MWTHA History

The Michigan Wild Turkey Hunters Association is an all volunteer, incorporated, non-profit organization dedicated to the long term enhancement and preservation of the Eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) in the state of Michigan.

Our goals are to insure the survival of Michigan's wild turkeys through severe midwestern winters; to fund habitat projects in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service , the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan United Conservation Clubs; to educate the public about the valuable contribution the eastern wild turkey has made in American history and the essential role in the environment it deserves in our future; to promote and enhance law enforcement efforts to reduce poaching of the wild turkey; to be an active participant in the management and enhancement of our vast state and federal lands which contain habitat suitable for the species; to fund research projects that will provide insight into the better management of the wild turkey; and to continue to promote and secure quality hunting of the wild turkey.

Some of our most valued members hold dual memberships in our organization and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Some individual NWTF chapters do great things for Wild Turkeys. Even with limited funds, at least one NWTF chapter contributes to our winter survival program.

A year ago thousands of 25”x21” posters appeared entitled “Return of the Wild Turkey in Michigan” with a picture of Wild Turkeys on the front and an explanation of restoration and turkeys on the back. The posters are a cooperative effort between the DNR Wildlife Division and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).

The posters create an illusion and perpetuate a myth that the National Wild Turkey Federation was somehow responsible for the introduction and the restoration of the Wild Turkeys of Michigan. We found that the DNR used $30,000 of our turkey license money to “buy” these posters that promote the NWTF. The DNR staff person “couldn’t recall” how many they “bought” with our money. The DNR Wildlife Division also creates their own illusion.

This article is the beginning of a series of articles that will appear in each issue of Michigan Turkey Tracks that will outline our experience with the restoration our wild turkeys. Perhaps at the conclusion we can publish a book and the DNR will buy $30,000 worth of them from us.

The wild turkey was extirpated from Michigan in 1900. In the 1950’s turkey “experts” decreed that Wild Turkeys would only survive within large continuous blocks of hardwood forests. In the spring of 1954 the DNR purchased 50 turkeys and 400 eggs from the Allegheny Wild Turkey Farm at Julian, Pennsylvania. These were birds and offspring of 3/4 wild hens and 100 percent wild gobblers. They were the very best birds available and that money could buy. They were released at several locations within the Allegan State Forest.

The stocking of Wild Turkeys at Allegan was not the beginning of a statewide initiative or part of a Wild Turkey Management plan. Instead, if successful, it was to be a token flock for the enjoyment of the tourists. The eventual success of our Wild Turkeys was due to a handful of field biologists who individually had the initiative, foresight and dedication to their jobs to bring Wild Turkeys to their areas and not any initiative by DNR management. It wasn’t until 1983 when restoration began in Southern Michigan that DNR management actually showed any interest.

Shortly after the Allegan plant an initiative by local biologists in the Baldwin area of northern Michigan was made to obtain turkeys from the Allegheny Wild Turkey Farm. The first turkeys were released with fingers crossed for luck. Eventually there were enough turkeys in the area, so birds from Baldwin were trapped and transplanted to the Mio-Fairview area, then from Mio to the upper peninsula, from Mio to Ontario and from the U.P. back to the northern lower peninsula.

By 1982 turkeys were established enough to provide hunting in the Allegan, Baldwin and Mio areas, plus a portion of Menominee County in the U.P.

Until the Pere Marquette Chapter was established in 1983 the Michigan Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) consisted of a few people from the Lansing area with an interest in Wild Turkeys and hunting them. When the turkeys at Mio grew to more than 500 they were found congregated on one farm during the winter. They became a great nuisance for the farmer. Robby Robbins dug into his own pocket, bought and hauled corn to the flock. Robby with a few dedicated local people started the Ausable River Valley Chapter.

By 1985 Area J consisted of a small portion of Charlevoix, Antrim and Kalkaska counties. The winter count in that Artic of Michigan was 11 turkeys compared with 47 the previous year. People like Archie Reeves organized and through a lot of out of pocket money and hard work they brought turkeys through impossible winters. A decade later Area J expanded to an entire five counties and over 12,000 Wild Turkeys. A job well done by the Traverse Bay Chapter-eh?

Six concerned turkey hunters met at Baldwin in 1982 and decided to create the first local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Upon Jay Drilling’s suggestion the Pere Marquette Chapter was born. We were confronted by plunging turkey numbers, rampant poaching, loss of quality hunting and an increasing loss of habitat. The large Baldwin unit was split into two units. Permits were increased on falling turkey numbers creating keen competition for those actively gobbling toms. The DNR had no longer required the license fee to be deposited up front and cheating was widespread. Individual concerns and suggestions were ignored. The Wildlife Division had discontinued the winter surveys. Wild Turkeys were in decline statewide. Many of us had witnessed the demise of the once plentiful pheasant and Ruffed Grouse and there was deep concern over their future of the Wild Turkey and Wild Turkey hunting. What would you have done?

