How to Find Turkeys in the Late Spring Season
The spring of 2013 in Wisconsin has been one of, if not the most challenging spring season in history. More late season tags have sold out this year than in previous years. Some of my buddies are asking where do we find the turkeys? How is their behavior different? Regarding where to find them: With the improving weather hens have begin laying. I'm finding turkey nests with 4-6 eggs along with the occasional "drop egg" laying by itself. In the next few days here in west central … [Read More...]
Wisconsin 2013 Spring Turkey Harvest – first 3 periods
Wisconsin's 2013 spring turkey hunt has been one for the history books with all of the record setting cold and snow. Even during the first week of May we experienced an unprecedented, never before recorded May snowstorm that dumped 20+ inches in some areas. Over all it has been one tough hunt this year. How the spring turkey hunters faired? Here the preliminary turkey harvest numbers for the first 3 seasons. Time Period A, 4/10 through … [Read More...]
When Do Turkeys Nest in Wisconsin?
When do Turkey's nest in Wisconsin? This is the question many hunters are asking and you can understand why after the below normal temperatures we've been having this spring many days of snowfall and freezing rain. How will the weather affect the wild turkey's nesting schedule? Many studies have found wild turkey breeding is controlled by photo periodism, the length of day. This year the turkeys have been mating as they usually do. However, most hunters think breeding has … [Read More...]
Are Turkeys Responding to Calls In Wisconsin Spring 2013?
In West Central Wisconsin 2013 average spring temperatures have been running 15-20 degrees below normal with higher amounts of snow fall and rain. Causing many spring turkey hunters to ask- " Are the turkeys gobbling and responding to calls?" It has almost become a cliché "the turkeys are always there doing what turkeys do." This is for the most part true but does little to reassure turkey hunters with upcoming valid tags as they look at weather forecasts predicting more of the … [Read More...]
Learn to Hunt Howards Grove, Wisconsin Update
Here is a video of 2 first time hunters sponsored by Howards Grove 2013 Talkin Turkey Expo and Learn to Hunt program. Randy DeMuz, call maker and owner of Ticklish Tom Custom Calls was instrumental in organizing this event. Missed it in 2013? Well stay tune I hear it will be back in 2014 bigger and better. Vic and charlie look forward to attending again next year. That is if we are invited. Video Courtesy of Shane Simpson at Calling All Turkeys Shane graciously … [Read More...]
Wisconsin Woodcock Arrive in Large Numbers
The evening of April 8 was my first woodcock sightings. They were all along Highway 10 through the Clark County forest. Considering the horrible spring 2013 weather the number of woodcock is surprising. The ground snow covered and mostly frozen. Since the 8th Vic and I have encounter large numbers of woodcock along brushy hillsides along the Mississippi River. The large numbers of woodcock are unusually in the areas I frequent. Is it because the weather to north is worse and … [Read More...]
2013 Wisconsin Spring Hearing Results
6096 attended the 2013 DNR Spring Rule Hearings - WCC County Meetings Summary of Results Statewide by Question are here 2013_StatewideResults Remember the results of these meetings are advisory only and carry no other weight in the rule setting process other than the special interests will site the results favorable to their positions. Very few outdoors men and women attend these hearings. It is time to allow votes via the internet. There is no reason we should not be able to enter … [Read More...]
Double Beard Lightweight Turkey
On April 10th the opening day of Wisconsin's 2013 wild turkey season I awoke to find the temperature at 21 degrees, 16 mph wind, snow covering the ground and sideways freezing whatever. Not exactly the kind of weather spring turkey hunters dream about. So I did what any self respecting old turkey hunter does on days like this- Enjoyed a pot of coffee Chatted with Mrs. elk Puttered around with stuff until I figured the turkeys were well off the roost. My Reasoning- When … [Read More...]
Scare Turkeys to Call Them In (an answer for Ray Eye)
In Ray Eye's last book "The Turkey Hunter's Bible" he wrote that he did not understand why anyone would scare a bunch of turkeys before attempting to call them back in. His reference was primarily regarding the common fall tactic of scattering a flock. Ray makes his point about this tactic being counter productive that it's better to call undisturbed turkeys. Well, that works too, I've done it many times. But there are situations in spring and fall that scaring turkeys does increase … [Read More...]
Can Turkeys Find Snow Insects?
Wild turkeys are amazing, they have proven to be tough survivors under harsh conditions. Sometimes they are referred to as goats with feathers because of their ability find and eat such a variety of food. Earlier this winter I found a flock of turkeys scratching in deep snow powder but they appeared not to be scratching down through the snow as they would if they were exposing nuts or seeds. This got my curiosity going so I moved in to investigate what they were after. Insects take … [Read More...]
