Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) proposes new fall turkey hunts in response to rising wild turkey populations in Eastern Montana, particularly in Fergus and Petroleum counties. This initiative, which requires a separate fall turkey license, aims to address localized issues, including game damage complaints, as these counties have seen concentrations of wild turkeys affecting agricultural operations.
Since a fall turkey hunting closure in these areas in 2022, the average turkey harvest has only slightly dropped, indicating sustained high populations. With current proposals on the table to allow hunting on private lands in Region 7 and to reopen hunting in Region 4, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will discuss these changes at its June 19 meeting, reflecting a significant shift in wildlife management strategy as turkey populations have been on the rise since 2019.
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