.Gobbling dropped April 5-11. This was thesame time temperatures plummeted 30 to 40degrees across the state. Average temperaturesduring that period were about 20 degreesbelow normal. This dip in gobbling activitymay have been influenced by the temperature.Similar declines from the 1980s and 1990s wereattributed to the gobblers being surrounded byhens, breeding instead of gobbling.Northern and southern Arkansas had verysimilar results during spring 2007 (Figures 2 and3). Both areas had two gobbling peaks. Moregobblers were heard in southern Arkansas duringthe later peak, but individual gobbling activitydiminished slightly.Of the test sites only White River NWR andPoison Springs WMA showed any trend oflow gobbling activity after early April. In fact,many areas showed better gobbling rates duringhunting seasons than before the season. CampRobinson and Choctaw Island WMAs are twoexamples. Turkeys were still gobbling well atboth these sites when the survey ended onMay 23.Figure 2. Northern Arkansas (north of Interstate 40) gobbling chronology results for non-,lightly and moderately harvested areas combined for six sites, spring 2007.654321March 1April 1May 1Average Gobblers/StopAverage Gobbles/StopAverage Gobbles/Gobbler0Mar 1-7Mar 8-14Mar 15-21Mar 22-28Mar 29-Apr 4Apr 5-11Apr 12-18Apr 19-25Apr 26-May 2May 3-9May 10-16May 17-23Figure 3. Southern Arkansas (south of Interstate 40) gobbling chronology results for non-,lightly and moderately harvested areas combined for six sites, spring 2007.43.532.521.510.50March 1Mar 1-7Mar 8-141 6 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R YMar 15-21Mar 22-28Mar 29-Apr 4April 1Apr 5-11Apr 12-18Apr 19-25Apr 26-May 2May 1May 3-9May 10-16May 17-23Average Gobblers/StopAverage Gobbles/StopAverage Gobbles/Gobbler

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S U R V E Y S U M M A R I E SThe timing of peakgobbling remainedrelatively unchanged fromprevious studies. Photo byMike Cartwright.Bud break and green-up were relativelyuniform across Arkansas in spring 2007 withmost sites reaching bud break by the fourth weekof March and green-up by the second week ofApril. Observations suggest that leaf-out had littleto do with gobbling activity during the survey.DiscussionThis survey suggests that turkey gobblingdoesn’t begin any earlier in southern Arkansasthan the northern part of the state. In fact,many northern Arkansas sites had better Marchgobbling than many southern sites. This trendwill be monitored in future surveys as well.The survey also suggests that turkeys donot “gobble out” before the season or, for thatmatter, during the season or during most of May.Turkey gobbling did decline at a rapid pace aftermid-April on heavily hunted areas, but this resultis not surprising.In 2007, the AGFC opened the regular springturkey season April 14, which correspondedquite well with the second peak of gobbling.This was the latest date Arkansas has openedthe regular season and was intended to allow asmany hens as possible to breed before the seasonstarted.Although we did not take a detailed look atthe effects of weather on gobbling activity, ourobservations suggest that weather had little influenceon gobbling in spring 2007. Even with anextremely warm March followed by a severe coldsnap in April, there was very little change fromtrends in previous surveys.“Hunting the first gobbling peak only hurtshunting opportunities and could be disastrousto the long-term health of the turkey populationif illegal hen mortality becomes significant.If seasons are truly designed to protecthens and provide hunting opportunity, thenthe opening day should be closer to the secondpeak of gobbling. Don’t gamble with the longtermhealth of your state’s turkey population bysupporting an ill-advised turkey season.”– Dr. James Earl Kennamer“A Time to Kill,”Turkey Call Magazine,July/August 20062 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 1 7

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S U R V E Y S U M M A R I E S2007Spring hunting surveyRespondents hunted anaverage of 7.75 days inArkansas during the 2007spring season. Photocourtesy of the NWTF.The spring gobbler hunting survey wasinitiated in 2007 to gather information onhunter activity, gobbling activity, turkey observationsand hunting success throughout the springturkey season and will provide valuable informationto wildlife managers for years to come.The AGFC used a survey form similar to thatused in Mississippi – a small booklet with spacefor data on each hunt, including Arkansas andout-of-state hunts. About 2,500 survey formswere distributed in 2007 to be returned at theend of turkey season.Hunter parametersTwo hundred fifty-nine usable survey formswere returned to the AGFC. Forty-four surveyswere retuned from hunters in the Ozarks; 74from the Ouachitas (including the Little Rockmetropolitan area); 60 from the Gulf CoastalPlain and 75 from the Delta. Five out-of-statehunters participated.These hunters reported on 2,927 turkey hunts– 2,322 in Arkansas and 605 out-of-state. Theaverage hunter had 8.95 hunts in Arkansas and2.3 out-of-state hunts for a total of 11.3 huntsper respondent. Respondents reported huntingan average of 7.75 days in Arkansas and 2 daysin other states, for a total of 9.78 hunting days.Even though most participants were from theDelta and Gulf Coastal Plain, most hunts tookplace in the Ozarks (749). Five hundred sixtyeightwere conducted in the Ouachitas, 675 inthe GCP and 330 in the Delta. Delta hunters,in particular, hunted in other regions, mostly theOzarks.Seventy-one participants (27 percent) reportedhunting out-of-state: 48 of those hunters huntedin one other state; 15 in two; three in three andfive in four other states. Respondents journeyedto 15 other states in spring 2007 with Missouri(30 hunters/155 hunts), Kansas (17/65) andTexas (15/71) leading all other states. Becausesample