Elkhunter
New member
OKLAHOMA TURKEYS MAKE THE MOVE TO WYOMING
Contact: Michelle Zitek (307) 754-4046
For Immediate Release
LARAMIE -- About 130 Oklahoma wild turkeys recently moved to Wyoming, with a little help from state wildlife agencies and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Steve Conrady and eight co-workers from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation trapped the birds Jan. 22 and loaded them into boxes specifically designed to haul turkeys with the least amount of stress. The turkeys were part of a flock of 700 living on a Woodward County, OK. wheat farm.
Oklahoma biologists drove the birds 300 miles to Raton, NM. where they were met Jan. 23 by Wyoming Game and Fish Department employees. Grant Frost, Justin Binfet and Kerry Olsen brought the birds another 350 miles to Cheyenne, and that night the cargo was divided up for distribution to four Cowboy State locations. Homes that provide the turkeys with adequate food, water, shelter and space were selected by biologists and game wardens in conjunction with local landowners. Millet and oat bales were purchased with NWTF funds, and these bales were scattered at release sites to provide food until the birds have time to adjust to their new homes. On Jan. 24, the Bighorn Basin became the new home to 66 of the former Oklahoma residents. Fifteen were released along the Bighorn River south of Manderson, another 15 along the Bighorn River south of Basin, 17 found homes near Hyattville, 15 went to the Nowood River southeast of Manderson and four “toms” were released north of Cody to engage a group of hens in the area.
The Laramie Region is the new home for 65 of the turkeys. Thirty-two found homes about 20 miles north of Cheyenne; 16 along Horse Creek and 16 along Bear Creek. The remaining 33 were released at two different locations along Rock Creek near Arlington.
Homes that provide the turkeys with adequate food, water, shelter and space were selected by biologists and game wardens in conjunction with local landowners. Millet and oat bales were purchased with NWTF funds, and these bales were scattered at release sites to provide food until the birds have time to adjust to their new homes. Biologists selected Rio Grande turkeys, a subspecies native to the brushy, arid country of the southern Great Plains and western Texas, for an ongoing transplant program in Wyoming that began in 1996. This subspecies is better adapted to cottonwood riparian bottoms found in Wyoming than the Merriam’s subspecies commonly found in ponderosa pine habitats, such as the Black Hills and Laramie Peak.
Rio Grande’s are also more productive than their Merriam’s cousins. Hens will nest and raise a brood at one year of age and are more likely to re-nest if their first nest is destroyed.
The G&F and NWTF have been working diligently to expand turkey populations in Wyoming. “Wyoming’s NWTF member donations made this release possible,” says Bob Lanka, G&F wildlife coordinator in Laramie. “Money raised at Wyoming banquets was used to offset the costs Oklahoma incurred to trap and relocate these birds. Without this type of financial support, turkey transplants, such as this, would not be possible.”
The G&F will be sending about 30 Merriam’s turkeys to Oklahoma next year as part of the exchange.
-WGFD-
Contact: Michelle Zitek (307) 754-4046
For Immediate Release
LARAMIE -- About 130 Oklahoma wild turkeys recently moved to Wyoming, with a little help from state wildlife agencies and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Steve Conrady and eight co-workers from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation trapped the birds Jan. 22 and loaded them into boxes specifically designed to haul turkeys with the least amount of stress. The turkeys were part of a flock of 700 living on a Woodward County, OK. wheat farm.
Oklahoma biologists drove the birds 300 miles to Raton, NM. where they were met Jan. 23 by Wyoming Game and Fish Department employees. Grant Frost, Justin Binfet and Kerry Olsen brought the birds another 350 miles to Cheyenne, and that night the cargo was divided up for distribution to four Cowboy State locations. Homes that provide the turkeys with adequate food, water, shelter and space were selected by biologists and game wardens in conjunction with local landowners. Millet and oat bales were purchased with NWTF funds, and these bales were scattered at release sites to provide food until the birds have time to adjust to their new homes. On Jan. 24, the Bighorn Basin became the new home to 66 of the former Oklahoma residents. Fifteen were released along the Bighorn River south of Manderson, another 15 along the Bighorn River south of Basin, 17 found homes near Hyattville, 15 went to the Nowood River southeast of Manderson and four “toms” were released north of Cody to engage a group of hens in the area.
The Laramie Region is the new home for 65 of the turkeys. Thirty-two found homes about 20 miles north of Cheyenne; 16 along Horse Creek and 16 along Bear Creek. The remaining 33 were released at two different locations along Rock Creek near Arlington.
Homes that provide the turkeys with adequate food, water, shelter and space were selected by biologists and game wardens in conjunction with local landowners. Millet and oat bales were purchased with NWTF funds, and these bales were scattered at release sites to provide food until the birds have time to adjust to their new homes. Biologists selected Rio Grande turkeys, a subspecies native to the brushy, arid country of the southern Great Plains and western Texas, for an ongoing transplant program in Wyoming that began in 1996. This subspecies is better adapted to cottonwood riparian bottoms found in Wyoming than the Merriam’s subspecies commonly found in ponderosa pine habitats, such as the Black Hills and Laramie Peak.
Rio Grande’s are also more productive than their Merriam’s cousins. Hens will nest and raise a brood at one year of age and are more likely to re-nest if their first nest is destroyed.
The G&F and NWTF have been working diligently to expand turkey populations in Wyoming. “Wyoming’s NWTF member donations made this release possible,” says Bob Lanka, G&F wildlife coordinator in Laramie. “Money raised at Wyoming banquets was used to offset the costs Oklahoma incurred to trap and relocate these birds. Without this type of financial support, turkey transplants, such as this, would not be possible.”
The G&F will be sending about 30 Merriam’s turkeys to Oklahoma next year as part of the exchange.
-WGFD-