The Turkey’s Snood Knows
What is the purpose of a wild turkey's snood? According to research done by University of Mississippi Dr. Richard Buchholz In addition to uncovering a non-sexual function for the brightly colored, bare head of the male wild turkey (which is crucial for maintaining sub-lethal body temperatures under warm ambient conditions and during physical exertion), my work also demonstrated that one aspect of male head ornamentation, the frontal process, or snood is subject to both inter-sexual and … [Read More...]
How to Legally Bait Wild Turkeys
Well, bet I've got your attention now! The baiting of wild turkeys with food is banned in all states with turkey populations unless you have a permit to capture and relocate turkeys or a depredation hunt. However, what I have in mind and the method I use, particularly during the spring turkey hunt- Audio Baiting It’s no secret turkeys are attracted by turkey “talk” and sounds made by other turkeys. After all, that is why most turkey hunters make or purchase several different … [Read More...]
2013 Wisconsin Hunting Licenses
March 6th is the big day for those who can't wait to purchase their new 2013 hunting licenses. Diane Brookbank, DNR Customer Service Bureau Director said- “We've had many people calling in asking us when they can buy their new licenses and that’s a great reflection on the fantastic fishing and hunting Wisconsin offers. We’re excited that they’re excited and we want to let anglers and hunters know they can purchase their new license starting next week.” Why would … [Read More...]
Where and How to Buy 2013 Wisconsin Over the Counter Spring Turkey Permits
Wisconsin spring turkey season is fast approaching. Buying OTC tags has become a ritual for many turkey hunters in Wisconsin. WDNR starts hunters off with a drawing. The 2013 drawing deadline has come and gone. If you did not apply or did not get drawn don't despair you have another chance to get a good tag one per day until sold out in the over the counter sale starting Zone 1 - Monday, March 18 Zone 2 - Tuesday, March 19 Zone 3 - … [Read More...]
Wisconsin Hunter Education Courses Start Statewide
Forty percent of all the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Hunter Education courses are held in spring. Take your course now to certified for all the season openers. WDNR, Madison Press Release “This truly is the best time to get this important course completed. All too often we see how time can get away from people and suddenly we are into the seasons, and the courses are either full or no longer being held,” Hunter Education Administrator and Warden Jon King … [Read More...]
Wisconsin Hiring 15+ wildlife biologist
If you live in Wisconsin and have ever considered a job as a wildlife biologist the opportunity is open until February 18. According to JoAnne Farnsworth management systems chief for DNR's Bureau of Wildlife Management. “We currently we have more than 15 vacancies, and we expect that number to grow in the next year,” “The register from this exam will be used to fill positions for at least a year.” Do you think WDNR Wildlife biologists just get to run around the countryside … [Read More...]
Fall Birds of the Year Called in with Specialized Pot and Peg Call
Willowridge Custom Calls makes this very specialized and unique call that is particularly effect for making kee-kees the many other bird of year calls. The striker is tapered to point. The pot wood with a crystal surface and has a single sound hole. In the fall of 2012 I used this call bring several turkeys to gun after my turkey dog Vic had scattered them. The proof of a fine call is in the pictures. … [Read More...]
2013 Wisconsin Conservation Congress county meeting for proposed rules
Each year in Wisconsin interested persons can attend, vote and express their opinions at the Spring Conservation Meetings. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources press release- On Monday, April 8, there will be 72 public hearings, one in each county starting at 7:00 p.m. where individuals interested in natural resources management have an opportunity to provide their input by non-binding vote and testimony to the Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Board and the … [Read More...]
6,933 Wisconsin’s 2012 Fall Wild Turkey Harvest
Wisconsin fall turkey hunters harvested 6,933 wild turkeys in season 2012. This is an increase of 1,500 wild turkeys from 2011 fall total of 5,433 turkeys. Due to a mild 2011 winter and a drier warmer 2012 spring, turkey nesting success was indeed excellent leading to a 28% increase in the fall harvest. In the final weeks of the 2012 season many hunters reported large flocks of jakes which should indicate an excellent 2013 spring wild turkey season. The total 2012 harvest … [Read More...]
Turkey Expo
Talk'n Turkey Expo is the first annual Wisconsin Turkey Expo being held in junction with the 6th annual Howard’s Grove Rod & Gun Club Learn To Hunt turkeys, this year on Saturday, March 30,2013. More sponsors and vendors are signing up daily. Check out Talk'n Turkey Expo website for updates. This will be charlie elk and Vic first turkey expo presentation and we are looking forward to meeting our fellow turkey hunters. See you there. … [Read More...]
