The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), in cooperation with Virginia Tech's Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, recently initiated an effort to develop a Virginia Wild Turkey Management Plan, similar in scope and intent to the existing statewide management plans for black bear and white-tailed deer. Virginia Tech personnel will be hosting a series of focus group meetings in March and April to discuss various aspects of wild turkey management with Virginians who have a strong interest in management of wild turkeys. The goal of these meetings is to seek input from stakeholders regarding their views and opinions of wild turkey management in Virginia. This information will be used to develop goals for the Wild Turkey Management Plan.

VDGIF and Virginia Tech specifically are seeking individuals with strong interests in management of wild turkeys, including hunting (hunting in spring and fall, with and without dogs), individuals who have experienced conflicts with or suffered damage from wild turkeys, and others who have an interest in conservation of wild turkeys, to participate in these meetings. If you would like to participate, please contact Holly Morris by March 1st, 2012, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (304) 667-7037.

Pa-Pa’s Gobbler

As the black turned to slate grey and the trees started taking shape I couldn’t help but reflect on past hunts on Pa-Pa’s mountain.  The first ever spring hunting trip up here resulted in a nice gobbler and many more after that.  Since we bought the place a couple years ago it seemed that all the gobblers had left with Pa-Pa.  This year, however, was different.  I had done a fair amount of scouting and had located a few gobblers on the place.  The one roosted somewhere in the darkness below me was the one I was after.  I had heard this gobbler and even watched him one morning as he danced for the multitude of hens around him.