DWR Press Release
PAROWAN — Young people and novice hunters can learn how to hunt wild turkeys and leave with free door prizes at the upcoming Southern Region Turkey Hunting Clinic.
Heather Talley says the March 24 clinic in Parowan is open to anyone 17 years of age and younger, or those who have never hunted before. If you attend, you’ll walk away with a basic understanding of how to hunt turkeys, as well as prizes supplied by The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).
“You don’t need to bring anything — just enthusiasm for learning how to hunt turkeys,” says Talley, regional wildlife recreation coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.
Talley says several experienced turkey hunters will teach the clinic. “Having a variety of experts teach the clinic means you’ll learn a range of techniques that can benefit your hunting success,” she says. “You’ll also gain different perspectives about what it’s like to hunt turkeys.”
The clinic will happen March 24 at the Parowan Fairgrounds Building, 30 N. 300 E. The event is free, but you must preregister to attend. You can register for the event online.
After you arrive at the clinic, you’ll rotate through seven stations where you’ll learn about turkey habitat, turkey biology and how to call turkeys. You’ll also learn how to pattern a shotgun. You’ll even get a chance to shoot a bow and arrow.
The clinic runs from 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. A light lunch will be offered.
“At 2:40,” Talley says, “the rotation through stations will end, and we’ll present door prizes. The clinic will finish with a question-and-answer session.”
For more information, call Talley at 435-868-8756 or email her at heathertalley@utah.gov.
Young people and wild turkeys
Those who organized the event say getting more young people involved in turkey hunting is important to the future of wild turkeys in Utah.
“Many of us were introduced to hunting at an early age because our families had established a hunting tradition,” says Ron MacIntosh, Cedar City Chapter president for the NWTF. “As sportsmen and sportswomen, it’s our job to help educate the youth and mentor new hunters. Young and new hunters are the future of turkey conservation and turkey hunting in Utah.”
Jason Nicholes, assistant regional wildlife manager for the DWR, says turkey hunting is a great way to get outside with your family in the spring and enjoy the woods.
“If you’re just getting started in turkey hunting,” he says, “learning about turkey habits and the habitat the birds live in is the pathway to success.”
Talley says wild turkeys are doing really well in many parts of southwestern Utah. This has allowed DWR biologists to remove turkeys from dense populations and place them in areas in southwestern Utah where there’s room for more birds.