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38 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, November 27, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 8, 2004 Biologists draft plan to govern gobblers Bulging wild turkey populations spur talk of statewide game-bird management By MARK FREEMAN Mail Tribune Oregon’s bulging wild turkey populations may absorb more sport-hunting opportunities and state biologists could resume trap-and-transplant programs to curb damage under a new draft plan meant to guide turkey management here. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife could also continue education efforts toward curbing the illegal feeding and, in some cases, illegal release of farm-raised birds under potential strategies in the plan’s current draft. Though intensive turkey releases have occurred in Oregon for more than 40 years, this is the first time agency biologists have drafted a plan to govern statewide management of a game bird. It also marks the first statewide plan written for a bird classified as a non-native. "This is an important game bird," says Steve Denney, the ODFW’s Umpqua Watershed manager who has helped on the plan’s draft. "This will give us guidance on how we manage turkeys." Advertisement The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will discuss the draft plan when it meets Friday in Salem, beginning a 30-day public comment period. The commission is scheduled to adopt the plan Aug. 6 in Gresham. The draft states the agency could add a spring youth-only hunt to the already popular spring and fall seasons. The agency also may increase the numbers of fall tags individual hunters may buy for the fall season — making it similar to the spring season when hunters here can buy up to three tags. The draft also states that there is no evidence that wild turkeys harm or out-compete native animals or plants. The draft has received support from the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Medford-based Oregon Hunters Association. OHA field coordinator John Thiebes, a former ODFW biologist, says his group wants to ensure the department’s trap-and-transplant program — which at times is criticized for moving damage-causing birds into new areas. "We, basically, want to make sure that what’s already in (the draft) stays in it," Thiebes says. "We want to see turkeys expanded throughout the state where they’re not going to cause conflicts with people." Wild turkeys account for a major recreational hunting opportunity, with more than 14,000 hunters in 2003 spending more than $11 million in their pursuits, according to the draft. Turkeys are present in more than one-third of Oregon, with Jackson and Douglas counties being two hotbed areas for them. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities