photo: ACA, Budd Erickson
conservationWORKS
Turkey Track
photo: ACA, Ken Kranrod
Come spring, we welcome the wild turkey parade in the southwest corner of Alberta. March mating means big toms strut with their tail feathers fanned open like a deck of cards for prospective hens to admire. Blood engorges their snood and wattle, and if you get close, you might notice the colour of a tom’s head change with his mood.
photo: Cori Lausen
As theatrical as they are captivating, turkeys are unsurprisingly one of the most sought-after hunting draws in the province. Hunters commonly wait 11 years or more to draw a tag! While locals have insight, it’s difficult to track turkey numbers on a region-wide basis. Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) is taking on the challenge to map out their distribution, as well as nail down an official approach for tracking year-to-year trends. Keep watch here!
photo: ACA, Mike Verhage
photo: ACA, Doug Manzer
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CONSERVATION MAGAZINE
FALL WINTER 2020