size is so low in all of these states,comparisons to Arkansas hunts must be made1 8 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S U R V E Y S U M M A R I E Son a regional basis. Arkansas hunters primarilytraveled to Plains states (49 hunters/234 hunts),followed by the Midwest (35/203), the Southeast(30/164) and the West (1/4).Gobbling and harvest activityHunters in this survey reported hearing 3,118turkeys gobble 27,584 times for an average of12.2 gobblers heard and 108.2 gobbles heardper hunter. These data indicate that Arkansashunters heard an average of 1.57 gobblers and13.96 gobbles per hunting day. Hunters reportedkilling 175 turkeys in Arkansas, averaging 0.69turkeys per hunter.More turkeys were heard in the Ozarks during10 hours of hunting than any other region ofthe state, but more gobbles were heard in theDelta (Figure 1). Gobbling indices were onlyslightly lower in the Ouachitas than the Ozarks.Gobblers and gobbles heard were lowest in theGulf Coastal Plain. Harvest per 100 hours ofhunting varied from 1.66 in the Delta to 2.02in the Ozarks, with the Gulf Coastal Plain onlyslightly behind at 1.97. Even though gobblingactivity was lower in the Gulf Coastal Plain,harvest indices were in the upper range observed(Figure 1).Fifty-two percent of the hunts during theregular turkey season occurred in the first week.The Delta and the Ouachitas reported similarlevels of gobblers heard throughout the regularturkey season, while the Ozarks and Gulf CoastalPlain reported similar gobbler activity the firsttwo weeks of the season followed by a steepdecline the third week.Gobbling activity and harvest matched upwell for all three weeks of the regular season,except in the Ozarks and Ouachitas. Harvestin the Ozarks remained good the third week ofthe season even though the number of gobblersheard fell considerably, while harvest levels inthe Ouachitas fell dramatically the third weekdespite good gobbling activity.*More turkeyswere heard in theOzarks during10 hours ofhunting thanany other regionof the state.Figure 1. Regional gobbling and harvest indices for Arkansas hunts.4.543.532.521.510.50Ozarks Ouachitas Gulf Coastal Plain DeltaGobblers/10 HoursGobbles/HourKill/100 HoursMost respondents whoturkey hunted in otherstates traveled to theGreat Plains. Photocourtesy of the NWTF.2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 1 9

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S U R V E Y S U M M A R I E SFigure 2. Arkansas gobbling and harvest by land ownership.43.532.521.510.50Gobblers/10 Hours Gobbles/Hour Kill/100 HoursPrivatePublicClub*In general,hunting clublands had slightlybetter gobblingand harvest rates.Figure 3. U.S. regional gobbling and harvest indices.9876543210All ARHuntersAvid ARHuntersSoutheast Great Plains Midwest WestMinor differences in gobbling activity andharvest indices were found according to landownership (Figure 2). In general, hunting clublands had slightly better gobbling and harvestrates. Gobblers heard per hunt, gobbles per huntand kill per hunt were almost identical betweenthe three land-ownership categories, but publiclandhunters tended to hunt about one hourlonger per hunt.Figure 3 indicates Arkansas gobbling andharvest rates were lower than other regions,particularly the Plains and Midwest. Gobblingactivity was two to three times better in Plainsand Midwest states, and harvest rates were muchhigher in Plains states.Arkansas gobbling and harvest indices canalso be compared to published data from similarsurveys in Mississippi and West Virginia. Thisis definitely an “apples to oranges” comparisonbecause Arkansas’s 2007 data will be comparedto data from earlier years in the other two states.Hunting on public land between the three statesGobblers/10 HoursGobbles/HourKill/100 Hourswas quite comparable in gobbling activity andharvest. However, hunting on private land inMississippi in 2004 would appear to be muchbetter than on Arkansas private land in 2007.We were also able to compare Arkansas’sharvest to data from several recent state statusreports from the Southeast Director’s WildTurkey Committee Annual Report. Arkansasharvest rates from this survey ranged from 2.23to 1.72 gobblers per 100 hours of hunting(Figure 2) on club and public land, or about oneturkey per 9.7 to 12.6 days of hunting, respectively.In Alabama, from 8-11 man-days andfrom 13-19 man-days were needed to harvest agobbler statewide and on WMAs, respectively,from 1995 through 2004. In Louisiana, 14“hunter efforts” were needed to harvest a gobbleron WMAs in 2006. In Virginia, 13.3 man-dayswere needed to harvest a gobbler statewide in2004. These data suggest that 2007 Arkansasharvest rates are better than those of many otherSoutheastern states.2 0 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S U R V E Y S U M M A R I E STurkey observationsSurvey participants recorded all adult gobblers,jakes, hens and unknown turkeys observed whilehunting. In 2007, the number of gobblers seenper 100 hours of hunting was similar in theDelta, GCP and Ozarks, but considerably less inthe Ouachitas (Figure 4). The number of jakesand hens observed was highest in the Ozarksand lowest in the Ouachitas. The high numberof jakes in the Ozarks compares favorably withabove-average reproduction recorded during the2006 turkey brood survey. However, this surveysuggested Delta areas, particularly turkey zone17, also had above-average brood productionin 2006 – but those jakes do not appear in thisyear’s observations.Arkansas turkey observations also havebeen compared to observations in other statesby Arkansas hunters. Far more turkeys wereobserved in Plains states than in any otherregion. While turkey numbers may be higher inthis region than any other, two other factors mayhave contributed to the high observation rate –turkeys are much more visible in open, lightlywooded habitats found in Plains states, and