As darkness gave way to light, the sounds of yelps from above grew more intense. Soon, more than 30 birds pitched out of the trees and scattered in multiple directions. Shortly after, the toms moved in. Before leaving the area, I would arrow a dandy gobbler. And my buddy, Bret Stuart, would have a tag wrapped around the leg of a long-spurred tom.

We were hunting with a good friend who was also one of the state’s top turkey guides.

Jody Smith, based out of Elkton, guides hunters from around the country, and what he hears from them will make Oregon turkey hunters stop and appreciate what our great state has to offer.

“:All of them are shocked, not only at the number of birds we have, but at the amount of ideal habitat,”: said Smith, who operates Jody Smith’s Guide Service. He said the density of birds in this area always amazes him.

“:It seems that almost every year, the numbers continue to grow, and the range of the birds expands,”: he said. “:It just keeps getting better and better each year. And this spring, based on last year’s incredible hatch, should be no different.”:

WESTERN OREGON
When it comes to public-land hunting in western Oregon, the Melrose and Rogue units offer the most opportunity, said Steve Denny, one of the state’s leading turkey biologists.

“:Here, many private timber lands are open, some to walk-in only, some to motorized vehicles. It depends on the company.”:

In the Medford area, BLM lands open more doors for hunters, as do the Umpqua National Forest and BLM land near Roseburg.

Above Shady Cove, in the Lost Creek area, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also has some good hunting available, said Denny.

According to biologist Mark Vargus, the Rogue Unit has lots of public-land options, thanks to the Corps and BLM lands around the Lost Creek Reservoir area.

“:Farther to the east and a bit south, Butte Falls has good public land hunting, as do timber company lands who allow access in the area,”: said Vargus, who is based in Central Point.

“:Heading to the south, there’s good BLM land off of Crowfoot Road, which is worth a close look.”:

Vargus also highlights Cobleigh Road, a bit southeast of Crowfoot Road, as having good BLM lands that hunters shouldn’t overlook.

“:To the south of that, Salt Creek Road -- and over to the west, into the Evans Creek Unit, up Long Branch Road -- both have some birds.”:

In the Dixon Unit, West Fork Trail Creek, and north of that in the Elk Creek drainage, hold good numbers of birds with good access, he said.