Turkey Numbers?
Wisconsin
Contributors to this thread:
I am more than a "tad" interested in what everyone has been seeing for numbers of birds in your area?
Been in the Trempealeau/Jackson/Eau Claire area looking around and I'm not seeing much at all? Why?
How about you?
They're still in some very large groups in Door and Kewaunee counties. Feast or famine, but seeing more jakes this year than in many, many years so should be awesome next couple years (and still excellent this year).
Many birds the last few days. Drove from Ozaukee County to Waukesha County this morning and probably saw 100 plus birds in about 8 different areas. Lots of strutting going on.
I have noticed less birds in Chippewa and Eau Claire counties. I was worried about this after the DNR refused to drastically lower tag limits after the last few severe winters. I still find birds to hunt, but there is for sure a LOT fewer out there than there was 3 or 4 years ago.
WAY down... Rationale is simple... Two terrible winters back to back with poor hatching conditions in '13 and just ok in '14. We will see drastic number drops this spring in harvest numbers as the two year old population isn't there.
Hate to be doom and gloom, but that's just where we're at.
We heard a lot last weekend but have not seen any birds out scouting from the truck. The birds stayed in the woods so assess your number by getting up early and go listen. You might be surprised the numbers maybe better than you think.
Been calling from the house this morning, no gobbling once they hit the ground.
Southeastern part of the state they seem to be broken up pretty good from winter flocks and good numbers.
Seeing birds every day in Washington and Ozaukee counties. Yesterday, eight birds including a nice Tom strutting his stuff in the field a 1/4 mile down the road from my house. Hope that bodes well for the next period!!
Big groups up until this last weekend and now look like they are starting to break up.
Had a ton of toms on camera over the winter, then the hens would move in and no toms...back and forth. This spring not much action but was cutting firewood also so hopefully with the break they have moved back in.
Find out tomorrow.
Ya, I sure as hell wouldn't waste your time East of Eau Claire by my house. I can't remember the last time I saw a turkey out there. I have a tag, but I doubt I'll even go. I'm not enthused enough with them anymore to go more than 5 miles to hunt them. I used to go 2 blocks from my house and get 5, 6 toms going every morning.
Fifteen toms in Waukesha yesterday, all together in an unpicked bean field. Daughter and I will be there later this week.
Buddy and his son saw 7 tons and many hens on my property in Richland county over the weekend, although they were not able to get one.
Remember though, the DNR's thinking is that in the spring we only take Toms. So lowering the spring tags would do absolutely no good. More like they are worried about the money they would lose more than anything. Give them time, they will screw up the turkeys just as they have the deer.
If your area has number issues, fewer fall tags is the way to go. I knew these sorts of problems would occur when they went from 40+ zones to seven (pushed for by certain orgs and individuals; same folks who want a wide-open free-for-all in spring which thankfully is not going to happen). Big mistake reducing number of zones IMO not only for historic data gathering and permit-setting, but in working with highs and lows from winter kill, predators, too much pressure, etc. Our Zone 2 is absolutely messed up including the high population centers with our rural (and high success) northern counties. We sell out of permits so fast while many other zones have so many leftovers. By period six I'm still seeing 2-5 toms on every property I hunt.
Rut, I disagree with pointing the trend at the DNR here... Our turkey population is much more sensitive to weather conditions and brood impact than spring licenses and the harvests. The harvest itself, which was at maybe 18% or 19% success rate last spring overall is minimal to the overall population. The average life expectancy of a wild turkey is in the 3-4 year range and you really cannot stockpile the birds... Very much like pheasants, where the keys are habitat and brooding conditions.
Down In Sawyer County-some pockets of birds-but a lot of area with no birds at all-tough to hunt. Two hard winters really hurt them. 4 years ago it was great Turkey hunting here-not anymore. I have a tag next week-will report my hunt-so far no Toms spotted on chunks I can hunt.
Duke, there were many of us just on here that predicted this years ago. If us "barstool biologists" can figure it out. Why can't the so called experts?
Duke +1, the spring hunt has very little impact overall. There are more than enough toms to breed hens.
Just speaking for my spot Waupaca county it seems to be getting better the last three years !!! There are plenty of turkeys here... when u sit in the blind they gobble all around in every direction... and still can't seem to get one lol
Duke and Naz -
I agreed with your logic on the turkey population -
I sounded the alarm maybe as long ago as 4 years in my hunting area - which was sick with turkeys!
