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Shorten WI 2018 Grouse Season? Let your voice be heard

September 6, 2018 by Charlie 5 Comments

Should Wisconsin close the 2018 Ruffed Grouse hunting season early? At the end of this post is a link to the WDNR public input survey about this early closure. I urge a no vote on the early grouse season closure.

Regarding the Closing of WI grouse season early. Nov 30, 2018:

This is a copy of my email exchange with a Wisconsin Dept. Natural Resource biologist.

CE – Biologically, does it make sense to shorten the season? The studies I have read over the years conclude that 80% of upland birds (includes turkeys) are dead within two years whether they are hunted or not?

Answer: From a biological standpoint, there is not much support in the literature for shortening the ruffed grouse season. These are short-lived birds with an annual mortality of 50-70%, so we as hunters are harvesting surplus birds which would likely die of other causes prior to the breeding season. As an example, if you have 100 chicks in a given year, only about 18 would make it to the first breeding season, and of those 18 survivors, only 8 would make it to their second year. So 92 out of 100 birds will die within their first two years, whether that is from a hunter, predator, disease, starvation, getting hit by a car, or any other source of mortality. Hunting has been shown to generally not impact those survival rates. There is some limited research which suggests late season harvest can have negative impacts on a population the closer you get to the breeding season.

CE – And if someone wanted to reduce the harvest it seems to me cutting the bag limit would be more effective.

Limiting bag limit generally does not provide benefits to the population according to the research, partly for the reasons I previously mentioned, but also because we know very few hunters typically harvest a full bag of grouse.

CE – Reading the press reports made it sound like you and your department had nothing to do with the decision.

This motion was ultimately recommended by the Wisconsin Conservation Congress to the Natural Resources Board independent of the department.

CE – Land use in some of the northern prime grouse habitat has been changing rapidly in the last five years. Many of the places we once hunted grouse have been plowed into corn or bean fields; plus the maturing of timber stands; these are more likely the cause of the decrease in grouse and woodcock. Whereas in these same areas the turkey population is on the rise big time.

Habitat and land use is certainly an issue for grouse throughout their range. Here in WI, the effects of forest aging on grouse have been especially prominent in southwestern WI. The driftless area used to host the best grouse hunting in the state, but as the timber industry in the south vanished and the land was parceled out and active management declined, our southwestern grouse population plummeted. Habitat can definitely explain long-term declines we’ve seen in many places throughout the grouse range.

The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS)

Appreciates the attention the Conservation Congress, NRB, and DNR are giving to this issue. While there was a decline in ruffed grouse drumming activity from 2017 to 2018 (despite the next anticipated peak cycle peak expected to occur around 2019-2021), such a decline during the increasing phase of a grouse population cycle is not unprecedented. Further, drumming increased in other parts of the state, and drumming was stable or increased on 22 of the 43 northern region survey routes. Finally, the number of ruffed grouse drums observed per survey stop in the northern forest region in 2018 were still within the historic range of variability on this survey.

Given the level of information available, RGS does not support the proposed emergency rule instating closure on November 30. RGS would support season changes if data suggested a pressing conservation need. We do not believe that is clearly the present case.

Public comments on the proposed early closure will be accepted now through 11:59 pm on September 12, 2018, via an Online Survey, Please see the video for background information relating to the proposed early closure.

What are the All Time Top Posts on charlie elk?

March 26, 2018 by Charlie 18 Comments

The other day over coffee, a magazine editor asked me; “With over two hundred posts,” – “Which have gotten the most traffic?” Off the top of my head, I knew the “How to Legally Bait Turkeys” is the most searched for: give it a try using bait turkeys or turkey bait. Other than that I suspected but did not know for sure. After doing some research here are the top eleven.

When Do the Eggs of Hen Wild Turkey Start Developing?

January 2, 2018 by Charlie 2 Comments

On December 23, 2017, I shot a wild turkey hen. While dressing out the carcass, I found these tiny egg clusters that were attached to the inside of her lower backbone. Apparently, these are the beginning of egg formation.

Wild Turkey eggs recovered from a hen shot on December 23, 2017

Until I found these tiny egg packets the question of when eggs begin to develop in a wild turkey had never occurred to me. And since I usually try not to shoot adult hens during the fall hunt, this is the first December hen I have dressed out in preparation for the table.

Also, see When do Turkeys nest in Wisconsin?

It is legal to shoot any turkey during Wisconsin’s fall season so why do I try not to take a hen?

