As I’m writing this, spring is promising to arrive early, with the weather forecasters getting giddy about a weeklong warm spell that could see temperatures in the low 70s.
By the time you read this, we will all know if they were right or somehow missed a surprise snowstorm that loves to crush our dreams in March or April.
As president of the Winnebago Strutters (Neenah-Menasha) Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, I’m in the midst of last-minute preparations for our annual fundraising banquet March 15 at Pullman’s in Appleton.
If you have ever been to a banquet to raise money for turkeys, ducks, deer, pheasants, elk or other critters, you know the drill: great food (we have southern barbecue, which was as amazing last year as it sounds), a few beers, some gun raffles, an auction of outdoors goodies and artwork, and plenty of door prizes. I hope to see you all there next year.
As I drive through my wooded Waupaca County countryside, I’m constantly scanning for critters, mainly the deer that threaten my commutes and trips to town. When I’m not dodging deer, I’m looking for the springtime bird of our dreams: the wild turkey.
I literally drive past my hunting spot almost every day, and I see turkeys there about 50% of the time. It’s a good, but not great, spot. I was lucky enough to conduct a successful tungsten shot experiment on a small adult tom last year, taking him with a 20-gauge at 65 paces. I didn’t plan it that way, but it just happened.
Because I don’t always get a shot every season, I boost my odds of roast wild turkey every year by buying an extra tag or two to help my minor league batting average. Here’s how you can do the same.
If you forgot to apply for a turkey license by the Dec. 10 deadline (why they have such an early deadline, I’ll never know), or you just want an extra, this week started the sales process for surplus tags.
Zone 1 tags (southwest counties) went on sale March 17.
Zone 2 tags (southeast corner north to Door County, including the portions of Shawano, Oconto and Outagamie counties east or south of state highways 22 and 47; see Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources map) went on sale March 18.
Zone 3 tags (most of us in Shawano and Waupaca counties are in this zone) went on sale March 19.
Zone 4 tags (including a portion of Marathon County) went on sale March 20.
Zone 5 tags (northeast, including most of Oconto County and parts of Menominee, Langlade and Marathon counties) went on sale today (March 21).
At 10 a.m. March 22, all remaining tags go on sale (you can stand in line at any retail license outlet or wait online and purchase from home). It’s a good idea to have a few choices in mind, because your first choice can sell out while you wait.
The first two seasons (April 16-22 and April 23-29) are sold out in all zones. Zones 6 and 7 are also sold out. Don’t worry about hunting the later seasons. With generally fewer hunters and many bred hens, the toms are searching for more action and often easier to call, although they may come in silently. Be ready when calling and try not to move. Turkeys have one key sense, and it’s obviously eyesight.
Click https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/permits/springturkey.html for details on surplus tags.
Avoid wearing red, white and blue colors while turkey hunting, as these are the hues of a gobbler and your calls could attract another hunter, especially on public areas. Sit with your back to a tree wider than your shoulders for an extra margin of safety. If you see a hunter approaching, speak in a soft voice, and don’t make a sudden movement. Hunting remains among the safest of all sports, so let’s keep it that way.
Decoys or no decoys? I’ve shot turkeys with and without using them. Hen and jake decoys are fine, but I really don’t think it is a safe or effective idea to use gobbler decoys. You risk spooking smaller toms (which still taste delicious) and also chance taking a load of copper-coated 5’s in the posterior or worse.
When transporting decoys, carry them in a bag so they aren’t visible in the woods.
Good luck this season. Be sure to send us your photos so we can share them with our readers.
Ross Bielema is a freelance writer from New London and owner of Wolf River Concealed Carry LLC. Contact him at Ross@wolfriverccw.com.
Grab extra turkey tags now for more chances
