Western Montana turkey population

[PNWturkey]

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?

[WV Ridge Reaper]

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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[VA Gobble Addict]

Look at what they do to their mule deer and youll understand

[Bolandstrutters]

Any idea on how many hens are killed in the fall there?  My guess its not more than a few hundred. 

[fallhnt]

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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[Cottonmouth]

Why would a grown man shoot a hen in any state? A jake either?

[Howie g]

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 ...

[Cottonmouth]

Agree.

[chow hound]

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.