Illegal border crossings is a hot-button issue this election year but these are the types of border crossings that make a turkey hunters smile. Fifty-five Rio Grande turkeys were introduced to Arizona in January under the AZ Game and Fish Department, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and the Bureau of Land Management. Chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation in Arizona and Utah also assisted. The Rios were released on Bureau land at Black Rock Mountain in the far northwest corner of AZ, about 15 miles south of the UT border; terrain similar to the birds’ native habitat. All 55 birds were given identifying wing tags and eight were fitted with radio tracking collars to help monitor the flock’s movements. The transmitters are much like a backpack. And in New Mexico more than 60 Merriam's turkeys were released onto Pueblo lands near Albuquerque. This part of the trap and transfer program between landowners in northeastern New Mexico and the Santa Ana Pueblo. Wild turkey play a role in the Pueblo culture. If this project proves to be as successful as the ones that occurred here in the northeast, the southwest should be silly with turkey. Back in the lat 20th century (gosh that sounds so long ago) the state of NY gave CT a few birds and from that small flock CT now has a robust flock that supports hunting. BTW - The image in this post is from Stacey Huston at A "Focus" In The Wild.

If you like the image in this post go to A "Focus" In The Wild. Stacey Huston has a talent for capturing wild animals in their element. I particularly like the section of her blog devoted to falcons. Give her blog a click.