Blog

Rio Grande Wild Turkeys Introduced Into Arizona

<IMG xsrc="/images/nav06_search.gif" WIDTH="170" HEIGHT="95" BORDER=0> <form method="get" action="/cgi-bin/htsearch"> <font size="-1"> <input type="hidden" name="config" value="htdig"> <input type="hidden" name="restrict" value=""> <input type="hidden" name="exclude" value=""> <input type="text" size="16" name="words" value=""><br> <input type="submit" value="Search"> </font> </form> <IMG xsrc="/images/nav06_about.gif" WIDTH="170" HEIGHT="25" BORDER=0> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/about_us/">Who We Are</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/in_your_state/?desturl=/in_your_state/local_chapter.php">Find a Local Chapter</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/about_us/president_message.html">Meet the Leadership</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/partners.html">Partners &amp; Sponsors</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/wild_turkey_center.html">Wild Turkey Center</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/contact_us/jobs.html">Job Opportunities</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/contact_us/">Contact the NWTF</a><br> <IMG xsrc="/images/nav06_newsroom.gif" WIDTH="170" HEIGHT="25" BORDER=0> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/about_nwtf.html">NWTF At-a-Glance</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?archive=1">Press Releases</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/photos1.html">Photos</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/logo.html">Logos</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/PSA.html">PSAs</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/turkey_calls.html">Audio</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/video.html">Video</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/nftr_archive.html?archive=1">News from the Roost</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/index.html#blankrelease">Blank News Releases</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/index.html#toolkit">Media Toolkit</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/index.html#PowerPoint">PowerPoint Presentations</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/index.html#mediacontacts">NWTF Media Contacts</a><br> <IMG xsrc="/images/nav06_hunters.gif" WIDTH="170" HEIGHT="25" BORDER=0> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/all_about_turkeys/">About Turkeys</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/hunting_tactics.html">Hunting Tactics</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/calling_tips.html">Calling Tips</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/in_your_state/hunt_guide.php">Seasons</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/hunt_outfitters.php">Outfitters</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/in_your_state/AllAgencies.html">State Agencies</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/tips_adventures/">Tips &amp; Adventures</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/all_about_turkeys/turkey_records.php">Turkey Records</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://turkey-shoppe.nwtf.org/hunt_outdoor.html">Hunting Gear</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/tips_adventures/recipes.php">Recipes</a><br> <IMG xsrc="/images/nav06_conservation.gif" WIDTH="170" HEIGHT="25" BORDER=0> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/conservation/land_management.html">Land Management</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/conservation/land_management_tips.html">Habitat Advice</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/conservation/wildlife_bulletins.html">Wildlife Bulletins</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/conservation_easements.html">Conservation Easements</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/conservation/regional_habitat_programs.html">Regional Programs</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/conservation/symposium.html">Wild Turkey Symposium</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/conservation/nwtf_partnerships.html">Partnerships</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/in_your_state/AllAgencies.html">State Agencies</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/conservation/energy_for_wildlife.html">Energy for Wildlife</a> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/conservation/mexico.html">NWTF South of the Border</a><br> <IMG xsrc="/images/nav06_landowners.gif" WIDTH="170" HEIGHT="25" BORDER=0> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/conservation/land_management.html">Land Management</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/conservation/land_management_tips.html">Habitat Advice</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/conservation/habitat_products.html">Habitat Products</a><br> <IMG xsrc="/images/nav06_outreach.gif" WIDTH="170" HEIGHT="25" BORDER=0> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/jakes/">JAKES</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/jakes/xtreme/xtreme.html">Xtreme JAKES</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.womenintheoutdoors.org/">Women in the Outdoors</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.wheelinsportsmen.org/">Wheelin' Sportsmen</a><br> <IMG xsrc="/images/nav06_events.gif" WIDTH="170" HEIGHT="25" BORDER=0> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/special_events/convention.html">Convention</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/special_events/turkey_shoot.html">Turkey Shoot</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/special_events/conservation_cup.html">Conservation Cup</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/in_your_state/calling_events.php">Calling Events</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/new_shooting_events.html">Shooting Events</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/in_your_state/banquet.php">Banquets</a><br> <IMG xsrc="/images/nav06_members.gif" WIDTH="170" HEIGHT="25" BORDER=0> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/members/snapshots/">Snapshots</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/members/turkeyTalesOnline.php">Turkey Tales</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/members/photo_gallery.html">Photo Gallery</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/members/download.html">Downloads</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/message_board/">Message Board</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/ChangeMembership.html">Change of Address</a><br> <IMG xsrc="/images/nav06_tv.gif" WIDTH="170" HEIGHT="25" BORDER=0> <span class="indentNav06MT" xhref="">TELEVISION</span><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/tv_magazines/turkey_call_tv.html">Turkey Call</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/tv_magazines/turkey_country.html">Turkey Country</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/tv_magazines/get_in_game.html">Get in the Game</a><br> <span class="indentNav06MT" xhref="">PUBLICATIONS</span><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/tv_magazines/turkey_call_mag.html">Turkey Call</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/tv_magazines/get_inthe_game_mag.html">Get in the Game</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/tv_magazines/wito.html">Women in the Outdoors</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/tv_magazines/wheelin_mag.html">Wheelin' Sportsmen</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/tv_magazines/jakes_mag.html">JAKES/Xtreme JAKES</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/tv_magazines/the_caller.html">The Caller</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/tv_magazines/nwtf_website.html">NWTF.ORG</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/tv_magazines/Writers_Guidelines.html">Contributor's Guidelines</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/tv_magazines/advertising.html">Advertising</a><br> <IMG xsrc="/images/nav06_support.gif" WIDTH="170" HEIGHT="25" BORDER=0> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/join_nwtf/">Join NWTF</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/support_nwtf/contributing.html">Make a Donation</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://turkey-shoppe.nwtf.org/">Turkey Shoppe</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/classifieds/classifieds.php">Classified Advertising</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://www.nwtf.org/conservation/zuni_feather_project.html">Donate Feathers</a><br> <a class="indentNav06" xhref="http://auctions.nwtf.org/">Online Auctions</a><br>

