Wisconsin Turkey Hunting

How Do You Setup for Winter Turkeys?

January 2, 2013 by Charlie Leave a Comment

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. This is a typical setup I use for winter turkey hunting.

One snowshoe is used as a backrest, the other is laid flat with a cushion on top for a seat.

Add in the hunter dressed in snow camo and you can see the human lines are nicely broken up. Notice the shotgun is also taped with white first aid tape to break up its outline.

If I were to have picked any of the larger trees in this area the snow camo would have stood out against the dark trunk and the turkeys may have likely been out of range. Turkeys can see in color just like us.

In case a more traditional tree setup becomes required I wear an outfitter camo vest under my snow camo jacket and then zip open the outer jacket so my chest will blend with the tree trunk.

The Sun Sets on 2012 Wisconsin Fall Turkey Season

January 1, 2013 by Charlie 2 Comments

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 spring with just right weather recruitment was outstanding.

I think the wild turkey in Wisconsin has not only recovered from the devastating losses suffered during winter 2010 but also significantly increased above the population level of 2009. There is no official census just my gut feeling after fall hunting turkeys over 3 months’ time in units 1, 3, and 4.

Vic became much more polished in 2012 I am very proud of his progress I lucked into a very fine turkey dog, in October he earned his turkey dog diploma with pair of unit 1 turkeys.

Vic did a text book scatter, barked to call me other to the break area where we setup. I called in the first turkey on a hen wingbone made from a turkey we killed last year. Vic laid low next to me as the turkey approached within gun range and waited for the “get turkey” command. We retrieved the first turkey and called in the second. Both times Vic lay very still next to me, waited for the shot and “get turkey” command.

This was the first time Vic had done it all right; usually his excitement would get the best of him causing movement or noise at the wrong time whereby saving the turkeys life.

Back to the day of the last sunset we started morning hunting in unit 1 and killed a turkey at 9 in the morning after a very cold setup. Back in unit 4 we killed another turkey at 3 in the afternoon after a slightly warmer setup.

With one 2012 tag remaining we watched the sun set on 2012 hunting.

Fall Turkeys and Kids

September 25, 2012 by Charlie Leave a Comment

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 than me at that moment. He busted a big flock; turkeys ran by us, flew overhead and some landed in trees all around us; the kid’s eyes bulged with excitement as they gleefully giggled with delight.

Then it was quiet even the creek seemed to stop for a moment, the kid’s mouths were agape with no sounds and their wide eyes darting around to catch another glimpse of a turkey.

Breaking the silence in a trembling whisper my grandson says “what now grandpa?”

I told him to watch and listen this is what grandpa does when hunting-“kee, kee, yelp, yelp, yelp yelp”

Turkey talk exploded everywhere around us, we stayed, watched and listened for about half hour as the turkeys regrouped giving the kids a lesson in turkey flock reorganization.

My 9 year old grandson begged me to take him hunting with me this fall, he even promised to carry the turkey for me; of course I readily agreed to take them both.

There is no doubt fall turkeys, turkey dogs and kids go together.

Wisconsin 2012 Fall Turkey Permit Availability

August 21, 2012 by Charlie Leave a Comment

Fall turkey limit in Wisconsin is dictated by the number of tags in your pocket.

As of today August 21, 2012 Wisconsin fall turkey permits have been drawn. You can log on to the online licensing system to check your status.

With the exception of unit 6 and 7 applicants everyone else who applied should have been awarded a permit. Those who did not apply will be able to buy one of the remaining 58,979 permits which go on sale beginning Saturday, August 25 at 10 a.m. Leftover permits can be purchased at the rate of one per-day until sold out. Units 1,3,& 4 did not sell out in 2011 by season’s end.

2012 Fall Turkey Leftover Permit Availability

Wisconsin Wild Turkey Management Plan Revision Process

August 1, 2012 by Charlie Leave a Comment

Wisconsin Wild Turkey

Yep, that is what they call it. When you have so much opportunity to turkey hunt a title like that surely makes a dedicated turkey hunter nervous. But since change is one of life’s certainties we must make the best of it. So far, there are no changes proposed, some are being thought about and the public input survey is the first step. The next step is a draft plan that will be submitted this fall with the final plan being submitted for approval by the summer of 2013.

