They are what Ben Franklin lore says Americans should be: wily and suspicious. Wild turkeys are an increasingly frequent sight across the Treasure State, ranging from the Flathead's pine forests to Fallon's river bottom breaks. Wildlife viewing, birding and photography along the many trails are great activities at this park. Box calls, slate calls, wooden peg yelpers, gobblersnothing provoked a response. So we went back to the same area, arriving just before daylight. Florida: Use the states wildlife management area finder: myfwc.com/hunting/wma-brochures. Iowa: Iowa Hunter Access Program hunting areas. Manzano Peak at 10,098 feet is the mountains' highest elevation point. Determining sex of young of the year can be very difficult. Gary teases him with a few more light clucks and pulls him up the hill with his box call. scott and white temple directory. After hiking in well before dawn, I waited and listened. Other hydrants in the park are locked, but will be opened for tank fills by visitor request Attention OHV's are not allowed to be operated within the Park boundaries. I got in the area even earlier, and snuck up to a high point near the roosting spot, setting up in a direction the turkey like to head in the mornings. Public-land hunting isnt easy, and its often frustrating. New Mexico has three sub-species of wild turkey: Merriams, Rio Grande, and Goulds. As Theodore Roosevelt said, "The wild turkey really deserves a place beside the deer [and elk]; to kill a wary old gobbler by fair still-hunting, is a triumph for the best sportsman." ), but she left after about 20 minutes or so. We pass through a flat meadow with last summers brittle grasses the color of a deers pelt laid low by wind and a few deep winter snows. Im now that guythe guy who locked himself on the wrong side of the gate, twice. This is especially true later in the season when the foliage is heavy. It is blacker in appearance than the Rio Grande subspecies. Of course, because theyre just east of Albuquerque, the area is brimming with hunters. As long as the gobbler cant see you, you should be good. There is no online registration for the intro class The 26 barrel also makes moving through the woods easy, and the already assembled railing makes mounting optics a breeze. Wildlife viewing, birding, and photography are great activities at this park. Senior Sportsman's* (Includes same license and permits as Resident Sportsman's License, plus additional deer permits.) Vermont: The Connecticut River (wildlife management units M and O), White River (wildlife management units J1 and J2), and Lake Champlain (wildlife management units F1, F2, and K) valleys are traditional turkey hunting hotspots. On the eve of our Montana turkey hunt, before heading to bed at the lodge, the last order of business is to determine hunting partners and pick spots for the morning. The slightest movement or unnatural sound will turn a tom away. The internet celebrity, who is a member of Officials say that increasing the moose harvest is Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. In my opinion, turkeys make the same sounds and do the same things. manzano mountains turkey hunting. They have distinctive white tips on their tail feathers. We saw and heard nothingexcept for other hunters. Day 3 Some Rio Grande populations are on state wildlife management areas, such as Mason Valley in west-central Nevada and the Overton WMA in southern Nevada. Although I couldnt make it out opening day, some friends offered to take me turkey hunting the first weekend. . Turkey hunters from coast to coast have come to embrace a new craze: hunting public land for spring gobblers. RM 2GJEYW1 - Sandhill cranes flying into Bernardo Wildlife Area, New Mexico with Manzano mountains in the background. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. He had been in the area the day before, and heard two toms gobbling. In hunting turkey, Gary resurrects how the mountains of northern New Mexico have been used by Native peoples since about the time the wind began to blow. Yet another beautiful, relatively uncrowded area of New Mexico. This allows you to prepare for a shot at two different ranges. Willow listening attentively for a gobbler to announce his presence. This sub-species occurs in the Animas and Peloncillo mountain ranges and the intervening Animas Valley in southern Hidalgo County, New Mexico. Try to cover a lot of ground during that 30- to 40-minute window when the turkeys first start gobbling before they fly down and the gobbling might cease. In a typical year, our Manzano Mountains HawkWatch sees around 5,000 to 7,000 migrants of around 18 different species. The typical landscape here is often a high ridge with numerous smaller finger ridges running off of the highest point. Today, I hunted with an old friend and hunting partner, again in the Manzano Mountains east of Albuquerque. Naturally, the guys give me a hard time back in the truck and go on to tell stories about other idiots whove closed the fence on the wrong side before. I set up a blind near a little water hole. Ive watched birds in those situations just sort of hunker down for a second, and when they hear the motor go away, they resume their normal activity.. If every turkey hunter treats other turkey hunters how they want to be treated, things will go smoothly., Read Next: The Ultimate Decoy Spread for Pressured Turkeys. Weddle said the effort is more than worthwhile. Pets Allowed Y. When U.S. Army topographer Lt. James Abert skirted these mountains in 1847, making a map for the newly arrived military, he was among the first English speakers to pass this way. The Manzano region of Cibola National Forest also fosters a critical wildlife mission: the Manzano Mountains Raptor Migration Project. Owens pointed out that turkeys on heavily-hunted private properties can become increasingly wary and difficult to hunt, but birds on lightly-hunted public groundlarge tracts in the West, for exampleoften behave like turkeys in relatively unpressured spots. 