Turkey Hunting

[tigger]

Just wondering where do you go to hunt wild turkeys? There is a draw for them and curious what the priority you need to be to get a draw? I heard it can be a number of years before you are drawn. What size shell/shot is best to use?

[JWCalgary]

You can find out the years to wait by searching alberta draw results by year.

I've read that #5 shot works fine.

Sent from my SM-G530W using Tapatalk

[Pierre Tessier]

Priority is steep for the merriams draw in our province, by the time you get there expect over 10 years unless more poeple get involved (show support to convince certain poeple it is worth it and funds are raised) and we are able to relocate birds. If the wait doesn't sound appealing consider a guided hunt in the Usa or Ontario or even a diy hunt in British Columbia to get the hang of it. A membership to the Canadian Wild Turkey Federation would be benefitial if you are seriously interested in this hunt, at 30$ a year it's not going to break the bank. https://cwtf.ca/

You need 4 to 6 size shot turkey loads, do NOT skimp on your shells longbeards are not to be underestimated they are tough and thick headed. Turkey loads are packed for a tight group and a hard punch, usually 1 3/4oz or 2oz. in good 3" shells. You should use a turkey choke but any full or extra full should do.

[Pixel Shooter]

On my bucket list. We should get a group together and go south 😊

[slickwilly]

I went to SE montana and had luck on my first time, then went again and got skunked.

Over the counter tags, about $130 US for the first one. A little bit less for the second.

We got both of ours on public land down there, although most of the turkey habitat seems to be private in that area.

[flyguyd]

If you are just starting to apply , you have around 7000 people ahead of you not including any of the 999s. At only 125 tags a year its looking a little bleak

[britman101]

You can always drive over to BC and try a hunt by yourself. No need for guide or hunter host if hunting gamebirds in BC. The price including gamebird licence would be $ 125 Canadian. Turkeys can be found anywhere from Creston on through to Trail and Christina Lake. In Trail they congregate in the river valley by the Columbia River...hint, hint. And there is no draw for Turkeys, can go hunt them during the Spring and Fall season.

[hillbillyreefer]

Im a priority 8 and according to the draw summary there are about 2200 people that applied or 999 with priority 8 or higher. I might live long enough to get a tag in Alberta.

[Scruffee]

I used to hunt turkey hard back in Quebec and Ontario, I've had great success with #6 shot. #4 works very well too.

[Roughneck71]

Just go to BC 3 of us last year got mine first day buddy 2nd day, easy permission people seen to hate them
Darrell

[HIGHLANDER HUNTING]

Originally Posted by tigger

Just wondering where do you go to hunt wild turkeys? There is a draw for them and curious what the priority you need to be to get a draw? I heard it can be a number of years before you are drawn. What size shell/shot is best to use?

went to BC last year, was an over-the-counter tag for $130? But no wait times... the area we went around Kookanusa, unfortunately was hit hard by last years winter, so didn't see much. But other area's were good.

[NCC]

Go to Texas in April and get out of the mud for a week.

[wcbarker]

Originally Posted by Pixel Shooter

On my bucket list. We should get a group together and go south 😊

I'm in if u do this

[Esox]

Going to Sheridan Wyoming on a guided hunt. First time hunting turkeys for me and my wife. Cheap hunt at $1000 each for 3 days. What size shot and choke tube is a good starting point for patterning my gun? Also at what range should I be patterning at?

[flyguyd]

Originally Posted by Esox

Going to Sheridan Wyoming on a guided hunt. First time hunting turkeys for me and my wife. Cheap hunt at $1000 each for 3 days. What size shot and choke tube is a good starting point for patterning my gun? Also at what range should I be patterning at?

I like 5 shot or i guess my shotty does...lol Any good extra full turkey choke will do, you might just have to shoot a few different brands till you find out what it likes. I patterned mine at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 yards cover all the bases Good luck

[CF8889]

Originally Posted by Esox

Going to Sheridan Wyoming on a guided hunt. First time hunting turkeys for me and my wife. Cheap hunt at $1000 each for 3 days. What size shot and choke tube is a good starting point for patterning my gun? Also at what range should I be patterning at?

Who with? Not a bad price!

[astepanuk]

I think this draw needs to be seriously looked at since its going to turn into once in a lifetime very soon with only 125 tags given away someone that is sitting with a Priority 0 has nearly 20K People in front of them that's 160 years don't think that makes any sense glad I have priority 8.

[CNP]

Originally Posted by astepanuk

I think this draw needs to be seriously looked at since its going to turn into once in a lifetime very soon with only 125 tags given away someone that is sitting with a Priority 0 has nearly 20K People in front of them that's 160 years don't think that makes any sense glad I have priority 8.

