Fewer Over-The-Counter Permits available for Wisconsin

[DonBo]

Remaining over-the-counter permits in Turkey Management Zones 6 and 7 will not be issued for the spring 2014 wild turkey hunting season, and over-the-counter permits in Zones 4 and 5 have been reduced by 25%. The decision to reduce permit availability was made in response to hunter feedback requesting a conservative approach to the number of permits issued for this spring's hunt, due to concerns that increased winter mortality has depressed turkey numbers.

For more information, please refer to a recent press release. Updated permit numbers and sales dates are available at http://dnr.wi.gov/permits/springturkey.html, and more information on wild turkeys in Wisconsin can be found at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/hunt/turkey.html.

[Hoyt4]

Thanks for posting Don I just got this e-mail. I will be sitting in line at 930 on Thursday to get my extra permit.

[DonBo]

Quote:

Permit levels can be safely maintained despite population shifts

EDITOR'S ADVISORY: After further consideration of concerns raised by hunters, especially in northern Wisconsin, state wildlife officials have decided to reduce spring permit levels in some zones. Please see this news release.

As a result of poor production last spring and a severe winter, hunters might see fewer turkeys during the spring 2014 season.

"The levels of harvest that typify Wisconsin's spring and fall turkey seasons have little impact on population trends, however," Scott said. "Some hunters understandably have suggested reducing harvest during the upcoming spring and fall to help turkeys recover. Reducing permit levels, however, would greatly reduce hunter opportunity while doing little to help turkey populations."

Landowners interested in habitat enhancements to buffer turkeys against the effects of severe winter weather can receive grain seed for winter plots through the National Wild Turkey Federation Conservation Seed Program, which provides outdated corn as well as sorghum, highbush cranberry and flowering crab seedlings to federation members for reduced costs.

"These programs allow National Wild Turkey Federation members to make a significant contribution to wild turkey winter survival in the Upper Midwest," said Rick Horton, National Wild Turkey Federation Midwest Conservation Field Supervisor.

More information about Wisconsin's wild turkeys is on the DNR HSOforum, dnr.wi.gov, keyword "turkey."

[minky]

I am hoping I can still get a tag in zone 4.

[Scott M]

No luck for me, didn't draw. P.P. for next year. Leftovers don't fit the schedule.

[WalleyeDrifter]

Does anyone know how the population of turkeys have fared in the area east of New Richmond? Several years ago when the winter was tough the birds really took a hit.

[Hoyt4]

Got my extra permit for season E. Cannot wait

[minky]

I also was lucky and bought an E tag for area 4 today.

Should I expect to find call shy birds?

[hugonian1]

I picked up a zone 4 D season tag today.

Still looking for my first sconny bird.

This will be my 4th year trying.

[nbadger23]

Shocked that Season D, zone 4... sold out today. I got mine, but had friends who delayed and didn't.