An adult hen (brood hen) is a proven breeder, so I choose to focus on the jakes and jennies, thinking turkey biology, they are the most likely members of a turkey flock not survive the long cold winters. In other words, they are more likely to perish so why not put those excellent eating turkeys on the table?

In December most turkeys are approaching the same size, except for some late in the season hatched chicks. Documented turkey nests with incubating eggs have been located as late as mid-August. Over the years, on three occasions, I have discovered broods of flightless poults at the end of August.

These eggs located in Wisconsin mid-March

Other interesting observations from the hen.

Pictured are the contents of a Dec 23rd hen’s crop. Temperatures were in the low teens and single digits.

This insect was found alive in the hen’s crop.

I do not know what kind of insect it is. Even when temps are subzero, these bugs can be found moving around at the base of trees and in the bark when the sun warms the south side.

Beavers Eat and Store Corn

September 13, 2017 by Charlie 16 Comments

Beavers are known for their eating of trees, shrubs, and in particular fresh shoots of willow, poplar or birch. While making my way back in the dark, I have cussed out the beavers for all the punji spikes they left behind. As a courtesy, they should chew things off at ground level instead of midway between the ground and my shin. Indeed, these admirable, engineering creatures have set all these punji booby traps in an attempt to impale an unwary passerby like me. Beavers have done so much of this trap setting that I have started to take it personally.

You can imagine my surprise when the last week I encountered rows of corn cut off at the ground level and hauled down the slope into the beaver’s pond.

Closeup of corn stalk cut by a beaver.

So, I wondered where did the stalks go?

Hmm, a beaver slide with a corn stalk at the end.

Closer examination, yes, beaver tracks.

Looking back up to the corn field; apparently, some beavers have taken a liking to corn on the cob.

Further along, the pond’s shoreline revealed the beginnings of a classic beaver food cache.

Perhaps this farmer is going to be seeking a trapper’s services soon?

Surprised me, this is the first time I have seen beaver depredation on a corn field, even those areas which border water. If this kind of plunder becomes wide spread, skilled trappers will be in demand. Any volunteer trappers?

Wisconsin Collector Stamps; How to order

August 17, 2017 by Charlie 1 Comment

All 2017 Wisconsin wild turkey hunters can request a collector turkey stamp.

There was a time when hunters and fisherman received the actual stamp at the time of in person purchase. Nowadays we all buy our sporting licenses digitally, and the stamp fee is listed on our receipt to prove we have paid. For the most part, hunters just pocket their receipt or in some cases load it onto a smart phone and head for the fields, marshes, and forests. In all the

2016 Wild turkey stamp is still available to license buyers, for the asking.

the excitement of preparing for the hunt, the last thing we think about is an artistic stamp.

Not long ago the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced the artists who won the collector stamp competition. This news got me to thinking about, “back in the day”… where upon it dawned on me that I have a lot of the old stamps. Are these new stamps available even to those who purchase licenses online? The answer is YES.

2017 Wisconsin great lakes salmon trout stamp

To see the contest results and rules for upcoming stamp competition go the Wisconsin DNR website and enter key word “stamps” in the search bar. The artists compete for the honor of being the best; they are not compensated monetarily, their work is a donation to the cause. Of course by competing they get publicity for their work and bragging rights if they win. My grandpa also said, “it ain’t bragging if you do it.” and “no brag, just fact.”

2017 Wisconsin Pheasant Stamp

2016 WI state waterfowl stamp

To obtain stamps for previously purchased stamp privileges:
If you purchased a license for the previous or current year with the Wildlife or Fish Stamp privilege(s) you can obtain the stamps by the following methods:

Request your stamp online by completing the Online Order Form;
At any DNR Service Center.

Anyone can purchase Wisconsin collector stamps by:

by mail using the Collector Stamp Order (form 9400-567) [PDF]
at any DNR Service Center.

The funds raised through the purchase of these stamps are used to improve habitat. I encourage more people to step up and do their part

2017 WI trout stamp

to improve wildlife and fishery habitat across the state of Wisconsin. Some folks are probably wondering why charlie has the fishing stamps; each year I purchase the Conservation Patron license, this license includes the financial requirements for almost all the outdoor activities in WI. Even though I do not use the state park system, rarely fish and only sometimes trap I recognize these are important aspects of outdoor recreation that deserve support so that all can enjoy pursuits of the outdoors now and in the future. Money well spent.

