Star Journal

Top Menu

  • Contact Us
  • Hodag Star Journal E-Edition
  • Subscribe

Main Menu

  • Local
    • News
    • Business
    • Schools
    • Law & Order
    • Arts & Ent
    • Wedding Planner
    • Viewpoint
    • Sports
      • Sports News
      • High School Sports Scores
  • Covid 19
  • Outdoors
  • Wellness
  • Classifieds
  • Obits
  • Lake View
  • Northwoods NOW
  • Living On The Lake
  • Contact Us
  • Hodag Star Journal E-Edition
  • Subscribe

logo

Star Journal

  • Local
    • News
    • Business
    • Schools
    • Law & Order
    • Arts & Ent
    • Wedding Planner
    • Viewpoint
    • Sports
      • Sports News
      • High School Sports Scores
  • Covid 19
  • Outdoors
  • Wellness
  • Classifieds
  • Obits
  • Lake View
  • Northwoods NOW
  • Living On The Lake
Outdoors
Home›Outdoors›The Wild Side: A first turkey hunt is an exciting time

The Wild Side: A first turkey hunt is an exciting time

By StarJournal
April 18, 2014
307
0
Share:

The 2014 Youth Spring Turkey Hunt occurred during the weekend of April 12 and 13. This hunt is only open for youths age 10 to 15 hunting with a mentor, designed to help them learn how to hunt turkeys in a weekend set aside with less pressure and competition compared to the regular hunting season. Turkey hunting is a great sport to introduce someone to hunting. The birds communicate vocally, making for a very interactive experience even if you don’t see them. Scouting and reading sign is fun and rewarding as well. Unlike most other wildlife species I know of, you can tell the difference between male and female tracks, feathers, even droppings. Hunting occurs in the spring, which is usually a very nice time of year to be in the woods, too.
 
I learned how to hunt turkeys very late in my hunting tenure. In fact, it wasn’t until after I was out of college and starting my part-time natural resource career that a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks colleague gave in and took me out to help me harvest my first bird. I was excited that afternoon, but he seemed almost more excited than I was. Years later, I have mentored a number of first time turkey hunters, including a colleague with the Wisconsin DNR a couple of years ago. Imagine my surprise when she told the students in the next hunting class that she thought I was probably more excited when she harvested her bird than she was.

I have also helped conduct special Learn to Hunt Wild Turkey events through the years for first time turkey hunters. We provide training on turkey biology, scouting methods, hunting techniques, safety and more. We also line up hunters with seasoned mentors who take them out and show them how to put their training to use and develop the skills necessary to become turkey hunters themselves. This year, for the first time in years, I decided not to mentor a novice hunter, because I faced a bigger challenge. My oldest son just turned 10, and I knew I would be mentoring him. I signed him up for the Learn to Hunt Wild Turkeys event in Antigo, hoping the conditions and turkeys would cooperate to get Jay’s hunting career started with a bang.

Jay has always been interested in coming along hunting. His first trip afield with me at the age of 5 was on a youth waterfowl hunting outing while I was mentoring my nephew. He has accompanied me at least once for each turkey and deer season since. It has not escaped his notice that, in all that time, I have never shot anything while he was along. I am willing to take my share of the blame; I am not the ultimate hunter. However, hunting takes on a whole different complexion with a restless, hungry, chatty six year old in the blind. Still, I have been bringing him at his request for five years to give him the time to develop these skills. I decided I couldn’t expect a 10 year old to suddenly come along on a walk in the dark, sit on a chair in a blind motionless and quiet for hours. He has learned across many trips to do these things, and more, and is well on his way to becoming a skilled hunter.  

Unfortunately, although we had three birds gobbling for us both mornings, we were unable to convince any of them to approach us. I know Jay was disappointed, but I keep encouraging him. After all, I am teaching him to hunt. Killing is something different; it is part of hunting, but it isn’t everything. If he learns to read and interpret sign, predict the behavior of the game, and woodsmanship, I have done my job. I succeed if he learns his role as the hunter and how he fits in the natural world.

Jeremy Holtz is a wildlife biologist with the Wisconsin DNR and writes a weekly column in the Star Journal. To contact him, call 715-365-8999.

Previous Article

YMCA closed until 1 p.m. Thursday

Next Article

Downtown Rhinelander seeks public involvement on street ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Outdoors

    Northern Paddle and Trail announces events

    June 15, 2018
    By StarJournal
  • Latest NewsLocalOutdoors

    As spring slowly approaches outdoor sports still thriving

    March 7, 2014
    By StarJournal
  • Latest NewsOutdoorsUncategorized

    Outdoor Report

    March 28, 2015
    By StarJournal
  • OutdoorsUncategorized

    The Wild Side: New deer management program

    August 1, 2014
    By StarJournal
  • Latest NewsLocalOutdoorsUncategorized

    Boulevard trees removed

    March 20, 2015
    By StarJournal
  • NewsOutdoors

    Bird club focuses on bats

    August 10, 2018
    By StarJournal

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

About Us


Star Journal is published by Multi Media Channels LLC, N2919 County Road QQ Waupaca, WI 54981.

Timeline

  • January 15, 2021

    Chamber credits programs for increased local spending

  • January 14, 2021

    Sign up available for DHS newsletters on COVID, vaccine

  • January 14, 2021

    Hodags dominate in the Lakeland pool

  • January 14, 2021

    Hodag girls win two this week

  • January 14, 2021

    Girls Hockey: Northern Edge hosts Northland Pines

Find us on Facebook

  • Contact Us
  • Hodag Star Journal E-Edition
  • Subscribe
Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels LLC.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without the prior written consent of Multi Media Channels LLC.
×