Turkey Season Summary - Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

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T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N I N A R K A N S A SArkansas record turkeysThe AGFC does not maintain a list of record wild turkeys. However, the National Wild TurkeyFederation has records similar to Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young club registries. Acomplete list of those records and registration information can be found at www.nwtf.org/all_about_turkeys/turkey_records.php.*Wild turkeys are scoredby the followingformula:Weight + (beard lengthx 2) + (combined spurlength x 10) =total scoreMultiple-beardedturkeys are scored as“atypical” and singlebeardbirds are scoredas “typical.”TieName (state of residence) Type (no. of beards) Score Kill date CountyTotal ScoreChick Shaddox Jr. (Mo.) Atypical (7) 183.75 5-1-86 BentonJustin White (Ark.) Atypical (8) 140.495 4-10-00 WhiteTravis Reynolds (Ark.) Atypical (5) 132.3125 4-7-97 SharpJustin Pardue (La.) Best Typical 79.50 3-27-04 UnionBeard LengthStephen Overton (Ark.) Atypical (4) 17.625 in. 4-10-00 SharpKevin Wiles (Ark.) Typical 12.9375.in. 4-17-90 IzardChick Shaddox, Jr. (Mo.) Atypical (7) 12.75 in. 5-1-86 BentonSpur LengthDarin Hearyman (Ark.) Typical 1.75 in. 4-6-93 Mississippi[John M. Hundley (Ark.) Typical 1.75 in. 4-19-86 ChicotJustin Pardue (La.) Typical 1.625 in. 3-27-04 UnionWeightW. V. “Bill” Johnson (Ark.) Typical 33.375 lb. 4-20-87 BaxterLowell E. Johnson (Ark.) Typical 30.4375 lb. 4-6-03 CarrollChick Shaddox, Jr. (Mo.) Atypical (7) 27.5 lb. 5-1-86 BentonJohnny Vaughn ofQuitman harvested thisunusual eight-beardedturkey in spring 2003.Photo courtesy of JohnnyVaughn.3 2 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y
T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N I N A R K A N S A SFeeders not for the birdsMany Arkansans use corn feeders for deerhunting and wildlife viewing. But feedersaren’t always the best practice for outdoorsenthusiasts interested in wild turkeys and otherbirds.Ever wonder why corn bagged as “deer corn”is usually cheaper than corn at the local farmerscoop? Often, it’s because the grain has beenrejected for domestic livestock or humansbecause of high levels of aflatoxins (>20 ppb forhumans or dairy cows), so it’s bagged and sold asdeer corn.Aflatoxins are produced by fungi that growon corn under certain conditions. These toxinscan cause liver damage in humans and areparticularly toxic to birds. Large-scale die-offsof ducks and other birds have been traced toaflatoxin-laced grains. Research with domesticand wild turkeys has shown that moderate levelsof aflatoxins cause liver damage, immune systemdamage and death. For this reason, wildlifemanagers do not recommend feeding anythingother than corn sold as domestic livestock feed.This corn should be kept dry and fed in smallamounts to prevent fungus. Feeders shouldalso be moved often to cut down on diseasetransmission.Many biologists discourage the use of feedersbecause of the disadvantages associated withthem (listed below). Food plots including graincrops, such as corn, soybeans and milo, andother habitat management is more beneficial andcost effective to wildlife in the long run.Corn feeders may be convenient, but food plots providemuch better nutrition throughout the year. Photo byJeff Williams.Feeder benefits1. Attract wildlife2. Provide supplemental food3. Provide high-energy food4. Grow larger deer with larger anglers5. Improve selectivity of wildlife harvest6. Improve reproductive condition7. Keep wildlife on the property8. Reduce stress on wildlifeFeeder disadvantages1. Aflatoxin poisoning or death2. Potential poaching at feeders3. Turkey harvest is illegal over bait4. Nest predators (raccoons) benefit5. Domestication of turkeys and wildlife6. Increased predation near feeders7. Disease transmission potential increased8. Ethical issues with hunting over bait2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S E A S O N S U M M A R Y 3 3
Page 1 and 2: 2006-07Turkey Season Summary2 Natur
Page 3 and 4: C O N T E N T STurkey Season Summar
Page 5 and 6: Figure 1. Arkansas spring turkey ha
Page 7 and 8: Figure 2. Spring 2007 turkey harves
Page 9 and 10: 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 H A R V E S T S U M M
Page 11 and 12: 2 0 0 6 - 0 7 T U R K E Y S U R V E
Page 23 and 24: 2007 spring turkey regulationsThe T
Page 25 and 26: 2007-08 fall turkey regulationsFall
Page 27 and 28: T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N
Page 29 and 30: The National Wild Turkey Federation
Page 31: T U R K E Y C O N S E R V A T I O N
Page 36: 2 Natural Resources DriveLittle Roc

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