52,581 turkeys registered in Wisconsin's 2009 Spring turkey season

Fall season permit applications due August 1

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MADISON – Wisconsin hunters registered a near record 52,581 turkeys during the 2009 spring turkey season coming up just 233 birds shy of 2008’s record harvest of 52,814 birds.

“We were very pleased about the harvest totals this year,” says Scott Hull, DNR upland game ecologist. “Despite some more intense weather events the past couple years and concerns about increased mortality, Wisconsin’s turkey population has once again proved that it is strong, stable and resilient.”

A total of 218,133 permits were issued for the spring hunt according to licensing officials. This was an increase of more than 9,161 permits sold compared to 2008.

Hunter success rates continued to be quite good. As in past years, success rates generally were highest during the early and middle hunting periods.

“Hunters recorded a 32 percent success rate during the first period,” Hull says. “Success then dropped to 27 and 23 percent for the second and third periods, which is expected but is still telling of good hunting conditions.”

The preliminary counts showed that adult toms comprised 85 percent of the total harvest, which is higher than the long term average of 72 percent. However, this was not entirely unexpected and reflects last year’s observed lower brood success.

New Zone 1 (pdf; 171kb) produced the highest overall turkey harvest at 15,729 birds, followed by Zone 3 with 12,947 turkeys. The best hunter success rate appears to be in Zone 2 with a preliminary success rate of 30 percent, followed by Zone 4 at 28 percent success.

New this year is the inclusion of the Turkey Hunting Regulations with the small game regulations. Both the 2009 Fall Turkey and 2010 Spring Turkey Regulations are included in the 2009 Small Game Regulations. Regulations are available online from the DNR wild turkey Web page and are available in hard copy at license vendors.

The fall 2009 wild turkey season will run from Sept. 12 through Nov. 19, with the likelihood of an extended season pending legislative review. If approved, the extended season dates will include Nov. 30 to Dec. 31. Hunters should check the DNR Wild Turkey Web page for updates.

The deadline for applying for a fall permit through the lottery process is August 1. Applications cost $3 and can be purchased: over the Internet through the Online Licensing Center; at automated license issuance system sales locations; or by calling toll-free 1-877-WI LICENSE (1-877-945-4236).

FOR MORE INFORMATION: on the turkey season contact Scott Hull, Upland Wildlife Ecologist (608) 267-7861, Sharon Fandel, Assistant Upland Wildlife Ecologist (608) 261-8458; or Robert Manwell, Senior Public Affairs Manager (608)264-9248

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