Turkey troubles plague Tucumcari ranchers

When hunting them failed to curb population growth, two area ranchers took their turkey troubles to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “This has been going on for quite a few years,” said Daniel Garcia, a Tucumcari rancher. “Three years ago there was a flock of 300 turkeys running loose around here.” Garcia said game and fish experts removed 75 wild turkeys from his and a neighbor’s property earlier this month March. On several occasions, he said, the turkeys were eating the winter wheat seed almost as fast he could plant what’s usually a money crop. Garcia tried to cull the flock by participating in the NMDGF’s Open Gate program. The program leases private property for public hunting and fishing, according to a state Department of Game and Fish release. Participants receive an annual payment per acre based on available hunting and or fishing opportunities, with additional incentives offered for wildlife habitat enhancements, according to the release. “The program helps a little,” said Garcia, laughing, “but the hunter can only shoot one turkey. They need to let them shoot a few more.”...read more