2019 Spring Turkey

[Irving]

I'm going to try some turkey hunting this year. The plan is to do an OTC tag and go scout Unit 33 for OTC bull in the fall. Anyone ever spent time in GMU 33 and seen a turkey there?

Spring Turkey hunting is brand new to me, but I'm interested. Before I posted, I searched for and read all of the past spring turkey threads and there hasn't been one for a few years.

[Hummer]

Turkey numbers are growing statewide, and I've seen them numerous times in GMU 33, mostly in the Gambel oak and juniper area along FR 245, the Newcastle-Buford Road. I regularly see herds of them in GMU 23, when driving along the White River from Meeker to Buford, again in the oaks and grassy pastures. During elk season I've been seeing them more and more into the spruce-fir and aspen forest adjacent to the oak and juniper habitat. I think you have a fair chance in 33 if you can call them in to a blind.

[Irving]

Thanks. I know that turkey populations have greatly grown since the time of European contact (Turkeys found in 39 states) and now turkeys can be hunted in 49 states. I've heard that recently there has been a not insignificant decline in turkey populations, supposedly due to disappearing habitat, but I don't know how that is manifesting in local areas.

All that to say that I also see turkeys when I elk hunt each year and it seems like they are present in the same areas that deer and elk live. I just have very limited experience on the western slope so I appreciate your, and any other input. Thanks again.

[T. B. Turner]

There's definitely getting to be alot of them around

turkey picture.jpg

[Irving]

I have similar pictures of them standing on cars in people's driveways. I didn't spend much time in nature as a kid and didn't see a live turkey until I was in my 30's. So it tickles me pink to see them just roaming around suburbia.

[hunterhawk]

Did i miss the deadline? Had 2018 book that said February 8th... clearly that wasnt correct for 2019.. went to put in and said it wasn't available.. guessing i missed it AGAIN. Im terrible at putting in for turkeys

[Irving]

Can't you get an OTC for most of the state though?

[def90]

Can't you get an OTC for most of the state though?

Yes.. there is a cutoff for a tag for a specific unit, once that happens you can buy an OTC. I believe how it works is that Getting an OTC gets you 1 turkey, getting a tag for a specific unit gets you a second turkey.

I?ve seen turkeys off Peak to Peak Highway for what its worth.. Always see them along the river bottoms on float trips along the Colorado and the Gunnison as well. I?ve waken up many times in a tent along the Colorado with a flock of turkeys around my tent.

I filed for a specific unit and it gave me an option that if I didn?t draw that unit that they would just send me an OTC tag.

[sniper7]

5th was cutoff this year. You can still just grab OTC and get after that Tom!

[hunterhawk]

Ugh i figured i missed it. Usually go back to Michigan... maybe ill go back to NE... never shot one in Colorado. Have a good spot but its a draw unit.. i could try OTC again... went to rampart one year and didnt hear or see any... if anyone has a spot and wants to chase some with blinds or i suppose wothout let me know. Have to double bulls that work great for the plains but i am not lugging them up and down hills :-)