February 2000

To all chapter members and interested friends:

As this is written many of us are just beginning to locate our flocks that will need to be fed; although we’ve had some decent snowfalls, so far, the first winter of the new millenium has been relatively mild. But as we know all too well, this can change on a moment’s notice in northern Michigan-and we have to be prepared. And as usual, the wild turkeys of northern Michigan continue to depend only on us and on the caring individuals who feed them for survival-we’re all they have. This winter may end up to be yet another mild one, but it still represents what the Michigan Wild Turkey Hunters Association is all about-if you receive a spring hunting permit for northern Michigan and enjoy a good hunt this year, you’ll know who to thank!

Once again, it’s time to apply for that spring turkey hunt. Although quota numbers have remained about the same for this year in most areas, there have been some unfortunate changes, as many of you have noticed. We tried, but lost the battle to retain what’s left of our quality hunting by giving the birds some daily peace and quiet-this year spring turkey hunters will be able to pursue wild turkeys in Michigan from dawn till dusk. Not to worry, this is NOT a dead issue for MWTHA-we will attempt to have the hours returned to normal for next year.

On a bright note, we were successful in lobbying to ban roost shooting at any time of the year, whether you are spring hunting, which we were successful in banning several years ago, or fall hunting, which was banned during the latest round of NRC/DNR discussion on wild turkey regulations.

Speaking of fall hunting, many of us who had fall seasons did well and helped to balance some of the very uneven ratios of hens and poults to gobblers in many areas. Once again, this year the MWTHA will raise the issue of mandatory "beardless-only" fall seasons in areas where we have too many hens & poults that may not be able to survive a cruel normal Michigan winter. MWTHA has always been concerned about what is best for the resource.

And once again, this spring we’ll be getting the word out about MWTHA by attending several outdoor shows, including the Big Rapids Expo, Grand Rapids Outdoor Show, and, as usual, the Traverse City Outdoor Show. Our usual spring turkey hunters workshops are also on the calendar, with the Pere Marquette’s Wild Turkey Festival coming in up in late March, and the Traverse Bay Chapter’s Spring Turkey Workshop slated for early April. We’ll look forward to see you at one or hopefully, all, of these events-have a great winter and upcoming spring season!

Besides these upcoming events, MWTHA held Michigan’s first-ever Fall Turkey Hunters Workshop last September at Jay’s Sporting Goods, which was a very successful event, thanks to the great people at Jay’s, Michigan Out-Of-Doors TV, and good friends and members Rod Little, Herschel Richardson and CO Ron McCarty. We also participated in an outdoor expo held in Big Rapids in early February, and, just recently, held a wild turkey seminar at MC Sporting Goods in Traverse City. With these activities and all those hungry turkeys, it’s been hectic, but you know it’s worth it!

Although some of you have already renewed your membership for 2000 (thanks to all who sent theirs in early!), remember, ALL memberships are due in March! Continue your membership in one of Michigan’s finest conservation organizations!

Don’t forget your local chapter meetings to keep up with the latest in your area, and always, support the birds you hunt! For those of you on-line, our website, www.mwtha.org, will be updated soon. Be sure to check out the Photo Gallery page! Got an idea or suggestion? Let us know! We’d love to hear from you and hope to see you soon!