02/19/2008

MOHAVE COUNTY, Ariz. — Fifty-five Rio Grande wild turkeys were recently released in a remote section of northwestern Arizona. The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and its partners are hoping the event will usher in a new era for wild turkey hunters in the Grand Canyon State.

The release, which occurred January 16 in an isolated section of the Black Rock Mountains approximately 15 miles south of the Utah border, is significant because it adds a new subspecies of wild turkey to Arizona. In addition to Rio Grandes, the state is home to Merriam's and Gould's subspecies, which are thriving.

According to Scott Lerich, NWTF regional biologist, the turkeys were trapped near Beaver, Utah, an area with very similar wild turkey habitat to that of the Black Rock Mountains.

"We are very optimistic about the chances of this flock possibly growing into a huntable population within a few years," said Lerich. "A lot of people are excited to learn that Rio Grandes are now in Arizona."

NWTF Technical Representative and Arizona Game & Fish Department (AGFD) Big Game Supervisor Brian Wakeling noted that the 55 birds were fitted with wing tags, and eight hens were fitted with radio transmitters to monitor their progress.

"They should adapt well to their new habitat," mentioned Wakeling. "We feel good about our odds of seeing some nesting activity when we follow up with the birds this spring or summer."

The release was a coordinated effort between the Arizona and Utah state chapters of the NWTF, the Arizona Strip Bureau of Land Management, the AGFD, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. According to the AGFD, future plans include releasing more Rio Grandes to the area.

"I am excited to report that we have written another chapter in the history of wild turkey management in Arizona," said Luke Thompson, Arizona Strip wildlife manager with the AGFD. "This release is the direct result of coordination and cooperation by all partners involved, and we all have something to be proud of."