This past March we held the Michigan Wild Turkey Hunters Rendezvous at Baldwin for the 23rd straight year. I want to thank all of our members, speakers and vendors who pitch in and make our event so successful. Funds that were raised at this event will insure the survival of thousands of wild turkeys this coming winter.

      Winter held off until the last of December and then arrived with a vengeance. We were able to buy 52,000 pounds of corn and distribute to 8,137 wild turkeys throughout our 13 county area. The reduced number of turkeys we are reaching reflects on the continued population decline since 1999. We joined Cedar Rod & Gun Club in insuring survival of turkeys in Leelanau County.

      An election of chapter officers was held at our last meeting. Our new treasurer is Allan Dailey of Baldwin. He replaces Harold Truxton, our dedicated and long time treasurer who wanted a break. Thank you Harold! Rick Haslock, Sr. of Baldwin is our new Vice President. Jim Skipper of Cadillac is our new secretary. Not having any volunteers, Jim Maturen was re-elected president.

      We were one of the presenters for about 90 5th grade Reed City students celebrating Earth Day. We participated for two days in May giving presentations at Mecosta County Agricultural and Natural Resources Stewardship Days (ANRS) to 3rd and 4th grade students. Thirteen separate presentations were given to 370 students, 65 teachers and chaperones, that represented 10 area schools. Wild turkeys are truly a unique and interesting bird that was shared with the students. Other wildlife encountered out in the spring woods was incorporated into the presentations. The students showed a lot of interest, asked questions and hopefully gained an understanding and appreciation of those big birds and some of the other wild critters. When you can hold the attention of 3rd and 4th grade kids for half an hour you must be doing something right.

      We contributed a donation to Children’s Charters of Marion. During 2001 they took over 300 kids and their parents fishing, many for the first time and all free of charge. They also have a program involving a hunting experience with kids.

      We have been actively involved with our local MUCC district, national and state forest management issues, sent a letter to the National Rifle Association (NRA) in support of a building project for the Cedar Rod and Gun Club, attended a Natural Resource Commission (NRC) Policy Committee on Finance and Administration (still working on the proper use of our restricted turkey fund), attended Michigan Resource Stewards meetings, all among many

other activities.

      Because of the continuing decline of the numbers of wild turkeys throughout our 13 county chapter Area K we requested a continued moratorium on a fall hunting season. Our DNR district biologists concurred and recommended that no fall season be held. We heard that there was some criticism of their decision. We appeared at the May 5 Natural Resources Commission meeting in Cadillac, gave the reasons that no fall season should be held and applauded our local DNR biologists for their professional decisions.

For more information on the Pere Marquette Chapter of MWTHA, contact Jim Maturen at (231)832-2575