National Wild Turkey Federation

[Raymond]

Hey Folks,
I just found out a few days ago that there are 3 chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation here in Nova Scotia. Here is an email I received from District Director Terry Smith in regards to turkeys coming to Nova Scotia. It does sound encouraging, I thought it was a dead issue.

"Raymond thanks for the inquiry. DNR, NDP government and NWTF are still in talks with respect to releasing Wild Turkeys into NS. We have been trying since late 2000s to bring wild turkeys into NS. Time will tell but Premier Dexter is positive about wild turkeys and he wants to see the environmental Impact Assessment that we are doing in NB presently. NB has wild turkey now and are looking for government permission to trap and transfer birds from Ontario or Maine.

We have 3 NWTF banquets this summer. Truro April 28, Bedford July 13 and Sydney in August. If you would like to support the Bluenose Long Beards Chapter here in Halifax Dartmouth that would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Terry"

Once there are turkeys stocked in a province how long does it take before a hunting season can begin? How many chicks are born to a brood per year on average? That is exciting news, I may never be able to hunt them here in Nova Scotia but by the time my grandson is old enough to hunt there may be Thunder chickens in Nova Scotia. .
Raymond

[Doe Master]

Ray that really is a loaded question .
The hen can lay a clutch of eggs in the excess of 10 . But with predation from skunks,raccoons,possum and snakes the eggs can be consumed . They hatch then they have to worry about coyotes,hawks,owls and the the first cut of hay. (The little ones freeze while the hen tries to lure the cutter away . ) A cold wet spring can knock them off with pneumonia .
Then last but not least poachers . We had a small problem a number of years back that a whole flock got wiped out while roosted in the winter .
But they are a resilient creature . If everything is right you could have a huntable population in a few short years .
I was at a few releases . It is a good feeling to give back .

[Raymond]

Where I live there is no a farming operations it is a lot of woodland. There is some dairy and beef farmers around about a half hours drive. They do not grow there own cattle corn or anything like that. But up the towards Annapolis Valley across to the north shore they have a lot of different crops planted there also. We have a lot more woodland on this end of the province. Can turkeys populate and survive mainly wooded areas with salt marshes and some fields also? Kevin, I hope to see wild turkeys here in Nova Scotia.
Thanks,
Raymond

[Bill Gass]

We have two chapters of NWTF in NB, Saint John and Sussex. The Saint John Banquet is on 21 April and there are still a few tickets left. We also have a promotional rate at the Hilton of $99 which is very reasonable for downtown Saint John. There will be 11 firearms and a crossbow to be won. NB has wild turkeys crossing the border from Maine all the time so we have a growing but geographically diverse population. If anyone wants tickets they can be purchased over the phone by credit card.

Bill Gass
Home: 506-357-6931
Cell: 506-442-0789