By DON DUBUC

There are more than five million wild turkeys in North America, according to the national Wild Turkey Federation but that does not mean it is easy to bag one – especially in Louisiana.

Even though the population has more than quadrupled, habitat loss, limited hunter access and simply a lot more turkey hunters have brought about some turkey hunting changes. And they are not for the better.

The spring season kicking off statewide March 23 is as short as we have seen in many years. And the reduction from 3 to 2 gobblers this season tells the story of a population spiraling downward.

But that will not stop the state’s dedicated turkey hunters from pursing a formidable quarry. Just when most hunters have cleaned the guns and put them up, the turkey hunter is just getting started.

The wild turkey is the only game bird or animal that is hunted in the spring and is one of the most challenging adversaries a hunter can ever encounter.

The turkey is the ultimate opponent. Besides the eyesight of an eagle, highly developed hearing and the ability to vanish into the safety of a thicket before you can raise a shotgun barrel, old Tom has something else in his favor – the ability to unnerve even the most experienced hunter.

Even during the breeding season when he is most vulnerable, the wild turkey’s resounding gobbles, drumming, clucking and purring can cause his adversaries to flinch, thereby giving away their position. And knowing that the ones we are fortunate enough to put on our dinner tables are not the best the species has to offer.

And that the truly top of the turkey heap will never be fooled by a hunter mocking a hen’s yelp to be done in, is what keeps turkey hunters going back again and again and again. That is turkey hunting and if you want a piece of it, here is what you need to know.

MAKE A CHECKLIST

A 10 or 12 gauge, 3-inch chambered shotgun with an extra full choke and magnum loads of number 4s or 6s is best, depending on which load patterns best in your individual gun.

Turkeys are big and tough and are cleanly killed only with good head or neck shots.

Complete camouflage from the feet to the top of the head is mandatory. Either a face mask or face paint is a must.

Portable blinds are handy for the fidgety, but can be cumbersome when repositioning. Waterproof boots are needed for crossing small creeks or swampy areas.

Turkey calls are the sport. I use a combination of box, slate, diaphragm calls and true mouth calling. Most hunters overestimate the difficulty of calling in a turkey.

Listening to experienced callers or instructional tapes and some practice will make anyone a sufficient caller.

Using decoys gives turkey hunters another edge. Often a stalled bird will move in if it sees a hen decoy. Gear not to forget includes flashlights, compasses and GPS, camo gloves, insect repellant, knife, padded seat, rain gear and safety orange game bag.

HUNT SAFELY, HUNT DEFENSIVELY

Because the sport involves well-hidden, camouflaged hunters imitating the sounds of the game being hunted, turkey hunting can pose some dangerous situations. Try to think “defensively” and avoid situations that might lead hunters to mistake you for a turkey. Positive target identification as with any type of hunting should be a hunter’s primary concern.

WHERE & WHEN TO GO

The state is divided into Areas A, B and C. Area A (March 23-April 21) includes most of the state and our local Florida parishes. Area B (March 23-April 15) comprises the north and northwestern parishes, plus an area in the west and Area C (March 24-April 1) includes Ascension parish, the central portion of the state and the Mississippi Delta area. A map of the areas is in the Turkey Hunting Regulations pamphlet, found where licenses are sold.

Three, local, state Wildlife Management Areas have turkey hunting seasons open to the public. They are Ben’s Creek WMA near Bogalusa in Washington Parish (March 24-April 15) Pearl River WMA in St. Tammany (March 24-April 9) and Sandy Hollow WMA (March 24-April 15). Hunters must obtain daily permits at check-in stations before and after their hunt.

The WMA bag limit is the same as the total limit, one gobbler per day, two per season. Many WMAs allow lottery turkey hunting only, check the list in the regs for those open only to lottery drawing winners.

Three licenses are required of all turkey hunters between the ages of 16 and 59 – basic, big game and a turkey stamp. Bow and arrows are legal but shot larger than No. 2 lead or BB steel is illegal. So is baiting and the use of electronic callers.

CHECK YOUR BIRD – WIN A GUN

If you voluntarily bring your turkey to an official check and weigh station you will automatically be eligible to win one of three shotguns given away by the LA Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Weights and measurements are taken to acquire data to help manage populations. Locations are in AMITE – Thompson’s Sporting Goods; ANGIE – Pioneer food Store; BOGALUSA – Country Stop Sporting Goods; COVINGTON – American Hunter, Jones Taxidermy; FOLSOM – Spencer’s Feed & Seed; FRANKLINTON – Pine Cash Grocery, Pro Stop and Seals Service Center; HAMMOND – Bloomquist Taxidermy; KENTWOOD – Kentwood Hardware; TALISHEEK – Talisheek Grocery; TANGIPAHOA – Tangipahoa General Store and WILMER – Wilmer Quick Stop.

DON DUBUC is the L’Observateur outdoors reporter. He may be contacted at lobnews@bellsouth.net.