mostof the turkeys in this region are Rio Grandesubspecies, which have different behavior thaneastern turkeys. Rios tend to roost in large flocksin river bottom habitats and are often seen inlarge groups after flydown.Comments and suggestionsSlightly less than half of the 259 participantsin this survey provided suggestions andcomments. Most of the suggestions that werereceived revolved around including preseasonscouting gobbling activity in the survey andincluding additional weather or hunting information(birds called to, birds shot at, etc.).Comments on the current turkey season and/or turkey management were quite varied. At least29 hunters commented that turkey numbersappeared down in the area they hunted, whilefive said they were up or steady. Support forrecent conservative seasons was somewhat evenlydivided, with 30 hunters expressing supportfor the 2007 season, 14 expressing support,but asking for an earlier opening date, and 34hunters expressing no support for the season,primarily because it was “too late.” Many hunterssaid they want further restrictions to seasons orbag limits.DiscussionGiven Arkansas’s current turkey population,gobbling and harvest rates compared relativelywell to those of other states and regions acrossthe country.Data from Arkansas hunters on out-of-statehunts resulted in some interesting conclusions.Few Arkansas hunters, other than those fromthe Delta, appear to be going to Southeasternstates to hunt. Anecdotal observations suggestthis was not always the case; several decades ago,Mississippi and Alabama were destinations formany Arkansas hunters. The current trend seemsto be for most Arkansan out-of-state hunts to bein Plains and Midwestern states, even with morerestrictive seasons and bag limits.Figure 4. Arkansas observation indices.302520151050Ozarks Ouachitas Gulf Coastal Plain DeltaGobbler observationsJake observationsHen observations2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 2 1

T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N I N A R K A N S A SContinued conservative seasonsshould result in better gobblersurvival and more hens being bred.Photo courtesy of the NWTF.Setting the seasonshow does it work?Overview: spring season regulations processCreating and adjusting regulations for each turkeyseason is a year-round process. As soon as oneseason ends, the harvest numbers are examined andpopulation surveys are conducted. Spring harvestnumbers are only a part of the total data used todetermine season recommendations. Gobbling surveys,hunting surveys, brood counts and other research toolsare analyzed as well. Even though harvest totals maystabilize, poor reproduction can still cause the populationto decline.Survey results are reviewed by members of theWildlife Management Division’s Turkey Team duringsummer. Team members meet in August to discussSummer months Turkey Teammembers collect and review surveyresultsAugust Team members discuss preliminaryrecommendations and present to chiefof Wildlife Management DivisionAugust Public meetings held todiscuss probable changes and getpublic inputpreliminary spring season recommendations and topicsof concern for public meetings. A summary of theteam’s meeting and recommendations is then providedto the chief of the Wildlife Management Division forapproval.The preliminary regulations package is sentto commissioners and public meetings are heldthroughout the state to discuss probable changes andgather public response. After public review, proposalsare formally presented to the Commission during itsSeptember meeting. After another period of publicreview, commissioners approve or amend the proposalsat the Commission’s October meeting.September Commission meetingProposed regulations presented toCommissionOctober Commission meetingCommissioners amend or approveproposed regulationssummer late summer fall2 2 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

2007 spring turkey regulationsThe Turkey Team presented its preliminaryseason recommendation and material forpublic meetings at the Commission’s Augustbriefing. The team stressed that spring turkeyharvest was probably going to continuedeclining, based on continued poor turkeybrood production and poor gobbler survival.Public meeting overviewPublic meetings were held at 11 locationsacross the state Aug. 29, 2006. Presentationssummarized the data relevant to the recommendationfor a conservative 2007 season.Biological information such as recent declinesin spring turkey harvest trends, below averagebrood production for the last 4-5 years, variationsin spring season length, recent declinesin gobbler/hen ratios (an index to gobblercarryover), peak gobbling and breeding datesand many other variables were explained. Thepresentation also included a harvest modelindicating where our turkey population wouldstand had more conservative seasons been usedduring recent years with poor reproduction.T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N I N A R K A N S A SOne hundred out of 131 respondents to public meetings were in favor of a conservative2007 spring season. Photo courtesy of the NWTF.Ninety-four people attended the meetings.Participants were specifically asked whether theywould support a three-week season (instead offour weeks) and a later opening date. Thirtyfiveparticipants responded, either orally or inwriting, with about 85 percent in favor of theshorter season and almost as many in favor ofa later opening date. Many who commentedrequested more conservative seasons or baglimits than those proposed (a two-week season,one-bird limit, etc.). A total of 131 commentswere received at public meetings and throughe-mails or letters. Slightly more than 100 ofthose who commented were in favor of theproposed conservative season (or a more conservativeseason), while 29 were opposed (mostlyrequesting earlier opening dates).2007 spring season recommendation:September commission meetingThe Wildlife Management Division’s 2007spring season recommendations were for specialyouth turkey hunts to be open April 14-15,followed by the regular season to open April 16and continue throughMay 7, 2007 in mostturkey zones (April16-29 in zones 1A,4, 4A, 5A, 9A). Thedivision recommendedthat zone 17 open thespecial youth huntApril 7-8, followedby a regular seasonApril 9-29. This seasonformat was unanimouslyendorsed bythe Turkey Team at itsAugust meeting. TheWildlife ManagementDivision stressedthroughout the processthat the only real wayto effect turkey harvestis to reduce the seasonlength. Delaying the*The WildlifeManagementDivision stressedthroughout thewhole processthat the only realway to effectturkey harvestis to reduce theseason length.2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 2 3

