THE YAKIMA RIVER WILD TURKEY PROJECT
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History of the Wild Turkey on the Reservation
The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) was originally introduced into Washington State in1960 along the Columbia River in Klickitat County although turkey populations grew slowly until more rigorous transplantations in the mid 1980's. Since then both turkeys and turkey hunters have been on a steady rise. According to WDFW's 2010 Game Status Report, a total of 15,709 people hunted turkey, harvesting nearly 5,300 wild turkeys in 2009. It is now possible to harvest three of the four main subspecies of wild turkey present in North America in Washington State alone. These subspecies include the Eastern, Rio Grande, and Merriam's.
On the Yakama Reservation the Merriam's subspecies of wild turkey have flourished in the Garry Oak and Ponderosa pine forests of our closed area. Although they are not a native species, turkeys are becoming a valued wildlife resource. Increasingly, turkeys have become a stable alternative food source for many Tribal members and their families. Population estimates and harvest on the reservation are unknown at this time however it is clear that turkey numbers are on the rise.
Habitat Assessments for Wild Turkeys
With the main population of wild turkeys on the Yakama Reservation in the closed area, public hunting for turkey has been limited. In 2007, a study assessed the feasibility of introducing wild turkeys to establish a population for sport hunting on the Satus Wildlife Area (SWA) and the Yakima River. The study used G.I.S. based habitat models to analyze the SWA for its availability of water, roosting trees, nesting habitat, and brood-rearing habitat. No micro-habitat analysis was performed. The study found that 1,117 acres (nearly 30% of the SWA) of potential nesting habitat and 1,837 (42%) acres of potential brood rearing habitat exists on the SWA. The study recommeded that Rio Grande turkeys would be best suited for this habitat.
Picture- Satus Wildlife and Recreation Area
Translocation to the Yakama Reservation
In February 2011, an experimental population of 25 Rio Grande and Merriam’s Wild turkeys were released on the Satus Wildlife Area. The birds were captured with the support of the Colville Tribal Fish and Wildlife Department on the Colville Reservation. Support for the project came from the local chapter of Safari Club International and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Monitoring of Wild Turkeys
Many of the turkeys were fitted with radio transmitters. They will be closely monitored to determine the suitability and use of their new habitat. All of the turkeys were marked with aluminum legs band labeled with an identification number and the words "YN wildlife". Please contact David Blodgett III at (509)895-9182 or at 865-5121 ext. 6332 if you encounter one of these turkeys.
Pictures
Capturing Birds From the Colville Reservation
Picture 1 - Capture Site 1, Inchellium, WA
Picture 2 - David Blodgett III (project leader) holding an adult male (tom) turkey
Pictures - (Left) Francis Piel, holding a tom that is recieving a necklace radio transmitter. The turkeys were blindfolded during the handling process to keep them calm. (Right) Female (hen) recieving a backpack style transmitter.
Pictures - Dave Blodgett Jr. and Dave Blodgett III handle a "tom" turkey (left). Each turkey was loaded into it's own transportaion box (Right).
Pictures- Turkeys in the NWTF transport boxes
Release on the Yakama Reservation
Pictures - Boxes being prepared for the release (Left). The first turkey being released by Carl Marcun (Right).
Pictures - The second turkey released
Pictures- More turkey release photos
Picture 1 - Francis Piel, Wildlife Technition
Picture 2 - Carl Marcun (SCI) and Dave Blodgett III (Project Lead)
Picture 1 - Raymond James holding the last turkey while it is fitted with an identification leg band
Picture 2 - Alvin James, Raymond James, and Tracy Hames release the last turkey
Picture 3 - The turkey finds a place to roost in her new home
Special Thanks to:
Carl Marcun, Safari Club International
Glen Rasmussen, Safari Club International
Rose Gerlinger, Wildlife Biologist, Colville Fish and Wildlife
Nathan Burkepile, Former Wildlife Biologist, Yakama Nation Wildlife
Robert K. Albernathy, National Wild Turkey Federation
For more information on this project please contact David Blodgett at 865-5121, x6332