Talkin' Turkey: Which Turkeys Are Where?

The Next Few Articles

Today’s article will tell which subspecies of  gobblers are in each state.  Next, I’ll share info on each subspecies — including the differences between them.

After that, I’ll discuss some mating and roosting behaviors.  Finally, I’ll share what I know about shotguns and computing the density of your shot.

These Turkeys are Thinkin' 'bout Spring!

The Eastern Wild Turkey

If you remember the pictures of turkeys plastered on school room windows in the first grade, then you know what the eastern gobbler looks like.  This is the largest group of wild turkey in America.

States with ONLY the Eastern Variety:  *

• Alabama,
• Arkansas,
• Connecticut,
• Georgia,
• Illinois,
• Indiana,
• Iowa,
• Kentucky
• Louisiana,
• Maine,
• Maryland,
• Massachusetts,
• Michigan,
• Minnesota,
• Mississippi,
• Missouri,
• New Hampshire,
• New Jersey,
• New York,
• North Carolina,
• Ohio,
• Pennsylvania,
• Rhode Island,
• South Carolina,
• Tennessee,
• Vermont,
• Virginia,
• West Virginia, and
• Ontario, Canada

States with Eastern Plus Other Turkeys

Eastern & Osceola: Florida

Eastern & Rio Grande Turkeys: Kansas, Texas

Eastern, Rio Grande & Merriam’s Turkeys: Oklahoma

Rio Grande Gobblers

Rios are slightly smaller than the Eastern species, but have larger, thicker feet than the Easterners. The are fewer Rios than Eastern toms, but more than the Merriam’s or Osceola’s.

States with ONLY Rios (this is not a misprint!):  Hawaii

States w Rios & Merriam’s Turkey: California, Nebraska and Oregon

The Merriam’s Wild Turkey

These are often called the Rocky Mountain turkeys because, oddly enough, most live in states around the Rocky Mountains.

States With  ONLY Merriam’s:

• Arizona,
• Colorado,
• Idaho,
• Montana,
• New Mexico,
• North & South Dakota,
• Utah,
• Washington,
• Wyoming

Next time, I’ll spend time on the Osceola and Gould’s Wild Turkey!

Turkey Hunting Season(s) by State

Here are the open turkey seasons by state.

Only Spring Turkey Season:

• Georgia,
• Idaho,
• Louisiana,
• Maine,
• New Jersey,
• North & South Carolina,
• Ohio,
• Rhode Island,
• Utah
• Ontario, Canada

According to the info I have, all remaining states offer turkey hunting in the spring AND the fall! **

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* and ** The info I’ve shared here may have changed.  Biologists are trying to move wild turkeys into new areas all the time.  If you have new info about subspecies moving into your state, please let me know so I can correct this.

Likewise, states change hunting seasons for a variety of reasons.  If you have different info about turkey season in your state, please let me know:  marylouise at GreatGhilliesAndGraphics.com

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This blog is a companion to my website: GreatGhilliesAndGraphics.com

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