DENVER, Colo. - Colorado's wild turkey lovers have something to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. There are more wild turkeys living in Colorado than at any time before.

  Once nearly wiped out in the United States, wild turkeys have made an impressive comeback thanks to efforts of state game and fish agencies and non-profit sportsmen's groups like the National Wild Turkey Federation.

In Colorado, the Division of Wildlife began working on strategies to increase the turkey population in the early 1980s. Since then, turkeys have been released, or colonized on their own, into most of the available habitat in the state. Wild turkeys now live in 53 of the state's 64 counties. Colorado's turkey program ranks among the most successful species conservation efforts in the agency's history.

  "Right now we have more wild turkeys in more places in Colorado than ever occurred here historically," said Ed Gorman, small game manager for the Division of Wildlife. "The success of turkeys in Colorado is primarily due to their adaptability and high reproductive capability."

  Turkeys were plentiful in the North America at the time the Pilgrims landed, but over-harvest and habitat loss nearly wiped out America's wild turkey population by the early 1900s. Today, wild turkeys are once again abundant across the nation due to modern turkey management programs like the DOW's.

  "Wild turkeys can be found in areas where they did not occur as recently as five years ago, said Gorman. "This has created new hunting opportunities for sportsmen."

  On November 10, the Colorado Wildlife Commission voted to allow over-the-counter turkey hunting licenses on private land for all but three management units (91, 92 and 96) east of Interstate 25. The change goes into effect in 2011. According to the International Hunter Education Association, turkey hunting is the fastest-growing form of hunting in the United States.

  Colorado is home to two subspecies of wild turkey: the native Merriam's and the Rio Grande, which was introduced to the state in 1980. The Merriam's wild turkey is primarily found in open meadows and in ponderosa, oak brush and pinion juniper stands in mountainous zones west of Interstate 25. The Rio Grande species inhabit cottonwood and riparian areas adjacent to agricultural lands in the eastern portion of the state.

  "Wild birds are cunning, wary birds," Gorman said. "They have excellent eyesight and are capable of flying for short distances at speeds up to 50 mph and running at speeds up to 25 mph to escape predators. These characteristics have been bred out of the game-farm raised birds and commercial turkeys served at Thanksgiving dinner."

  Wild turkeys mate in the early spring. Courtship usually begins while turkeys are still flocked together in wintering areas. Males attract females through a variety of calls, struts and displays including fanning their tail feathers.

  After mating, the hens begin searching for a nest site and laying eggs. In most areas, nests are found in a shallow dirt depression, surrounded by moderately woody vegetation that conceals the nest.

  Hens lay a clutch of 10 to 12 eggs during a two-week period, usually laying one egg per day. She will incubate her eggs for about 28 days, occasionally turning and rearranging them until they are ready to hatch.

  A newly-hatched flock must be ready to leave the nest within 12 to 24 hours to feed. Young turkeys, known as poults, eat insects, berries and seeds, while adults will eat anything from acorns and berries to insects and small reptiles. Turkeys usually feed in early morning and in the afternoon.

  For more information about all the great outdoor adventures in Colorado, visit their web site at http://wildlife.state.co.us/.

  Frostbite describes the condition that occurs when skin and underlying body tissues freeze as a result of exposure to cold. When skin and body tissues freeze, the water contained in each cell expands. Healthy warm cells are very elastic, but freezing cells are rigid. The result? As body tissue fluid freezes and expands, the cells split open, much like an over-filled container placed in the freezer. The cellular damage that results from frostbite can lead to severe disfiguration and even death.

  Frostbite can occur anytime the environmental temperature or the wind chill drops below freezing, 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Uncovered areas of the body are most likely to suffer, with the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes most often affected. Frostbite can set in very slowly or very quickly depending on how long the skin is exposed to the cold and how cold and windy it is. It cannot be emphasized strongly enough that frostbite need not happen even at extremes of altitude, temperature and fatigue: frequently a degree of carelessness is the chief cause.

  Frostbite occurs in three stages; frostnip, superficial frostbite, and deep frostbite. The initial stage is called frostnip. The skin turns unusually white and soft and will have a pins and needles feeling. This can easily be treated by blowing warm breath on the frost-nipped area or soaking the area in warm water.

  Superficial frostbite occurs when the skin freezes and ice crystals form inside the skin cells, but the tissue underneath remains flexible. The skin turns yellow-grey, painless, numb and leathery or waxy to the touch. Upon warming, the area will turn red and painful as blood flow to the area returns to normal. A few hours after thawing, the tissue swells and during the first two days giant blisters form. Try not to break them. These blisters settle during the first week leaving tissue hideously discolored, and if gangrenous, shrunken and black. This carapace, or shell separates in several weeks. If the frostbite is superficial, pink new skin will appear beneath the carapace: if deep, the end of a toe or finger will gradually separate off - an unsightly but usually painless process.

  In deep frostbite the tissue is hard, white and obviously frozen, like a piece of chicken from a freezer. This is the most serious type of frostbite because it affects the blood vessels, muscles, nerves, tendons and even bone. It can lead to permanent damage, blood clots and sometimes gangrene, which is the death and decay of body tissues. In deep frostbite, the affected areas become completely numb to all feeling and remain cool and splotchy or blue after warming. The frost-bitten area will turn black and hard. The skin surrounding the area may swell up and stay swollen for a month or longer. If gangrene develops, amputation of the finger or limb may be necessary.

  If you suspect frostbite, seek shelter. Remove wet, constrictive clothing and place the frostbitten area in direct skin-to-skin contact with a warm area on the victim or a buddy. Seek immediate medical attention to prevent infection and possible loss of a limb. Even with deep frostbite, if medical treatment is prompt, most frozen limbs may be saved.

  NOTE: Do not re-warm a frostbite injury if it could refreeze during evacuation.
  Do not re-warm frostbitten feet if victim must walk for medical treatment.

  Frostbite can usually be prevented by using caution in extreme cold weather. Layer your clothing. Many layers of thin clothing are warmer than one bulky layer. Air spaces trap body warmth close to the skin, insulating the body against the cold. Wear two or three pairs of socks instead of one heavy pair, for example, and wear roomy shoes.

  Cover all possible body surfaces. Wear a hat, ear muffs, a scarf and mittens. Don't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Alcohol dilates blood vessels, causing the body to lose heat quickly. Smoking slows down blood circulation to the extremities. Keep dry. Wet clothing is 20 times less warm than dry clothing. If you know that you are going to be out in the cold for any length of time, it is always wise to carry extra clothing with you.

  Pay attention to the warning signs of frostbite so you can prevent or treat it promptly. Remember the lower the temperature, the greater the risk of injury. Even if it is not very cold outside, high winds can reduce temperatures to dangerously low levels, making frostbite more of a danger. Also, people who have experienced frostbite need to be even more careful because they are more likely to suffer from it again. Other factors that may make a person more likely to get frostbite include being wet, exhausted, intoxicated by alcohol, taking certain medicines or drugs, smoking, diabetes and poor circulation.

  Much like your Monday through Friday life, Backwoods Adventures carry risks. By learning about these risks and taking preventive measures, you can minimize your chance for trouble and get maximum pleasure out of your outdoor adventures. Until next time...Maggie B.