T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N I N A R K A N S A SFall archery season is allowed statewide because of the limited success of archers pursuing the wild turkey. Photocourtesy of the NWTF.opening date was intended to let more hensbreed before hunters took to the woods. Thisrecommendation was released to the public byvarious media, and public comment was invited.After season recommendations were releasedto the public, 19 additional comments werereceived, including a letter of support from theNational Wild Turkey Federation’s ArkansasState Chapter Board of Directors. Sevencomments supported shorter, later turkeyseasons, five supported shorter seasons (but notlater), four were against shorter, later seasonsand three commented on other topics. BryanHendricks also wrote an article in the ArkansasDemocrat-Gazette and the editors of that paperwrote a short editorial in support of the conservativerecommendation.Meanwhile, the Commission requested twooptions to the season. The first option wouldmove the youth season earlier by one week(April 7-8), with the regular season startingthe following Saturday (April 14). The secondoption would change the bag limit to one legalturkey during the first week of the season inzones 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8.2007 spring season approval:October commission meetingThe Commission set the 2007 spring turkeyseason Oct. 19. Youth hunts were set for April7-8, with the regular season in most zones setfor April 14-May 4. Restricted zones had aseason from April 14-27. Youth hunts in zone 17were set for March 31-April 1, with the regularseason set for April 7-29. Bag limits remainedunchanged.2 4 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

2007-08 fall turkey regulationsFall turkey seasons and the turkey planThe Strategic Wild Turkey Management Planguides turkey management in Arkansas. Fallarchery/crossbow hunting is mentioned brieflyin this plan:“Because fall archery/crossbow seasons havehad minimal if any impact on populations inArkansas, these seasons should be allowablestatewide, except under special circumstances tobe determined on a case-by-case basis.”123Three criteria are included in the plan for fallfirearms seasons:The previous year’s spring season harvestshould be used to determine openseasons. Turkey zones recommended foropen seasons should have maintaineda harvest more than 0.5 turkeys persquare mile of forest for the twoprevious spring turkey seasons.Combined fall harvests should notexceed one-third of the previous springharvest during any year in any giventurkey zone.A majority of hunters (greater than 50percent) should indicate that their fallturkey season satisfaction level wasexcellent or good and the majority ofspring and/or fall turkey hunters shouldsupport fall turkey seasons as determinedby hunter opinion surveys.Preliminary recommendationsInitially, only turkey zones 2, 3, 6 and 17 wererecommended for open fall gun turkey seasonbased on spring harvest. All turkey zones metcriterion two, with 2005-06 fall turkey harvestranging from 0 to 7 percent of 2006 springharvest. No hunter opinion surveys have beenmade since 1998, so no data were available todetermine if the third criterion above was beingmet.T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N I N A R K A N S A SPublic meetingsMeetings were held Jan. 9, 2007, at 11 sites inArkansas, and had very poor attendance. Only ahandful of comments on fall turkey seasons – afew for and a few against – were received at thismeeting, or later as season recommendationswere being made, distributed by the media andreviewed by the public.Final recommendations andseason approvalWildlife Management Division staff metand reviewed public comments and preliminaryseason recommendations Jan. 11-12.Additionally, a meeting was held with U. S. Fishand Wildlife Service refuge managers to coordinateseasons on national wildlife refuges.The final season recommendations weremade by the chief of the Wildlife ManagementDivision to the Commission at the Februarymeeting. A re-analysis of forested acreage byturkey zone was completed, and resulted in somecorrections to data that had been used previously.The new data resulted in turkey zones1, 2, 3, 5B, 6, 7 and 17 meeting the minimumspring harvest per forested acre criterion. A fallgun turkey season was proposed for Oct. 22-28,2007, in turkey zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 17. Thisseason was passed by the Commission at itsMarch meeting.Illegal kills and crippling losses around cornfeeders from archery season were discussed in anopen Commission meeting during fall 2006. Inthe final analysis, the recommendation for thisseason was left unchanged. The Commissionapproved a statewide season for Oct. 1, 2007-Feb. 29, 2008.2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 2 5

