Did you ever wonder why, or what causes turkeys not to talk? Sometimes it’s the weather, or they are hearing too many calls etc. Maybe we are the cause. Folks drive around the roads stopping and getting out and calling to see if they can get a tom to gobble. The turkeys are getting wise to this.
The Michigan Wild Turkey Hunters Association (MWTHA) consists of chapters that are individual conservation organizations bound by a set of by-laws. They are free to deal with conservation issues, not having to get permission from a committee or a parent organization in some other state.
The following is an update of an article that appeared in the March 2007 issue of Michigan Turkey Tracks. It read:
I am going to take editorial privilege in writing the following article.
In a written statement the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) correctly describes habitat necessary for Wild Turkeys to be present. Their statement reads as follows: Trees, shrubs and grass in close proximity to each other are key ingredients of good turkey habitat. Trees supply fruits, nuts, catkins and buds for food and nighttime roosting sites where turkeys can escape from ground dwelling predators. Mast-producing trees such as oaks and beeches are especially important. Fruit-producing shrubs offer spring nesting cover and important fall and winter food. Grassy openings supply an abundance of insects, seeds and other foods for adults and especially for poults.
Unfortunately these critical habitat conditions are not found on any compartment within the 3.9 million acres of state forests within our state. For years we have addressed this shortfall with top DNR management only to fall on deaf ears.
A very special thank you goes out to Bill Latka for creating and managing our website at www.mwtha.net. He has done a fabulous job in the creation of a first class website that is being viewed by people throughout the world.
Bill and his wife Renee are owners of Rivet Entertainment. They moved their company from Los Angeles to Traverse City.
A brief article appeared in the early October issue of The North Woods Call that saluted the Huron National Forest for the pending creation of 800 acres of fire breaks. In the process openings would be created that are beneficial to wildlife. The following article was sent to the editor of the Call and appeared in the November 18, 2009 issue under the Mail Pouch column:
The December 16 Cadillac News obituaries section reported the passing of two of our members. Lou Helder of Wellston died on December 8. Lou was a dedicated conservationist who never hesitated to speak out. Not only was he a great supporter but he strongly believed in our organization’s mission and actions.
Merlin Sellers died on December 15. He and his wife Carol could always be counted on to attend the Rendezvous with both money and assistance to insure the event ran smoothly.
