Why not take advantage of fall turkey hunting

This year in particular – because wild turkey populations are showing the impacts of a very good recruitment year – it is time to reevaluate our general attitude about hunting this large game bird when the leaves are falling.  Or how about when there’s snow covering the ground?

One only needs to look at the success percentage, a paltry 9.9 percent in 2011.  This figure compares those carcass tags issued with the birds registered.  This was the lowest success rate ever, since fall seasons began in 1989.

By comparison, the spring success rate was 19.1 percent the same year, but is usually in the mid-20s.

Don’t write the low success figure off as being the result of birds killed and not registered.  Surveys suggest registration compliance was about the same before in-person registration was dropped in favor of mobile registration using a phone or computer.  Both compliance figures are believed to be well above 90 percent.

Hunters have been given many fall turkey hunting perks since 1989, including longer and longer seasons and seasons that allow hunters to pursue the birds when snow covers the ground.

Dogs can be used statewide.  All-day hunting is now permitted.  Extra permits can be purchased.  The list goes on and on.  Any bird is legal game.

Don’t believe some of the rumors about birds not being vocal, not being able to be called, or not being as good to eat as a spring bird.

Come on, it’s autumn, it’s hunting season.

What does the National Wild Turkey Federation, hunting organizations, and the DNR have to do?  Show you an illustration of the first Thanksgiving?

How about beginning a tradition of putting a wild turkey in the freezer for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner?