MWTHA

The Pere Marquette Chapter will host the 29th Annual Wild Turkey Hunters Rendezvous and State Calling Championships on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at the Baldwin High School (map). The doors open at 8:00AM and the program begins at 9:00AM. Admission remains at $5 for adults, children 16 and under are free.

• Vendor exhibits
• Door prizes
• Gun, bucket, and silent raffles
• Calling and hunting clinics
• Senior and Junior calling contest with trophies for first five places

After the conclusion of the calling contest, the event moves north of Baldwin to the VFW hall (map) where we have a turkey shoot, followed by a great turkey supper and an evening program that ends at 7:00PM.

Come join us for this extremely popular event.

In a written statement the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) correctly describes habitat necessary for Wild Turkeys to be present. Their statement reads as follows: Trees, shrubs and grass in close proximity to each other are key ingredients of good turkey habitat. Trees supply fruits, nuts, catkins and buds for food and nighttime roosting sites where turkeys can escape from ground dwelling predators. Mast-producing trees such as oaks and beeches are especially important. Fruit-producing shrubs offer spring nesting cover and important fall and winter food. Grassy openings supply an abundance of insects, seeds and other foods for adults and especially for poults.

Unfortunately these critical habitat conditions are not found on any compartment within the 3.9 million acres of state forests within our state. For years we have addressed this shortfall with top DNR management only to fall on deaf ears.

A brief article appeared in the early October issue of The North Woods Call that saluted the Huron National Forest for the pending creation of 800 acres of fire breaks. In the process openings would be created that are beneficial to wildlife. The following article was sent to the editor of the Call and appeared in the November 18, 2009 issue under the Mail Pouch column: