The National Wild Turkey Federation Lists Texas in the “Turkey Hunting’s Top Ten States”

If you ask me, it's no surprise that Texas made the National Wild Turkey Federation's (NWTF) "Turkey Top Ten States." What did surprise me is that Texas was No.9 on the list. So the numbers don't confuse anyone, the NWTF reported that Texas was number nine on the number of gobblers harvested last year. The NWTF predicts the 2014 forecast for Turkey hunting in Texas looks awesome. Check it out.

According to the National Wild Turkey Federation, 28,953 turkeys were harvested last year in the Lone Star State alone. Over 58,400 turkeys were taken last year in Missouri, making them the No.1 "Turkey Hunting State" in America. If the weather gets closer to being 'normal' in West Texas, the spring turkey season should be awesome.

The Spring gobbler season is now underway, here are some of the Lone Star States 2014 guidelines.

Texas:

Texas Parks and Wildlife

• (800) 792-1112
• POPULATION: 500,000
• SEASON DATES: Rio Grande South Zone: March 15-April 27 (youth: March 8-9 and May 3-4); Rio Grande North Zone: March 29-May 11 (youth: March 22-23 and May 17-18); Rio Grande, Gobbler Only Zone: April 1-30; Eastern Zone: April 15-May 14. Eastern wild turkeys must be checked at a mandatory check station within 24 hours of harvest.
• HUNTER EDUCATION: required if born after Sept. 2, 1971. Visit the agency website for more information.
• HOURS: half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset
• BAG LIMIT: annual bag limit four (no more than one Eastern)
• POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 792-4263
• SPECIAL HUNTS: Visit the agency website for information about draw hunts.

Source:NWTF Hunting guidelines

Many farmers and ranchers in Texas believe that the number of turkeys may be down, because of the feral hog epidemic in the state. I agree with them, because I've watched wild hogs bumping and turning over feeders just to get at the corn. If you'd like more information or to get involved with some of the local chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation in the Big Country, contact Robbi Vincent at (817) 437-3014.