Caledonia Argus

Look forward to a record year for gobblers

Posted: 4/13/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Turkey hunters will see a lot of birds when the season opens on Wednesday, April 14.

ìI predict it will be a record harvest this year, thereís no doubt in my mind,î Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Larry Webinger said on April 8.

There have been several good hatches due to drought conditions, plus winters have been mild, so turkey survival has been good.

That will lead to lots of hunting success, Webinger feels.

Turkey hunters are chosen on a lottery basis after applying in the fall. There are eight five-day seasons that run from this Wednesday to May 27. (The last two seasons have two extra days to encourage more people to apply for them.)

Statewide, 27,600 permits have been issued from about 40,000 applications. The Caledonia area is in zone 349; 360 permits have been issued for each of the five seasons.

Licenses are $18, plus $5 for a turkey stamp for hunters over age 18. Webinger reminded people that they have to buy a turkey stamp, something that has been overlooked by many hunters in the past.

Webinger had some general advice for turkey hunters: be patient, and donít let bad weather interfere with the hunt.

ìBad weather doesnít affect turkeys,î he said. ìBe out in the woods and be patient and theyíll get their bird.î

Safety is always a big concern when it comes to turkey hunting, Webinger added. ìThe sport is inherently dangerous because of the camouflage and the calls. Somebody hears a bird and sees something dark in the brush and then you have a shooting accident. Make sure itís a bearded turkey, not a human being youíre shooting at.î

Accidents usually come from people in the same party. There have been only 13 shooting accidents since turkey hunting started in Minnesota in 1978. That might be due to the skills that turkey hunters must possess. ìThey are the best group of hunters out there,î Webinger feels. ìMore conscientious. Itís a one-on-one sport.î

It takes learning the calls, too. ìYouíve got to be able to talk like a turkey,î Webinger said.

A licensed hunter can call turkeys for another hunter. ìYou must shoot your own turkey and tag it. There is no party hunting in the harvesting of the bird,î Webinger said. But thatís usually not an issue because a person likes to shoot his own turkey.

Birds have to be registered at a license dealer within 24 hours of the kill.

Webinger has been a game warden in Houston County for 28 years. He is highly regarded in the turkey hunting community. In February 2003 he received the U.S. Conservation Officer of the year from the National Wild Turkey Federation, said wild turkeys have brought attention to southeastern Minnesota.

ìItís opened a lot of doors,î he said. ìWhen you talk to people around the state now, they donít have to ask anymore where is that [Caledonia]. Thatís where the turkeys are.î

Houston County chapter active

Local civic leaders have given Caledonia the title of ìWild Turkey Capital of Minnesota.î There is a very active Houston County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Annual dues are $45, which include a meal at the annual banquet held in March. Call president Steve Ranzenberger, Spring Grove, at 507-498-5461 for information, or talk to a local member.

Kermit McRae, Caledonia, is the immediate past president of the group. He said one of the groupís main goals is improving turkey habitat and numbers. ìWhat that includes of course is continue to build landowner-hunter relationships, which has been pretty successful,î McRae said.

The group is trying to improve hunting conditions for disabled people, and to increase the number of women turkey hunters. They also have a ìjakes programî that works with young hunters ages 12-18. McRae said the Houston County chapter, which was the third one to form out of more than 90 statewide, has the highest membership renewal rate of any in the entire nation.

That might be one reason why a first annual governorís celebrity turkey hunt is coming to Caledonia on May 9. The hunt will take place in permit area 346, which is near Houston. Many prominent state leaders, including DNR commissioner Gene Merriam, will attend. (Itís not certain that Governor Tim Pawlenty will be coming.) Their visit will be combined with a safety clinic at the Caledonia Rod and Gun Club on May 8, and a reception and dinner later that day at MaCalGrove Country Club. More information will be printed in upcoming editions of The Argus.

Send us your turkey

If you shoot a big turkey this spring, the Caledonia Argus would like to print a picture of you and your turkey. Send your photo, and a little information about the turkey and hunt, to us at P.O. Box 227, Caledonia, MN 55921, or e-mail it to robin.bartell@ecm-inc.com. All photos will be returned.

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