Caledonia Argus

Celebrity turkey hunt near Caledonia a hit

Posted: 5/11/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

They didnít shoot a lot of turkeys, but that was secondary to a group of high profile hunters who visited the Caledonia area Saturday through Monday.

The event was sponsored by the Minnesota chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), with assistance by its Houston County Chapter.

It attracted Minnesota Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer and Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Gene Merriam, U.S. Seventh District Representative Collin Peterson, national and regional directors from the National Wild Turkey Federation, two DNR assistant commissioners, and the CEO of Gander Mountain.

They blended their hunting with discussions about common concerns, said Dave Mahlke, president of the Minnesota chapter of NWTF.

The fact that they had poor hunting didnít seem to matter. ìItís the gobble, not the gobbler,î the Winona man said in reference to the low number of turkeys taken. ìI love showing people our part of the country.î

Plus it was a good chance for NWTF members to interact with people from the state of Minnesota and the Department of Natural Resources, he added. Those two groups have a good working relationship, but it also gives all parties a chance to discuss areas of disagreement.

One such area has to do with modifying the assist laws in turkey hunting in Minnesota, Bill Torhorst said. He is the vice president of the national board of NWTF. Most states allow for group turkey hunting in which interested people like spouses or children can go along without a license to observe and learn. That is not the case in Minnesota, which he feels cuts down on the camaraderie and fun of turkey hunting that exists in places like his home state of Wisconsin.

Mahlke agreed with that. Itís not as easy to pass on traditions of turkey hunting in Minnesota because of the assist laws. ìBy law you canít take them out and call or assist them with the turkeys,î he said.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Gene Merriam said that he would like to see lawmakers address the restraints in the assist laws of turkey hunting.

He also heard from NWTF members that more tags are needed and the range needs to be expanded.

But the politics of the hunt seemed secondary as the hunters wrapped up their two days of hunting and posed for a picture by the sign in Caledonia that brought them here in the first place. (The city calls itself the Wild Turkey Capital of Minnesota.)

Most seemed to have the glow that comes with good friendship and quiet time spent in the woods. ìThis is great turkey woods here,î said Bob ìDocî Dettmer, who lives south of St. Louis, Missouri. ìWeíve had contact with turkeys every time weíve gone to the woods.î People and landowners were friendly throughout, he said.

Merriam agreed. ìClearly turkey hunting is important to Caledonia,î he said.

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