T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N I N A R K A N S A STurkeys require openareas as well as timberland.Photo courtesy ofJan Self.*Turkeys are aforest species,so proper timbermanagementis vital to theirsurvival.Habitat managementis a year-round jobIdeal turkey habitat can be described as aseveral thousand-acre area with permanentwater sources and about 50 percent matureforest, 30 percent grassy openings, 15 percentold fields or brushy areas and 15 percent smallgrain fields. Turkeys thrive in areas where thesepercentages vary, such as zone 17 along theMississippi River, but ideal habitat usually hasall four of these components. These areas areactually rare in Arkansas because most habitatsare too heavily wooded or too open. AGFCbiologists and technicians stay busy year-roundworking on these lands to improve the habitatfor turkeys and other game species.Wildlife openingsWithin days of receiving approved budgetsin mid-summer, wildlife management areamanagers begin working long hours maintainingopenings on virtually all upland wildlife managementareas in the state. In most cases, plots ofcereal grain and clover mix are planted, fertilizedand limed. For example, Muddy CreekWMA in the Ouachita National Forest has 160wildlife openings totaling 320 acres, plantedon a two-year rotation. These openings providecritical late-winter food for turkeys and deer, aswell as insect-rich feeding grounds for broodsduring summer. Suitable sites also are plantedwith native warm-season grasses for bobwhitequail and turkey nesting habitat during spring.The AGFC devotes more than $500,000 tomaintaining thousands of acres of openings everyyear.Timber managementTurkeys are a forest species, so proper timbermanagement is vital to their survival. MostAGFC and USDA Forest Service cooperativeWMAs are heavily forested with second growthforests, many the result of “high-grading” fromhistorical timber harvests. While spring turkeyhunters like to hunt these stands, these matureforests are generally in decline, are lacking indiversity and are relatively poor year-roundhabitats for deer and turkey.The AGFC uses a variety of scientificmanagement techniques to enhance wildlifehabitat and promote long-term forest health.These techniques include tree plantings,thinnings, selective harvests, clear cuts and oakregeneration.2 6 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N I N A R K A N S A SStand inventory, marking, tree planting andharvest are all on-going habitat managementpractices on state and federal lands. Revenueis generated from the sale of harvested timber,helping offset costs associated with these timberprescriptions. The Forest Service recentlyadopted a new program, Forest Stewardship,that allows them to reinvest timber revenue inwildlife habitat enhancements on federal lands(See Page 30).Prescribed firePrescribed burning is the most economicaltool in the manager’s toolkit to enhance turkeyhabitat. Vigorous herbaceous growth afterprescribed fires creates excellent brood habitat inheavily timbered areas.Recent catastrophic wildfires in Western stateshave resulted in federal legislation letting theForest Service increase prescribed fire on federallands. Frequent, controlled burns eliminate thebuild-up of leaves and other fuels and reduce thechances of major fire events. This increase in fireuse has been welcomed by wildlife biologists, butsome changes have been made to accommodatethe new goal. Prescribed fires are now largerand the burning season is longer, sometimesextending into the early portion of turkeyseason and turkey nesting activities. Biologistsand habitat managers work hard to accomplishprescribed fire objectives while minimizingconflicts.Private lands programsThe AGFC has about a dozen private landsbiologists on staff to assist private landownerswith habitat enhancement projects. Byproviding free, sound management strategies tolandowners, the AGFC has been able to increasethe public’s knowledge of the habitat needs ofgame and non-game animals.In the 1970s, the AGFC started with aflagship private lands program, Acres forWildlife, but biologists now deliver morethan 30 programs as well as informal habitatmanagement advice to landowners. Mostof these programs benefit wild turkeys, butthe Arkansas Forestry Commission’s ForestStewardship program and Farm Bill programsthat result in reforestation of row crop farmlandsare particularly important. The AGFC assistswith the wildlife portion of management plansin Forest Stewardship. Farm Bill reforestationprograms such as the Wetland Reserve Program,Conservation Reserve Program and ContinuousConservation Reserve Program have resulted inseveral hundred thousand acres of reforestationin the Delta region of Arkansas. Many of theseareas are now mature enough to support turkeypopulations, and many more acres will reach thisstatus soon.nnnnnn2007 highlights17,500 acres of prescribed burns on AGFC land525,000 dollars spent on wildlife openingson AGFC land5,500 acres of timber management activitieson AGFC landMore than 200,000 current acres of WRP reforestationin ArkansasTwo part-time prescribed fire bosses hired63 WMAs with wildlife opening projectsnnn93 Forest Stewardshipplans with wildlife asan objective.More than 1.5 millionacres enrolled in Acresfor Wildlife40,000 dollars spenton Acres for WildlifeseedMore than $500,000 is devoted tomaintaining wildlife openings onWMAs annually. Photo courtesy ofthe NWTF.2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 2 7

