Both the state chapter of MWTHA and the Pere Marquette Chapter are affiliate members of the Michigan United Conservation Clubbs (MUCC). In the list of resolutions to be considered at the MUCC convention during June 23-24 at Sault Ste. Marie was one titled Fall Turkey Season that originated within District 10, which is in the Saginaw area. 

In the last issue of Turkey Tracks we reported on the recent Department of Natural Resources decision to dispose of surplus state owned property that “does not meet their mission”. Their bureaucracy has established “project boundaries”. Any property outside of these so called boundaries are fair game to be disposed of. We have objected to their disposal of many parcels.

I am going to take editorial privilege in writing the following article. One very ruffled feather deserves another. This really doesn’t have to do with Wild Turkeys but it has a lot to do with the natural resources that we leave for following generations.

Several years ago we were the only conservation organization to appeal the set aside of 173,000 acres of Old Growth forest on the nearly 1 million acre Huron-Manistee National Forest, that was projected to double in size by 2035. Our appeal was rejected (of course) by the Forest Service, with the Sierra Club and The Nature Conservency opposing us. For us the appeal was mandatory because of the adverse effect it will have on many wildlife species found on the forests. 

 It is mid January as I write this. Heavy snow came the first of December and then rapidly disappeared, leaving bare ground throughout Michigan. In just the past few says snow measured in inches has reappeared. Thus far our Wild Turkeys have been scattered over our 13 county chapter area and corn purchases have not been made. If future conditions warrant we will make those purchases.