Gobblers game for spring turkey season

Young hunters age 15 and younger are getting the first shot at wild turkeys this weekend.

Washington’s youth turkey season opened Saturday and closes today. The general gobbler season opens April 15 and runs through May 31. Licensed hunters are limited to shooting only a turkey with a visible “beard” protruding from its breast.

For the second consecutive spring, lingering snow in the hills has forced birds to remain lower in valleys for the season opener.

Two tough winters have reduced the number of turkeys in some areas, including much of Lincoln County, according to reports from landowners and wildlife officials.

However, turkey numbers continue to be strong in many areas.

“We had quite a few complaints from landowners having problems with too many turkeys this winter,” said Mike Whorton, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regional enforcement officer in Spokane. “You didn’t hear as much about it this year because everything seemed to be overshadowed by problems with deer, elk and moose.”

Indeed, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission this week was looking at allowing landowners up to five turkey depredation permits.

“If a landowner was having problems with a lot of turkeys, he could exercise the permits outside of hunting seasons with hunters who still have a valid tag,” Whorton said.

“It might also open some hunting opportunities on some of the little ranchettes where hunting isn’t normally allowed.”