America’s turkey hunters are slated to be out in force in the coming weeks. Anticipation is high among hunters throughout the country, as another record season for the country’s largest game bird is about to begin.

With the tireless help of the National Wild Turkey Federation (www.nwtf.org) and their legion of dedicated and outstanding wildlife biologists, here is a close look at what hunters can expect this spring:

Alabama: Alabama always offers great turkey hunting opportunities and 2009 should be no exception. Harvest and population estimates continue to be some of the highest in the country. All indications are that 2008 was a great year for reproduction, with poult sightings higher than normal. In addition, Alabama boasted a great mast crop statewide in 2008. With plenty of over-winter food, poult survival should be high and gobblers should be entering spring 2009 in great body condition. Hunters should expect to see lots of jakes in the 2009 season. The 2009 season should be good, but the 2010 season may be even better!  

Public hunting opportunities exist throughout the state, but hunters may want to check out Oakmulgee WMA. Oakmulgee WMA is located on the Talladega National Forest in Bibb, Hale, Perry, and Tuscaloosa Counties and is cooperatively managed by the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (AWFF) and the US Forest Service (USFS). The NWTF has partnered with AWFF, USFS, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to complete major habitat enhancement projects on the area over the last several years, and the results are starting to show.

Arizona: Spring turkey hunters in Arizona should see a season similar to last year's with success rates of around 15 percent. For spring 2009, 7,265 tags were available in the draw. Harvest for 2008 was estimated at 1,122 gobblers. Conditions vary across open units but numbers of birds appear to have remained constant from last year. The number of tags for Gould's turkeys in the draw have never been higher than this spring with 20 available.