I am of two minds regarding this issue!

While I certainly don't want our turkey herd decimated by over hunting, as a weekend warrior, it sure would be nice to actually be able to hunt when I can.

Article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Posted Feb 3, 2010.

As spring turkey permits were placed in the mail last week, a bill was introduced in the Legislature that would substantially change the turkey hunting season framework in Wisconsin.

The nature of the bill and the process have some asking: fair or fowl?

Senate Bill 481 would create a continuous statewide six-week spring turkey hunting season, eliminate geographical zones and do away with the preference system for awarding permits.

If signed into law, the bill would basically allow hunters to buy a turkey permit and go hunting anywhere in the state.

Supporters say it would increase opportunity for hunters and, at least in spring, not pose a biological threat to the flock.

Opponents say turkey hunters already have ample opportunity, and the bill unnecessarily increases the risk of hunter interference, overcrowding and shooting incidents while decreasing the ability of wildlife managers to control hunting pressure and harvest.

SB481 was introduced Jan. 25 and assigned to the Senate Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry and Natural Resources. Holperin is chairman of the committee.

The Department of Natural Resources currently manages the spring turkey hunt with a system of five-day hunting periods (Wednesday through Sunday) in April and May. To control hunting pressure and turkey harvest, the department allocates a limited number of permits for each period in seven geographical zones.

Wild turkeys were extirpated from Wisconsin in the 1800s; only a 1970s trap-and-transfer program using wild birds from Missouri allowed a flock to re-establish in the Badger State. The first Wisconsin spring hunt, with only 1,200 permits issued, was held in 1983.

The DNR issued 218,133 permits for the 2009 spring hunt; about 170,000 hunters harvested 52,581 turkeys. The comeback of the wild turkey is widely regarded as one of the state's leading conservation success stories.

Wisconsin not only ranks among the top states in annual turkey harvest, but hunters give high marks to the hunting experience.

"I think the bill is a step backward," said Mike Rogers of Prairie du Sac, a turkey hunter for more than 25 years and chairman of the Turkey Committee of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. "We've worked carefully to develop a high-quality, safe hunt that allows lots of opportunity. Why risk it?"

According to a random DNR survey sent to 20,000 turkey hunters last year, 85% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the hunt. And less than 15% were interfered with by another hunter.

"I'm also concerned this isn't being driven by turkey hunters and that average turkey hunters won't get heard on this," said Rogers. "If it's a good idea, let the people have some time to talk it over."

Scott Hull, DNR upland game ecologist, said the department has gradually increased opportunity over the years as the turkey population has increased in number and range. The number of permits has increased, the size of the zones has been increased to allow more flexibility and the sale of "leftover" permits assures anyone who really wants a turkey tag can get one.

"One of our objectives is to reduce hunter interference," said Hull. "That is important both for a quality hunt and for safety. The only way to do that is by managing the number of tags at a certain time in a certain area."

Hull said the DNR had not formulated an official position on the bill. He also said the department wasn't afraid to have a conversation with turkey hunters about the Wisconsin program.

"We've made quite a few changes over the years," said Hull. "But it's important any change is carefully considered."

Although there is considerable opposition to the bill in many local chapters, the state chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is supporting it. The state board voted on the issue last Friday, said chapter president Dean Hamilton of Waunakee. The tally was seven for, three against and one abstaining, said Hamilton.

"The bottom line is everybody can get a tag and have flexibility about when and where to hunt," said Hamilton. "Unless somebody can prove it is biologically unwise, we're sticking to our position."

The bill obviously bypasses the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. But contrary to some claims, the bill is not the result of his group's intention to do so, said Hamilton.

"The senators brought it up and, after some discussions, we've agreed to support it," said Hamilton.

Interested parties should keep their eyes and ears open: A public hearing on SB481 may be held as soon as next week, according to Holperin.

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I agree....
written by Toasteo, February 04, 2010

Sounds like a great idea. WI seems to be one step ahead of MN with its regulations. I hope MN follows suit.

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written by CarrieZ, February 04, 2010

I applied for my Spring Turkey license in November, drew my third choice weekend which is not unavailable for me to be able to hunt, a lot can change in the 5 or 6 months between the application deadline and the actual weekend to hunt.
The flexibility to hunt the weekend before or after sure would be nice.

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written by CarrieZ, February 04, 2010

oops, I meant that weekend is now unavailable...

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written by Brischl2, February 04, 2010

I think that weather you are "for or against" this change, it may come down to weather you hunt public or private land. In Mn. where I hunt (public land) opening up the season like that would put so many people into the public areas that it would just spoil everyone's hunt.

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written by I Hunt 365, February 08, 2010

to say it would have an effect on turkey populations is stupid. i have hunted turkeys in lots of states and i can tell you the change would be a good one. spring is gobblers only, so control how many tags each person gets and then make the season as long as possible. $0.02

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Bad Idea
written by garrickt, February 09, 2010

Separate seasons has worked well for so many years. I could see changing it in some areas, but not all. I'm in zone 1, I got time A and there are still leftovers for "C". I'm double dipping this year!

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