Talk’n Turkey Expo in Howards Grove, Wisconsin
Hey all you Wisconsin turkey hunters! In conjunction with the 6th annual Howard's Grove Rod & Gun Club Learn To Hunt turkeys, this year on Saturday, March 30,2013, we are going to have Talk'n Turkey Expo. It is going to be a night of turkey talk, shopping, and swapping stories with fellow hunters. Speakers are: Dave Constantine- nationally recognized for the most beautiful calls you will ever see, and recently featured on this website for hunting tactics. Dan Widert- local DNR … [Read More...]
Wisconsin 2013 Spring Wild Turkey Permit Drawing Completed
Great News--This is the earliest Wisconsin DNR has ever completed the wild turkey spring drawing. Kudos to those at WDNR for making this happen. Sure will make spring turkey hunt planning easier. You can check your spring turkey application results at Wisconsin's Online Licensing Center. Turkey licenses not claimed by drawing will be sold OTC. The availability of OTC 2013 spring turkey tags will announced later. Good luck. Update 12:50 1/15/2013 from … [Read More...]
Alaskan Christmas Moose
A shout out of congratulations to my long time Alaskan hunting buddy with his Christmas moose. Nice moose with your bow under difficult conditions. Then again when have we ever hunted with conditions less than difficult after all that makes for memorable hunts. Charlie and his longtime hunting partners do not quit. The harder you hunt the luckier you get. Never quit hunting until you fill your tag or the season's buzzer sounds. The competition of hunting is not between the hunter … [Read More...]
Wisconsin Mississippi River Backwaters Turkey Hunt
2011 Spring, unit 1 Wisconsin Turkey Hunt somewhere north of La Crosse on the Mississippi River Hunting some flat lowland was a treat after all the snowy, wet slippery hill climbing of season 2. I could only hunt the weekend of season 3 and still had the snow mixed with rain plus a little high wind just to keep things interesting. I found a sheltered area where the turkeys were hanging out in very good numbers and responded well to lost hen yelping. Truth be told I whiffed on a … [Read More...]
Gun Show in a Wisconsin School
"For this town, no big deal to have gun show at school" This is an AP headline from yesterday that is a spot of sanity in the insane world of gun control hype. The AP reporter Dinesh Ramde writes: Wisconsin — where children as young as 10 years old are encouraged to grab a gun and shoot a deer — one community is embracing its hunting heritage by gearing up to host a gun show in a high school gym. Most people think guns are simply banned in schools however according to Chippewa … [Read More...]
2012 Wisconsin Fall Turkey Harvest Up
Wisconsin's 2012 fall turkey harvest is up over 2011 as of December 12, 2012 5500 turkeys had been registered. This compares to 5433 wild turkeys registered at the end of 2011 fall season. The final 2012 fall turkey harvest numbers will be released shortly. Given the mild December weather and increase in the reported turkey population Wisconsin fall turkey harvest should increase more. Share your experiences and observations if you hunted fall/winter turkeys. … [Read More...]
How Do You Setup for Winter Turkeys?
Even though Wild turkeys can only see in two dimensions they have good eyesight, no make that excellent eyesight. Any wild turkey hunter knows this after only a few encounters with this king of birds which is why camouflage is so popular among hunters. Although there are a few die-hard traditionalist do not wear camo. So how do you hide from a turkey’s keen sight in a snow covered landscape? Snow camo is a big help when a hunter is out in the open or open brushy terrain. … [Read More...]
The Sun Sets on 2012 Wisconsin Fall Turkey Season
I have a personal tradition of hunting the last day of a season to reflect and say “good bye”. This is the sunset of the final hunting day of 2012. Vic and I had just flushed a flock of 50 turkeys, the last we saw they were flying off into the sunset; a fitting end indeed. What a great season 2012 was and many of us are sorry to see it end. There are high numbers of game birds across the landscape especially turkeys. After an easy 2011/ 2012 winter followed by a … [Read More...]
Fall Turkeys and Kids
We covered the 100 yards to where the turkey had disappeared. The quivering of Vic's legs and tail indicated the turkey was near, the electricity of excitement crackled through the air between the kids and dog. I whispered to my grandson tell Vic to "Get em up Vic; TURKEY!" his young voice quivered as he gave the command. Vic launched charging uphill, but I had seen the turkey go down towards the creek. The sudden chain cackling, putting and large wings beats certainly proved Vic knew more … [Read More...]
What Ate My Deer?
While in a ground setup along the edge of a cornfield overlooking a bean field waiting for the deer to show up Monday evening something growled at me. I don’t mean like a little doggie growl I mean a seriously deep growl coming from corn behind me, by the sound just a few rows back. I held my position while keeping a cautious eye out for the growler, no deer showed up. The next morning I went back to look for some sign as to what the heck it was; found nothing. On Wednesday … [Read More...]