Lets all hope the public survey is not the driving force in the new plan because only 2,124 surveys were completed. Unfortunately, in my opinion, that too small of a sample and a random sample at that. Krista McGinley and Scott Walter traveled the state of Wisconsin last spring to share information about Wisconsin turkeys and to collect public input. Sadly for all the travel and time they spent only 77 folks showed up at the meetings, charlie being one of them. The meeting I attended had 1 newspaper reporter, 1 warden, 1 biology professor, and 3 turkey hunters. The meeting was very informative and with so few there we had a good wide ranging discussion with Scott Walter. Scott and Krista are good people with their hearts in the right place.

Anyone who has followed my comments on Wisconsin turkey hunting sites know I am very concerned with the sharp decline in the number of turkey hunters. Those hunters who dropped out of turkey hunting are not included in the yearly hunter satisfaction surveys nor are their opinions in this plan revision survey. The survey’s respondents averaged 13.3 years of turkey hunting, we might call those hunters dedicated.

Some highlights from the survey:

80.9% strongly support the current spring season structure and drawing schemes.
97.4% respondents stated they hunt spring turkeys

During the spring turkey season, which time period (A – F) do you most prefer to hunt?

35.6% responded “Period A”
30.7% responded “Period B”
17.4% responded “Period C”
7.9% responded “Period D”
2.9% responded “Period E”
1.5% responded “Period F”

No surprise most of us want to hunt the first 2 time periods.

If Wisconsin eliminated the spring permit drawing, what would you like the spring season bag limit (total turkeys allowed for the entire season) to be?

49.3% responded “1 gobbler”
41.2% responded “2 gobblers”
5.1% responded “3 gobblers”
3.8% responded “4 gobblers”
0.7% responded “unsure/not applicable”

OK this one surprises me. 90% want a limit of 1 or 2 gobblers however 80% said they don’t want the current system changed at all. But it allows 1 per permit and there are quite a few hunters who take more than 4 per spring now. If someone can explain this please do.

Turkey Call with Pen Barrel

June 4, 2012 by Charlie 1 Comment

Turkeys can be called in with a wide variety of things, even your common ink pen.

Turkeys can be called in with a wide variety of calling implements. From all types of friction calls like box and pot calls to wind calls such as trumpets, wing-bones and yes even a common everyday ink pen. So if you forget your calls as I did one day—–
More accurately I did not forget my calls so to speak; as I was on my way out to hunt something else. There was a group of toms in a field I had permission to hunt. Then I discovered the box call usually kept in glove box was missing, there was the pen. I got out rushed the toms to break em up, only one peeled off a different direction from the rest. I set up in a hurry wearing a blue and black plaid flannel

Smile the Gods did, the gobbler sported three beards

shirt, smeared a bit of dirt on my face, the shotgun was mod choke loaded with #6 Fiochhi pheasant and sometimes as in this case the turkey gods of the hunt smile on you.

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Caught Red-Handed

May 1, 2012 by Charlie 6 Comments

“Where’d those feathers in the truck come from? Is that blood on your collar?…..you’ve been turkey hunting again………haven’t you?!

This is Vic’s first experience with his master going turkey hunting without him. He just is not understanding the concept of seasons. He says that’s what goes on food right?

He was a loyal pup last fall hunting his heart out and tolerated me hunting deer alone, but that was it! Now the spring turkey season is in full swing, dogs are not allowed and he is getting his feelings hurt. So is it best to honest tell him to stay while I leave or is there some good sneak tactics?

Spring Turkey Scouting in Wisconsin

March 11, 2012 by Charlie 2 Comments

At least they were there

Spring is coming, and you’re anxious to get turkey hunting, but it is weeks away. The fever is setting in both for spring and turkeys. Scouting makes sense, where do you start even if you see turkeys now there is no guarantee they will be in the same place come the season.

