Charlie Elk

pseudonym of a man

Archives for March 2014

Wisconsin 2014 Spring Turkey Hunt Forecast

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Wisconsin is divided into 7 turkey management units.  Units 1,3, and 4 are covered in this post.  According to a  consensus of retired turkey biologists and dedicated hunters who are year round turkey observers Wisconsin has one of the largest turkey populations in the nation numbering in excess of 500,000+.  In spite of a severe winter across the

northern third of Wisconsin the turkeys seem to have survived intact.  There are some localized reports of dead turkeys being found and these may have started a perception of a higher than average die off.  Every winter results in the death of some individual turkeys due to disease or for whatever reason entering the winter in a weakened state.   In actuality Vic the turkey dog and I have not found any evidence of massive turkey die off nor have any of my fellow turkey hunting buddies.

 

2014 Spring Turkey Forecast for Wisconsin Turkey Management Unit 1, 3 & south unit 4

Turkey hunters  should expect to have solid turkey numbers.  The 2012 spring recruitment was excellent due to near perfect spring nesting conditions.  2012 Fall hunters regularly encountered large numbers of jakes of the year.   There is no reason to think many of these birds died off making them 2 year olds for spring 2014 hunt.  Also consider the spring 2013 weather was horrible keeping hunters on the sidelines staring out their windows in disbelieve of all the May snow.  2013 gobbler harvest was down 30%.  Most of these toms survived adding above normal 3 and 4 year old gobblers to the total 2014 spring population.

Bad news here is spring 2013 did not have good recruitment.  2013 Fall hunters encountered fewer birds of the year.

2014 Forecast summary for Wisconsin Spring Turkey Units 1, 3 and 4 –

2014 Wisconsin spring turkey hunters will find more 2-4 year old gobblers and fewer jakes than in past spring turkey hunts.  At the right times 2 year gobblers are the easiest

turkeys to call in, sometimes referred to as the bread and butter of spring turkey hunting. With more of those2 year old  turkeys available hunter success rates should increase significantly over spring 2013.  Perhaps there will be fewer hunters afield due to the perception of hard winter effects on turkeys.  Considering  the suppressive effect on hunter numbers due to the misguided WDNR reduction in unit 4 permits.  All of the negative news stories could take a toll on  hunter attitudes and  suppress their efforts.  For those hunters that do not let that negative narrative discourage them and go out hunting will find a spring woods with more mature gobblers than ever before.

At this time judging by the slow sale of OTC permits and the lackluster conversion of drawn permits into turkey license purchases;  Wisconsin’s spring 2014 turkey hunt will  see a higher population of gobblers with fewer hunters out chasing them.  What’s not to like?

The above forecast is based on my extensive 2014 field observations along with other hunters who have been putting on miles scouting turkeys.  All of us get out of your trucks to hike miles of turkey habitat, glassing distant ridges and fields while taking notes of our observations.  I digest all this “data” and come up with my gut instinct based on decades of turkey hunting and observations.

Feel free to get back to me with reports of your hunts and observation. Above all have fun and good hunting.

 

Wild Turkeys Migrate

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Flying Turkey GobblerDo wild turkeys migrate?

Winter 2014 has been severe in most of Wisconsin.  Also the winter of 2013 was challenging for wildlife survival.

While snowshoeing across a hilltop field a flock of 30 – 40 turkeys flew in loose formation over head looking like they were on their way somewhere not near here.  They were a couple hundred yards in the air and until that moment I had never seen such a flock flying so high.  My first thought was they were migrating.

Posted here on March 7, 2014 Turkey Turkeys Everywhere .

Suddenly after being absent all winter except for a few dead ones here and there I feared the worst.  Then suddenly where there were no turkeys on the 6th come the 7th there were turkeys all over the area.  The appearance of turkeys struck me as similar with waterfowl, not there one day and then there the next.

On March 8 and 9 more turkeys showed up.  While out in unit 4 I saw turkeys circling overhead looking for a place to land.  Their heads turning side to side and the turkeys on the ground starting  purring & clucking at the flyers which seemed to encourage those in flight turkeys to come in and land.  Much in the manner waterfowl arrive in an area.

For the next couple of weeks these wild turkeys ate heartily of box elder seeds, fallen apples, wild grapes and other assorted berries.  The berries of course were dried looking very much like small raisins. There was much gobbling and yelping from one end of the valley to the other.

Then one morning it was silent.  As I explored the valley it was apparent to the most casual of observers all of the box elder seeds and grapes were stripped away, gone, all consumed.  Clearly the turkeys numbering in the hundreds, it was not possible to count them all, ate all the “easy” food and moved on.

Were these turkeys from the northern part of the state that had come south and now on their way back?  Or just wide ranging winter flocks?  I have observed turkeys in this particular area for 14 years and have never seen turkey movement and behavior like this before.

