logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Biologists file Field Reports ahead of Spring Turkey hunting seasons
Sports | Outdoors
April 30, 2025
Biologists file Field Reports ahead of Spring Turkey hunting seasons

April 12 and 13 was youth spring turkey hunting season in all of Oklahoma. Hunters 17 and younger will have the first chance to harvest a gobbler during these two days ahead of the regular spring turkey season, which runs from April 16 to May 16 statewide.

Bill Dinkines, chief of wildlife for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, said winter turkey flock survey results show a general increasing trend in statewide numbers, with some parts of the state higher than others.

“Last year’s quail hunting season was one of the best in years, and we are hopeful that our turkey season returns similar results,” Dinkines said. The wildlife department is continuing a 4.5-year, $2 million research effort to investigate turkey population declines and what can be done long-term to manage turkey populations. Researchers are examining nesting success, nesting site characteristics, and cause-specific mortality of poults and hens, along with genetic health studies.

Hunters wanting to support biologists in current turkey research, along with ODWC’s conservation and management efforts, can simply purchase a hunting license, whether they intend to hunt or not. Each hunting license sold secures federal matching funds at a rate many times the price of the license, giving ODWC more resources to fund wildlife conservation activities.

For those hoping to harvest a tom turkey this year, several ODWC biologists in the field have shared reports from their regions in this year’s Gobbler Report.

NORTHEAST REGION J.D. RIDGE

WILDLIFE SENIOR BIOLOGIST

Current gobbler activity: Flocks have been breaking up and birds are spreading out. Reports have varied across the region, but gobbling activity is generally reported as good, especially while birds are on the roost. There have been several reports of strutting toms with hens over the last couple of weeks.

Condition of habitat: The spring green-up is well underway, and conditions across the region are reported as good to excellent. Insects are emerging and appear to be in good abundance. Immediate bird response has been reported for several areas where prescribed burns have been conducted.

Reports from landowners or scouting hunters: Landowners are reporting seeing more birds, indicating better reproduction and recruitment last spring. Scouting hunters report observing increasing breeding activity with even some single hens being observed.

WMA best bets: The region has several WMAs open to turkey hunting. Cherokee Game Management Area is a good option and should hold a fair number of birds.

Tips for success: Scout the areas you plan to hunt. There will likely be less hunting pressure on weekdays. Plan to hunt all day if possible. Brush up on private and public land regulations in the Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations.

Mistakes to avoid: 1. Movement while calling a responsive gobbler. A turkey’s ability to detect the slightest of movements cannot be over-stated. 2. Not being familiar with the terrain. Approaching birds can “hang up” on fence lines or natural terrain features such as drainages, thickets, etc., so think about this when scouting. 3. Giving up too quickly. If a responding gobbler goes quiet, be patient. He may just be sneaking in the rest of the way.

Opening-day expectations: Bird numbers appear to be a little better than last year, so opportunities are out there. Expect hunting pressure to be high on public land, especially early in the season. Above all, be safe and enjoy being outdoors in the springtime!

The annual 4th of July Fireworks show
A: Main, news
The annual 4th of July Fireworks show
July 9, 2025
Eufaula’s population was swollen over the weekend as thousands of out-of-towners joined locals to watch the annual 4th of July Fireworks show, held Friday, July 4. The display took place over the Eufa...
A: Main, news
City gets more attorneys; OKs growth plan
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 9, 2025
New-and-former City Manager Jacob Foos continues to make changes at city hall. Shortly after being re-hired for the position he left in September, 2021, Foos issued a statement that he was establishin...
Local resident stars in U.S. Cellular ad
A: Main, news
Local resident stars in U.S. Cellular ad
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 9, 2025
In all of her 58 years Louana Christie, EHS Class of ’85, never thought she would appear before a camera. Movie making was for her older sister, Selina Jayne Dornan, former Eufaula mayor and who once ...
A: Main, news
Eufaula school feels the chill from Trump’s funding freeze
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 9, 2025
When the Trump administration announced this week it was freezing over $70 million in education funding earmarked for Oklahoma, it surprised a lot of administrators. Eufaula School Superintendent Mont...
A: Main, news
Trump freezes over $70 million in state’s education funds
July 9, 2025
States won’t receive funds from six federal programs, including after-school care and English learner support, until further notice. NURIA MARTINEZ-KEEL OKLAHOMA VOICE OKLAHOMA CITY — The Trump admini...
Noah Alexander trades football uniform for West Point uniform
A: Main, news
Noah Alexander trades football uniform for West Point uniform
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 9, 2025
Noah Alexander will begin his senior year at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., this fall. It seems like only yesterday he was a stand-out running back for the Eufaula Ironheads, ...
United for Oklahoma
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Bud McCombs to speak to Friends of Library
news
Bud McCombs to speak to Friends of Library
By LENORE BECHTEL 
July 9, 2025
How Eufaula happened to exist will be Friend’s speaker’s topic at the Eufaula Memorial Library at 1 p.m. Friday, July 18, When Eufaula was only an intersection, the city’s founding fathers lived in a ...
news
Annual Memorial Service planned at Honey Springs Battlefield
July 9, 2025
CHECOTAH — Honey Springs Battlefield will hold its annual memorial service on Saturday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. to honor the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah. The service ...
Calls needed to protect National Weather Service operations
commentary
Calls needed to protect National Weather Service operations
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO 
July 9, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – We at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) extend our deepest condolences to families tragically impacted by the recent flooding in Texas. Flooding along the Guadalupe Rive...
news
Jeff Starling launches campaign for attorney general
July 9, 2025
TULSA ––Jeff Starling, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Energy and Environment, has officially announced his candidacy for Attorney General of Oklahoma. Starling is a conservative, attorney, businessman, and d...
Warriors of God, ready yourselves
commentary
Warriors of God, ready yourselves
July 9, 2025
Of my 56 years of being in this world, 50 of those years I have been filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I was only six years old when I attended my first Tiger Mount...
Facebook

THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
100 N. 2nd Street
Eufaula, OK 74432

(918) 689-2191

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy