Where can I hunt turkey in California?
Lake County is now considered one of the top wild turkey areas in the state. The Cache Creek Wildlife Area in eastern Lake County is prime turkey country. The BLM land called the Payne Ranch also has a large turkey population. The Mendocino National Forest from Upper Lake to Lake Pillsbury is excellent for turkeys.
Where are wild turkeys in California?
“They can be found across the state in deserts, forests, and cities. They can eat all kinds of foods; they travel in groups and they have lots of eyes to avoid predators.” Merriam’s wild turkeys and Rio Grande wild turkeys are the most common in the Sacramento area.
Can you hunt wild turkey in California?
California’s wild turkey populations are healthy and growing. Where safe and legal, hunt wild turkeys on your property, or allow others to hunt them. A hunting license and upland game bird stamp are required. Legal methods of take include shotgun, archery equipment, or air rifle.
Is turkey season open in California?
California’s general spring turkey season opens statewide March 27 and runs through May 2 with additional hunting dates for young hunters and archery hunters. Among the many opportunities to bag a wild turkey this spring: A special, archery-only hunting season begins Monday, May 3 and runs through Sunday, May 16.
When can you hunt turkeys in California?
2021 – 2022 Seasons and Limits – Wild Turkey
| Season / Area | Season Dates | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Nov 13 – Dec 12 | |
| Spring | General | Mar 26 – May 1, 2022 |
| Archery Only | May 2 – May 15, 2022 | |
| Additional Junior | Mar 19 – 20, 2022 & May 2 – 15, 2022 |
Can you bait turkey in California?
Bait and Baited Areas In general, it’s illegal to take any resident game bird, including turkey, or any resident game mammal, within 400 yards of a Baited Area.
How many wild turkeys are in California?
Through conservation and reintroduction efforts, however, they recovered and today, although not quite as many as the ten million estimated during the 1600s, they number about six million and are resident in every state except Alaska.
Where is the best place to turkey hunt?
Best Turkey Hunting States for 2021
- Montana: Best State for Resident Turkey Hunters.
- Nebraska: Best State for Archery Hunting.
- New Hampshire: Best State for A Passing-Through Hunt.
- Tennessee: Best State for ‘Turkeys in Every Field’
- Wisconsin: Best State for Getting in the ‘Turkey Zone’
What turkeys are in California?
The two primary subspecies found in California are the Rio Grande and Merriam’s subspecies. Eastern turkeys and various hybrid turkeys have also been released in the state. Pior to the late 1950s, turkeys had become established primarily along the central coast from DFG game farms.
Are wild turkeys good to eat?
Is Wild Turkey Good Eating? You can eat almost every part of a wild turkey. The breast meat is the most tender part of the bird, but if you’re looking for flavor, then you should opt for the thighs or legs. If you enjoy giblets, then you might want to save the liver, heart, and gizzards.
Can you hunt turkey at night?
Spend late afternoons in roosting areas waiting for a gobbler to stroll through looking for some companionship. Call sparingly because most hens are not very vocal in the late afternoon. Night hunts are also a great time to harvest a turkey, especially on a full moon.
Can you hunt turkey over corn?
Turkey commonly feed on the ground and scratch at their food as they peck it off the dirt. Birdseed, wheat or cracked corn are some of the most common types of attractants used to attract turkey.
Where to hunt Turkey in Northern California?
Wild turkey hunts take place on private and/or public lands, with Professional Guide and Outfitter at your side. California wild turkey hunts take place in Northern California, in Shasta and Tehama County.
What do wild turkeys eat in California?
Wild turkeys are opportunistic omnivores, which means they eat a wide variety of plant and animal life, depending on what is available. Some of the staples of their diet include green leaves, grass, seeds, fruit, berries, corn, wheat, snails, worms, frogs and insects.
When is spring turkey season in California?
California’s 2017 general spring wild turkey season opens statewide on March 25 and extends through April 30.