Kansas wildlife panel suspends turkey hunting season this fall
Because of a declining population, Kansas will not have a turkey hunting season this fall.
The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission made the decision after hearing recommendations from staff during public meetings, according to a news release from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
“We’ve documented consistent declines in turkey populations over the last 15 years largely due to reduced production levels,” said Kent Fricke, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks small game biologist, in the news release. “These trends are not unique to Kansas. States across the Midwest and Southeast have experienced similar patterns in turkey populations.”
In the past, the commission has approved other recommendations to reduce the impact of the fall season on turkey populations. In 2017, the panel voted to reduce the statewide bag limit from four birds to one bird. In 2019, fall turkey season dates were reduced from Oct. 1 through Jan. 31 (123 days) to Oct. 1 through Nov. 10 (41 days).
And next January, a new research project at Kansas State University will examine wild turkey populations and ecology to inform state harvest and habitat management.
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