On the heels of our bill the house introduced a game restitution bill that passed the house but became bogged down in the senate committee. We were able to once again get the bill passed in committee, to the full senate and then signed by the governor. Not only was there $10,000 restitution for each Wild Turkey killed illegally, but varied restitution for each game species we have. They say that you can not legislate morality but we sure sent a strong message to a would-be poacher.
We became very active in the management of turkey habitat on both our state and national forests. We became a partner with the U.S. Forest Service on wildlife management on the 1,000,000 acre Huron-Manistee National Forest. We accomplished some great achievements until the new 2006 forest plan was completed over our objections which eliminated everything that we had worked for. A series of articles have been written in past issues of Michigan Turkey Tracks that deals with our involvement in our 3.9 million acres of state forests and the lack of meaningful wildlife habitat, especially for Wild Turkeys.
In an effort to better manage our Wild Turkey flocks throughout the state we were rebuffed in an effort to establish a turkey patch program until Karl Hosford became the DNR Wildlife Division chief. 
The idea of that program was an incentive for a hunter to bring a turkey into a field station where random samples could be obtained for testing for disease. It would also give a biologist an opportunity to obtain information from the hunter. The hunter would be given a cooperative patch. Karl agreed with the value of the program and it was initiated. With a new administration it turned into sending a feather into Lansing for a patch, and then the program was discontinued. It began again as publicity and a fund raiser for another turkey organization. Over these thirty years we have learned many times that what one DNR administration gives the next one takes away.
Back then we were able to work both with the DNR Wildlife Division and the Natural Resources Commission. Over a Period of time we glanced into our crystal ball to insure that turkey hunting would remain as a unique and ethical experience.
Times were changing. We were seeing a whole generation turn to bait as the only means of killing game. In the fall, clubs were hauling in truck loads of corn, beets and carrots. It was becoming an easy way to kill a turkey. We were able to obtain a law prohibiting hunting a turkey over bait. When hearing a great deal of shots at first light and before turkeys left the roost we were able to obtain a law that prohibits shooting one out of a tree. When technology produced a hen turkey decoy that could bring a gobbler within gun range we were able to obtain a law prohibiting mechanical decoys. After several turkey hunting accidents we obtained the law that prohibits shot size to number 4 shot or smaller. If an accident does occur the small shot size probably won’t be lethal as number 00 Buck will kill. These are just the tip of the iceberg.
