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PRICE – Visitors to Nine Mile Canyon may encounter wild turkeys, in addition to rock art.
On Feb. 23, the Division of Wildlife Resources, in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation, transplanted 27 Rio Grande wild turkeys to the lower reaches of Nine Mile Canyon. The canyon is northeast of Price.
Before being released, biologists fit a number of birds with radio transmitters that will permit them to study the species^ movements, nesting locations and habitat preferences.
The new transplants were captured Feb. 22 from the Colorado River area near the Colorado - Utah border. Wild turkeys have dramatically increased in the area, producing a huge surplus of birds.
In the next few years, the DWR and the NWTF expect to move wild turkeys into most suitable habitats within the state, and have already introduced hundreds from South Dakota, Wyoming, Kansas and California. Turkey enthusiasts hope gobbler numbers sky rocket, creating abundant hunting opportunity for years to come.
Contact: Brent Stettler, DWR Southeastern Region Conservation Outreach Manager (435) 636-0266
Uploaded: 2/25/2000
Uploaded: 2/25/2000