PUBLIC LAND TURKEYS Article and photos by NATE SKINNER
H
unting for wild turkeys in the spring is enjoyable but challenging. Some hunters refer to turkeys as the “smartest yet dumbest” creatures to hunt. This comes from the fact that at certain times, wild turkeys will respond to a call and come running in, seemingly on a rope, providing hunters with quick and easy shot opportunities. Other times, turkeys will come to a call but then hang up just out of range almost as if they sense something isn’t quite right. These moments can be frustrating and humbling. It’s all part of turkey hunting. When everything comes together for a close encounter with a boss gobbler, the effort put into the pursuit becomes worth it. From their strutting displays to their thundering gobbles, longbeards provide plenty of excitement as they live out their springtime love stories in the turkey woods. Experience this up close and personal is an absolute treat.
36 T E X A S W I L D L I F E
MARCH 2021
There’s definitely something to be said about stepping onto unfamiliar turf, successfully locating wild turkeys and then maneuvering in close proximity to them. It’s a challenge that many spring turkey fanatics live for, and there are public lands across the Lone Star State that provide that opportunity. In fact, the number of public land turkey hunting opportunities that are available might just be a lot more plentiful than most would think. PUBLIC LAND OPTIONS According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Wild Turkey Program Leader Jason Hardin, there are several TPWD Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) that offer drawn public land turkey hunts. They include Caddo Lake WMA, Gene Howe WMA, James Daughtrey WMA, Kerr WMA, Matador WMA, Muse WMA, Pat Mayse WMA, Powderhorn WMA, Roger Fawcett WMA, and San Angelo State Park.