2h 11m. Truth is, we are far from the first people to try and harvest the bounty of nature here. As we pull up to the gate, I offer to jump out and open the fence. The bespectacled man was an ardent outdoorsman, a naturalist, and prodigious writer on all matters, including conservation. Today, I hunted with an old friend and hunting partner, again in the Manzano Mountains east of Albuquerque. They only have a couple of months to reproduce, and they do the same things anywhere. Well, the globalists are trying to stir up some schitt with China. Checkin Time 4:00 PM. Hes already told me where hes at, and I know from experience that he probably isnt going anywhere else soon, so I try my best to get in the toms head by portraying myself as a coy and aloof hen. I learn that my hunting buddy for the week is Matt Rice from Vista Outdoors and our guide is Terry Honkanen, a seasoned turkey expert. The over/under CZ Reaper Magnum is designed for the turkey woods. Most are of the four-legged type, but the area was once inhabited by . Turkeys use mature trees for roosting. The Manzano Mountains are beautiful this time of year. Centrally located, this peaceful, secluded park in the Ponderosa pine forest of the Manzano Mountains will relax and invigorate you. Its two birds in two days for the ace high and seven of spades. Whether you harvest your turkey in spring or fall, you may have questions about the turkey you shot. Ive known him for less than 24 hours, but Im already pretty sure that he doesnt get down on any prospects, turkey hunting or otherwise. Because public-land hunting often involves long hikes, difficult terrain or conditions, and extremely long days, experts agree that fitness and effort are paramount to success. We slip into the inky shadows of tall ponderosa pines, fat with age, that exude an aroma akin to cream soda. Of course, some people might wonder whether hunting public land is worth the extra difficulty. Required fields are marked *. As luck would have it, after a few minutes some coyotes nearby started yipping, and the tom shut up. Regulations require that a spring harvested turkey be bearded. Site Details. Hunters can also find turkeys in the Bear River Valley along the Bear River Corridor, as well as along the Wellsville Range from Deweyville to Willard and around Mantua. So it's obviously an opportune time for them to blame the virus on China. You want to be the first one in the woods and also the last one out of the woods, waiting on that golden minute when they gobble to let hens know theyre there, says Budz. W, turn right onto Raven Road (for the previous 120 meters, there . Sportsman's License* (Includes combination hunting/fishing, statewide deer permit, spring and fall turkey permits, Kentucky migratory bird/waterfowl permit and trout permit.) People have lived on the east flanks of the Manzanos for thousands of years. Page 37 of 44. While Im still turkey-free, I saw and heard plenty of turkey in those few short days I made it out there. A few mule deer explode out of a small thicket, like a pheasant flushing. South Dakota: The Black Hills and state walk-in program properties. So we had a long, vigorous argument, but no gobbles. However, those folks would also tell you that chasing turkeys on public dirt often requires a different mindset and some innovative approaches. All that brush apparently disguised me well enough to fool her, but made getting a photo of her impossible. I yelped and he cut me off. I waited for the tom to gobble, then I called. | We hunker in some brush and wait. And I have some new hunting buddies who cant wait to tell you all about it. Theres just enough light to see the shimmer of Tajique Creek. State forests and wildlife management areas provide good opportunities. Once the excitement died down, I waited for a half hour or so before calling again, but got no response. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Shotgun Range is All You NeedTurkey hunters love to watch a big gobbler walk in from afar, strutting all the way. Coming from the east, Im used to seeing game in tight and up close. I waited another hour or so, but never heard him fly down. Some people will tell you that its bittersweet to tag out in the first two hours of a hunt, but in the moment, at least, its just sweet. B066 for 9 miles up to the Capilla Peak Campground. So I grabbed bow and decoy and sprinted back up the hill, yelping here and there to keep track of where he was. In retrospect, I probably should have waited to call until after hed flown down. Couldnt blame him! $ 1,654,400. Discover 824 listings of farms for sale over 5 acres, under $25K. The idea here is to position yourself so the turkey has to come into gun range to see you. A clear turkey track in the Manzano Mountains, New Mexico. This will not always work, but sometimes it will. They have also increased their range into foothills and some plains river valleys throughout the state. I dont really see any difference in public-land turkeys versus private-land birds, just as I see little difference in how the various subspecies act, says Weddle, who has authored two turkey hunting books. You'll pass small farming villages that date back to the Spanish Land Grants. Seeps provide turkeys with green forage, tubers, insects and aquatic invertebrates. Densely wooded with bigtooth maples, 4th of July Canyon is beautiful any time of the year, but in October the forest blazes with hues of yellows, reds and or. There was also a demented (perhaps wild?) With that, we decide to change gears and head over to a new property to see if we can find some fresh birds for Matt. 2. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. ; ; ; We had hoped to give Bubbles, the new decoy, a chance to strut her stuff, but she had to leave without a date for the day. Terry decides we should set up in an open meadow that he knows birds like to work through. We ended up climbing much higher than we anticipated, but were rewarded with some fabulous views before having to scramble back down through the dry brush. Check the muddy bottoms of seeps for turkey tracks and strut marks. The drastic landscape of the mountains sometimes calls for drastic measures. Every Rocky Mountain bighorn in the state is descended from those original Banff transplants. We saw and heard nothing, but a day in the wilderness is still a day well spent. Georgia: Cohutta and Crockford-Pigeon Mountain wildlife management areas had high harvests and good hunter success rates in 2019. Still, it was a good day, with good company, out in the wilderness. Mile Marker 3, Hwy 131Mountainair, NM 870361-505-469-7608, Dylan FrentzelDylan.frentzel@emnrd.nm.gov, 1220 South St. Francis Drive Santa Fe, NM 87505, Copyright 2021-2022 Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Application Forms General Permits, Minimal Impact, Regular Exploration, Forest and Watershed Restoration Act (FAWRA), Forest Regulations and Best Management Practices (BMP), Forest and Watershed Health Coordinating Group, Forest Industry Map and Biomass/Utilization Information, Plan a Project with the Environmental Review Tool (ERT), Alternative Fuels & Sustainable Transportation, Framework for a Uniquely New Mexico 30 x 30, Carbon sequestration through land conservation, Natural Heritage Conservation Act and Natural Lands Protection Act, Apply for a land conservation tax investment credit, Sustainable Education for Advanced Buildings, The Radioactive Waste Consultation Task Force, WIPP Transportation Safety Program Laws and Regulations, Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP), Master Cooperative Agreement (WFMR) and Interstate Mutual Aid Agreement, Technical Assistance to Landowners and Communities, Solar Market Development Tax Credit (SMDTC), Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (REPTC). Last year while the campground was closed, they changed the layout an. Whiskey and Palaver at the Dying of the Sun, EcoTour Adventures 2023 Digiscoping Workshop, See the exciting line of Sporting Classics products. As I peek over the rise, I see the jakes on a mad dash for us. A plaintive whimper issued by two pieces of reddish alligator juniper rubbed together gets an immediate response. After that, Im much more patient in waiting for results. The blind shielded me from the water, but there was a couple of big trees and some brush screening me from behind, so I kept an eye out for anything coming down one of the game trails. This week Luke and Larry are talkin camo! Put your ears on areas turkeys would be. The trail wanders about two miles to the top of the mountain, and you will see some springs along the way. So, if your bodys telling you something, you need to accommodate it.. Paddle Downriver to Find a Spring Gobbler. Weddle also pays close attention to see if other hunters are moving closer as hes calling. Contributor Brad Fenson takes to the grill, to cook up some delicious venison burgers. Being able to hunt them every minute youre able to is important, he says. Checkout Time 2:00 PM. The Manzano Mountains are located primarily in Torrance County with a small section on the west side of the mountain located in Valencia County. I am standing there like a kid who knows he is about to get in trouble, and there is no way out. I've given up on believing any news that is reported by a mainstream media source. An Emory oak that I cannot see rakes my face when I walk right into it as we move uphill. Information on turkey harvest in New Mexico can be found in the harvest report below: Merriams wild turkeys are the most common sub-species in New Mexico. The toms shut up as soon as that yelping started. Although the day was supposed to be calm and clear, the wind had started to pick up, so we decided to climb a bit higher in hopes of being heard, or of hearing something from a neighboring valley. Being in the turkey woods requires forbearance of the elements, as well as understanding of bird behavior. Day 1 They have longer legs, larger feet, and larger center tail feathers than the other New Mexico subspecies. It was about 8:30 by then, and I needed to head back to work, so I packed up and slowly snuck out. Forin depthhunting and license information, reference theTurkeysection of the New Mexico Hunting Rules & Infoin publications.

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