Migration may not be the right term but clearly this winter of 2014 caused some very different wild turkey movements.  Friends in southern Wisconsin unit 1 have told me about seeing more turkeys than ever before during the winter.  Now as March thankfully comes to end they are reporting significantly fewer turkey sightings.  Other buddies in the north are reporting turkey sightings after a long winter of no or few turkey sightings.

 

 

Poaching Deer In Wisconsin may soon cost $10,000

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The Wisconsin Assembly passed a bill authorizing a surcharge penalty from $43- $10,000 for poaching deer.  In particular a trophy deer.  Judges would be required to add the surcharge fine according to the bucks score based on length of tines and spread.  Also anyone convicted of poaching would be forbidden from purchasing a hunting, trapping or fishing license for up to 3 years.

Now the bill moves onto the Senate.

Wait a minute.

  • Does a poacher by definition care about buying a license?
  • Aren’t all deer and other species poaching just as reprehensible?

How about we just make the fine $10,000 for poaching any game with 50% going to the tipster?

 

Scott Walter Responds to charlie’s Inquiry about turkey permit reduction

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After yesterday’s unexpected announcement of a 25% reduction in 2014 spring turkey permits charlie emailed Scott Walter:

Scott,

I’m stunned you reduced the turkey permits!?!

Do you realize how convoluted your press release sounds?

What happened to science based wildlife decisions?  This is a very bad precedent for the future of science based wildlife management.

Very disappointing, just plain bad management.  This is the kind of position that keeps me a nonmember of the NWTF.

Regards,

Scott responds:

Hi charlie-

Message received!  And on the level of biology and science, I whole-heartedly agree.  Our stance remains that weather is the driving force behind turkey population dynamics, and we’ll continue to use outreach and educational tools to relate this to hunters, focusing on the concept- propped up by research- that neither spring nor current fall hen harvests importantly influence turkey numbers.  The take-home message is that harvest (permit) does not have to be modified in response to annual swings in turkey numbers.  However, our release Tuesday (in which we outlined some of these arguments) stirred up quite a flurry of both internal and external communication that made it clear that there’s a vocal group of hunters who feel, essentially, that to be responsible we “need to do something,” and that “something” is reduce permit levels.  So we saw social factors creep into our decision-making process.  As we talked, we realized that it’s as important to insure our hunters continue to feel that their concerns are valid, being heard, and that we are willing to not only listen but react to those concerns.  This keeps lines of communication open, and allows us to continue to effectively pass on information regarding harvest management and receive meaningful input.  This winter has certainly had an impact on turkey populations in the north, and hunter concerns are therefore valid.  Though the permit reductions we put into place are not likely to significantly move the needle for turkeys, they may help to smooth our path forward as we continue to engage hunters in our turkey management program.  As a scientist, I’m obviously lock-step in line with your statements, but recognizing the broad impact our decisions have for tens of thousands of hunters, I also realize that we’re in this for the long haul, and we’ll better be able to achieve science-based management if those hunters feel engaged in the process.  Along these lines, I think our move will pay dividends down the road.  The reductions in zone 4 may have some impact on overall permit availability, depending upon how hunter concerns impact demand for permits, but any reduced opportunity should be fairly light.

The waters always get a little muddy at the confluence of science and sociology, but the bottom line is that  we’ll have turkeys in the woods this spring, hunters will have the opportunity to get out and pursue them, and we’ll continue to move forward with hunters as partners in program implementation.

Thanks for the input, and for your passion for our turkey resource-

Scott

Scott Walter

Upland Wildlife Ecologist & Farm Bill Coordinator

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

101 S. Webster St.  WM/6

Madison, WI  53703

charlie writes back:

Thanks for your response Scott, Even though it is very disappointing.

Where will it end?

A “vocal group of hunters” demands you do something and then a different vocal group of hunters demands the permits back (with OTC sales starting Monday it’s too late for them). This is the problem, the first group gets heard and action while the second larger group gets shut out.   For no good biological reason 3,633 unit 4 hunters won’t get a chance to hunt just because they trusted WDNR, were satisfied with the permit levels  and did not know they needed to be vocal. 

As I expressed to you at the last turkey plan meeting this whole permitting scheme discourages the average hunter from turkey hunting.  These average hunters are the ones you don’t hear from in any of the satisfaction surveys.  They work hard, sometimes long hours trying to fit family duties in between and hope they can get a day or 2 to hunt, if only they can pick up license. 3,633 is an awful lot of lost hunting opportunity.  As a result the interest in turkey hunting will continue to erode.

Attached is a typical response I’ve seen on the state’s turkey hunting forums.  Looks to me like the typical non-vocal hunter gets it more than you think.

The press release said the reduction in units 4 & 5 would only be 866 permits how did it get reduced in unit 4 by 3,633?

