Turkey season is just around the corner, but you might not notice with all these lingering spring snowstorms.
Conversation in my circle of friends has moved to talk of hunting gobblers in the snow. I try to avoid this in Zone 3 (which includes portions of Shawano County and all of Waupaca County) by applying for the second season (this year, that’s April 26 through May 2). Although for some reason, I didn’t get drawn at all and had to buy a “surplus” season four permit.
Several of my friends didn’t get drawn in the annual lottery. I always buy a Patron license, which provides most hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, including a turkey permit. For the first time in 22 years, I didn’t get drawn.
The Patron license allows the applicant to choose up to three seasons for the drawing, but the state claims I only put in for one (why would I do that?) I’m not a conspiracy-theory type, but I keep thinking that because I didn’t get drawn, I then had to fork over another $10 for a turkey tag, in addition to my $165 Patron license fee. If I had gotten drawn, it would be 10 bucks less for the state.
Hunters tend to request the earlier seasons, thinking that the birds will be less hunted and, therefore, less wary. Maybe it’s just a desire to get out there early. When I moved to Wisconsin from Iowa in 2000, I got a first-season tag and soon found myself plodding through 4-6 inches of snow during the season. No thanks. That’s why first season is last in my book.
Hunting in northern counties is vastly different from hunting in southern counties. Northern hunters are accustomed to a little (or a lot) of the white stuff when chasing toms. My experience is that the snow seems to make the birds less active and less likely to answer a call, but again, I’ve avoided this situation whenever possible.
Friend and co-worker Jennifer Schloss, who has been president of the Neenah-Menasha Strutters chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation for the past decade, is an avid turkey hunter who shares the sport with her husband, Trent, and son, Caleb.
Caleb was just 11 years old when winter snowstorm Evelyn struck the state during the youth turkey season April 14-15. While Shawano dug out from just under 30 inches of snow, Caleb and his dad were trudging through knee-deep snow on public land in Marquette County.
After missing one gobbler, and with Caleb’s hand warmers failing, the duo was shivering, cold and miserable. They spotted some turkeys near the edge of their own property on the border with the public land and set some decoys. With 12 minutes left of the season, a huge 26.1-pound gobbler strutted to within 20 yards, and Caleb put it down with his 20-gauge Mossberg pump. It was a hunt they’ll never forget and proof positive that persistence, even in a historic snowstorm, can pay off.
Turkey and Turkey Hunting magazine, a publication once owned by Krause Publications in Iola and now based in Waupaca, offers some great tips for hunting gobblers in the snow.
You’ve already done at least one of these just by driving around the backroads in winter: Noticing where the birds hang out when there’s snow on the ground. I literally drive by my hunting land almost every day, and see the birds clustered in two or three distinct areas. Will they be there when the snow is gone? Not necessarily, but it’s a place to start. Two aging, wooden deer ground blinds are conveniently located near these two spots, and they make it easy for me to stay dry and comfortable while waiting for birds to show up in the open field.
Author Jason Houser recommends looking for travel routes between feeding and roosting areas. Set up your blind or ambush spot in a field that is uphill from a roosting area (if possible; in my area, there is no uphill area).
Set your blind up three or four days before you hunt, if possible. This isn’t legal on public land, as you must take your blind down when you leave. Don’t be afraid to use a white sheet on your blind to help it blend in with the landscape, Houser said.
Crunchy snow makes walking into and out of your hunting area difficult, especially if the birds are roosting nearby. Plan out a quiet entrance route, if available. Perhaps a weedy creek bank, cattle trail or other natural path will quiet your approach.
Here’s a link to Houser’s story: https://www.turkeyandturkeyhunting.com/turkey-scratchings/7-steps-for-hu....
Most of us turkey hunters also deer hunt, and we are used to cold-weather conditions. You may need to abandon your lightweight spring camo clothing in favor of the insulated bibs and parkas this year. Bring some handwarmers and a pair of heavy gloves.
By the time this story reaches you, let’s hope the sun is shining and the snow is all melted.
I will not put any money on that wish, however.
Ross Bielema is a freelance writer from New London and owner of Wolf River Concealed Carry LLC. Contact him at Ross@wolfriverccw.com.
Hunting turkeys in snow good possibility