2016 WI pheasant stamp

Wild Turkey Mating In the Middle of Road!? Lookout a Car is Coming! Video Proof

July 7, 2017 by Charlie 7 Comments

More incredible video from American Wild Turkey Hunting Dog Association

This show went on for 29 minutes, the Hen telling Tom where to go! While her poults sit tight, she’s telling him he’s supposed to be a sentinel on the lookout, not trying to court her, you big dummy! The poults like to feed in the ditches, while Tom thinks the road is his strutting ground.
Turn up the speakers, what do you think she’s saying? In the next video, count how many poults are left.

It’s July 7, 2017, the turkey books say mating is done by now. Consider, this feathered lady already has thirteen kids.

There were 13 from this one hen, 2 days ago. Don’t know how they manage, between the cars, the weather and all the predators. There are a few stragglers in the bunch, so keep watching.

Note by charlie: Make sure to click the AWTHDA link above to check out more information on wild turkeys and while you’re there consider joining.

Stressed Hen Turkey Struts and Drags Wings

July 6, 2017 by Charlie 2 Comments

Submitted by AWTDA

It’s a hard life, trying to protect seven babies by yourself! This hyper hen was in a near perpetual 3/4 tail strut, almost dragging her wings,
warning anybody that sees her she’s a formidable threat. Notice her head position is always on alert, she rarely gets something to eat herself, always on a lookout for danger. Where are them big tough gobblers, when a mother could use a little help around here?

Do hens suffer from the loss of gobblers? For more tiptoeing around the issue see AWTDA

What did the Hen say to Her Poults Before Crossing the Road

July 4, 2017 by Charlie 9 Comments

Updated July 5, 2017

Courtesy of American Wild Turkey Hunting Dog Association

Notice how smart birds are, that they know enough to get off the road when a car is coming? As if they tell the young ones: “Be careful crossing the road, your great, great, great Aunt Matilda was killed by a car and don’t you forget it!”

How many are left?

What’s the odds of one hen’s 13 poults surviving until 2 weeks old? We
got a good count when they crossed the road this morning.

14 turkeys survived the fireworks, a 1/4 mile from their roost last night. Watch a 25 second video in Vivid Color from this morning

Video of Wisconsin Wild Turkey Hen with Poults; Video added

June 29, 2017 by Charlie 10 Comments

Contributed and Written By; American Wild Turkey Hunting Dog Association

Here is another hen with her brood this morning. A beautiful hatch, despite that it has rained 15 out of the last 17 days here. Either it’s an old wives tale that getting wet will kill poults when less than 3 days old, or Wisconsin turkeys have evolved to tolerate it.
I count 13 poults. Only saw the one hen, but I suspect her cohort(s) was/were nearby. Two or more related hens will often lay eggs in the same nest, take turns setting, serving as sentinel and raising the brood, with adjacent barren hens and male turkeys announcing danger in the neighborhood.

Notice this hen has a slight beard – never shoot bearded hens.

How old do you think these poults are on June 29, 02017?

At 44.27° N Latitude in Wisconsin.

Update June 30, 2017 – Next day video

Going the other direction today. Four poults flew 3′ off the ground, by tonight they’ll roost in the trees.

Do Hunters really do this? Are there Those Who are That Dumb?

June 18, 2017 by Charlie 10 Comments

Stunning. The old saying “no good deed goes unpunished” is more accurate than we’d like to admit.

This wild turkey habitat demonstration area was not for just habitat but also a place disabled hunters could be taken out hunting.

Why would anyone who hunts destroy signs like these?

Or This?

This takes a crackpot. Not a crack shot.

Come on there are shooting ranges all over Wisconsin with much better targets than this. As my rage subsided and my brain begins to work it came up with other possibilities. Perhaps it was not hunters, rather some other entity whose cause would be advanced by bad Hunter P.R.

Many signs in this hunter were shot up

Maybe some rabid anti-hunters. Sobering to think they might have taken up arms. But then I remember members of the Human Society of The United States advocating vandalism on hunting lands to make hunters look bad. A few years ago I some found alcoholic beverage containers strewn about the parking areas of a WMA during a fall hunting season. Being a concerned hunter and good citizen, picked up the litter on my way out. A few days later I returned and found the same type of litter. On my fourth hunt, there was more of this litter. Clearly, this problem was not random, reporting it would be a waste of time without more evidence of the identity. However, being it was hunting season I did not want to waste time. In a discreet location, up went an old trail camera. A week later more bottles were dumped along with several beer cans. I recovered the camera for review after my hunt.