I’m getting quite a bit of angry blowback about this reduction.  Can I share your explanation with them? 

Regards,

charlie

Scott writes:

Feel free to share and I’m more than willing to travel to chat with
folks if that would be appropriate.

Wisconsin 2014 Spring Turkey Permits Reduced 25%

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2014 Turkey permits are being reduced by 25% according to WDNR press release:

Although Department of Natural Resources biologists recognize that spring harvests do not play a significant role in wild turkey population dynamics, it is clear that prolonged periods of cold and deep snow have impacted turkeys throughout the northern part of the state.

MADISON -“The concerns we are hearing from turkey hunters are justified,” stated Scott Walter, DNR upland wildlife ecologist. “The deep and persistent snow cover across the northern counties this winter has limited turkey movements. Those flocks without access to adequate food sources are having a difficult time, and mortality could be significant locally.

Remaining over-the-counter permits in Turkey Management Zones 6 and 7 will not be issued and over-the-counter permits in zones 4 and 5 will be reduced by 25 percent in response to hunter feedback requesting a conservative approach to the number of permits issued for this spring’s hunt, due to concerns that increased winter mortality has depressed turkey numbers.

“Wild turkeys were successfully reintroduced to Wisconsin through a broad partnership that was based on exactly the kind of interest and commitment being expressed by our hunters, and their successful management will continue to incorporate input from the engaged hunters who care about our turkey resource,” Walter said .

The decision was made to hold back on issuing the remaining 426 over-the-counter permits in zones 6 and 7, as winter impacts were likely to be most severe in these far-northern zones given the relative lack of an agricultural food base and large tracts of unbroken forest.

The 25 percent reduction in zones 4 and 5 will result in 866 fewer permits being issued. These reductions were put into place to help address concerns that turkey flocks may have suffered significant local losses in areas where they did not have access to adequate food. Permit levels will be reduced by 25 percent in each of the time periods for which over-the-counter permits are available.

Did anyone else get mental whiplash reading this press release?

 

Turkey Turkeys Everywhere March 7, 2014

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Descending into the valley listening to  snowshoe crampons scraping along the icy trail rain drops spattering on wool covered shoulders I thought at least the temperature is 30 some degrees above zero.  That in itself is a welcome change.  Vic and I have trudged up and down this steep trail almost daily all winter no matter the weather and oh has there been weather this winter.   Now on this March day during the winter of 2014 it is finally mild of temp.  For that we  are grateful in spite of the light rain, at least rain should not need to be shoveled when we get back home. It is the same with so many winter weary Wisconsinites venturing out to find signs of spring,  all of us appreciate the small improvements.

A turkey hunter seeks more signs of spring, they want to hear and see turkeys, especially those turkeys who gobble.  At first this morning’s descent seemed like all others of the past frigid weeks and then sounds of birds begin to tickle the ears.  Ah, the silence of winter punctuated with a long lost sound of past springs.  That alone is enough to rustle the leaves of my heart.

Vic, up ahead has more prance in his step, being careful to stay on our well packed trail.  For if he weaved off, the cold deep snow would grasp his body chilling him to bone.

Thin fog wisps are floating in leisurely circles as we turn to make our south circle. This trail has become like a graveyard this winter.  Deer bones are strewn all along.  Apparently as the deer became too weak to move through the deep snows as subzero temperatures robbed their bodies of its remaining life energy they came for final rest along these warmer southern slopes.

Usually by now, in years past the turkeys have been very vocal and active.  Until this morning all places seemed devoid of turkeys.  At first I thought the cluck was just the inner pop of a cold tree.  But then there was another.  Vic snapped to point up hill as 30 turkeys rose to flight.  The turkeys looked to be in remarkably good health, though hard to tell for sure through all the winter feathers.

But the rush of turkeys lifted the hearts of these winter weary hunters.  Vic tried vainly to bound up after them.  He got a good cardio workout in snow over his head and returned to trail with a smile on his face.  As we continued along more turkeys flushed, clucked, yelped and yes…Gobbled.  Clearly they are back.

Over the years during hard winters or tough spots in winter  I have thought perhaps turkeys migrate.  But where to?

Last winter was tough too. While snowshoeing across a hilltop field a flock of 30 – 40 turkeys flew in loose formation over head looking like they were on their way somewhere not near here.  They were a couple hundred yards in the air and until that moment I had never seen such a flock flying so high.  My first thought was they were migrating.  To my knowledge there has never been a study of turkey travel during a hard winter.  Some studies have tracked fall broods as they join into winter flocks and other studies tracked spring hen dispersal.  These studies found turkeys that moved 15-20 miles. Is it possible winter turkeys move much further?  I think it is very likely.  Which is why a “good” area can be devoid of turkeys for so long and then all of sudden the turkeys are there just as quickly as they had left.

