​GOULD’S TURKEY SURVEY
Huachuca Mountains, Canelo Hills, and Patagonia Mountains

Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties, Arizona
April 16th through April 18th, 2021

What:  Annual Gould’s Turkey survey in southeastern Arizona.

When:  April 16th through April 18th, 2021

Where:  Huachuca Mountains, Canelo Hills, Santa Rita Mountains, and Patagonia Mountains in southeastern Arizona     

General Information:  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, Patagonia, and Santa Rita Mountains and Canelo Hills of southeastern Arizona.  Results are used to determine population trends, recruitment rates, and future hunt permit numbers for Gould’s Turkeys in Department Units 34A, 35A, and 35B.

The Chapter established Base Camp near Parker Canyon Lake for the 3-day survey.  Following COVID-19 health guidelines, this year just grab-and-go breakfast burritos and coffee were offered on Saturday morning in an open air and non-congregation site. Hand sanitizer was always available and social distancing was practiced, also.

Surveyors went afield again Sunday morning to cover a few remaining routes.  Camp breakdown began after breakfast later in that morning.

The weather was very cooperative, at least on Saturday. In the Bear Creek survey area, the pre-dawn morning temperature was 42ºF with mostly clear skies, and only a slight breeze.

In addition, John Millican, President of the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter, offered a Saturday afternoon camp presentation on Gould’s Turkey biology, habitat requirements, translocation efforts, and hunting techniques to the participants. A variety of calls for field use were available, also.   

Over 30 turkey enthusiasts worked out of the base camp this year.  Most were representatives from the Arizona Game and Fish Department and members of the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter.  Several private landowners participated, also.  Several permit holders for the upcoming Gould’s hunt learned more about the locations of birds as well.

To complete the survey, remaining routes (especially on the east side of the Huachuca Mountains) were covered the following week.

The survey offered an opportunity to visit many of the water developments and habitat improvement projects in the area that the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter has built over the past 20-plus years. Information gathered will be used to schedule needed maintenance during the rest of 2021.

Per Brittany Oleson, Wildlife Manager with the Arizona Game and Fish,
the survey results and tag information were (as of July 12th, 2021):
     ~Unit 35A- up to 25 toms, up to 167 hens and unknowns, up to 22 jakes.
         *Total of 214 birds seen; 30 tags issued with success rate not known yet
     ~Unit 35B- Total of 48 birds seen; 6 gobbler tags issued with 2 birds harvested
                                                                                          
The continuing very dry, drought-like weather pattern most likely contributed to Turkey distribution and possibly numbers. For the most part, available water was much reduced from last year. The foliage of some Alligator Junipers, White and Blue Oaks, and Manzanita was even shades of brown and orange this year further highlighting stress conditions.  

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

Special thanks go to Dave Kemnitz, Lorin Kaiser, Wayne Kaiser, Tom Fuller, Bob Pourier, and Dave Inman for preparing the burritos and coffee and setting up base camp.  They were assisted by John Millican.  All are active members of the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter.

And thanks go to all the surveyors and cooperators. 

Good luck in the upcoming turkey hunts!
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001 The quarry

002 Tracks count as well

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003 And the dry 2021 habitat

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004 Still a little water in upper Bear Creek

005 But more evidence of the drought close by

006 An Arizona Gray Squirrel says, “Don’t Hog the Water Hole!”

007 Water gap looks good at Van Horn Exclosure in Bear Creek

008 Wildlife escape ramps Intact at nearby Wakefield Camp

009 Meanwhile back at Base Camp just west of Parker Canyon Lake

012 Tools of the trade

010 Brittany Oleson of the Arizona Game and Fish Dept. discusses survey results

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011 John Millican, President of the Huachuca Gould's Chapter, presents Gould's Turkey conservation and hunting techniques

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013 On the other side of the Huachuca's, Kelly Spring is providing water

014 Fruit Tree Drinker in Lower Carr Canyon at a wetter time in the past. Plaque recognizes the cooperative work of the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter for the benefit of all wildlife in southeastern Arizona over the past 20 years.

015 Did you miss counting me? Hope to see you in 2022!