Turkey Facts

Almost 20,000 wild turkeys, 15,000 to 16,000 Rio Grande turkeys and 3,000 to 3,500 Merriam's turkeys, live in Utah.

From 1998 to 2005, more than 7,700 wild turkeys were moved to new homes in Utah. A total of 3,024 turkeys were brought in from outside the state. The rest, 4,754 turkeys, were moved from one area of Utah to another to start new populations or supplement existing ones.

In 1999, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) and its partners set a national turkey-transplant record. In a single year they moved a total of 1,741 turkeys, 893 from outside Utah and 848 from within the state, to new homes in Utah.

Merriam's turkeys are a Western mountain species that prefer ponderosa pine habitat. Rio Grande turkeys, on the other hand, prefer river bottom habitats filled with cottonwood trees.

The UDWR still has 73 sites it wants to release Rio Grande turkeys in and four sites it would like to release Merriam turkeys.

UDWR biologists believe Utah has enough habitat to support a total population of 25,000 to 30,000 turkeys.

Turkey bones, turkey feather blankets and other prehistoric evidence show turkeys were in Utah as far back as the Anasazi and Fremont Indian civilizations. Turkeys were extirpated (exterminated) from the state before the settlers arrived.

North America is home to five subspecies of wild turkeys. In addition to the Merriam and Rio Grande subspecies, the Eastern; Florida or Osceola; and Gould wild turkeys also live in North America.

Bringing Turkeys Back to Utah

The first efforts to reintroduce turkeys to Utah occurred in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s when farm-raised birds of the Eastern subspecies were released. These efforts failed.

The next efforts occurred in the 1950s when the Utah Department of Fish and Game reintroduced Merriam turkeys from Arizona and Colorado to Utah. The efforts were successful.

Rio Grande turkeys were introduced to Utah in 1984.

After working with Rio Grande turkeys for a few years, UDWR biologists began to realize how well they could do in Utah. As a result, the agency's wild turkey program started to take off in 1989.

Turkey Hunting in Utah

1963 was the first year turkeys could be hunted in Utah. Hunts were held in the fall. Hunters could take either a male or female bird.

In 1985, the state eliminated its fall season and went to a spring-only hunt. Only male turkeys could be taken.

Because of increasing interest and potential impacts to turkey populations, in 1994 the UDWR began limiting the number of hunting permits that were offered. A total of 440 permits were offered for hunts that spring.

As the state's turkey populations have grown, so has the number of permits. More than 2,600 permits were offered for hunts in spring 2006. More than 13,000 hunters applied.

To get more young people interested in turkey hunting and wildlife conservation, 15 percent of Utah's public turkey permits are made available to hunters 18 years of age and younger.

To encourage private landowners to manage their land for wild turkeys, 20 percent of Utah's public turkey permits are made available to private landowners.

Utah's turkey hunters enjoy 60 percent success rate. That's one of the highest success rates in the nation.

More than 3,100 turkey permits will be available for hunts in Utah in spring 2007. Hunters can apply for a permit from November 28 to December 26, 2006.

For additional information on facts, contact UDWR Upland Game Coordinator at 801-538-4786 or 801-550-1169.