Here is what I look for and do while scouting-

Turkeys; yeah duh, but it is very nice to see them. If you plan on filling a tag the first rule is you must hunt where the game is. Because if you hunt where there is no game no matter how hard you hunt you will not fill your tag. Do not let tradition dictate where you hunt allow the game in this case turkeys determine where your hunting area will be. Turkeys are wide ranging here in Wisconsin so be adaptable and keep scouting for birds right up to your season.
Think nesting areas. Where will the hens most likely choose to nest? Of course, this is where the hens are going to be hanging out during the spring season with the gobblers satelliting them.
Roost areas that are adjacent to the nesting areas.
Now that you’ve keyed on some good nesting areas think about the food sources that will be in this area when you start hunting. Such as new green grasses or clover, insects including flying, crawling and burrowing, wildflowers, and new buds. If you hunt multiple seasons, this will be changing weekly.
In spite of all the advice about not calling in the area where you plan to hunt, you should ignore this unsound advice and take your calls out to use for locating birds. In my opinion, this does no harm; turkeys have no memory, and they will not imprint your calling as a danger because you are not shooting at them yet. Interactive calling with real turkeys is the best learning experience to begin gaining the understanding of different turkey vocalizations and their inflections.

Time to go out and find those Wisconsin turkeys. Enjoy.

Post Season Melancholy

March 10, 2012 by Charlie Leave a Comment

Are these turkeys laughing or snickering?

Postseason melancholy has set in, and it is never too early to start obsessing about the next hunt. Wisconsin was kind enough to provide me with 6 in state tags this year. The 6th season has been my jinx season, or maybe I should refer to it as the turkey jester season. I had been doing the Snoopy dance each previous seasons with a gobbler at my feet and the intense feeling of invincibility coursing through my veins. With two 6th season tags in my pocket, this would be the year of 6th season gobblers. Of course, that was the invincible thought going into the season. Reality soon set in; spring growth from 5th to 6th season was shocking to behold — areas where you could see last week – no longer so. Forcing me to set up on a field edge, I could see here that is as long as the expected gobbler entered the field but noooo! He the Gobbler started spitting and drumming behind me so close I swear I can feel his exhale on my neck. No see, no shoot. This is repeated time and again all season. The memory highlight occurred on May 23 I found a “loud mouth” gobbler at 5:30 am and worked him non stop until 4:30 pm suffering cramped seriously puckered wing bone lips and a severe case of leg cramp in my right hand. Suddenly the gobbling feathered submarine went “up periscope” in range, in front of my bead. His neck and head were all black with only a red skull cap on top. I hesitated to confirm the identity of the target. “Down Periscope” and back to loud mouth gobbling for another hour without an opportunity repeat. It is just amazing how my “can we have a replay” look to the sky never helps get that replay. The next weekend with no open season, in a field where I can hunt, a gobbler lights up at 9 am and gobbles over the next 2 hours. Not sure if he was laughing at me or frustrated by lack of hen interest. It was a great season filled 4 out of 6 tags. The remaining tags were not half bad as a condiment on a grilled Greek turkey burger.

New Year Eve Turkey

January 5, 2012 by Charlie 4 Comments

During my almost half century of hunting, I have always made a point of hunting the last day of the season assuming I have an unused tag still available in my pocket. It is my way to say a respectful goodbye to the season and usher in the season next year with good karma; maybe a little superstition or perhaps my excuse to hunt one more time.
Wisconsin fall turkey season closes Dec 31st each year providing, in my humble opinion, the perfect way to celebrate the coming New Year with all the high expectations of hunts yet to come.
December 31, 2011, found Vic, my 1-year-old Vizsla and myself hunting for the last wild turkey of 2011.

The turkeys had been hard to locate the last couple of weeks. Perhaps due to unusually mild temperatures the turkeys were still in small flocks or being loners wandering the woods and fields enjoying the readily available buffet of seeds and fruits littering the bare ground.
Due to my attention being distracted for a moment I lost track of Vic a rather typical occurrence with a wide-ranging turkey dog. I’m beginning to listen intently for telltale signs of him, suddenly an abrupt cackle followed by a chain of loud cackling and wings must be my turkey dog causing all that noise. The flock rose up as a tower out of the brush above the logging road I was standing on. Thinking these birds were all heading across the valley to a far ridge I was surprised when they rotated their wings for a decent downward splitting in half landing on the road on either side of me. Realizing their mistake the turkeys took off running in different directions, a good break indeed. The silence returned as I blew the whistle signaling for Vic’s to come.
Vic was so spun up I had a hard time tethering him during our wrestling match. Usually he is allowed to run around to continue flushing any straggler birds but this time, the turkeys were scattered close by making a fast set up necessary.
The electricity of excitement burning in Vic could be felt right out to the tips of his hair. What little fur he has. While we continued wrestling into set up position a nearby cluck carried through the air. I answered with a demanding assembly call that was answered back with a pleading kee-kee cluck. Vic froze on a sitting point towards the opposite direction from where I thought the sound originated. After a season of hunting with Vic, I have learned to trust his senses over mine, so I turned shifting the old model 1100 to my right side just in time. A bluish turkey head materialized just beyond the bead- boom – Vic relishing the intoxicating smell of freshly killed turkey. A glance at my watch- 4:15 as I punched my last 2011 tag marking the end of Vic’s first season.
I told Vic this was the last turkey of the year as I took his picture. His face says it all.