A few years ago I some found alcoholic beverage containers strewn about the parking areas of a WMA during a fall hunting season. Being a concerned hunter and good citizen, picked up the litter on my way out. A few days later I returned and found the same type of litter. On my fourth hunt, there was more of this litter. Clearly, this problem was not random, reporting it would be a waste of time without more evidence of the identity. However, being it was hunting season I did not want to waste time. In a discreet location, up went an old trail camera. A week later more bottles were dumped along with several beer cans. I recovered the camera for review after my hunt.

After getting my turkeys cleaned and my dog settled in it was time to check out the camera images. The camera caught the culprits including their license plate number. Called the sheriff to report and emailed the photos. Each of the four litters were fined $700 and asked the judge for leniency because they were trying to help get the area closed to hunting so that animals would no longer live in fear. Turned out these creeps wanted to stop hunting and figured if hunters were made to look dangerous more people would become activists on their side.

My mission on Saturday was not finding a bunch of shot up signs rather find turkeys, in particular, turkey poults and make notes of the type crops planted or not planted. I found plenty of deer, many does had twins and triplets in tow! The hen turkeys had 4-7 poults each with many hens still sitting on nests. The extra nest setting is probably due to all the rain washing out their first nesting attempts.

On Monday I will be contacting the nice lady in charge of Wisconsin’s voluntary access program to find out where I can purchase some replacement VPA signs to put up. The very last thing we need are landowners who are considering signing up their lands for public access seeing what they will most likely assume are unappreciative hunters.

I don’t think hunters vandalized those signs. What is your opinion?

Update: 6/20/17

I have been in contact with WDNR and found out these signs had been replaced previously and now they have been shot up again, outside of any hunting season. Makes me suspect it might not be someone who hunts. Also, I did not make clear in the post street signs were shot all the way to the location of the NWTF sign obliteration.

Beyond The Patterning Board; X-Rays of Shot Turkey Head/Necks

June 16, 2017 by Charlie 49 Comments

By FirstBubba

Due to a rather “brisk” discussion on another blog about turkey ammo, I could think of no other way to prove that #8 shot IS adequate for turkeys than xX-rays of harvested birds.

First and foremost, I’d like to thank Dr. Kerri D’Arbonne, DVM and her husband (both avid hunters!) of Chisholm Trail Vet Clinic, Duncan, Oklahoma for the use of their equipment for this endeavor.

My apologies for the mess I had to clean up afterward! LOL! Secondly! This project was my maiden voyage to the “Sea of Xray.” These shots aren’t “exactly” what I had in mind, but hope they help!

Let’s go with “layout” first.

Left to right: Turkey #1 was taken at nearly 35 yards, quartering away right to left. Turkey #2 was taken right at 30 yards, broadside traveling left to right. Turkey #3 in the neighborhood of 15 yards moving right to left. The first shot is a side view.

Shot #2 is a frontal view. Left to right: Turkey #1 was taken at nearly 35 yards, quartering away right to left. Turkey #2 was taken at 30 yards, broadside traveling left to right. Turkey #3 in the neighborhood of 15 yards moving right to the left.

Left to right: Turkey #1 was taken at nearly 35 yards, quartering away right to left. Turkey #2 was taken at 30 yards, broadside traveling left to right. Turkey #3 in the neighborhood of 15 yards moving right to left.

(Told you I were no expert! LOL!)

All three birds dropped at the shot.
All three birds were taken with 2.75″ Winchester Super-Handicap
Heavy Target Load @1250fps with 1 1/8 ounce of #8 lead shot.

Plain Jane Remington 870 12 gauge with an aftermarket “extra full” choke tube.

The “brisk” discussion was mostly over whether #8 shot would maintain enough kinetic energy to penetrate deeply enough to break bones (vertebrae) out to 40 yards.

Note on bird #1, the two #8 shot that appears to be behind the right eye. Those two shot HAD to transect the entire head to reach their position.

I believe “turkey specific” ammo is overrated and over priced. Why buy 5 to 10 rounds for $2 or so per round when I can get a box of 25 for 5 to 7 bucks?(depending on sales. I AM a tightwad! LOL! )

I also believe that the 3 and 3.5-inch ammo tends to cause otherwise good hunters to attempt shots well beyond the 40-yard mark, resulting in wounded and unrecovered birds.

Therefore, I shoot 2.75-inch ammo and call birds in as close as possible. I believe “pattern density” kills, not shot size. The more pellets you deliver to the target, the higher your chances of delivering a fatal pellet strike. Therefore, I shoot #8’s to deliver as thick a pattern as possible.

I’ve burned lot’s of ammo at sheets of newspaper and butcher paper to get an idea of “pattern density,” but what REALLY happens when you pull that trigger? A specific percentage of pellets in a ten-inch circle at 30 yards?…40 yards? Guess what guys; A turkey head ain’t that big!!

