by Jim Maturen | Mar 21, 2012 | Turkey Tracks - March 2012
A license to hunt Wild Turkeys began in 1977. There was a promise to turkey hunters that if they were willing to purchase a special turkey hunting license that it would be used to manage Wild Turkeys across their entire range. The law that began the license simply stated “From fees collected under subsection (1) or (2) the following amounts shall be used for scientific research, biological work on turkeys and other wild turkey management in this state.”
This sounds good. So what is the problem?
by Jim Maturen | Mar 21, 2012 | Turkey Tracks - March 2012
8/22/11 Chapter secretary Jim Skipper and I met with DNR Wildlife Chief Russ Mason and DNR upland Bird Specialist Al Stewart at the DNR RAM Center near Roscommon. Because we had another meeting in Lansing to attend it was a short meeting and the issues we wanted to deal with never were discussed. Because of the decline in turkey numbers and poor nesting success we urged them to contract a study with a university. Turkeys in a selected area would have radios attached and important information can be obtained.
by Jim Maturen | Mar 21, 2012 | Turkey Tracks - March 2012
The Michigan DNR is establishing three deer advisory committees, one in each region of our state. The Michigan Wild Turkey Hunters Association has been selected to that team.
The first organizational meeting was held at Grayling on February 11. It was a well organized meeting with a wide variety of opinions on deer management. As issues were debated it appears that MWTHA is the only participant truly representing the hunter whose only option is deer hunting on our public forests.
by Jim Maturen | Sep 30, 2011 | Turkey Tracks - September 2011
During the past decade we have watched as our Wild Turkey numbers have declined over the northern lower peninsula. Each and every year finds fewer and fewer turkeys. Many large areas that used to contain large flocks now have none, even though habitat conditions have not changed. In the resent past we actually counted turkeys during the winter months in partnership with the DNR. The DNR no longer conducts population surveys.
by Jim Maturen | Sep 30, 2011 | Turkey Tracks - September 2011
Ted Nugent was a rock star now known for his outspoken whack ‘em and stack ‘em approach to killing game birds and animals. Nugent moved from Michigan to Texas in 2003, although he still owns property in Michigan. He has a television program that airs on the Outdoor Channel entitled Spirit Of The Wild. He is described by the news media as “Celebrity Hunter”. But is he a champion of hunting…or a foe?
