The fourth and final turkey hunting season of 2020 has begun in Iowa, though it’s the longest, lasting until May 17th.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Jeremy King says Guthrie County offers a great chance for a successful harvest this spring, “I’ve been seeing a lot of turkeys out and about, so this spring with the photo period of the day lengths extending and getting longer those toms are out displaying in full strut more often now. And they’re actually very visible, especially sunny calm days. You can drive around the countryside in Guthrie County and find multiple flocks of turkeys.”

King also mentions that hunters who bag a turkey are encouraged to keep one of the lower legs to be tested for the presence of Lymphoproliferative Disease (LPDV). The DNR is conducting a research study with Iowa State University looking for the presence of LPDV, a relatively new disease involving wild turkeys that has been seen in other states and may be approaching Iowa. More information on how to submit a sample is included here.