"I guess turkey season is coming soon," my wife hollered from the kitchen as I racked my new turkey shotgun.
The heavy metallic sound is unmistakable, even for my Canadian bride, who had never touched a gun until we met. Now she recognizes the two times a year she hears that sound ---- turkey season in March and dove season in September.
As the San Diego back country begins to turn green with spring grass, hunters are starting to prepare for opening day of turkey season on March 27. Turkey hunting in the county is a wildlife success story, as this area has become known as one of the best hunting areas in the state. All signs point to that reputation being maintained again this year.
Wild turkey were nonexistent in San Diego County until 292 birds were released around Julian and south of Interstate 8 in 1993. The transplanted wild birds have grown in numbers estimated at more than 30,000 and expended their range throughout the county from the desert fringe to Camp Pendleton.
The oak woodlands around Ramona and Santa Ysabel, the pine hills of Julian, Palomar and Laguna and the avocado groves of North County have all been adopted by the big birds. Turkey hunting in the county has become second only to deer hunting in the number of hunters in the field.
Hunting turkey is more like big game hunting than traditional upland game bird hunting. Stealth, concealment and calling ability are all determine hunter success.
Veteran hunter and guide Christian McGill of Santa Ysabel said most hunters call too much and are not skilled at making the right calls at the right times. Hunters who identify trees where turkey roost and who are in the field and ready before first light are the ones who will be most successful.
Hunters should also pattern their shotguns for more accurate shooting. Scouting prior to opening day is also critical to success. Abundant food sources are most important to attracting birds, and, in dry years, so is available water.
Public hunting areas that have been most productive are the areas around Julian, Palomar Mountain and east of Ramona. Hunters working the San Felipe Wildlife Reserve north of Julian have also done well in recent years.
Turkey season opens at first light March 27 and continues through May 2. The limit is one bearded bird per day, three for the season. A valid hunting license and Upland Game Bird stamp are required.
Poway derby
Lake Poway has been stocked with 2,500 pounds of fresh rainbow trout in time for this weekend's annual trout derby. The event is open to anglers of all ages and will run from sunrise to sunset on Saturday and until noon on Sunday. An awards ceremony recognizing winners in men's, women's and youth divisions along with a grand prize winner for the overall big fish will follow.
The daily derby entry fee is $10 for adults and $5 for youth. There is no State Fishing License required; however, a daily lake use permit is required for each day. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for youth.
Fifty motorboats will be available to rent on a first-come, first-serve basis. Derby tickets can be purchased in advance at the Lake Poway Concession. All anglers must purchase a derby ticket to fish during derby hours.
In preparation for the derby, Lake Poway will be closed to fishing and boating on Thursday and Friday. For more information, call (858) 668-4772, or online at www.poway.org/lakepoway.
Surf fishing
For several weeks, North County anglers have been getting by with just a few perch to show for their efforts. But this week, along comes Richard Schwartz of Charlotte, N.C.
While visiting his father, Schwartz made an outing to Agua Hedionda Lagoon, where he tossed bloodworms and caught three yellowfin and five spotfin croaker weighing up to 4 pounds.
Outdoor show
The annual Fred Hall Fishing Tackle and Boat Show comes to the Del Mar Fairgrounds March 24-28, and will include over 2,000 boat and fishing tackle displays, plus an array of family entertainment attractions.
Boat displays will range from personal watercraft to 32-foot yachts. There will also be truck and SUV displays, outdoor clothing, fishing tackle, marine electronics and resort destinations.
Over 200 seminars will be offered during the five-day show featuring top experts in every type of fishing from surf and kayak to bass and marlin.
Admission is $13 adults, $11 for seniors/military and 16 and under free. Show hours are 1-9 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday.
Ernie Cowan is the outdoors writer for the North County Times. If you have a story of interest, call (760) 518-8050 or e-mail ernie@packtrain.com.