T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N I N A R K A N S A S2006-07 wild turkey stockingsWild turkeys were abundant when Europeansettlers arrived in Arkansas. By the early1900s, however, turkeys had been eliminatedfrom most of the state. When the AGFC wascreated in 1915, regulations protecting turkeyswere implemented, but populations continued todecrease.Efforts to restore turkeys began soon after theAGFC was formed. Harvest of hen turkeys wasbanned in 1918; state game refuges were builtin the 1920s; and pen-raised wild turkeys (manyraised at state hatcheries) were released beginningin the 1930s. None of these or other earlyefforts resulted in restoration of turkeys on astatewide basis, and turkey populations reachedtheir lowest point in history in the 1930s. By themid-1940s an estimated 7,000 turkeys remainedin Arkansas, mostly in the Gulf Coastal Plainand along the Mississippi River.The perfection of cannon-netting techniquesin the 1950s allowed wildlife managers tocapture large groups of wild turkeys andefficiently restock depleted areas. Since 1932,nearly 7,000 wild-trapped turkeys have beenstocked in 73 of Arkansas’s 75 counties, withmost birds relocated between 1960-90. Effortshave resulted in turkeys being restored to almostall suitable habitats in the state. While stockingefforts continue, they are low-priority projects,mostly on large tracts of reforested lands ineastern Arkansas.Turkey stocking requests from the public andwithin the AGFC are reviewed annually by theWild Turkey Team and staff of the WildlifeManagement Division. Twelve stocking requestswere reviewed in 2006 through site visits andaerial photography. Five sites were recommendedfor stocking (Table 1). The remaining seven siteswere declined because habitat was rated insufficientor marginal for turkeys.The AGFC attempts to trap wild turkeys fromareas with high densities of birds and in areaswhere hunting is either restricted or not allowed.Distance between sites and available trappers areadditional factors used to decide where to trapturkeys.In winter 2006-07, AGFC personnel hada difficult time capturing turkeys, primarilybecause of a good acorn crop in central andnorthern Arkansas and feral hog use of baitsites on Choctaw Island WMA. Forty-oneturkeys captured with six rocket net shots werestocked on four sites. Three sites were consideredfinished, and two will be completed in 2007-08.Turkey trappers included David Henley, AltonCase, Matt Mourot, Kiah Gardner and MikeWidner. Others, including numerous NationalWild Turkey Federation (NWTF) volunteers andAGFC personnel, assisted with baiting, trapping,transport and release of birds. Mr. Ben Mense,Refuge Manager, graciously allowed trappers totake 18 wild turkeys from Holla Bend NWR forrestoration efforts.Table 1. Wild turkeys stocked in Arkansas during winter 2006-07.Adult Juvenile Adult JuvenileCounty Site male male female female Total Status* Source**Arkansas Hampton Reservoir 2 3 5 2 12 C 1, 2Arkansas Benson Lake 2 1 6 2 11 C 1, 2Lee Dutch Slough 4 0 11 0 15 C 1, 3Chicot Big Creek 0 3 0 0 3 I 2Crittenden Horseshoe Lake - - - - - I -Totals 8 7 22 4 41* Releases designated C are complete; those designated I are incomplete and will be stocked next winter.** Sources (trap sites) include: 1 = Camp Robinson, Pulaski and Faulkner Counties (12 gobblers), 2 = Holla Bend NWR,Pope County (3 gobblers, 15 hens), 3 = Jamestown WMA, Independence County (11 hens)Figure 1. Wild turkey stockings in Arkansas.l 1990sl 2000-06H Winter 2006-072 8 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

The National Wild Turkey Federation, inEdgefield, S.C., is a nonprofit conservationand education organization dedicatedto conserving wild turkeys and preservinghunting traditions. More than 584,000 outdoorenthusiasts have joined the NWTF in localchapters throughout the United States, Canadaand Mexico. The NWTF and its conservationpartners have raised and spent more than$258 million to uphold hunting traditions andconserve more than 11.3 million acres of wildlifehabitat.Funds raised by local chapters support theHunting Heritage Super Fund, the driving forceT U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N I N A R K A N S A SThe National Wild TurkeyFederation in ArkansasMore than 17,000 acres of wildlife openings have been maintained through theNWTF’s Super Fund Program in Arkansas. Photo courtesy of the NWTF.behind NWTF conservation and educationprograms. Super Fund projects include habitatmanagement, outdoor education for women,youth and people with disabilities, hunter safety,restoration (trap and transfer of wild turkeys),land acquisition, enforcement, research andequipment purchases.Super Fund projects are jointly administeredby the NWTF, its state chapters and respectivewildlife agencies. Administration at the statelevel enables local stakeholders to have a sayin money allocation and ensures that projectsenhance the state’s long-range natural resourcemanagement plans and hunting heritage.National HuntingHeritage Super Fundprojects also includegrants to supportuniversity and wildlifeagency researchprojects, regionalhabitat programs andfunds for publicationsthat can be usedby government andcorporate biologists asmanagement referencetools.Arkansas chapterThe Arkansaschapter of theNational Wild TurkeyFederation is a grassrootsorganizationthat supports scientificwildlife managementon public, privateand corporate lands,as well as wild turkeyhunting as a traditionalhunting sport.More than 18,520Arkansas chaptercontactsGary WattsState PresidentP. O. Box 68Subiaco, AR 72865(479) 934-4399garywatts@magtel.comMark BadgwellState Vice PresidentP. O. Box 1369Malvern, AR 72104(501) 844-5044markbadgwell@yahoo.comBrent JonesState TreasurerP. O. Box 945Perryville, AR 72126(501) 889-3270brent.jones@edwardjones.comJason MajorsState Secretary2223 Hickory Creek CircleAlexander, AR 72002(501) 316-1771jmajors@stephens.comMike WidnerState Board TurkeyProgram Coordinator213A, Highway 89-SMayflower, AR 72106(877) 470-3650, ext. 205mwidner@agfc.state.ar.usJudy StorySenior Regional Director780 Jenny LaneStar City, AR 71667(870) 628-1222jastory@seark.netSteve ColeSenior Regional FieldSupervisor31 Bell Branch RoadPerryville, AR 72126(501) 333-2201nwtfcole@windstream.net2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 2 9

