About 170 wild turkeys were released into a meadow on the Tulalip Tribes reservation in August with the hope they will sustain a harvestable population.
“Tribal hunters don’t have the same access to nutritious protein that they once had,” said Ray Fryberg Sr., fish and wildlife director for the Tulalip Tribes. “Populations of deer and elk have declined and they’re running out of decent habitat.”
A few years ago, the tribes’ natural resources department started planting meadows on the reservation to provide a haven for wildlife. The meadows support populations of deer, small mammals and birds – and now wild turkeys.
“We hope these turkeys will breed successfully and sustain a harvestable population that can feed our community,” Fryberg said. “Having wild turkeys right here on the reservation also could engage tribal youth who haven’t been exposed to our hunting culture.”
The turkey chicks came from a hatchery in May and were placed in brooding pens. Once they were old enough, they were moved to a net-covered enclosure in the meadow to get used to eating the grasses there.
When the nets were removed in August, the turkeys needed some encouragement to flee the coop. After a few minutes, they started exploring the grasses surrounding the enclosure.
“That’s what I wanted to see,” said Tulalip wildlife manager Mike Sevigny. “Every step of the way, I have been really impressed with their development. I expect them to breed this spring, and if they do, we could issue a few hunting tags next fall.”
The tribe plans to release more game birds in the meadow. Next, Sevigny will incubate turkey eggs and rear the offspring, which should reduce stress on the young chicks. Eventually, the meadow could be home to quail, grouse and pheasant.
View photos of the release on the NWIFC Flickr feed.
For more information, contact: Mike Sevigny, wildlife manager, Tulalip Tribes, 360-716-4623 or ; Kari Neumeyer, information officer, NWIFC, 360-424-8226 or .
