Fall turkey season is around the corner

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - In the eastern United States, the turkey population is starting to decline, but North Dakota hunters can rejoice since the turkey population remains strong.

The North Dakota Game and Fish is still conducting late-summer brood surveys to track upland bird populations. Still, they have a good indication that there will be plenty of wild turkeys to satisfy hunters in western North Dakota and along the river.

“Along the Yellowstone River, the Missouri River, any river corridors are where turkeys are going to be— obviously because turkeys like trees, that’s where they’re gonna be. And in North Dakota, trees are pretty limited to those river corridors,” said North Dakota Game and Fish Upland Game Biologist RJ Gross.

There are just over 4,500 licenses available, and hunters can apply through Sept. 4. The fall season opens Oct. 12 and runs through Jan. 5.