In what way would/could it be changed? Turkeys are concentrated in small pockets in the province. Alberta does not have the habitat for a flourishing turkey presence. Concentrations are in the SW and SE while the North and prairie are pretty much not suited for turkeys. It's not going to get much better than it is right now.

[astepanuk]

Lottery Draw same as Bison its the exact same amount of tags for Bison as they give for Turkey.

[Battle Rat]

Heading to Kansas again in April.
There are closer places but dam we have fun hunting them there.

[CF8889]

Originally Posted by astepanuk

I think this draw needs to be seriously looked at since its going to turn into once in a lifetime very soon with only 125 tags given away someone that is sitting with a Priority 0 has nearly 20K People in front of them that's 160 years don't think that makes any sense glad I have priority 8.

Kind of a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

Option A: Keep current system. New hunters have no chance of ever hunting them. You at P8 might be able to 15-20years from now. Sucks.

Option B: change to lottery. Guys who have high high priority who have been waiting a decade, get screwed and might never win a tag now. Sucks.

Maybe 100tags for priority points, and 25tags lottery draw?

[Esox]

Originally Posted by CF8889

Who with? Not a bad price!

$1000 usd. They usually only take 2 people per 3 day hunt. Going to Sheridan Wyoming with Great Plains Outfitters.

[Bonescreek]

Question ..

Is there an existing draw requirement that disqualifies any applicant that
has killed and tagged a turkey from the previous 12 months ?

If not then this kind of bylaw would not change the amount of tags issued
but who help to distribute tags to hunters who did not kill a bird last season.

Just a thought.

Second thought that won't work with a draw that holds apps. in que for over
2 years.

[CF8889]

Originally Posted by Esox

$1000 usd. They usually only take 2 people per 3 day hunt. Going to Sheridan Wyoming with Great Plains Outfitters.

Still not bad. I don't get why people wait so long to hunt em. Rather then wait 30years.. I can drop a grand, hunt em in Wyoming and learn how.. then hunt em in BC any spring I want for like $130. Not bad hahaha

[CF8889]

Originally Posted by Bonescreek

Question ..

Is there an existing draw requirement that disqualifies any applicant that
has killed and tagged a turkey from the previous 12 months ?

If not then this kind of bylaw would not change the amount of tags issued
but who help to distribute tags to hunters who did not kill a bird last season.

Just a thought.

Second thought that won't work with a draw that holds apps. in que for over
2 years.

If someone hunted turkey last spring in Alberta... there is zero chance they will get drawn the next year.

[walking buffalo]

Increase the draw application to $100, then $900 more for the tag.
This way only Real serious Turkey hunters will apply, getting rid of the casual neophytes, and ACA will receive more funds.... A win Win WIN!

[Esox]

Originally Posted by CF8889

Still not bad. I don't get why people wait so long to hunt em. Rather then wait 30years.. I can drop a grand, hunt em in Wyoming and learn how.. then hunt em in BC any spring I want for like $130. Not bad hahaha

Exactly my thoughts to.

[lannie]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

Increase the draw application to $100, then $900 more for the tag.
This way only Real serious Turkey hunters will apply, getting rid of the casual neophytes, and ACA will receive more funds.... A win Win WIN!

Why not do it for all draws then?

[TROLLER]

Originally Posted by Bonescreek

Question ..

Is there an existing draw requirement that disqualifies any applicant that
has killed and tagged a turkey from the previous 12 months ?

If not then this kind of bylaw would not change the amount of tags issued
but who help to distribute tags to hunters who did not kill a bird last season.

Just a thought.

Second thought that won't work with a draw that holds apps. in que for over
2 years.

I have been drawn 2 times now. Both times was lucky 2nd draw took about 6 yrs to get. Both times were in the late 90's when I still had some eye site I could work with. As to shot size every turkey hunter I know and I have hunted all 4 specis use 3" #2 and a lot us tungsten as well for the long shots. Tom's are tough birds and do not go down that easy. Head shot is a must.

[Bonescreek]

Strickly talking about turkey hunting in AB. not thinking about draws for rams or
deer or elk or moose etc.

I understand that turkey are not really a native bird to AB. and can't survive long term without a stocking program.

Just had thoughts/questions about the draw and how the crown manages the
hunts.

We don't have draws down here in the states but we do have lottery type of
tag issues.
State by state not federly mandated unless it involves migratory game like
ducks and geese.

Butt this is a big butt! Our lotto systems for extra tags is based upon money,
mostly (permits and fees) and less upon quota and harvest total.

Butt and this is a good but .. our lotto systems only keep track for 2 to 3 years, then they reset and everyone reapplies.
So we don't have to wait 40 years to become elligiable.

Rasing the price of tags is not the answer even if the game is limited and the
number of hunters are over whelming.

So how do you change a lotto system with people waiting past 40 years to
a new system like that ? Good luck.