Posted: 5/15/07
Fewer birds means more work for turkey hunters
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Hunting the wily turkey of Southeast Minnesota can be a real challenge. This year, according to area hunters, conservation officers, and state registration stations, there are fewer birds in the woods, which makes it even tougher to bag the bird Ben Franklin lobbied to be our national symbol.
Several cold, wet, springs put a dent in the turkey population in this corner of the state, according to Conservation Officer Scott Fritz. Cold, wet weather can be very tough on the chick hatch, Fritz noted. The spring weather in both 2003 and 2004 wreaked havoc on the chick hatch, which has resulted in a lower population of wild turkeys.
"Last spring weather conditions were better and we had a good hatch," Fritz reported. "This year the weather has also been pretty good, and weíve had another good hatch. Hunters are reporting seeing a lot of Jakes (young male turkeys) in groups for four and five. Thatís a good sign. We may have been in a little bit of a down cycle last spring and this year, but I looks as if the cycle is changing."
Area registering stations back up what Fritz was saying.
According to Jim Jennings at Caledonia True Value, the number of birds registered so far this spring is down. As of last Thursday, Jennings figured theyíd registered about 100 birds. The first four seasons were down, but things have picked up somewhat during the fifth season.
"Hunters have had a tough time calling the birds in," Jennings said. "They just canít seem to get them gobbling much this spring. But with the warmer weather, I think weíre seeing more activity. Theyíre honking more now. We had six birds brought in today," he said about noon on May 10.
During a normal year, Jennings said he registers between 200 and 300 turkeys.
Jason Wiebke at Wiebke Fur Company of Eitzen reported just 22 birds registered so far this spring. Thatís about half as many birds as they normally would have registered at this point in the hunting season.
"The birds havenít been real large either," Wiebke said. "Weíve had a couple of 24-pounders."
Bob Veglahn of Tri State Bait in La Crescent noted the number of birds registered at his business is down as well. As of last Thursday, heís registered 87 birds, which is somewhat less than most years.
"We had a couple of tough springs for the chick to survive, so weíre in a down cycle," according to Veglahn. "But hunters are reporting a lot of Jakes out there, and thatís a good sign. We had a good spring this year, and I feel the numbers will be up next year."
Little Miami in Freeburg reported 35 birds registered so far this spring, which is down somewhat. The birds havenít been as big either, with the largest being 25 pounds. Theyíve also had several 24-pounders, and three 23-pounders, as of last week.
"The tough springs and also the loss of dairy and beef herds in the county have made a difference," Fritz observed. "With less livestock in the county, farmers are planting less small grains. Turkeys thrive on small grains. Itís been a challenging season for the hunters, but I feel things are looking brighter in the near future. When you see a lot of young birds, itís a pretty good indication the numbers will get better."
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com