One of the most anticipated sounds of the season is upon us: the thunderous gobble of a mature tom turkey.
Hunters reported harvesting 50,435 bearded birds last April and May, the fourth-most in state history. Locally, that included 316 in Oneida County, 154 in Forest, 139 in Vilas and 77 in Iron.
We’re already seeing photos online from what appears to have been a very successful youth turkey hunt weekend. Meanwhile, the first of six seven-day regular spring hunt periods began Wednesday morning.
Whether from a comfortable chair in a ground blind or bundled up in camo seated on a comfy cushion, back against a large tree, the winter-weary wild turkey hunter has a front row seat when the woodlands come alive at dawn.
For decades, spring turkey hunting involved picking a spot and setting up shop, often with a decoy or two 20 yards or so away to attract attention. The hunter would call seductively, trying to imitate a hen in hopes of luring a breeding gobbler into range.
While that tactic still produces plenty of toms and jakes each season, the past decade has seen an explosion in aggressive tactics. Many of them involve multiple moves and hiding or sneaking behind a fanned-out gobbler decoy, or even a real turkey fan on a stake.
Make no mistake: sneaking in full camo behind a real turkey fan is potentially dangerous anywhere, but it’s just plain foolish on public land.
The tactic has soared in popularity in recent years, especially in farm country or anywhere birds can be seen from long range. But it’s certainly not necessary to getting a shot at the makings of spring wild game feast.
If you’ve never hunted turkeys before — or have never been successful at it —scouting is key to putting yourself in position. Next, be sure to pattern your shotgun to learn effective range for whatever load and choke will be used.
Once the hunt begins, the use of a decoy or two and a ground blind in an area known for turkey travel, feeding, strutting or roosting often works, especially if you or others aren’t particularly good at sitting still.
Talking turkey is a big part of the hunt. Diaphragm calls are difficult for a beginner to master, but almost anyone can sound like a hen with a quality slate or box call. Whatever you choose, be in position well before legal shooting light in a known roost area for the ultimate experience.
That first gobble as the sky starts to brighten always brings goosebumps.
Bird tagged or not, just being out there to hear and see the woodlands come alive is worth the brutally-early start to your day.
County Deer Advisory Councils (CDACs) will be meeting soon to vote on this fall’s antlerless quotas and season recommendations. A summary of the recent online public input will be available soon at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Hunt/cdac. Use the dropdown menu to find county-specific information.
Two area meetings are next week: Iron County, 6 p.m. April 22 at the Hurley Courthouse; and Forest County, 7 p.m. April 24 at the Crandon Public Library. The following week, the Vilas and Oneida County meetings begin at 6 p.m. April 29 at the Boulder Junction and Woodruff town halls.
New this year, councils in our area will be making recommendations on numbered deer management units instead of entire counties. The new habitat-based boundaries were created after public input.
A record 278 field trips are being offered to members of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin this year. There are a variety of annual membership plans, starting at $35. All include a magazine subscription, e-news, access to the field trips and more.
There are field trips in 62 counties, including a combined 18 adventures in Vilas (10), Iron (5), Oneida (2) and Forest (1) counties. Local experts lead the outings. See the complete list at https://www.wisconservation.org/field-trips/guidebook, and what’s still available at https://www.wisconservation.org/.
The Great Wisconsin Birdathon began Tuesday and runs through June 15. It’s like a walk-a-thon, but instead of logging miles, participants log bird sightings in the state’s largest fundraiser for bird conservation. Bird enthusiasts raise support and awareness for conservation by forming a team or donating to a team.
Last year, more than 600 birders combined to raise $117,846, just shy of the 2023 record. An advisory committee selects projects to fund. Learn more at https://www.wisconservation.org/great-wisconsin-birdathon/.
Native plants help pollinators, birds and other wildlife survive and even thrive in Wisconsin. The number of native plant sales and nurseries specializing in selling native plants has been growing. Learn more and find out where you can buy at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/endangeredresources/nativeplants.
The 2025 Wisconsin DNR and Conservation Congress spring hearings offered online input through Wednesday at 6 p.m. Results, which are advisory only, will be posted in the coming week at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/wcc/springhearing.
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