I’m hoping these X-rays give others a look at what happens that the patterning board just doesn’t tell you.

IF you are comfortable with the ammo you shoot, the range you shoot and the pellet size you prefer, DO NOT change because of my beliefs! I’m not suggesting everyone change ammo, but if you’re looking for different ammo options, here is one!

If you have a hunter friendly vet in your area, talk to them. Xrays reveal a lot about pellet performance!

How Many Syllables are in a Gobble?

May 12, 2017 by Charlie 11 Comments

As I sit in turkey setups I ponder “How Many Syllables are in a Gobble? Thanks to a text I received the other day from my buddy treerooster. Just what I needed as if I didn’t pay close enough attention to gobbling before this question was planted in my inquiring mind. Now the old ears are trying to feed every note upstairs for analysis. And it seems to be a depends on what the gobbler is seeking to communicate or how aggressive he is feeling. Some gobbles are short with few notes or syllables, while others are quite complex with short and long notes and syllables.

It’s a real legitimate question to which nearly all other turkey hunters have not thought about very much.

Please list your thoughts and observations in the comment section.

Neon Tom – Gobbler Rumble End

May 6, 2017 by Charlie 4 Comments

“Neon” Tom
by FirstBubba
The “Gobbler Rumble” ended when the six toms broke into smaller groups and headed to the field with the hens.
One of them, however, headed off on his own to the pecan grove to the east.
The grove has huge, old trees that have shaded out most undergrowth. As they leaf out, they also leave the ground under them in dark shadows.
This tom seemed to be on a mission. He never gobbled, yelped, spat or drummed. He simply walked into the dark shadows of the trees and began to strut proudly. I turned the video back on and began to track him. A few rays of the rising sun were stabbing through the timber east of the trees and provided perfect backlighting for his gaudy show!
I decided I wanted prints instead of video and switched the camera to “Smart Capture”, but alas, the show had ended! I did eventually get one nice photo of him (shot #3) as he strode off with a couple of hens that had arrived for the “Gala”!
As hard as I tried to make an 8×10, the “still from video” function just won’t allow a clear enlargement! Therefore, 4×6 is the best I can do! When we darken the room, his tail stands out in his framed photo like a curved beacon.
So, in all his “radiant glory”, these are the shots I call; “Neon Tom”!

Now is that a ” shiny hiney” or what?

Turkey Sitrep; “military speak for the turkey situation in a particular area”

April 1, 2017 by Charlie 36 Comments

The turkeys have started an eat ham campaign. I wonder why?

Here’s the place to post the turkey situations in your area, whether that is in WI a neighboring state or somewhere across the world.

Wisconsin Game Warden Invoked a Scare in Charlie

December 8, 2016 by Charlie 6 Comments

A few weeks ago Vic and I concluded a quick pheasant hunt and then decided to move to the end of a dead end road in hopes of finding some turkeys. As we traveled down the road, a Wisconsin warden waved us down and immediately asked if I was Charlie Elk. An ice chunk quickly knotted in my gut, oh no!; has something happened to Mrs. Elk? Vic and I were out cell coverage for only a short time… The concern must have shown on my face because Warden Thiede quickly added he had run my plates on his way in, oh whew, I relaxed. Mrs. Elk has been chronically ill, so we don’t leave her alone for any extended period of time.

Warden Thiede went on the ask about our hunting success, a standard tactical question for law enforcement to get a feel as to whether or not a subject is a possible violator who is worthy of additional scrutiny. With all the changes Wisconsin has made to our licensing system, I returned a question for each of his questions to find out what exactly a law enforcement officer would know about me by only checking my vehicle plates. Besides, many wardens are a wealth of information regarding hunting pressure and game sightings; you just have to spend some quality time visiting time with them. Officer Thiede was no exception he had maps of hunting lands that are not available on the Wisconsin department’s website yet. And best of all I did not know about WDNR recently purchasing these, nor do most other hunters.

Here’s what he knew about me by just running my vehicle’s license plate number before we started conversing:

How many licenses and tags for what species I’d bought this season and last season.
Of course my name, address, phone and Hunter I.D. number. Hunter numbers are now our WDNR identification. Contrary to what many believed, the old back tag numbers never were quickly connected to a licensee. If a back tag number was reported, it could take hours for a violator’s identity to be reported back to a field officer.
How many game registrations I have made, not only this year but every year since I have been hunting in Wisconsin. That’s 50+ years! An extensive list indeed.
He knew many of the public wildlife areas I have hunted this season and last season. WDNR staff take pictures of license plates they encounter in parking zones. I assume they upload these to a database.

