Turkeys foraging at Valles Caldera National Preserve. Courtesy NPS/Valles Caldera Trust

VCNP News:

JEMEZ SPRINGS – The 2024 turkey hunt season begins today, April 15, and runs through April 30 at Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Twenty tags were issued through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and each tag is good for one bearded turkey. The park is home to an estimated 400 Merriam turkeys.

“We are excited to offer this traditional spring hunt,” Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos said. “With their keen eyesight and general wariness, Merriam turkeys are a challenge to hunt for all skill levels.”

The Hunting web page (https://www.nps.gov/vall/planyourvisit/hunting.htm) provides information on turkey and elk hunting within the park. www.nps.gov/vall

About Valles Caldera National Preserve:

About 1.2 million years ago, a spectacular volcanic eruption created the 14-mile-wide circular depression now known as Valles Caldera. The park is known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife, and meandering streams. The area also preserves the homeland of ancestral native peoples and embraces a rich cultural history. Visit nps.gov/vall.

About the National Park Service:

More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 420+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit nps.gov.