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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: PNWturkey on May 12, 2022, 01:39:18 PM

Title: Western Montana turkey population
Post by: PNWturkey on May 12, 2022, 01:39:18 PM
I see that Western Montana has hen tags available for fall season (i.e. specific to hens-only).  This suggests that MT is trying to reduce the turkey population.

I haven't lived in Montana for 20 years now, has the turkey population exploded to the point of offering hen tags across a vast area of Western MT?

Seems to fly in the face of the declining turkey populations seen elsewhere...

Anyone have some local insight?
Title: Re: Western Montana turkey population
Post by: WV Ridge Reaper on May 12, 2022, 07:09:23 PM
From my understanding Montana is one of those state that sells you tags to get money weather or not the population hand handle the impact.


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Title: Re: Western Montana turkey population
Post by: VA Gobble Addict on May 12, 2022, 08:36:24 PM
Look at what they do to their mule deer and youll understand
Title: Re: Western Montana turkey population
Post by: Bolandstrutters on May 13, 2022, 08:00:49 AM
Any idea on how many hens are killed in the fall there?  My guess its not more than a few hundred. 
Title: Re: Western Montana turkey population
Post by: fallhnt on May 13, 2022, 08:39:22 AM
I'm sure it's less than 10% of the total population. If you want to help turkey populations stop hunting, hunt longbeards only in the fall.

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Title: Re: Western Montana turkey population
Post by: Cottonmouth on May 14, 2022, 09:28:31 PM
Why would a grown man shoot a hen in any state? A jake either?
Title: Re: Western Montana turkey population
Post by: Howie g on May 14, 2022, 09:50:07 PM
Quote from: Cottonmouth on May 14, 2022, 09:28:31 PM
Why would a grown man shoot a hen in any state? A jake either?
Because they weren't raised up learning that killing hens and jakes is a major sin ..
Like us dirty south boys where ...
Title: Re: Western Montana turkey population
Post by: Cottonmouth on May 14, 2022, 09:54:27 PM
Agree.
Title: Re: Western Montana turkey population
Post by: chow hound on May 14, 2022, 11:20:23 PM
The issue is that turkeys winter in stockyards and people's yards and become a large nuisance in many areas, so there is constant pressure to reduce numbers.