TURKEY HUNTERS WANTED IN CAMPECHE
Every turkey hunter, at one time or another, has drooled over a prime piece of turkey hunting real estate and secretly wished that the “no trespassing” sings instead read: “Turkey Hunters Wanted”. Well, look no further. Campeche State, Mexico, in the Yucatan Peninsula, has tacked up the “Turkey Hunters Wanted” sign, so to speak.
The Catch
The catch is that there is no catch. “This is a grand opportunity for turkey hunters to play a key role in the conservation of the ocellated turkey in the state of Campeche in the Yucatan Peninsula,” said professional turkey hunter Ray Eye. “Hunters were the first conservationists and they have been responsible for massive, landscape style conservation efforts which have not only brought many animals in our country from the brink of extinction, but through professional management and improvement of habitat have brought numbers of many animals to all time population highs. Hunters accomplished these amazing feats through their dedication to our natural resources and through expenditures of hundreds of millions of their hard earned dollars for license fees, guns, ammo and myriads of hunting equipment. Turkey hunters are among the most dedicated of conservationists and Campeche needs them and their money now to insure the future of the magnificent ocellated turkey.”
Limited Range
Ocellated turkeys are found in a 50,000 square mile area of the Yucatan Peninsula in the states of Quintana Roo, Campeche and Yucatan. Birds are found in the dense jungles throughout their range where they roost in tall trees to escape predators like ocelots and jagaurundis. It is not known exactly how many ocellated turkeys remain in the wild, but as forest habitats decline, the birds feel the pressure. In the state of Campeche, the ocellated turkey has responded to plentiful food sources from agricultural crops like, corn, milo and soybeans, according to wildlife biologist Jon McRoberts of Texas Tech University. “I have witnessed flocks of up to 500 birds in fields surrounded by jungle,” he stated.
Prized Birds
“Any turkey hunter would consider the ocellated turkey a wonderful trophy,” said outdoor writer Steve Felgenhauer, who traveled to Campeche in February with a group of writers to hunt the birds. “They are by far the most beautiful of the turkey species. The iridescent colors of their feathers are astounding and they sport long, sharp, spurs which may reach 2.5 inches.”
“Turkeys are turkeys everywhere,” commented Eye. “I have watched turkeys for countless man hours from Florida to Hawaii and ocellated birds act just like the rest of them. The thing that sets them apart from the other species, however, is their brilliant plumage and the bright blue heads with orange knots. Their gobble is called singing down here and begins about 20 minutes before daylight. It begins with a series of 6-to-7 bongo like bass tones which quickens in both cadence and volume until a crescendo is reached. The call ends with a melodious, high-pitched serious of chops. These birds are absolutely astounding in full strut.”
Traditionally, ocellated turkeys have been hunted in the deep jungles where hunters shot them out of trees or simply waited in a blind until a bird walked by. Few people seem to call the birds. Known for his affinity for calling wild turkeys, Ray Eye is determined to change that situation. “While on a trip to Campeche with the author in 2011, we discovered that huge flocks of birds utilize the agricultural fields. I recorded their calls and will soon have an electronic caller (legal in Mexico) to call these birds. I am sure they will respond like their northern counterparts, making hunting them even more fun. Every serious turkey hunter should experience hunting these birds in this land of jungles and Mayan temples.”
Giving the Birds Value
McRoberts is conducting a three year research project on ocellated turkeys in Campeche State. The study is a cooperative effort between Texas Tech University, the National Wild Turkey Federation, conservation groups in Mexico and Jorge Sansores of Snook Inn Hunting Lodge.
“This is one of the first studies of its kind,” stated McRoberts. “Not much is known about ocellated turkeys. I am trapping birds and placing radios on them. Through radio telemetry I am able to track the birds. The information which I gather will help me establish cause-specific mortality factors, survival rates, movements of birds and their habitat needs. I am also investigating peak gobbling and nesting activity.”
Most studies done in the past were conducted in National Parks where the birds were accustomed to people and exhibited few qualities of wild birds. McRoberts and his colleagues believe that their three year study (2010 to 2013) of the ecology of the species will provide enough insight to allow them to make management suggestions.
The information gathered from the study will allow wildlife managers to establish management plans and hunting season regulations for the ocellated turkey.
McRoberts stated that Campeche needs hunters now to help conserve the ocellated turkey. “Subsistence hunting is a problem for ocellated turkeys. American hunters coming here creates a value on these birds. An established value, in the eyes of local people, will lead to conservation of this unique species. We need lots of turkey hunters to come to Campeche to spend their money hunting ocellated turkeys. It benefits rural economies by providing jobs and through the combined efforts of scientific management plans and the cooperation of local people we can insure the continuance of ocellated turkey populations in Campeche.”
Getting Involved
“The area around Campeche is very safe,” stated Eye. “I have not experienced a single problem in my travels in the Yucatan.”
Hunters wishing to pursue the ocellated turkey may contact Jorge Manos at the Campeche Tourism Commission at jemanos@campeche.gob.mx. or Jorge Sansores at snookinnjorge@hotmail.com.
