Colorado Spring Turkey Season Starts Saturday

It's not even close to Thanksgiving, but for the next several weeks, turkey will be top of mind for several thousand people in Colorado. Between April 13 and May 26, some 12,000 hunters will take to the fields and woods in Colorado as part of one of the fastest growing hunting sports in the United States – turkey hunting. 

For most of us, a turkey is a turkey. But the fact is, Colorado is home to two subspecies of wild turkeys. The Merriam’s wild turkey, a Colorado native, inhabits areas of ponderosa pine, oak-brush and piñon/juniper woodlands of the southeastern plains, Front Range and here in  western Colorado. The Rio Grande wild turkey, native to the central plains states, was introduced into eastern Colorado in 1980, and inhabits cottonwood stands and river bottoms adjacent to agricultural lands.

Last year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife issued over 15,000 licenses for the spring season and hunters bagged 3,300 gobblers. During the spring season, hunters can take two bearded turkeys of which one must be taken with a limited license, and the other taken with an over-the-counter license.

They say the challenge of outsmarting a wild turkey is one of the most rewarding experiences for a hunter. I have never hunted turkeys, but going back to my deer hunting days, I can relate to the challenge and reward aspect.

“Success is often a combination of scouting, persistence, and patience; but that’s what makes it fun and challenging,” said Mike Brown, a District Wildlife Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

I don't have any desire to hunt for turkeys, but I do have the desire to have one on the table come November 21st. If you are interested in turkey hunting just go  to cpw.state.co.us.