"There was a great hatch in 2006, perhaps the best I've seen. That means there will be lots of year-old toms around in 2007, but the carry-over of older gobblers should be very good too. I expect we'll have great hunting in 2007."

Also in San Luis Obispo County, old-time guide Eldon Bergman, who started turkey hunting in the 1970s, said there are turkeys all over the area now.

"I've seen lots of poults and hens recently, including a flock of 34 that crossed the road in front of me the other day. I expect most of my hunters will be successful in 2007."

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Randy Botta, associate wildlife biologist for the DFG, reports fair production in San Diego County. He observed hens with as few as two poults, and as many as 11.

According to Botta, private land produced the most gobblers in 2006, while overall success on public lands was slightly lower than previous years. However, a few places on the Descanso Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest showed slight improvement. The Palomar Ranger District also has turkeys, as do some BLM lands in eastern San Diego County. As always, only archery hunting is allowed on the Laguna and Fry Creek recreation areas.

For additional information on the area, call the DFG branch at (858) 467-4201 or (858) 467-4202.

Meanwhile, Don Geivet, resources manager for the sprawling Tejon Ranch in Kern County, reports better-than-average production of turkeys there. The ranch offers a series of DFG-sponsored junior turkey hunts, and Geivet expects to host 50 paying clients during spring 2007.

(Editor's Note: Autographed copies of John Higley's book, Hunting Wild Turkeys in the West, are available for $16.95, postage included, from John Higley, P.O. Box 120, Palo Cedro, CA 96073.) l

Find more about California fishing and hunting at: CaliforniaGameandFish.com