Back the morning hike; we found at 200+ turkeys in area that no turkeys yesterday nor any of the weeks before.

A clear sign of a good spring hunt to come.

Below Zero; Raccoons are Out?

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The cold of winter  2014 continues.  A strange a sight along back roads encased by walls of plowed snow – raccoons, skunks and woodchucks?!

A lot people think these are hibernating animals. To the casual observer  who does not see them all winter or stumbles across one out “sleeping”  in the snow their assumption is usually that raccoons hibernate like bears.  As the length of daylight decreases raccoons begin feeding less while spending more time in their dens.  Their metabolic rate slows down causing a state of  torpor to set in.

Torpor is described as inactivity, lethargic indifference, with suspended physical activity and dormancy.  Raccoons in torpor who venture out are susceptible to predation from aerial predators owls, hawks and eagles, coyotes, bobcats, and  wolves to name a few.  These torpor raccoons can easily be approached by humans and  even be picked up.  Some coons get too tired before returning to the den and fall asleep where they are; a very dangerous thing to do out there.

This raccoon got caught sticking its head out. To check the weather? Feb 27, 2014 was too cold.

This raccoon got caught sticking its head out. To check the weather? Feb 27, 2014 was too cold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hanging out a tree like this dangerous with hungry predators lurking about. After I left this raccoon a group of 3 red shouldered hawks swooped in, knocked him from his den and proceeded to feast on fresh raccoon.

This is one 3 hawks that dined on the raccoon pictured above.

This is one of 3 hawks that dined on the raccoon pictured above.

My camera is old and not so good. When the hawks moved in I was too far away to get suitable pictures. Rather I watched with my binoculars.  This hawk was bullied away by the remaining 2 hawks.  It was not clear if they were mates and the departing hawk was the odd man out or if 3 was a crowd.

Many of my acquaintances have labeled me crazy for going out on subzero winter days.  I keep trying to explain if you are not there you will not see what is going on out there.   That being said there are times while my face is suffering cold burn, each snowshoe step is weighted down in snow powder and if one tips over… Getting up in soft waist deep snow is a challenge…  Perhaps those friends have a point?

 

Wind and Wild Turkey Hunting

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Many small things go into a successful turkey hunt.

Many small things go into a successful turkey hunt.

For the most part wild turkey hunters do not like windy days.  The wind makes it harder for hunters  to hear the turkeys and for the turkeys to hear the hunter’s calls.  Not sure about latter.  A turkey’s hearing is so fine tuned they can probably hear the hunter’s calls it’s just that the hunter who can’t hear the turkey’s response.  Blowing wind masks the sound of approaching turkeys perhaps causing a hunter to give up their setup prematurely in the mistaken belief there are no turkeys out and about.

Questions not usually considered or discussed much:

  • Does wind alter a turkey’s behavior?
  • If so how can a turkey hunter change strategies to bag a gobbler?

    Excellent article: Let the Wind Blow a Bird Your Way by Judd Cooney. Get a copy and enjoy.

    Excellent article: Let the Wind Blow a Bird Your Way by Judd Cooney. Get a copy and enjoy.

An article by Judd Cooney in the March 2014 Fur-Fish-Game titled Let the Wind Blow a Bird Your Way, Wild Turkey Tactics

This article got me thinking about wind and turkeys on a deeper level than in the past.

Mr. Cooney writes:

I speculate that turkeys, being heavy-weight gliders, have a tough time navigating on the wing through tree branches – as any hunter who has heard them going to coming from a roost in a thicket might attest. Flying into the wind gives them better control, much as a bush pilot always tries to land into the wind.  It also makes sense that turkeys  feel more comfortable feeding into the wind, when it is blowing with and not against the natural lay of their feathers.

Good observation there Mr. Cooney I too have noticed turkeys seem to prefer facing the wind.  This is why a setup with the wind on the hunter’s back usually works out better.  Not only will the wind carry the sound of your call more effectively… The turkeys are usually already pointed and upwind up wind.  As on longtime deer bowhunter having the wind at my back doesn’t fell quite right because deer will smell the hunter and be gone.  Fortunately, turkeys on the other hand have no sense of smell.   However, I had not considered the wind effect on determining a turkey’s fly down direction. As I think back over past hunts where the turkeys went the “wrong” way it was very likely that the wind had something to do with it.

There is more in Judd Cooney’s article explaining his observations and conclusions regarding wild turkey behavior in the wind.  Hunting turkeys on those particularly windy spring days is more challenging.  A hunter with a good understanding of all the things affecting turkey behavior is better able to tip the odds in their favor.  This is another tidbit of information to help in that quest.

Good hunting.

Also read tips in  How to Hunt Wild Turkeys in Wind & Rain