NWTF Huachuca Gould's Chapter - Sierra Vista, Arizona - Conserve, Hunt, Share
  • Goulds Home
    • About the NWTF
    • Gould's Leadership (Officers & Board Members)
    • Save the Habitat - Save the Hunt
    • Become a Mentor, Volunteer, Member, or Donate >
      • Mentor or Volunteer
      • New Local Chapter Member
      • JAKES or Xtreme JAKES Member
      • Women in the Outdoors Member >
        • * Women in the Outdoors
    • Awards / Bragging Page >
      • Forest Serve Recognizes >
        • Forest Service Southwestern Region Award
      • 2020 NWFT National Recognition
      • 2019 NWTF Award - John Millican
      • NWTF volunteer named Field & Stream 2013 Hero of Conservation
  • "Current Events"
    • Our Upcoming / Past Events
    • AGFD Calendar of Events
    • want to be on our email list? let us know!
  • Chapter Events
    • Hunting Heritage Banquet Stories & Photos >
      • 2022 Hunting Heritage Banquet
      • 2021 Hunting Heritage Banquet: Story & Photos
      • 2020 Banquet Cancelled
      • 2019 Banquet Photos & Story
    • Scholarship Notices >
      • 2022-2023 NWTF Scholarship
      • 2021-2022 NWTF Scholarship Notes
      • 2020-2021 NWTF Scholarship Article
    • Turkey Hunter's Care >
      • 2022 Turkey Hunter's Care
      • 2021 Turkey Hunter Care
      • 2020 Turkey Hunter Care
      • 2019 Turkey Hunter Cares
    • Adopt-a-highway >
      • 2022 Nov Adopt-A-Highway
      • 2022 May Adopt-a-Highway
      • 2021 Nov Adopt-a-highway
      • 2021 May- Adopt-a-highway
      • 2019 Nov Adopt-a-Highway
    • Southern AZ Quail Forever Assistance >
      • 2023 SAQF Family Day
      • 2022 SAZQF Family Day
      • 2021 Quail Fest
      • 2020 Quail Family Day - Youth Hunt
      • 2019 Quail Fest
      • 2019 Quail Family Field Day
      • 2018 Quail Fest
    • Turkey Survey Event >
      • 2023 Turkey Survey
      • 2022 Turkey Survey
      • 2021 Turkey Survey
      • 2019 Turkey Survey
      • 2018 Turkey Survey
    • SCI Event Support >
      • 2019 SCI Event
      • 2018 SCI 30th Anniversary
    • JAKES Events >
      • 2023 J.A.K.E.S.
      • 2022 JAKES
      • 2021 JAKES Event
      • 2019 JAKES Day
      • 2018 JAKES Story and Gallery
  • Chapter Projects
    • Captures/ Translocations/Bulletin >
      • Canelo Turkey Capture 2018
      • Turkey Capture 8-10 April 2016
      • Turkey Capture: 19-20 Jan 2015
      • Turkey Capture Feb 2014
      • Turkey Translocation - February 2013
      • Turkey Translocation 2012 & 2011
      • Gould’s Wild Turkey Bulletin
    • Project Maintenance Needs / Dates
    • Bear Creek - Van Horn Exclosure
    • Brown Canyon
    • Canelo Water Project 2012
    • Carr Canyon Drinkers >
      • Pig Wallow
    • Collins Canyon 2010
    • Comfort Springs
    • Ft Huachuca Water Projects >
      • FTH Unit T1/T2
      • FTH Unit T2/T3 2012
    • Kelly Springs Maintenance >
      • Kelly Springs Repair (July 2017)
      • Kelly Springs November 2011
      • Kelly Spring 2016
    • Korn Canyon >
      • Korn Canyon Update 2017
      • Korn Canyon Ridge 2004
    • Neighbors Springs Fence May 2022
    • Old Saw Mill Springs Drinker Project
    • Scotia Canyon 2004
    • Sunnyside 2011
    • Sycamore Springs Review
    • Upper Turkey Creek 2008
  • Turkey Sightings and Credits - Thanks to you
  • NM Antelope exchanged for AZ Gould's Turkey - Jan/Feb 2014
  • Other Groups that Partner with us to make our Activities Successful - Webpages
  • External Links
  • Support with a Sportman's License Plate
  • Board Members Only Reminders & Notes
    • Turkey 101 Event
    • Turkey Camp Directions
    • Rene J. Dube Jr. Obituary
    • Rene J. Dube Jr. Legacy
    • Board Member Projects Extra Information