I took the landowner out this morning! 400 plus acres - one tom - four hens.
We killed the tom and have yet to kill a hen at anytime on that property.
Winter has a huge effect and perhaps breeding weather has the highest impact coupled by the ever present predator population.
Turkeys are on the menu from egg to adult hood. Raccoons and ground predators slurping up eggs to every other predator into adulthood looking to make a meal -
I put my money on weather however.....
Crap spring brooding!
Rut - everything in your world has to do with the WDNR getting rich on all those BIG dollars - should I be concerned when our field warden starts driving a Cadillac?
BT, I don't think you have to worry about the wardens. It's the politicians and upper echelon DNR that are crooked.
As public employees their wages are a matter of public record.
If you think someone is getting paid too much, I would suggest making an open records request for salary information.
I'm not quite sure how Politician's would receive State monies as there would have to be a record of that.
If not, with as many "watchdog" type folks out and about, waiting in the wings for a "Walker" scandal, along with the hungry media, I would have a hard time believing Politician's whether over or under the table are receiving any State dollars from the WDNR.
I you have some proof of that I would suspect the folks down at the Milwaukee Journal- Sentinel would like to hop on that?
In fact we would like to hear about that?
Dismal morning again - not one gobble and we covered allot of Country this morning.
Bloodtrail what county you hunting in ???
BT, maybe you need to put some corn out;) Sorry I couldn't let that one go. Hopefully your season gets better.
Rut - God will get ya! LOL
No harm - no foul
Buckmaster -
Depends on the Day Monroe/Jackson recently.
We killed one Wednesday - but on a 400 acre farm that was about it...
Cousin killed one today and there was two other gobblers in that bunch - little pockets it seems.
NE Monroe was quite this morning - maybe the Fort would be better they had many birds in prior years. Have not heard recently.
Going to be pretty slow in West Central for many guys unfortunately.
That why its called hunting,folks on most of the public land for deer have been having this type of "experience" for a long time.
Bt Thanks . Just curious. I have my hunt next week in Marathon county. Good luck to ya !
So a noticeable decline in numbers is called "hunting"?
Turkeys have declined on both public and private lands for several years now.
Turkeys have declined on both public and private lands for several years now"
Says who? Can you provide a link to the study that shows which counties this has happened in and the percent drop in the population? I know what a stickler you are for facts, and how you dislike people making unsubstantiated claims based on personal observations. Turkey hunting is just like deer hunting. You just have to be adaptable to the situation. Or so we were told. Good Hunting!
Retro -
Perhaps you can find a study for us too look at.
To the best of my knowledge no such study exists or I would have posted it. Perhaps you know of one you would like to post?
If you don't believe me, we can get together, I'll drive you around and you can count turkeys. This way you would be a believer. I can actually show you!
Most of the statements I reference, no one can show anyone anything - but I can show you! And I would be happy to do that. We'll pick a day mid-week.
PM me with your home number, I'll call you and we can get together for a tour!
How about that?
About that adaptability thing you speak of, I'll adapt! You can bet on it.
Looking forward for that number and our get-together! You bring the coffee and I'll bring the donuts! :^)
Good Hunting!
I'll be waiting.....
BT, Thanks for the offer but I can see all the turkeys I want in Northern WI. Winter didnt kill all of them up here like it apparently did in the south. You discount everyone's personal observations and experiences with baiting. Im discounting your gloom and doom report on the turkey population based on your observations in your hunting area. If you cant put some numbers to it, it cant be true right? By the way, Kwik Trip has the best donuts around.(This statement was based on personal observation after driving around looking for donuts in a pretty big area.) :>)
retro - Imagine my dismay when I learned the news that you couldn't join me for a little "proof in the pudding" commute in the country!
Gotta say I really wasn't that surprised.
"You discount everyone's personal observations and experiences with baiting"
Not true -
I've agreed with several fine folks on the subject in different discussions admitting that there is a problem (at times) just like there is with any number of other recreational opportunities in the State.
I'm saddened by your "discounting" of my statements regarding lower turkey numbers, that are being reported by any number of folks.
"Discounting" - almost sounds like a "Wal-Mart Roll Back" doesn't it? :^)
It doesn't have so much to do with numbers as it does with believability and credibility. Some here post outrageous incidents involving "most" "half" "almost all" and "everyone" (did I say "everyone") to support their own agenda.
retro - you believe what you want my friend...it's all good!
Good Hunting!
