jayber
07-07-2003, 01:35 PM
Turkey hunters set spring harvest record of 42,237 birds
Spring season was also ‘accident-free’
MADISON – Wisconsin turkey hunters put another record spring turkey harvest into the books, registering 42,237 birds – an increase of 7 percent over the 2002 spring harvest of 39,336. Hunters took advantage of an expanding turkey population and an increased number of hunting permits.
“Hunters continue to set new harvest records, something I wouldn’t have predicted even a few years ago,” says Keith Warnke, Department of Natural Resources upland game ecologist. “But there are a number of things coming together that make it possible. While hunter success rates have been pretty stable at around 25 percent overall in recent years, the state turkey population continues to expand its range. In addition, bird density within that range is increasing and both factors lead to a larger number of harvest permits.”
“This season also set a high mark for hunter safety,” adds Tim Lawhern, DNR hunter education coordinator. “This was just the second spring turkey season since 1991 to be completely accident free. Hunters who participated in this year’s hunt can be proud about that because every one of them contributed to a safe hunt. I’d like to throw out a challenge the fall turkey hunters to match this high point.”
Biologists estimate that turkey population densities now exceed 26 birds per square mile in some wooded areas. An effort to develop a turkey habitat model is underway and if successful, will provide a uniform basis for turkey population estimates. As the birds have expanded into new areas of the state, biologists have created new population management zones based largely on road boundaries for the purpose of managing the hunt. Habitat types vary across the zones and total turkey habitat needs to be documented, say biologists.
“While the overall turkey population is increasing, there are variations in the population picture across the state,” said Warnke. “For instance, in the southwest, populations have remained stable for several years with the balance between recruitment and mortality and survival remaining roughly equal. In pretty much the remainder of the state, recruitment has outpaced mortality and survival leading to a steady population growth. As long as that trend continues, I expect we can look forward to increasing permit numbers and harvest totals as long as hunter success rates remain about the same.”
Once native to Wisconsin, the wild turkey was reintroduced in Vernon County in 1976. The turkeys released there came from Missouri in an exchange with Missouri wildlife managers for Wisconsin ruffed grouse that they released in their state. Eventually, a total of 335 Missouri birds were released in Wisconsin. As they prospered, Wisconsin biologists captured and translocated birds to new areas of Wisconsin. By 2000 the population had grown to an estimated 200,000 birds statewide.
Looking ahead to the fall hunt, Warnke cautions that until poult, or turkey young-of-the-year, counts are completed in August, it’s difficult to predict a fall hunt but conditions so far appear to favor a strong recruitment. Additional information about Wisconsin’s turkey program, hunting seasons and turkey management can be found on the Department of Natural Resources Web site.
Spring season was also ‘accident-free’
MADISON – Wisconsin turkey hunters put another record spring turkey harvest into the books, registering 42,237 birds – an increase of 7 percent over the 2002 spring harvest of 39,336. Hunters took advantage of an expanding turkey population and an increased number of hunting permits.
“Hunters continue to set new harvest records, something I wouldn’t have predicted even a few years ago,” says Keith Warnke, Department of Natural Resources upland game ecologist. “But there are a number of things coming together that make it possible. While hunter success rates have been pretty stable at around 25 percent overall in recent years, the state turkey population continues to expand its range. In addition, bird density within that range is increasing and both factors lead to a larger number of harvest permits.”
“This season also set a high mark for hunter safety,” adds Tim Lawhern, DNR hunter education coordinator. “This was just the second spring turkey season since 1991 to be completely accident free. Hunters who participated in this year’s hunt can be proud about that because every one of them contributed to a safe hunt. I’d like to throw out a challenge the fall turkey hunters to match this high point.”
Biologists estimate that turkey population densities now exceed 26 birds per square mile in some wooded areas. An effort to develop a turkey habitat model is underway and if successful, will provide a uniform basis for turkey population estimates. As the birds have expanded into new areas of the state, biologists have created new population management zones based largely on road boundaries for the purpose of managing the hunt. Habitat types vary across the zones and total turkey habitat needs to be documented, say biologists.
“While the overall turkey population is increasing, there are variations in the population picture across the state,” said Warnke. “For instance, in the southwest, populations have remained stable for several years with the balance between recruitment and mortality and survival remaining roughly equal. In pretty much the remainder of the state, recruitment has outpaced mortality and survival leading to a steady population growth. As long as that trend continues, I expect we can look forward to increasing permit numbers and harvest totals as long as hunter success rates remain about the same.”
Once native to Wisconsin, the wild turkey was reintroduced in Vernon County in 1976. The turkeys released there came from Missouri in an exchange with Missouri wildlife managers for Wisconsin ruffed grouse that they released in their state. Eventually, a total of 335 Missouri birds were released in Wisconsin. As they prospered, Wisconsin biologists captured and translocated birds to new areas of Wisconsin. By 2000 the population had grown to an estimated 200,000 birds statewide.
Looking ahead to the fall hunt, Warnke cautions that until poult, or turkey young-of-the-year, counts are completed in August, it’s difficult to predict a fall hunt but conditions so far appear to favor a strong recruitment. Additional information about Wisconsin’s turkey program, hunting seasons and turkey management can be found on the Department of Natural Resources Web site.