Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Dustin Eighmy unveils the best areas in Dallas County for turkey hunting.

Eighmy acknowledges that today is the start of the fourth season, which is the longest, running until May 18th. He points out good spots in central Iowa include Hanging Rock Park in Redfield, Big Bend two miles north of there, as well as the Des Moines River being a popular area. Eighmy indicates that if hunters harvest turkeys, they need to report it to the DNR by midnight of the following day prior to the process of consumption begins. 

He suggests that after hunters have cleaned the turkeys to place it in a garbage bag, then either dispose of it in a landfill, by burying it in the ground, or getting rid of it in your local area. However, Eighmy says to double check the ordinances in your community to make sure that it’s legal to do so, as it varies from city to city. He cautions hunters not to dispose of turkeys in natural habitats.

“What we don’t want you doing is taking it back out and throwing it over a bridge into the creek, or a public wildlife area or a parking lot, or a ditch somewhere along the roads. Not only is that littering, but it is also a nuisance for other individuals that might be using that area. It might bring in some unwanted predators that are chewing on the carcasses, the smell, (and) the sight. Not everybody that uses our public areas are hunters.”

Eighmy reminds people to verify they have their hunting and habitat, plus the current season licenses before proceeding with searching for turkeys. He directs anyone with questions to visit the Iowa DNR website.