2009 fall wild turkey and ruffed grouse seasons open Sept. 12

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Hunter safety should be a top priority

MADISON – The 2009 fall wild turkey and ruffed grouse seasons are set to open at the start of shooting hours on Sept. 12, and state wildlife officials say hunter prospects are good for both seasons.

Wisconsin’s wild turkey population remains strong, and wildlife officials have maintained the number of fall turkey permits at 95,700, the same number that was offered during last year’s fall turkey season. Wisconsin’s grouse population also continued to climb as it is still on the upward side of this popular game bird’s 10-year population cycle.

Hunters may once again use dogs to hunt wild turkey for the fall 2009 season. Use is restricted to a nine county area including: Crawford, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Sauk, Vernon, and Wood.

A proposal to add an extended fall season running Nov. 30 through Dec. 31 is currently under legislative review. If approved, the extended season would take place ONLY in turkey management zones 1-5.

Leftover turkey permits on sale Aug. 29

There were 57,950 permits awarded through the fall drawing, leaving 37,750 permits available. All of the remaining permits are for Turkey Management Zones 1, 3 or 4. Leftover fall turkey permits will go on sale beginning at noon on Saturday, August 29 over the Internet through the Online Licensing Center [exit DNR]; by calling toll-free 1-877-WI LICENSE (1-877-945-4236); and at all license sales locations. Postcard notifications from the fall preference drawing are being mailed to those who were awarded a permit in the drawing. Hunters can also check their permit status on the Online Licensing Center.

Hunters are reminded of the requirement of blaze orange on ground blinds on DNR lands during any Gun Deer Season. Ground blinds on DNR lands left unattended must also have the owners name and address or DNR Customer Identification Number attached near door opening. Ground blinds still may not be left out over night. Please note that these ground blind rules do not apply to ground blinds being used for hunting waterfowl or to blinds built only out of natural vegetation found on the DNR property.

Grouse and turkey hunters should also note that during any gun or muzzleloader deer season, including the Oct. 10 - 11 Youth Deer Hunt, antlerless hunts and CWD hunts (see 2009 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations), blaze orange clothing is required. A hat, if worn, must be at least 50 percent blaze orange.

Turkey, grouse hunting have special safety concerns

Hunters need to keep safety in mind when hunting these challenging game birds.

“There’s something very special about turkey and grouse hunting,” says Tim Lawhern, hunter education administrator for the state Department of Natural Resources. “And with the enthusiasm that goes with this type of hunting, we should all be mindful of making sure we return home safe and sound at the end of each hunt.”

Here are some things Lawhern says hunters need to keep in mind when going afield after ruffed grouse and fall turkey:

• In grouse hunting, two is company and three is definitely a crowd. Any hunt with more than two will become difficult to manage from a safety aspect.
• Communicate. Grouse cover is thick and sometimes it will be difficult to see a hunting partner who might only be a few yards away.
• Plan your hunt and hunt your plan. Keep it simple. Know in advance how far and in what direction you will be going and when turns will be made.
• Advise someone else of where you will be hunting and when they should expect you back. Then, if something goes wrong, at least someone will know where to start looking.
• Know your safe zone of fire. If you are on the left, your safe zone is to the left and slightly forward. The opposite is the case if you are on the right. Always advance forward in unison and don’t get ahead or behind your partner.
• In heavy cover, shoot only at birds that are at least eight feet above the ground. Don't shoot at low birds that could have a hunter or a dog behind them!
• Wear blaze orange clothing and stay in visual contact with your partner at all times. If you lose sight of your partner stop hunting, call and listen until you locate each other.
• Turkey hunters need to be sure of their target - shooting into heavy brush without positive identification can lead to tragedy
• Follow the four basic rules of firearms safety: TAB+K.
  • Treat every firearm as loaded;
  • Always point the muzzle in a safe direction;
  • Be certain of your target and what’s beyond it;
  • Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

Lawhern suggests hunters also consider wearing some type of eye protection. A good pair of clear or light colored safety glasses can go a long way toward avoiding injury to eyes and sight.

Grouse and turkey hunters also need to be aware that there might be other hunters afield at the same time after other types of game. Bow hunters may be perched in tree stands and other turkey hunters may be under a tree. Most of them will be wearing full camouflage and very hard to see.

“Famed conservationist Aldo Leopold once wrote, ‘There are two kinds of hunting: ordinary hunting, and ruffed grouse hunting,’” Lawhern says. “Don’t let careless hunting practices spoil this special tradition.”

Fall Wild Turkey & Ruffed Grouse Season Dates and Reminders

2009 Fall Wild Turkey Season Dates:

• Sept. 12 – Nov. 19

2009 Fall Wild Turkey Extended Season Dates for Zones 1-5 ONLY:

• Nov. 30 – Dec. 31 (currently pending legislative approval; please check DNR Web site for updates)

2009 Ruffed Grouse Season Dates:

• Zone (A): Sept. 12. 2009 – Jan. 31, 2010
• Zone (B): Oct. 17 – Dec. 8

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Hull, grouse and turkey seasons (608) 267-7861; Tim Lawhern, hunter safety, (608 266-1317); or Bob Manwell (608) 2649248

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