MADISON - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announces two programs designed to give younger hunters the first chance to bag a turkey this spring. The Youth Turkey Hunt and the Learn-to-Hunt Program soon will be under way statewide.
Youth and novice hunters can participate in the Learn-to-Hunt program to first learn about, and then hunt, turkeys under the guidance of an experienced mentor. The Pecatonica Valley Turkey Trackers chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the DNR are sponsoring the hunt in this area, April 5-6.
Participation in the Learn-to-Hunt program is an outgrowth of the hunter education classes being offered during March at the Argyle Rod & Gun Club. An additional four hours of training will be conducted prior to the hunt beginning on Saturday, April 5, according to Nick Webster, Green County conservation warden.
Webster will acquaint students with basic hunting rules and turkey hunting regulations. Well-known area turkey hunter and call maker Eugene Upward will speak about turkey behaviors and demonstrate successful calling techniques.
In addition to the Learn-to-Hunt program, Wisconsin's second Youth Turkey Hunt will be April 12-13. The program gives young hunters an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, while gaining valuable hunting experience.
The event occurs annually on the weekend prior to the opening Wednesday of the spring turkey season. Youth ages 12-15, both residents and non-residents, who have successfully completed a hunter education program and have purchased a 2008 spring turkey license, 2008 turkey stamp and have a valid carcass tag may participate in the two-day hunt.
"Turkey hunting is a unique sport," said Scott Hull, DNR upland game ecologist. "The youth hunt gives young hunters an opportunity to have an adult mentor by their side to not only learn the basics of turkey hunting, but also abide by the extra safety precautions that the sport requires."
Participants may only hunt in the Turkey Management Zone for which their permit was issued, and may only harvest one bearded or male turkey. Youths who do not fill their tags or have purchased extra tags over the counter, still may use any remaining unused tags during the original time period and zone for which the tags were issued.
An adult mentor must accompany the young hunters, Hull said. The mentor is not allowed to hunt during this time, he said.
Mentors are key to the success of these programs, according to Warden Webster. "We couldn't do it without them," he said emphatically.
Kevin Buehl of Blanchardville is a longtime member of the Argyle Rod & Gun Club and the Sugar River Valley chapter of Pheasants Forever. While he has mentored numerous young hunters during successful hunts in the past, Buehl attempts to downplay shooting the bird as a high priority.
Instead, Buehl aims to help the young hunter gain an appreciation for the outdoors and for nature. "The idea is to set a good example of sportsmanship for the youngsters," he said. "Shooting a bird is secondary."
More information about the Youth Turkey Hunt and the Learn-to-Hunt Program is available online at www.dnr.state.wi.us or at any DNR service center.
ROD & GUN CLUB TO HOST OPEN HOUSE
The Argyle Rod & Gun Club is planning an open house, Saturday, April 12. Area residents are encouraged to stop out and see what's going on at the club, according to member Bob Wesenberg of Monroe.
The club will offer a sporting clay shoot at a reduced rate of $10 for 50 birds. "I know that are many sportsmen out there who, if they knew what sporting clays is all about, would really enjoy it," he said.
Other scheduled activities include archery, trout fishing at Savannah Oaks and other shooting events such as trap, skeet and a chicken shoot. Information will be available on the Green County Conservation League and Pheasants Forever.
Other area conservation groups are invited to get involved as well, Wesenberg said. Interested groups should give Bob a call at (608) 325-4494.
- Lee Fahrney can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
Youth and novice hunters can participate in the Learn-to-Hunt program to first learn about, and then hunt, turkeys under the guidance of an experienced mentor. The Pecatonica Valley Turkey Trackers chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the DNR are sponsoring the hunt in this area, April 5-6.
Participation in the Learn-to-Hunt program is an outgrowth of the hunter education classes being offered during March at the Argyle Rod & Gun Club. An additional four hours of training will be conducted prior to the hunt beginning on Saturday, April 5, according to Nick Webster, Green County conservation warden.
Webster will acquaint students with basic hunting rules and turkey hunting regulations. Well-known area turkey hunter and call maker Eugene Upward will speak about turkey behaviors and demonstrate successful calling techniques.
In addition to the Learn-to-Hunt program, Wisconsin's second Youth Turkey Hunt will be April 12-13. The program gives young hunters an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, while gaining valuable hunting experience.
The event occurs annually on the weekend prior to the opening Wednesday of the spring turkey season. Youth ages 12-15, both residents and non-residents, who have successfully completed a hunter education program and have purchased a 2008 spring turkey license, 2008 turkey stamp and have a valid carcass tag may participate in the two-day hunt.
"Turkey hunting is a unique sport," said Scott Hull, DNR upland game ecologist. "The youth hunt gives young hunters an opportunity to have an adult mentor by their side to not only learn the basics of turkey hunting, but also abide by the extra safety precautions that the sport requires."
Participants may only hunt in the Turkey Management Zone for which their permit was issued, and may only harvest one bearded or male turkey. Youths who do not fill their tags or have purchased extra tags over the counter, still may use any remaining unused tags during the original time period and zone for which the tags were issued.
An adult mentor must accompany the young hunters, Hull said. The mentor is not allowed to hunt during this time, he said.
Mentors are key to the success of these programs, according to Warden Webster. "We couldn't do it without them," he said emphatically.
Kevin Buehl of Blanchardville is a longtime member of the Argyle Rod & Gun Club and the Sugar River Valley chapter of Pheasants Forever. While he has mentored numerous young hunters during successful hunts in the past, Buehl attempts to downplay shooting the bird as a high priority.
Instead, Buehl aims to help the young hunter gain an appreciation for the outdoors and for nature. "The idea is to set a good example of sportsmanship for the youngsters," he said. "Shooting a bird is secondary."
More information about the Youth Turkey Hunt and the Learn-to-Hunt Program is available online at www.dnr.state.wi.us or at any DNR service center.
ROD & GUN CLUB TO HOST OPEN HOUSE
The Argyle Rod & Gun Club is planning an open house, Saturday, April 12. Area residents are encouraged to stop out and see what's going on at the club, according to member Bob Wesenberg of Monroe.
The club will offer a sporting clay shoot at a reduced rate of $10 for 50 birds. "I know that are many sportsmen out there who, if they knew what sporting clays is all about, would really enjoy it," he said.
Other scheduled activities include archery, trout fishing at Savannah Oaks and other shooting events such as trap, skeet and a chicken shoot. Information will be available on the Green County Conservation League and Pheasants Forever.
Other area conservation groups are invited to get involved as well, Wesenberg said. Interested groups should give Bob a call at (608) 325-4494.
- Lee Fahrney can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
