Update for 2015 Spring Turkey Drawing and OTC tag availability.
Wisconsin’s preliminary 2014 spring wild turkey harvest or if you prefer the number of gobblers killed during the spring of 2014 hunt:
- Unit 1 – 12,147
- Unit 2 – 10,313
- Unit 3 – 10,490
- Unit 4 – 5,727 (OTC permits were unnecessarily cut 25%)
- Unit 5 – 2,000
- Unit 6- 541 (OTC permits were unnecessarily cut 25%)
- Unit 7- 354 (OTC permits were unnecessarily cut 25%)
- FM- 86
Statewide Total- 41,659
If WDNR had not cut the OTC permits Wisconsin’s turkey hunters would have had more opportunity to hunt in what was one of the best turkey springs ever.
2014 Wisconsin spring turkey hunters will find more 2-4 year old gobblers and fewer jakes than in past spring turkey hunts. 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. 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.
According to active spring turkey hunters, there were more encounters with mature gobblers this spring than in any previous year. The bad news is the small number of jakes due to the low recruitment in spring 2013. What is most irritating to veteran turkey hunters who understand the population dynamics of turkey populations was having the number of permits cut during a year of unusually good gobbler numbers.
What about spring turkey season 2015?
Of course, it depends on spring 2014 recruitment numbers and so far that is looking good. Even though spring temperatures have been 10-15 degrees below average rainfall has been moderate with no snowfall to speak of. Cool temps have reduced springtime insect numbers a valuable high protein food source of freshly hatched poults. Warmer temps are better than cooler temps for wildlife, especially birds. A couple of weeks ago while hunting, I found the first poults of the season and even if they don’t survive due to early hatching their hen will have plenty of time to re-nest. Usually, during the last two Wisconsin turkey seasons gobblers are forming into summertime bachelor groups. Not so this year, reports of henned up gobblers right to the last day of hunting season were common. Indicating either the hens are re-nesting or due to cooler temps causing a late snow melt are breeding later.
Early 2015 spring turkey hunt thoughts
- If 2014 recruitment is good with fall hunters finding a large number of birds of the year, then the 2015 spring hunt will feature few adult gobblers and plentiful numbers of young jakes.
- If 2014 recruitment is poor, well then be ready for some tough 2015 spring hunting.
- Wild turkeys live about two years whether you hunt them or not. Meaning most of the spring 2014 “surplus” gobblers will not be alive come spring 2015.
Luke Weiland says
Well stated as always, Charlie Elk. I could not agree with your assessment of the season and structure of it any more. Hopefully we encounter a strong recruitment this spring/summer or it will be some very tough hunting next year from what I encountered in the woods this year.
charlie elk says
Thanks for reading Luke. The recruitment is looking good so far. Early and late morning gobbling is still common here in West Central WI. My contacts north of Hwy 8 are reporting gobbling also and it’s June 8th as I write this. Hopefully the is a sign of continued breeding of 2013’s late hatch. Many 2013 fall hunters reported sighting of very small newly hatched poults in late September.
What are you seeing out in your area?
Hardys Custom Calls says
I seen several gobblers this year. I hope there Is a great hatch this year as well. Also seen a few jakes bouncing around. I love hunting the state of Wisconsin I have been successful the last few years. I will agree the toms were still henned up right down to the last day.
charlie elk says
Glad to hear you had some good hunting time in WI. Incredibly the turkeys are still gobbling, it’s June 8 today. Don’t forget WI has the best fall season in the Nation.
John jensen says
Hi Charlie:
I hunted the White River Fisheries Area in Bayfield County the last week of the season and had one of the best hunts of my life. Second day I got on a vocal Tom that gobbled about 100 times before he got close enough to shoot. Day prior I called in three jakes. So much for the idea that the winter finished them off in the northwoods!
John Jensen
charlie elk says
So glad to hear you had a good hunt, congratulations on your bird John. This winter turned out to be a lesson for all us about how tenacious the turkeys are. Now on to the fall hunt.
Common sense hunter says
You tell me right now why there is information on 2012 spring recruitment. This has nothing to do with 2014, it was two years ago….this is nothing more than garbage!
charlie elk says
On average turkeys live about 2 years whether you hunt them or not. At age 2 turkeys are breeding adults. Of course 2012 was 2 years ago so the recruitment (nesting success) then is the main reason there were more adult gobblers in spring 2014.
Spring Creek Calls says
I enjoyed reading about your great spring harvest. I’m glad to hear the winter was not as hard on the birds as expected. Here in MI, we also had good survival but did notice stress in reduced weights. These birds are amazing!
charlie elk says
Thank you for reading. Turkeys are amazing birds and like your MI turkeys the WI turkeys apparently lost weight during the winter. An 18-20 lb. turkey was big this year until the later May seasons when weights were back up to the usual 21-24 lb.
Mary says
“Charlie”
I would like permission to use one (or more) of your photos in the upcoming Wisconsin Wild Turkey Management Plan. Please contact me, if this is possible.
Mary