Wild Turkeys Abound
The return of the wild turkey to states that historically had turkey populations, and to states outside the turkey's historic range, is one of the great success stories of wildlife management. Wild turkeys now are found in every state but Alaska, and they occupy more square miles of habitat than any other North American gamebird.

Each year, millions of turkey hunters have the opportunity to enter the wild turkey’s realm in pursuit of this remarkable gamebird.

Few outdoor experiences match the exhilaration and challenge of a traditional spring gobbler hunt. The sound of a gobbler’s excited calling as he steadily approaches, the harmonic puffing and feather snapping of an unseen bird and the first sight of the gobbler in full strutting display as he comes into view are unforgettable.

Many such ideal spring hunts take place each year, but spring turkey hunters quickly learn that knowing all there is to know about gobbler hunting can take a lifetime.

Experienced turkey hunters know that harvesting a wary gobbler is not the only measure of a hunt’s success. Returning home empty-handed is not nearly as discouraging as finishing a hunt without having learned something new about wild turkeys.

The future of wild turkeys appears stable, even worthy of cautious optimism. Habitat destruction and changing land-use patterns in prime turkey habitat could have significant effects, but the remarkable bird's ability to adapt and thrive should help the wild turkey meet the challenges of a new century.

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For more information, visit http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us.