Bloodtrail, Just trying to make a point. Maybe there are times when personal observations should trump statistics. Just a thought...... As far as the turkeys. Less? Yes. Huntable yet? Yes. I seldom hunt ag areas anymore for turkeys as I enjoy hunting them in big woods. Totally different ballgame. Big woods has way fewer birds than ag areas. They exist in small pockets with a whole lot of real estate in between birds. Half the fun is finding them. Nice thing is when you locate a good tom, you can sound like a pretty ugly hen and still get him asking for a date. Something to keep in mind when numbers are low. Good hunting Bloodtrail!
Almost no activity this weekend in Waupaca county 25 hours in blind from Fri to sun morning with 4 solo hen sightings ... very little gobbling in morning and after flydown nothing
3 out of 7 of us shot toms this season. Two hard winters and unlimited extra tags has decreased #s overall.
"Two hard winters and unlimited extra tags has decreased #s overall"
It can't be, the DNR experts and Bowsite experts have all said the spring tags would have zero effect on numbers. You must be mistaken RJN.
Just an anecdotal observation.
The turkey population on the southern Door Peninsula looks to be healthy.
I spent approximately 30-35 hours between Wednesday and Saturday crooning the turkey love call before I finally killed a bird yesterday.
My impression is that conditions are on the up-tick. Absolutely no gobblers for three days. Plenty solo hens. That seemed to begin to shift on Saturday.
More to report in the coming week. We're hosting a couple of other hunters for second season. I'll post observations and results.
We have a healthy population in the central part of Monroe County. Wednesday - Friday I called in 11 different Jakes on two separate parcels. Plenty of Toms hammering on both parcels as well. Opening day the valley below sounded like a hen fest. I connected on a lonesome Tom Friday afternoon after chasing him for about two hours. What fun! BC
Ran bear baits for the first time yesterday. Saw plenty of birds in the afternoon in Portage and Marathon county.
On thing I did notice is that they are not as vocal as they have been in the past.
Too bad I don't have a tag for this period, could have shot a nice tom strutting in a logging road....
Way down in Lincoln county . About 1/3 of what we saw 2 years ago . Did the gunshow in Antigo over the weekend and heard the same reports .
My humble opinion , All predators in the air and on the ground are at all time highs . Crows are a real problem in our area , killing chicks and eating eggs .
Turkeys are idiots , if it wasn't for their eyes they would all be dead in 2 years .
Spring of '13 and winter of '13-14 no doubt hard on birds, esp. away from ag country. That said, haven't seen so many large groups of jakes (with mostly TINY beards, inch to two inches, tops), in many years. Should be incredible gobbler hunting next couple years at minimum.
Four LTH programs in Kewaunee and Door counties combined to see better than 50 percent success rates with a majority gobblers (and a number of misses). One mentor reported seeing the most toms he's ever had displaying and gobbling in the same field at the same time — nine — in southern Door. There's one less there now!
Have seen two clean misses in the past week on people I've taken in the first period, both usually very reliable shots, both maybe the dreaded "too close" shot where the pattern doesn't have a chance to spread and you're just a bit off target (or bird moves head/neck as you pull). Still seeing some groups with 30+ birds but a lot more with 7-15 now, so definitely splitting up. A lot of first-hour gobbling, and all-day strutting. "Too many" hens yet though so later periods should be productive as well. Scouting key now, sitting on feeding/strutting/travel areas.
Traveled to Stevens Point Friday and saw strutters from GB to Point, and one heck of a lot of turkey blinds set on fields! One public wildlife area (Mack) had I think 6 blinds on the same field. Wouldn't want to be hunting there!
I think they should start with getting rid of the fall hunt. I live in a valley and when I moved out here back in '02, it was common every late winter to see flocks of turkeys 70+. This year I had a flock of 25-30 birds, which I hadn't seen for several years and the last two previous years they were less than 10. I had a fall tag last year and several times I hunted I had a hen and her jennys by me on several occasions while bow hunting for deer. I had no desire to shoot one and even though the land was public I have a feeling they knew I was there because they would arrive shortly after I got on stand and would feed around me. They never spooked when I'd make small movements. I just don't think fall seasons are beneficial, other than making the local government more money.
Sat another 5 hours yesterday with a lonely hen sighting
I hunt Waukesha and Richland counties. In both those areas, turkey numbers are up, at least based on my observations.
