Turkey Question

I know nothing about hunting turkeys except that they say it's challenging. I'd love to learn and give it a shot, though. My question is this: Is it possible for a private landowner to stock a piece of land with wild turkeys? I have a place in east Texas with lots of brush that would seem to me to be a good habitat. I've heard of state biologists obtaining wild turkeys and releasing them......is this something an average citizen could do? Buy some turkeys and release them?

This was recently addressed, at least some points:

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbth...rt_#Post5627492

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbth...ng_#Post5632749

Hopefully others can chime in as well, but those links should get things started for you.

- thedoveshooter

I would say yes for the fact that money can just about get you anything you want. But the reality is unless you have suitable turkey habitat with some size I would pass on that idea. You said "brush"....thats a concern for the eastern wild turkey. They like woods with open understory and creeks,fields mixed in.

I would call a turkey expert and tell him/her what you got to offer then take their advise.

§ 64.006. RELEASE OF TURKEYS. (a) Except as provided by
this section, no turkeys may be propagated, purchased, sold,
transported, or released for the purpose of establishing a
free-ranging wild turkey population.
(b) The department may release turkeys in certain areas of
the state for the purpose of maintaining a wild turkey population.
(c) The department may adopt regulations regulating the
release of turkeys by persons other than department employees.
(d) This section does not apply to any turkeys maintained
for agricultural purposes.
(e) The department may contract with private sector sources
to release wild turkeys in certain areas of the state for the
purpose of maintaining or expanding a wild turkey population.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 771, § 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987.

In short it is illegal unless approved.