Fall Forecast: Mild to Moderate
A Chat with Bob Eriksen, NWTF director of conservation operations
Dog Hunting for Wild Turkeys
Q: Why do so many states still not allow fall hunting with dogs? What is the major issue?
— Glen Hoeinghaus, Geneva, Ill.
A: Fall harvest can affect wild turkey populations under certain circumstances. The potential for impact is much greater in the fall when birds of either sex can be taken than in the spring when the harvest is restricted to bearded birds. State wildlife agencies make decisions on regulations based on the potential impact of regulations on wildlife populations.
Many states that have restored turkey populations approach fall hunting seasons very conservatively, choosing instead to allow for more hunting opportunities in the spring. This conservative approach, not being able to fully predict the affect of dogs on hunter success, may rule out the use of dogs in some states such as Illinois.
Q: I recently moved to a state with a fall turkey season. Dogs are not allowed for fall hunting. Is scouting my best option to ensure a successful season?
— James Anderson, Sevierville, Tenn.
A: Scouting is your best option whether or not you are hunting with a good turkey dog. Locate good sources of food in the early fall, and then check back to those sites closer to the season to look for turkey sign. Few turkey hunters have the time or ability to train a good turkey dog so most turkey hunters hunt without a canine assistant, even where it is legal to use dogs.
Q: Minnesota, like other states, recently legalized using dogs for fall turkeys. I was always taught that dogs were used to break up flocks and then to use assembly calls to call in a bird. But it seems that turkeys are now often hunted like upland birds. Has the position changed on this now?
— Bruce Miller, Eden Prairie, Minn.
A: A good turkey dog is just that: a turkey dog. Such dogs are specialized breeds that can be trained to range fairly far, bark on the flush when turkeys are scattered, stay near the site of the scatter and remain calm and quiet as the hunter calls the flock back together.
Pointing dogs and flushing breeds used on upland game birds usually do not perform well on turkeys. Using a well-trained upland game bird dog on turkeys can undo some of the training, teaching the dog to range too far, chase flushed game birds and not hold a point (in the case of pointers) . Upland bird dogs usually cannot be expected to remain motionless and quiet when turkeys are being called back together.
When the use of turkey dogs is first approved by a state, some dog owners decide to try their pointer or flushing dog on turkeys. Most will give the idea up pretty quickly. This practice should be discouraged as it is not too effective and may lead to hunters attempting to shoot turkeys on the wing at ranges too far for killing shots.