The numbers started dropping after a guy was no longer required to tote the thing to town and everyone became poachers....(LOL)
I, like Capt. Mike, hunt Richland County and I agree that the turkey numbers are up the past couple of years. That upswing follows a couple of down years as far as population is concerned. This observation is a small snapshot to be fair, as it covers one valley in a large county. My young lady I took on the youth hunt was treated to seven Toms strutting and carrying on in the hayfield surrounding our blinds at one time.
I don't think numbers are down sometimes turkeys move out of a area... and come back at a different time
Knife, agree fall seasons could be cut back WHEN and WHERE needed, but overall most years they're crucial to controlling turkey numbers in farm country. Not enough hens being shot the way it is by most of the guys in our area in fall, with so many bigger targets (toms/jakes) out there. More than once in the past decade I've heard folks suggest an "earn-a-tom" season by making a hunter take a hen in our neck of the woods. I'm certainly not proposing that, as the efficient gobbler hunters here would be gunning down a pile of hens. But the farmers would not put up with ever-expanding turkey numbers. They can do a real number on plantings in spring and perhaps you remember the tale of the one farmer a number of years back north of GB who was so tired of them crapping in his livestock feed that he poisoned them. As with anything else, needs to be a balance and turkeys are so prolific that you have to take out some of the females.
I advocate for no fall season on turkeys.
The numbers indicate that there is a limited amount of interest by tag allocation. I never apply for one because u can buy them after the season starts, plenty left over.
I carry one while bow hunting....just in case.
On the other hand some folks like the Fall hunt....I don't want to see some folks miss out on an opportunity however if they enjoy it.
Crows are notorious nest robbers of both eggs and new born - once out of the nest I have never seen a crow successfully take a young bird - turkey or not/never witnessed a pursuit!
Avian predators - out side of crows - owls would be of great concern and I'm primarily speaking of the Great Horned variety. There not egg eaters but would raise havoc with poults on the roost.
I have had my wife's red tail pursue adult turkeys, which caused them a degree of panic but they busted cover and made it off unscathed.
A young turkey would perhaps not been so lucky!
Some people ask why are crows and owls enemies?
Owls (GH) are responsible for taking crows off the roost during the hours of darkness - they are both hated and feared by crows, now during the hours of daylight crows do their best to drive them as far away as possible. That's what we are seeing with 30-50 crows dive bombing a single owl.
Poults and young turkeys are definitely on "the menu" by just about everything that slithers, crawls and walks on four legs!
It's a tough go being a turkey!
Got to disagree with my ole' friend Ruger- turkeys are anything but stupid
.Lots of birds in our cut corn but shoulder surgery has put me in watch position. Hopefully in a couple weeks they still will be there
Before phone/internet registration of turkeys began in 2011, fall turkey harvests between 1998 and 2008 were between 8,845 and 12,544. The harvests the next two years ('09-'10) were 8,281 and 7,394. Permit numbers have been from 55-65K since a high of 85K in 2005 (was 55K in '99). That said, many units don't sell out.
Since online registration, the average harvest (reported) has been about 5K over the past four years.
BT, good to hear you don't want to deny the opportunity to those who enjoy the sport. IMO the fall hunt is necessary in a lot of areas and if your area seems to be low in birds, enough folks contacting the wildlife managers and asking for fewer fall tags might be the way to go. Then again, we're now in huge zones vs. "back in the day" so a little tougher to manage "regional" populations.
Got one this morning about 7 AM. Registered online...let the poaching begin!
This reminds me of the story of "Henny Penny"... I don't think anyone can honestly say that across the state right now the turkey numbers (as a whole) are not down from past years. -Certainly there are very good pockets that have seen little, if any, impact.
However, just because the numbers may be somewhat lower does not mean that everything needs to be changed and it is some person or group's fault. (I guess maybe we should be angry with that ol' B*tch, Mother Nature?) There's a simple ebb and flow. After this past (very good) winter if there's productive nesting conditions we will see the tide turn right back the other way... These birds are quite proficient.
I would be very reluctant to start changing seasons, etc. from one snapshot in time.
PS- Congrats on the bird, crowndip. Isn't the online/call-in set-up the cat's meow? So easy a cave man can do it.
"Isn't the online/call-in set-up the cat's meow?" It sure is sweet...the bar in town does not start any registrations 'til 11 AM. This one was in the freezer for 3 hours by then. Cool
This is the fourth year with this registration system.
Did not say it is new...just a comment on the convenience.