Idaho Examiner: Turkeys Southeast Idaho"Common Sense News"

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Turkeys Southeast Idaho

Posted on: April 11, 2007

By Dave Langston

April 15th is here and bird hunters in the southern part of the state will be hunting a large population of birds from Pocatello to Preston and the Utah border. In fact, this may be the largest population of turkeys this part of the state has ever had. Van Tillotson of Pocatello an avid turkey hunter says the Bear River drainage is a good bet to put a bird in your freezer. “The general hunt is a good one provided you can get access to some of the private land that offers traditional turkey ground,” he says. Van also took Dakota Tillotson, his son, on his first youth hunt April 7th. The verdict is still out on the harvest for the youngster. Hunters do have options for the April 15th hunt in this unit. Most of the Cub river area south east of Preston is open to the public. Concentrate your efforts on the river near hardwoods. Also, any agricultural areas near hardwoods are good bets early and late in the day. You’re going to have to do some scouting but birds are present in decent numbers. The Oneida narrows and the reservoir itself offer great habitat and easy access for gobbler hunters. Hardwoods surround the reservoir especially on the east side. Agricultural fields are present and on occasion you will find groups of birds feeding early and late in these areas. Hunters lucky enough to have drawn the unit 71 tag can expect to hunt a population of over 1,000 birds and plenty of access to them. The unit is broken into two hunts, April 15th – April 30th with 25 tags allotted. The second hunt begins May 1 – May 25th with 25 tags allotted. Good access can be had off Bonneville road and into the Game Management area. You’ll find turkeys working the small draws going back and forth from agricultural areas down low to higher forested sections and holding midway in thicker brushy pockets. A large amount of land is ACCESS YES and hunters should have most of this to themselves with such a small tag allotment.

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About Dave Langston

Outdoor writer Dave Langston resides in Chubbuck. He grew up in the Midwest and south fishing and hunting across the country.

... more About Dave Langston >>

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