Texas Turkey Hunting - 2019

Jason Hardin, TPWD Upland Game Bird Program specialist evalutes the 2019 turkey hunting prostpects:

The Edwards Plateau has always been the hot spot for Rios. The Cross Timbers always has the second-highest number of birds harvested. The reasons we have so many Rios in the Edwards Plateau, the Cross Timbers and in the coastal sand plains of South Texas is due to the availability of roosting habitat. The most limiting factor for Rios in most cases is adequate roosting cover.

Rios prefer to nest in the biggest and largest grove of trees around. These are typically associated with creeks and rivers. There is no lack of rivers, creeks and other waterways in the Edwards Plateau and Cross Timbers. The coastal sand plains is known for its distribution of large live oak mottes. These systems provide the Rios with adequate roosting habitat to better utilize the greater landscape. These areas typically provide rangelands dominated by native grasses and scattered shrubs, and these landscape features provide excellent nesting, brood-rearing and escape cover for adults and young alike.

In Texas turkey hunting seasons are staggered (north zone and south zone) an are also fairly long to better capture gobbling activity. Texas is a big and diverse state. This is true if you look east to west where we have a significant rainfall gradient, or if you look south to north where we experience a growing season gradient. A lot of hunters insist on hunting the opening weekend. However, this typically is only a good idea if we had a mild winter with adequate rainfall. The condition of the hens will play a large role in when they begin to breed. Mild and wet winters lead to early green vegetation being available earlier in the year, which means hens are ready to breed earlier than in more droughty or colder winters.

"By allowing for a long season, we provide hunters with an opportunity to better capture breeding activity. It is really impossible in Texas to put a date on the calendar and know for certain year-in and year-out that gobbling activity will be where the hunter wants it.”

Photo courtesy TPWD

Author: Tom Behrens

Tom Behrens has over 50 years experience in fishing and hunting across the United States. Much of this time was spent in Oklahoma and Texas where he became very familiar with the outdoor opportunities in these states. You may contact him by email at: [email protected]

Tell us what you think!

Lake Texoma Email Updates

Visit our Lake Texoma Sponsors!

Click here to promote your
lake focused business!

Lake Texoma on Social Media

Lake Texoma Current Weather Alerts

There are no active watches, warnings or advisories.

Lake Texoma Weather Forecast

Thursday

Partly Sunny

Hi: 64

Thursday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 51

Friday

Mostly Cloudy

Hi: 66

Friday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 62

Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 80

Saturday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 44

Sunday

Mostly Cloudy

Hi: 55

Sunday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 41

Extended Weather Forecast

Lake Texoma Water Level (last 30 days)

Water Level on 2/5: 615.01 (-1.99)

Water Level Details

Lake Texoma

Fishing Report from TPWD (Feb. 5)

FAIR. Water stained; 48 degrees; 1.71 feet below pool. Striper fishing has slowed down with the water levels dropping and the extreme change in weather. Look at humps, ledges, and structure in 15-30 feet of water, as well as deep water on ledges and river channels in 55–65 feet of water, using flukes while drifting to cover water. Look for bigger fish to move up into coves and shallow water, chasing big gizzard shad throughout the day. Crappie are on brush and structure in 18–25 feet of water, but target shallower water on warmer days as fish start to move toward creeks and coves on the lake. To target bass, focus on rocks and structures that hold baitfish in warmer water. Use a slow presentation, covering different depths off drop-offs and ledges in 8–15 feet of water. Catfishing is picking up. Look for big blues in shallow water near river inlets, especially with the recent rains and big gizzard shad pulling into the muddy, warmer water. Anchor fish with gizzard shad and cut heads off the bottom in 5–15 feet of water. In creek channels off flats, drift fish in 20–30 feet of water. .Report by Jacob Orr, Lake Guaranteed Guide Service. Striped bass are excellent on structure in 10-25 feet of water with Alabama rigs and swimbaits. Some fish can be caught deadsticking. There is no bird action. Report by John Blasingame, Adventure Texoma Outdoors.

More Fishing Reports

Courtesy of laketexoma.com

Lakehub Lakes