Spring Turkey Hunt numbers down

The prelimary numbers for this year's Spring Turkey Hunt are the lowest since 2002 according to this article By Paul A. Smith of the Journal Sentinel.

Hunters registered a preliminary total of 40,100 turkeys in the 2011 Wisconsin spring hunting season, lowest since 2002.

Although the number may increase slightly as reports are finalized, the season will likely show a drop in harvest of about 15% from 2010, said Sharon Fandel, assistant upland wildlife ecologist with the Department of Natural Resources.

Hunters registered 47,722 turkeys in the 2010 spring season and 52,581 in 2009. The record Wisconsin harvest is 52,880, set in 2008.

The 2011 preliminary total represents the third consecutive drop in harvest and only the fourth year-over-year decrease since the state offered a spring turkey hunt in 1983.

The last five-day period of the 2011 Wisconsin season ended May 22. The DNR made 225,729 permits available for the spring turkey hunt, similar to recent seasons.

Full Story Spring turkey harvest down 15% from 2010, DNR says

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