With the start of Ontario’s wild turkey season looming, gobbler enthusiasts across the Ottawa Valley will be in hot pursuit of beards and spurs!
For thousands of wild turkey hunters, April 25th marks the beginning of another coveted spring gobbler season. Thanks to successful reintroduction programs dating back 30 years, wild turkey populations across the province have reached sustainable levels. As we have witnessed over the past few years, there are more bird sightings than ever in the valley and around eastern Ontario, and the hunt is improving each spring. The glorious gobbler has evolved into one of the most prolific and tastiest games species around, so you had better get used to them.
For Ontario residents, remember that it is illegal to pursue turkeys within 400 meters of any place where bait has been deposited unless the place has been bait-free for at least one week. Bait is described as corn, wheat, oats or any other feed that may attract wild turkey or any imitation of such feed. Standing crops, crops stacked in accordance with normal farming practices and grain scattered as a result of normal farming operations are not considered bait. Following the rules is part of the game and it would be a shame to ruin a great hunt by pushing your luck.
Folks in Quebec should read the provincial regs for seasons and bag limits in your area…
Good luck to all the gobbler gurus’ out there and feel free to drop me a line with news from your area.
Outdoors Guy