HISTORY OF THE MWTHA PART VI

Prelude: In the early 1980’s Wild Turkeys were found only in scattered areas of the northern lower peninsula. What had been a growing population had reversed and turkey numbers were declining. At the same time, permits to hunt them during the spring season were increased. Hunting areas were made smaller. Competition for the few birds was intense. Quality hunting as we once knew it was lost. A handful of dedicated turkey hunters came together and were determined that our Wild Turkeys would continue to not only flourish, but also expand their range. These people would later be the foundation that the MWTHA would be built on. This series of articles on our history is taken from notes kept during the past two decades.

2/86: Plans underway for Festival 86 (5th annual). Winter assistance program in effect and has been very successful. Adopt-A-Turkey program carried in Traverse City, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon newspapers.

2/86: Met with DNR District 8 biologist, Tom Prawzdik of Clare. Talked for two hours on local problems and how better to manage our Wild Turkeys. He has asked for 200 new birds for Mecosta, Osceola & Isabella counties. We have very few disagreements.

3/3/86: Met with DNR Region 6 biologist, Tom Havard at Cadillac. Explained our position on permits, seasons, etc. We agreed to work out a management plan for Area K to see if we can increase turkey numbers. He has asked for 200 turkeys for release in Area K. While there, Gary Bouchelle, Region II biologist, came in and I had an opportunity to talk turkey management with him.

3/3/86: Called Jack Bails, DNR deputy director. DNR turkey coordinator, John Urbain has drawn up a draft of a turkey management plan. Advised Bails that before it is finalized we expect an input into the final draft. Also talked of U.P. problem and answered his questions on several issues. He is aware that we are alive and well.

3/6/86: To the state capitol with Art Cocklin and Tom Tighe to attend the signing ceremony with Governor Blanchard of our bill which is now Act 15 of 1986. Representative Sid Owinga was present (he had introduced the bill for us). Many photos were taken. The Wild Turkey is now big game and the penalties for poaching one have been increased. Contacted Senator Engler’s office and pushed the restitution bill. Also talked of the $3.00 application fee for applying for a turkey permit is not earmarked for the lottery. We are lobbying H.B. 4047 (penalties increases). It appears that we are the only organization to take an interest.

3/7/86: Called Herb Burns, DNR law chief. Talked to him about getting some positive publicity on our bill & other poaching bills. Hopefully he will take some action.

6/86: Contrary to good management practices and despite the efforts of Hugh Marx, the Natural Resources Commission has approved a U.P. fall hunt. Politics still plays a big part of wildlife management. (Note: At the time local biologists requested Wild Turkeys for stocking in large areas void of them but were refused them. Wildlife Unlimited in the U.P. counties of Menominee & Dickenson could only support so many turkeys during the winter and want the surplus removed during the fall. We wanted those turkeys for stocking.) I consulted with an attorney who advised that he thought that an order could be obtained from the court to stop the U.P. hint. He was prepared to file an injunction on our say so. We traveled to Lansing and cut a deal with the Wildlife Division for 500 turkeys to be trapped and transferred to the northern lower peninsula for stocking. If they renege we pursue a court order next year.

5/9/86: Sent a letter to Senator Kirby Holmes, chairman of the senate conservation committee. Here is the most important anti poaching bill in the last 60 years and not another organization shows the least concern. Where is MUCC? I asked Holmes to hear the bill in committee as summer recess was around the corner. Advised him of the need for passage before fall. Followed up with phone calls to other committee members. It was suddenly scheduled, passed through the committee and went to the full senate. A letter was sent to Senator Engler (senate majority leader) asking for his support for immediate passage. It was passed on 6/12/86 & waits for Governor’s signature. H.B. 4482 was initiated as a result of the overwhelming support in the legislature for our turkey bill & it’s subsequent passage. Michigan now has the most severe penalties in the country. Just watch our turkey numbers grow. Score one more for the chapter.

6/23/86: Traveled to Lansing for a meeting with DNR deputy director, Jack Bails, wildlife division chief Ed Mikula & turkey specialist John Urbain. Present were Hugh Marx, Craig Liddicoat and Tom Tighe. We were there to discuss a written Wild Turkey management plan. It was a lively meeting. Many important issues are at stake. I get the uneasy feeling that they may eventually want to abandon most of the north country in favor of southern Michigan. There are many flaws in their proposed plan and hopefully we can have a written management plan that we understand and stand shoulder to shoulder together, all headed in the same direction. (Continued)

Jim Maturen