CWTF 2017 Inaugural Member's Edition Magazine

had ceased to echo, a hen ran
by, coming from the last area
we heard gobbling. A couple of
deer went bounding in front of
us, followed by another hen.
Then, a third followed about 25
yards out.
“It’s got a beard, shoot.”
Dennis whispered. Seated a
little lower, I didn’t see the
bird quite as clearly, but
swung in front and shot. I
ended up with a Merriam’s
gobbler, with an 8.5-inch
beard and spurs just shy of
an inch long.
During breakfast,
afterwards and on the drive
back, I talked to Rob about his
frustrations with the provincial
government in regards to
turkey management. Currently
there isn’t a turkey tag system
in BC, something Bishop has
lobbied for. He has difficulty
even getting the government
to recognize turkeys as a game
species. Although the NWTF
has offered to run a trap and
transfer program, they have
been denied permission and
were told the birds weren’t
indigenous. “We have the
training, traps and the money to
do it.” Rob said.
I’ve often heard Ontario
hunters grumbling about turkey
management here. I learned the
BC situation is much worse and
perhaps we should appreciate
what we have.
SEASON AND LICENSE
British Columbia’s spring
turkey season is April 15 to May
15, with a one-bird limit. Ontario
hunters need a non-resident
Canadian hunting permit ($75)
and an upland bird hunting
permit ($50).
REGISTERING A SLAM
To register turkeys with
the National Wild Turkey
Federation, a hunter must be
a member. Ontario hunters
wanting to count an eastern
towards a Canadian slam can
simply register a turkey they
have previously harvested as
there is not a time limit on
34 - canadian wild turkey federation conserve • enhance • protect cwtf.ca