IT'S TIME TO TALK TURKEY SPRINGSEASON OFFERS POSSIBILITIES.

Byline: Jim Niemiec Special to the Daily News

LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST - Spring turkey season opens March 25, and the outlook for bagging a big gobbler looks very promising based on field reports arriving from biologists, outfitters, guides and hunters who have been checking out popular public land in our nearby national forests.

The coastal mountains are home to a huntable population of Rio Grande turkeys, and the pine-tree country on higher mountains offers plenty of Merriams turkeys.

The weather has been cold and damp along the coast, and the birds have remained in flocks longer than normal. The breeding season could be pushed back a couple of weeks this spring because it was so dry for so long, and and hens didn't seek nesting spots as early as they would have if the Southland had received normal rainfall this winter.

The Los Padres National Forest continues to attract increasing numbers of turkey hunters. Access is simple, via dirt roads that lead into the heavier timber where the best public hunting likely will occur. Hunters should plan to spend and entire day hunting, and patience waiting for a big gobbler could pay off. When heading out on forest land, it's sensible to bring along a GPS location unit, carry basic survival gear, and don't hunt alone.

``The vegetative cover essential for nesting just isn't available yet, but thistle and mustard should begin growing much faster later in March.'' said Brady Daniels, a wildlife biologist and master guide for Cal Quest Outfitters of Santa Barbara. ``I would expect the middle to the end of the season to produce most of the call-friendly gobblers. If the hens stay flocked up due to the poor nesting conditions and predator vulnerability, the satellite toms may get frustrated and become more susceptible to decoys and subtle calling.''

The slopes of the western High Sierras offer land that is a little more rugged and more difficult to access, but the region is home to a lot of huntable turkeys. Rios are hunted at lower elevations, where there is an abundance of oak trees, but Merriams will be found higher up the mountain, among the pines.

National forest property between Springville and Lake Isabella always produces big gobblers for hunters willing to scout the area.

``There was a very strong carryover of adult toms from last season, along with a good population of jakes,'' Tejon Ranch game manager Don Geivet said. ``This spring should produce some big gobblers for hunters who have a little patience in the field.

``The birds are just now starting to disperse at the higher elevations, and as the weather continues to warm, the long-beards will become more vocal.''

The San Bernardino National Forest is hurting for turkeys. Severe drought, fires and heavy hunting pressure have caused problems, and biologist Steve Loe reports there are very few birds.

``Birds are not even showing up at feeders on private ranches in the forest, and my fellow (San Bernardino National Forest) staff members are just not seeing any birds ...,'' Loe said. ``It's going to be tough hunting for everyone this season.''

Things are much better in northern San Diego County, with plenty of Rio Grande turkeys on public and private land in the Cleveland National Forest.