Huachuca Gould’s Chapter Assists
with 2023 Spring Turkey Surveys
in Southeastern Arizona

     For another year, the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation assisted the Arizona Game and Fish Department with turkey surveys in the Huachuca Mountains and Canelo Hills of southeastern Arizona. The majority of the over 20 routes were completed on April 14th, 15th, and 16th. Results will determine population trends, recruitment rates, and future hunt permit numbers for Gould’s Turkeys in Department Units 35A and 35B.

     The Chapter established Base Camp near Parker Canyon Lake for the 3-day survey. A full-service camp offered a covered dining area and breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the surveyors and volunteers. A fund-raising raffle was held Saturday evening.

     The weather was mostly cooperative. Temperatures were mild during the day and brisk at night. Skies were mostly clear with noticeable winds early in the count.

     Kirby Bristow of the Arizona Game and Fish Department tabulated the survey routes and highlighted Gould’s Turkey management in southeastern Arizona. Kirby also acknowledged the important contribution by those present in making the survey this year a success.

     John Millican, President of the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter, on Saturday afternoon led a session on Gould’s Turkey biology, habitat requirements, and hunting techniques. Various calls were available for field use.

     There were around 35 participants counting both surveyors and support volunteers. Many were representatives from the Arizona Game and Fish Department and members of the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter. A contingent from the University of Arizona assisted, also, along with other interested individuals. Several permit holders for the upcoming Gould’s hunt learned more about the locations of birds as well.

     Results from 15 routes noted 15 adult gobblers, 35 jakes, and 57 hens. Information from the remaining 8 or so routes will be added when available.

     Additionally, surveyors checked on several habitat improvement projects installed by Huachuca Gould’s Chapter. Any needed repairs were noted.

     Habitat conditions were much wetter than last year at this time. Water was available in most springs, creeks, and stock ponds. The green-up was just starting. A peak in turkey courting is still to come.

     Thanks go to Brittany Oleson and Kirby Bristow (Arizona Game and Fish Department) and John Millican (Huachuca Gould’s Chapter) for organizing the survey.

     Special thanks go to Dave Kemnitz and grandson, Roy Crain, Wayne Kaiser, Toni Sterner, Chris Sterner, Joey Fuller, Tom Fuller, Rob Bridges, John Millican, and Tom Deecken for assembling and tearing down base camp and preparing the meals. Helping with kitchen duties were Tony Valentino, Zack May, and Steve Hopkins from Southern Arizona Quail Forever.
​
     Good luck in the upcoming turkey hunts!

Picture
001 Base Camp was in upper Parker Canyon off State Route 83
Picture
002 Home Sweet Home
Picture
003 John Millican (Huachuca Gould's Chapter) discusses routes with participants
Picture
004 Surveyors recorded the location of tracks observed in their chosen route
Picture
005 As well as droppings
Picture
006 And of course, any turkeys seen were noted by sex and age
Picture
007 Kirby Bristow (Arizona Game and Fish Dept.) reviews survey results at mid-day on Saturday
Picture
008 John Millican presents Gould's Turkey biology and hunting strategies later in the afternoon
Picture
009 Waiting for the bell to ring for the evening meal
Picture
010 Dinner is served
Picture
011 Enjoying a hearty meal after a full day of surveying
Picture
012 See you next year!
© NWTF Huachuca Goulds Chapter - Sierra Vista, Arizona - Conserve, Hunt, Share