'Now, the Wild Turkey Roams Freely in Most of the State'

What Wisconsin has to be thankful for today: Missouri.

In 1976, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources made a trade with the state of Missouri in order to bring wild turkeys back to Wisconsin. We gave them ruffed grouse; they gave us wild turkeys. The first 29 wild Missouri turkeys were released in Vernon County. The turkeys thrived in their new home and began to breed and increase their population. As the number of turkeys increased, the DNR began to trap them from areas with lots of turkeys and move them to other good turkey habitat areas. Over 3,000 turkeys were trapped and relocated in 49 counties. Turkeys have also moved into 12 counties on their own.

Now, the wild turkey roams freely in most of the state and is doing great--so great that now, like some of our ancestors, we are able to hunt them once again. And, even the colder northern one-third of the state is becoming home to wild turkeys. We estimate that there are more than 300,000 wild turkeys in Wisconsin.

To make the most of this special gift, I found some turkey facts that should prove fruitful as well as interesting for readers from Lake Superior to the Gulf Coast:

Most turkey hunters have experienced a tom that "hangs up" which simply means he stops out of range at 60 yards or more, is still gobbling and refuses to come close enough for a shot. He may be hung up for several reasons. He could be behind some obstacle like a fence or creek, he might be in his favorite strutting area or he has some hens with him. He might also just be stubborn and if you call to him a lot, he will just stay there and wait for the "hen" to come to him. There are several things to try when this happens. First, try using very soft "clucks" and "purrs" to entice him that last 20 yards.

Another alternative tactic is to lightly scratch the leaves with your hand, imitating the sounds of a turkey scratching the ground. If that doesn't work, stop calling altogether and wait him out. Turkeys have their own sense of time and it's nothing for a gobbler to stand and strut for an hour or so in the same spot before finally giving into curiosity and coming the rest of the way in.

I picked the picture of the turkey on someone's porch because I've had them come in flocks into my backyard, then get confused by my fence and have a hard time getting back out until fear motivated them to flap their way into the field behind us. CP @ GMC.