As Wisconsin moved towards the current online license system, many raised warnings and concerns about massive increases in poaching. However, this is clearly a false assumption. Game wardens and sheriff deputies now of instant access to real-time information. There is no longer room for a bad hunter to play around with their tags, once registered it is virtually punched out. If an officer hears about someone bagging a deer or turkey, he can quickly check a registration, if nothing is recorded the warden knows he or she is on the trail of a violator. Our new license system here in Wisconsin is very good and Go Wild is easy to use.

Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Forecast

September 5, 2016 by Charlie 4 Comments

Wisconsin DNR’s annual Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Forecast is published and available.

The downloadable PDF is here:

2016 Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Forecast

Download Wisconsin 2016 Hunting & Trapping Forecast

Some of the highlights inside include

Find a place to hunt in Wisconsin

Pocket Ranger App has been downloaded 210,000 times for Apple and Android phones.

Places to hunt

Deer registration locations

Rules and regulations

License and permit information

Safety communication tool

Advanced GPS mapping features

Trophy Case, join a community of anglers and hunters

News and alert feature.

Public Access Lands (PAL) Atlas

Finding Open Lands – A mapping tool shows the approximate location of all MFL–Open and FCL lands in Wisconsin – here, you’ll find landowner info, acreage, and enrollment information.

Voluntary Public Access VPA and Habitat Incentive Programs HIP

Provides financial incentives to private landowners who open their property to public hunting, fishing, trapping and wildlife observation and improve wildlife habitat.

FFlight the Fields and Forest Lands Interactive Gamebird Hunting Tool

Features available within the program will help hunters locate DNR public parking areas, overlay township descriptions, and provide access to maps and aerial photos of prospective hunting areas.

Deer District Forecasts

West Central
Northern
Northeast
Southern

Migratory Game Birds

Ducks
2016 Changes
Canada Geese
Mourning Doves
Woodcock

Upland Game

Wild Turkey
Pheasant
Ruffed Grouse
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Bobwhite Quail
Rabbits & Hares
Gray & Fox Squirrels

Furbearers

Raccoon
Coyotes
Gray and Red Fox
Beaver
River Otter, Muskrat, and Mink
Fisher
Bobcat

Black Bear Forecast

Northeast District
Northern District
West Central District

The folks at WDNR did an excellent job producing a thorough overview of the upcoming 2016 fall hunting and trapping seasons. I highly recommend you download this document; there is lots of useful information. You will not be disappointed. Good hunting.

Velvet Trophy Shows His Stuff

August 1, 2016 by Charlie Leave a Comment

Due to Vic’s training, he will not chase deer.

On Sunday, Vic and I were out for a woodland stroll during the lunch hour. Of course, our ultimate goal is to locate turkeys and check on the local flock dynamics. There are so many deer across the landscape these days that most of the time they just blend into the background, but then on occasion, a few standout.

You never know what you’ll see on a summertime stroll in a Wisconsin Woodland.

This smallish velvet buck was eating small burning nettles, as Vic and I approached he lifted his head and walked over to get a better look at us. Fortunately, I had my camera and was able to get out and turned on.

Deer, including trophy class bucks, are not afraid of dogs.

As the deer approached, Vic sat near my left leg, so I was able to snap this picture of a beautiful public land buck. After spending the better part of a half a century pursuing trophies like this, I marvel at how at home they are around dogs. I wrote about deer and dogs here. I know what some readers are thinking, “Oh, well, that’s just a summertime buck.” Wrong, this happens in the fall while wild turkey hunting, pheasant, grouse, or woodcock hunting. At that time of year, a shotgun is in my hands, and the camera is in a waterproof, cushioned pocket so getting a picture like this is more challenging. Interestingly the deer will tolerate my dog even if he growls or barks at them, but they will not stand around when I start digging in my pockets.

My passion these days, fall turkey hunting, so now the question I ponder; Should I go out this season and take him or should I give the GPS coordinates to some other deserving hunter?

Deer can’t be reliably saved for future years because there are too many hazards in the wild that most likely will take their lives. In Wisconsin, a buck deer like this has about a 50% CWD infection rate. There is a 50/50 chance that any buck you encounter will look like this next year.

Patrick Durkin wrote an excellent piece on CWD in WI. His article should be mandatory reading for all hunters.