End of the season!? What is this? I thought seasoning was used to cook turkeys.

Vic’s First Turkey

September 20, 2011 by Charlie 6 Comments

Turkey Dog Success

Sounds of the fall hunting season; Vic’s paw falls in fallen leaves, alarm putts, large wings clawing for air causing thunderous wing beats as two toms soar over my head from the ridge above. I stop and listen hoping; yes another putt and wings moving in the opposite direction, show time for the caller- that would be me.

Vic trots into sight panting hard. For a 9-month-old pup, he sure puts his heart into the hunt. The ridge is mostly park-like, with acorns strewn about and squirrels scurrying to put up the winter stores. Quite a distraction for my pup but his training focused on turkeys all summer so when he found the toms the squirrels won their reprieve.

We set up against an inviting oak with Vic tired and for the moment content to drink some water and lay on my left side. He barely stirs when I let out the first series of course yelps followed by purrs and angry clucks. The last call from my slate is cut off by the lost tom who is answering with excited yelps and booming gobbles. Game on! My wingbone answers with the bonk sound similar to that of a steel barrel or bucket makes with change in temperature. Don’t ask me why gobblers come to this sound no one has explained it to me why nor have I figured it out, it just works and this tom is no exception, he is on his way coming in quick. Vic goes into his rigid vizsla point directly at the incoming turkey while lying beside me. This is his first real setup I hope he holds long enough for the shot. His leash begins to pull under my rear; my hand touches his collar to reassure him all is well. His excitement travels up my arm like electric bugs. The turkey is 20 yards juking its head to the beat of some music only he knows. The pressure is on, don’t whiff the shot its Vic’s first.

There is comic style of movement at the base of this oak. The leash is sliding free, the shotgun is in motion my left hand has gripped the forearm. One eye is on Vic as he rises for a closer view the experienced turkey realizes his mistake as he hits full escape stride, Vic’s leash is free of me as he coils for the spring, I see he is in the safe zone in my peripheral as the bead appears under the beak, my finger compresses the trigger rolling the turkey into a ball of feathers. Vic at half way stops abruptly snapping his head at me and back at the now still turkey it is as if his eyes are saying “what the heck! That never happened in practice” and then he is on the bird relishing the pungent smell of fresh turkey.

Vic admiring his first wild turkey and it is a nice gobbler

32.5 Pound Turkey

July 31, 2011 by Charlie 1 Comment

As I hoisted the freshly killed turkey, I thought he was unusually heavy, and upon arrival at the shed, I hung him on the scale and to my amazement he weighed 32.5 lb. Must be seeing things, yelled for the wife to double check and she says yes 32.5 lbs.
Thinking this might be the new state record I start considering what to do to get folks to believe me. First, stop – the registration station. Their scale reads 27.5 lbs. What the heck; where did the 5 lbs. Go? Oh well, their scale must be off – my friend runs the local grocery, and he has a certified scale back in the meat department.

Only in a small town, WI can you carry a dead turkey over your shoulder, down the aisle of a grocery store, to the scale in the back and no one raises so much as an eyebrow.
On the way down the aisle the gobbler does not seem as hefty as he did at first, but then adrenaline could be the cause of that perception.
Certified scales don’t lie– he is 25.3 lbs!

Back in my pole shed, I’m staring at the turkey hanging from my scale it now reads 25.1 lbs. What the heck?

It was pouring buckets when I shot this turkey, so his feathers were full of water. Have you ever wondered how much water a gobbler’s feathers could hold? This one had 7.4 lbs of water.
No real concern, this is one beautiful bird, but so much for my brush with a state record bird.

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