Wild turkey hunters across Wisconsin continue to enjoy the hunt of 2015. See table below. As of the end of the 4th mini season (D Season), 2015 harvest is down 1.29% from the same period 2014. Unit 4 hunters have experienced a turkey increase of 5.12%, unit 6 & 7 increased 23.6 %, 36%. WDNR cut the permits in these units by 25% in 2014 so with the permit numbers back to normal this year increase was expected.
All other units have decreased harvests. Likely this is due to hunters holding out for a mature gobbler rather than taking a jake. According to hunters, jake numbers are much higher this year, and fewer adult toms are being seen than in 2014.
| Preliminary 2015 Spring Turkey Harvest, by Turkey Management Zone, through time period D. | |||
| Zone | 2015 | 2014 | % change |
| 1 | 9,732 | 10,273 | -5.56% |
| 2 | 7,701 | 7,793 | -1.19% |
| 3 | 8,584 | 8,916 | -3.87% |
| 4 | 4,645 | 4,407 | 5.12% |
| 5 | 1,565 | 1,569 | -0.26% |
| 6 | 576 | 440 | 23.61% |
| 7 | 430 | 275 | 36.05% |
| FM | 70 | 59 | 15.71% |
| Statewide Summary | |||
| 33,303 | 33,732 | -1.29% | |
Wild turkey hunters across Wisconsin continue to enjoy the hunt of 2015. The weather has been cool and until recently dry. Rains have been moderate setting the stage for excellent nesting conditions. If the weather trend continues to be favorable poult recruitment will be excellent providing for a superb 2015 fall hunt.
Spring 2015 hunters are seeing more jakes than adult gobblers.
Luke Weiland says
Thanks, Charlie. I am actually surprised with the numbers you posted as I thought it would be substantially lower. It will be interesting to see where the final figures shake out.