Somewhere along the line this fall I’ll meet a deerhunter who’d like a crack at a nice buck and I’ll give them the coordinates. Perhaps, they’ll tip me off as to where all those turkeys I’ve been seeing went.

Grouse 2016 Wisconsin Outlook; Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey

July 24, 2016 by Charlie Leave a Comment

Audubon painting

Excerpts from 2016 Wisconsin DNR Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey

Wisconsin statewide ruffed grouse population indices increased 1% from 2015 to 2016, based on the number of drumming grouse heard during roadside surveys. Changes in breeding grouse populations varied by region and the statewide mean number of drums per stop were not different from 2015 to 2016. Drummer densities on the Sandhill Wildlife Area in Wood County showed an increase of 2%.

While grouse populations ebb and rise on a nine to eleven-year cycle, a longer term downward trend can be noted for the Wisconsin Grouse population since the inception of this survey. Grouse highs are not as high as they have been in the past and the population seems to be slower to recover from cyclic lows. The long term aging of Wisconsin’s forest are likely playing a role in these changes. Not all regions of the state see these changes in forest aging occurring at the same rate, with the more commercial forests of the Northern and Central regions aging at a slower rate than the more privately owned forests of the Southwest and Southeast regions. It is likely this trend in grouse numbers will continue to occur until our forests reach a stasis in their aging process.

Early spring conditions were above average for temperature with most of the snow melted before the start of the survey in the spring of 2016. No major weather events should have affected surveyors during the survey period, but more typical weather returned during the second part of the inquiry period and may have reduced surveyor’s evaluations. Overall survey conditions were “excellent” on 45% of transects run, while 65% rated the overall conditions as “excellent” in 2015. Conditions were rated as “Fair”, the lowest available weather condition rating, 5% of the time in 2015 and 7% in 2016. Survey conditions do influence drumming activity and may cause grouse numbers to be over or under estimated.

View the complete 2016 Ruffed Grouse Survey here 2016 grouse drumming survey Survey contains drumming locations, charts, and graphs of the drumming data.

Update September 9, 2016; Wisconsin’s 2016 brood counts. The following excerpt provided by WDNR.

Statewide, ruffed grouse broods seen per observer hour were down 17 percent compared to 2015 and 43 percent below the long-term mean. Ruffed Grouse production was down in two of the three regions that compose the primary range: Central (11.1 percent decrease), northern (14.2 percent decrease), and Southwestern (43.3 percent increase). Ruffed grouse brood size fell from 4.2 young per brood in 2015 to 4 in 2016.”Breeding grouse numbers were up slightly this spring, while brood production in the primary ruffed grouse range showed a decrease,” said Dhuey. “Several severe rain events likely caused declines in brood survival in the areas they occurred — while there were losses in these areas, these events were not wide-spread, and it is probable that brood production in Wisconsin is patchy, with areas of good and poor brood production and survival. While some areas of the primary ruffed grouse range will be better than others, it appears that ruffed grouse numbers will be similar or slightly worse than last year.”

Ruffed grouse are currently in a cyclic low population cycle. While an increase in breeding grouse is a positive sign, it will likely be a few years until Wisconsin returns to the birds’ cyclic high. (courtesy of WDNR)

Deadline; Wisconsin Hunting & Trapping August 1

July 22, 2016 by Charlie Leave a Comment

In Wisconsin hunters and trappers have deadlines to meet. August 1 is approaching fast; it is the fall permit deadline for wild turkey, bobcat, sharp-tailed grouse, fisher, and otter.

MADISON – August 1 is an important deadline for fall hunters and trappers pursuing wild turkey, sharp-tailed grouse, bobcat, fisher and otter.
Permit applications for fall hunting can be purchased for $3 ($6 for bobcat applications) online at gowild.wi.gov, at Department of Natural Resources service centers, and at all license agents. License sales are no longer available by phone, but the live operators at the DNR Call Center can help answer any questions hunters may have about the permit application process. The Call Center is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, and can be reached at 888-WDNR-INFo (1-888-936-7463).