T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N I N A R K A N S A S*More than 17,000acres of wildlifeopenings havebeen maintainedand more than41,000 acres havebeen burned toimprove habitatfor turkeys andother wildlife.members support 64 local chapters across thestate. Local chapters started contributing to theArkansas Hunting Heritage Super Fund in 1985.During the last 22 years, local NWTF chaptershave raised and spent more than $1.9 million onhabitat improvement projects in Arkansas. Theseprojects have improved habitat for turkeys andmany other wildlife species on 125,271 acres.Projects span 17 wildlife management areas,three national forests and many lakes, rivers andnational wildlife refuges.More than 17,000 acres of wildlife openingshave been maintained and more than 41,000acres have been burned to improve habitat forturkeys and other wildlife. Beyond conservation,the Arkansas chapter has spent $254,636on education programs and literature and morethan $74,900 to introduce the state’s youth tooutdoor activities, conservation and hunting.In 2007, local chapters contributed more than$120,000 to the Arkansas Super Fund. Fromthese contributions, $93,076 was spent onhabitat improvements, scholarships, educationalmaterials, outreach programs and local wildlifelaw enforcement support. Super Fund projectsimproved habitat for wild turkeys on morethan 2,500 acres of public and private lands.Local chapters awarded 44 scholarships, hosted17 Jakes events, hosted seven Women in theOutdoors events, provided educational materialsto public schools, supported hunting heritageprograms such as 4-H shooting sports teams,and supported local law enforcement throughreward payments.For more information on the NWTFand how you can help the future of turkeyhunting in America, visit www.nwtf.org. Tolearn more about local NWTF chapters andevents in Arkansas, visit www.nwtfchapter.org/arkansasstatechapter.Stewardship contracts in ArkansasThe National Wild Turkey Federation supports theuse of stewardship contracts to improve wildlifehabitat on national forests and grasslands throughoutthe nation. These contracts combine natural resourcemanagement work with timber sales, and enable federalland managers to exchange goods for services. Perhapsthe most meaningful aspect of stewardship contractingis the opportunity for collaboration between land andresource management professionals, private business interestsand individuals concerned with improving wildlifehabitat on public lands. To learn more about stewardshipcontracting, visit www.forestsandrangelands.gov/stewardship/index.shtml.Raspberry timber saleIn 2005, the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest BigPiney Ranger District developed the first stewardshipcontract in Arkansas. The Raspberry timber sale was developedas part of the Middle Fork Ecosystem RestorationProject. This project was designed to restore and maintainfire-dependent ecosystems on a portion of the nationalforest. The NWTF purchased the Raspberry timber sale asa stewardship contract. As primary contractor, the NWTFwas responsible for timber harvest and all connectedresource management activities with the sale. Treatmentsincluded thinning 141 acres of oak/hickory forest, 141acres of understory removal, 117 acres of wildlife standimprovement and 46 acres of timber stand improvement.These treatments resulted in improved forest health andimproved habitat for wild turkey and other wildlife. Thestewardship contract indirectly supported prescribedburning planned for the area through construction of 2.3miles of permanent fire lanes. Hazardous snags near thefire lanes were removed as well.Shotgun timber saleThe second stewardship contract developed as part ofthe Middle Fork Ecosystem Restoration Project was theshotgun timber sale purchased by Bibler Brothers LumberCompany of Russellville, Ark. The NWTF continuedits collaborative work with the USDA Forest Service asa sub-contractor, implementing 212 acres of understoryremoval and 34 acres of wildlife stand improvementplanned as resource management treatments. This treatmentresulted in improved habitat for turkeys on theOzark/St. Francis National Forest.3 0 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N I N A R K A N S A S2007 wild turkey violationsHunting turkeys over bait 42Resident turkey license requirements 6Special youth hunt restrictions 3Prohibited methods of taking turkeys 1Wild turkey hen restrictions 1Domestic turkey stocking prohibited 1Total violations 542006-07 enforcement reportYear-round hunting nearly eliminated thewild turkey in Arkansas. When professionalwildlife management began, the regulationseliminating year-round hunting had to bestrictly enforced. New enforcement officers hadto be trained and devoted to wildlife regulations.Wildlife officers were an essential componentof successful reintroduction of wild turkeys tomost of Arkansas, as restoration would not havesucceeded without protection of turkey flocks.Protection of turkeys is still important.Illegal turkey harvest can reduce overall turkeynumbers. The AGFC’s Enforcement Divisionis the front line of defense in protection of allwildlife.The National Wild Turkey Federation workswith the Enforcement Division to reduceWildlife Officer RyanWarner from the CalicoRock Regional Officewon the 2006 ArkansasNational Wild TurkeyFederation Wildlife Officerof the Year award.poaching. “Hands-on” conservation and huntingeducation programs such as Jakes, Women inthe Outdoors and Wheelin’ Sportsman teachnewcomers to the sport about ethical huntingand the excitement available in the outdoors.The NWTF will also match (up to $500) AGFCrewards for the conviction of turkey poachersthough the Turn in Poachers (TIP) program.Illegal hunting before the spring season andhunting over bait are the two most commonturkey regulation violations. The exact amountof preseason hunting cases is not known becausethe same code enforces hunting out of seasoncases throughout the year for all species.2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 3 1

