Wild turkey populations have taken off in Idaho since Idaho Fish and Game first introduced them in the 1960s. Today an estimated 30,000 wild turkeys – Merriam’s, Rio Grande and Eastern – roam the state’s public and private lands. These birds are often concentrated in the relatively low elevation forests and along narrow riparian areas. Add over-the-counter opportunities and multiple tags to these conditions, and you have some of the best turkey hunting in the nation.