Fall wild turkey

Unit 1-5

Sept. 17 through Dec. 31

Zones 6 & 7

Sept. 17 through Nov. 18

Sharp-tailed grouse:

Oct. 15 through Nov. 6

Bobcat hunting and trapping

Season 1 – Oct. 15 through Dec. 25
Season 2 – Dec. 26 through Jan. 31, 2017

Fisher trapping

Oct. 15 through Dec. 31

Otter trapping

North Unit; Nov. 5 through Apr. 30, 2017
Central & Southern Units; Nov. 5 through Mar. 31, 2017

Fall Turkey info;

There will be 101,300 wild turkey permits available to hunters for the fall 2016 turkey hunting season.
Permit availability was increased by 200 in each of the three northernmost turkey management zones (Unit 5, 6 & 7) to meet hunter demand better.
Any fall turkey permits remaining after the initial drawing will go on sale beginning at 10 a.m. on August 27.
Leftover fall turkey permits will be sold by unit until sold out or the season ends.
Units 1-5 – 2016 is the first year fall turkey hunting will be open statewide on the Friday before the opening of the firearm deer season.
Hunters may use dogs to hunt wild turkeys during the fall season throughout the state of Wisconsin.
The bag limit is one turkey of any age or sex per fall turkey hunting permit.

Sharp-tailed Grouse info;

25 sharp-tailed grouse hunting permits will be available for Unit 8 only.
Represents a 75 percent decrease from 2015.
Permit levels were decreased to balance hunter opportunity with a more prudent level of harvest.
Sharp-tailed grouse management units use the same boundaries and designations as game management units (GMUs); a map is available on the sharp-tailed grouse page on the WDNR website.
Hunters are reminded to review the zone map carefully and apply only for the open unit.

River Otter, Fisher & Bobcat Info;

Approved quotas for river otter, fisher, and are available on the trapping page of the Wisconsin DNR website.
Quotas for most zones are similar or slightly higher than 2015.
Permit numbers, based on success rates, and drawings for all three species will take place in August 2016
Permits will be available in early September.
Applicants need to check their online Go Wild account early September for an awarded a permit.

July Gobbling in Wisconsin; when and why wild turkeys gobble

July 21, 2016 by Charlie 5 Comments

July 21, 2016, the sunrise was greeted by profuse gobbling. How cool is that on what is predicted to be the hottest day of the summer?

Why do gobblers gobble in July?

This morning is not the first time I have heard gobbling toms during the summer months. There always has been a bit of mystery as to why there is any gobbling outside of the traditional spring mating season. As a matter of fact, I’ve heard male turkeys sounding off during every month of the year, plus, many of my fellow hunters report the same type of off-season gobbling all year long.

Here is my reasoning as to the timing of gobbles

Late January – March:

Male turkeys are coming out of winter with different levels of physical strength along with differing levels of mating hormones. The pecking order as established last fall is in the process of being reorganized while the bachelor flocks are beginning to separate. All of this change is very exciting causing much gobbling.

April – May:

Of course, all hunters know this is mating time, the gobbling is an attempt to attract hens and scare off lower ranking toms and jakes. A mystery many hunters ponder is why on some of the spring days the sound of gobbling rings throughout woodlands and on other equally nice weather days mornings can be greeted by silence? Personally, for the most part, I believe the amount of gobbling is directly related to the willingness of hens to mate and the number of gobblers competing for the hen’s attention.

June – August

During June gobbling for mating is winding down and the remaining male turkeys are becoming more interested in forming their
Courtesy of D Gordon Robertson

summertime bachelor groups. Some strutting and gobbling continue in an attempt to locate hens that did not breed or have lost their nest. I’ve seen toms strutting in fields with attentive hens as late as the first week in August.
Male turkeys are less competitive and because they are seeking each other’s company rather than only focusing on hens. Gobbling and coarse yelps are used to find each other. A lot less fighting takes place at this time of year.

September

The jakes of the year are asserting themselves and anytime during the day short higher pitch gobbles will be heard. They will be leaving
Jakes milling around

their broods to form what I think of as gangs, much like teenagers who don’t want anything to do with the brood hen. Many times these jakes seek out broods of hens with jennies to target for harassment.
September is an exciting time to hunt these jakes. When you find them, they respond quickly and aggressively to calling. Wisconsin fall turkey season opens mid-September.

October – November

Winter flock formation begins to take place in earnest. As these weeks click by the flocks become larger as more birds join male flocks with separate flocks for the ladies. Establishing pecking order in both flocks is contentious, so wild turkey calls abound at all times of the day.
Male turkeys, in particular, will fight, gobble and yell at each other.; This is the best time to get a fall gobbler, considered an extra special trophy by many hunters.

December – January

Winter has arrived, the turkeys settle in with the acquisition of food high on their daily agenda. Occasional tiffs and arguments erupt over the more desired food sources. A few gobble will be heard from time to time, but mostly angry purrs or clucks warn off an encroaching turkey.
If a band of turkeys finds one particularly, abundant food source they will call to others and males may gobble.

All of the above is reason enough to get hooked on year-round turkey hunting.