T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N I N A R K A N S A SArkansas record turkeysThe AGFC does not maintain a list of record wild turkeys. However, the National Wild TurkeyFederation has records similar to Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young club registries. Acomplete list of those records and registration information can be found at www.nwtf.org/all_about_turkeys/turkey_records.php.*Wild turkeys are scoredby the followingformula:Weight + (beard lengthx 2) + (combined spurlength x 10) =total scoreMultiple-beardedturkeys are scored as“atypical” and singlebeardbirds are scoredas “typical.”TieName (state of residence) Type (no. of beards) Score Kill date CountyTotal ScoreChick Shaddox Jr. (Mo.) Atypical (7) 183.75 5-1-86 BentonJustin White (Ark.) Atypical (8) 140.495 4-10-00 WhiteTravis Reynolds (Ark.) Atypical (5) 132.3125 4-7-97 SharpJustin Pardue (La.) Best Typical 79.50 3-27-04 UnionBeard LengthStephen Overton (Ark.) Atypical (4) 17.625 in. 4-10-00 SharpKevin Wiles (Ark.) Typical 12.9375.in. 4-17-90 IzardChick Shaddox, Jr. (Mo.) Atypical (7) 12.75 in. 5-1-86 BentonSpur LengthDarin Hearyman (Ark.) Typical 1.75 in. 4-6-93 Mississippi[John M. Hundley (Ark.) Typical 1.75 in. 4-19-86 ChicotJustin Pardue (La.) Typical 1.625 in. 3-27-04 UnionWeightW. V. “Bill” Johnson (Ark.) Typical 33.375 lb. 4-20-87 BaxterLowell E. Johnson (Ark.) Typical 30.4375 lb. 4-6-03 CarrollChick Shaddox, Jr. (Mo.) Atypical (7) 27.5 lb. 5-1-86 BentonJohnny Vaughn ofQuitman harvested thisunusual eight-beardedturkey in spring 2003.Photo courtesy of JohnnyVaughn.3 2 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N I N A R K A N S A SFeeders not for the birdsMany Arkansans use corn feeders for deerhunting and wildlife viewing. But feedersaren’t always the best practice for outdoorsenthusiasts interested in wild turkeys and otherbirds.Ever wonder why corn bagged as “deer corn”is usually cheaper than corn at the local farmerscoop? Often, it’s because the grain has beenrejected for domestic livestock or humansbecause of high levels of aflatoxins (>20 ppb forhumans or dairy cows), so it’s bagged and sold asdeer corn.Aflatoxins are produced by fungi that growon corn under certain conditions. These toxinscan cause liver damage in humans and areparticularly toxic to birds. Large-scale die-offsof ducks and other birds have been traced toaflatoxin-laced grains. Research with domesticand wild turkeys has shown that moderate levelsof aflatoxins cause liver damage, immune systemdamage and death. For this reason, wildlifemanagers do not recommend feeding anythingother than corn sold as domestic livestock feed.This corn should be kept dry and fed in smallamounts to prevent fungus. Feeders shouldalso be moved often to cut down on diseasetransmission.Many biologists discourage the use of feedersbecause of the disadvantages associated withthem (listed below). Food plots including graincrops, such as corn, soybeans and milo, andother habitat management is more beneficial andcost effective to wildlife in the long run.Corn feeders may be convenient, but food plots providemuch better nutrition throughout the year. Photo byJeff Williams.Feeder benefits1. Attract wildlife2. Provide supplemental food3. Provide high-energy food4. Grow larger deer with larger anglers5. Improve selectivity of wildlife harvest6. Improve reproductive condition7. Keep wildlife on the property8. Reduce stress on wildlifeFeeder disadvantages1. Aflatoxin poisoning or death2. Potential poaching at feeders3. Turkey harvest is illegal over bait4. Nest predators (raccoons) benefit5. Domestication of turkeys and wildlife6. Increased predation near feeders7. Disease transmission potential increased8. Ethical issues with hunting over bait2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 3 3

A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T SAcknowledgementsCommissionersSonny Varnell, ChairmanSt. PaulFreddie Black, Vice ChairmanLake VillageBrett MorganScottCraig CampbellLittle RockGeorge Dunklin Jr.DeWittRon PierceMountain HomeRick WatkinsLittle RockKim Smith, Ph.D.U of A – FayettevilleWildlife Management DivisionDoyle ShookChief, Wildlife Management DivisionBrad CarnerAssistant Chief, WMDRicky ChastainAssistant Chief, WMDMatt HodgesAssistant Chief, WMDMike WidnerTurkey Program CoordinatorHanna FordSpatial Data Support TechnicianTurkey TeamDavid Covington, BrinkleyMark Hooks, MonticelloBrady Baker, CamdenBrad Townsend, PerrytownWade Walker, Hot SpringsKevin Lynch, Ft. SmithBob McAnally, RussellvilleDavid Henley, Calico RockCommunicationsNancy LedbetterDirector, Communications DivisionKeith StephensAssistant Chief, Communications DivisionJeff WilliamsEditorRandy ZellersEditorAngela SanchezDesignerNWTF Arkansas State ChapterGary Watts, PresidentSubiacoMark Badgwell, Vice PresidentMalvernBrent Jones, TreasurerPerryvilleSteve Cole, Sr. Regional Field SupervisorPerryvilleJudy Story, Sr. Regional DirectorStar CitySteve Osborne, Regional BiologistRussellvilleThis report would not have been possiblewithout the efforts and cooperation of variouspersonnel from the Wildlife Management,Enforcement and Communications divisions.The Arkansas chapter of the National WildTurkey Federation deserves special recognitionfor its relationship with the AGFC and forapproving the use of Hunting Heritage StateSuper Fund dollars to help print and distributethis report. Finally, Arkansas’s turkey huntersdeserve thanks for their contributions to wildturkey programs through data collection, letters,comments and concern for the wild turkeyresource in The Natural State.3 4 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y

2 Natural Resources DriveLittle Rock, AR 72205c=85 m=19 y=0 k=0 c=57 m=80 y=100 k=45 c=20 m=0 y=40 k=6(800) 364-4263www.agfc.comc=15 m=29 y=33 k=0 c=100 m=0 y=91 k=42 c=30 m=0 y=5 k=0