So, how many wild turkeys are there? WDFW Region 1 (Spokane, Lincoln, and Whitman counties) Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kile Westerman says wild turkey populations are “healthy and thriving” in his district. WDFW relies on annual turkey hunter harvest reports to provide an index to turkey population trends. These reports show increasing hunter success rates over the past several years, indicating that statewide turkey abundance is likely increasing as well.

Wild turkeys reside in flocks, which during the winter months can grow as large as 300-500 birds! As you can imagine, this can create conflicts between turkeys and landowners who experience crop damage or other issues caused by turkeys. WDFW’s conflict specialists are local biologists who work with the public to help alleviate problems with specific wildlife species.

“There is no magic bullet to solve many wildlife conflict issues, especially when it comes to wild turkeys. The best plan of action is to remove food sources (like bird feeders) and/or exclude turkeys and other wildlife from livestock feed when turkeys show up, allow turkey hunting where applicable, harass when appropriate, deploy scare devices, and do as many of these as possible to be more effective,” Westerman added.

However, it is clear based on WDFW harvest reports and several news articles (The Spokesman-Review Oct. 20, 2019; Realtree.com; The Columbian, April 18, 2018) describing the populations of wild turkeys in Washington state that the bird is popular in both species numbers and with hunters.

Hunting is a key part of WDFW’s management strategy. In fact, interest in spring turkey hunting has been climbing steadily. In 1984, an estimated 689 hunters took to the field hoping to tag a gobbler. Two decades later in 2004, the popular hunt turned out 15,000 hunters. Based on the 2019 Field Harvest Reports, the estimated number of turkey hunters was over 11,300 in the spring and 4,800 in the fall with an estimated harvest of over 8,900 mixed subspecies turkeys. Most Washington turkeys occur in the eastern part of the state, though limited turkey populations can be found west of the Cascades as well.

Washington’s spring turkey season begins with a special early season for youth hunters. Youth license holders can hunt during a youth-only spring turkey season, which ran April 1-7 this year. The youth season is open statewide and youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Standard hunting methods and all other turkey hunting regulations apply to the youth season.

Statewide general season dates run from April 15 through May 31. You can harvest three turkeys during the spring season, depending on location, with additional harvest opportunity during the fall season. For all the details, see the 2023 Spring Season Wild Turkey Hunting Regulation Pamphlet.

Turkey harvest by GMU

As you can see from harvest data, wild turkeys can be found in many parts of the state, though populations are most robust in Eastern Washington. And because turkeys don’t confine themselves to a map’s delineation, they may be found in areas not represented by these data.

Exact distribution of the three subspecies is unknown. Generally, each subspecies is assumed to occur in the following counties:

• Merriam’s: Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Chelan, Kittitas, Yakima, and Klickitat counties

• Rio Grande: Lincoln, Walla Walla, Garfield, Columbia, and Asotin counties

• Eastern: Mason, Grays Harbor, Thurston, Pacific, Lewis, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, and Skamania counties

We hope this post will pique your interest in wild turkey hunting. You can utilize this information to research possible new hunting areas. Be sure to check back regularly for more information. Future posts will cover a variety of topics from turkey behavior, hunting strategies, and shotguns and loads to turkey hunting gear and plenty of tips and tricks from WDFW staff who are avid turkey hunters eager to help you find success!