Meetings offer opportunity to be active participant in wild turkey management
An interview with DNR Upland Wildlife Ecologist Scott Walter on the Wild Turkey Management Plan hearings that are currently taking place around the state.
http://dnr.wi.gov/news/interview/
MADISON – State wildlife officials say that the time has come to revise the Wisconsin Wild Turkey Management Plan and they are urging hunters to consider attending one of 11 public input meetings in April and May.
Since wild turkeys were re-introduced into Wisconsin in the 1970s, their population has flourished, according to Scott Walter, upland wildlife ecologist for the Department of Natural Resources.
“Turkeys can now be found throughout the state, and feedback from hunters, landowners, and others has prompted us to take a fresh look at the statewide Wild Turkey Management Plan, last revised in 1996,” Walter said. “The chance to hear the ideas, concerns, and opinions of the public will be crucial to this process.”
The public input meetings are intended to both share information on wild turkey management and gather information from hunters, landowners, and others about the turkey population where they live, hunt, or farm. Meetings should last no longer than two hours, and are open to the public – no registration required. Meeting attendees will be able to view a presentation giving the historical background of the existing Wild Turkey Management Plan and explaining current revision efforts. There will be opportunities during the presentation for attendees to ask questions and discuss turkey management issues.
“Anyone interested in the opportunity to discuss local turkey management issues, hunting seasons, and any other wild turkey topic is encouraged to attend,” Walter said.
Attendees also will be able to fill out a survey in person. Anyone who is unable to attend a meeting can view the same presentation and fill out the same survey online at their convenience starting on April 19. To learn more about participating in this effort go to dnr.wi.us and search for “turkey meetings”.
“We look forward to seeing you and hearing what you think about the management of Wisconsin’s wild turkeys,” said Scott Walter, DNR upland wildlife ecologist.
The public input meetings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. -- except for the May 3 meeting in Oshkosh, which will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. -- between April 19 and May 15 at the following locations:
- April 19, Ashland - Northland College - Alvord Theater, 1411 Ellis Ave. (Zone 6)
- April 20, Rice Lake - UW-Barron County - Blue Hills Lecture Hall, 1800 College Drive (Zone 6)
- April 21, Eau Claire - UW-Eau Claire - Davies Center, Tamarack Room, 102 Roosevelt Ave. (Zone 4)
- April 24, Brookfield - Brookfield Suites Hotel - Envoy/Emissary Room, 1200 S Moorland Road (Zone 2)
- April 25, Middleton - Madison Marriott West - Ballroom EFGH, 1313 John Q. Hammons Drive (Zone 1)
- April 30, Platteville - UW-Platteville - Ullsvik Hall, Robert I. Velzy Commons South, 1 University Plaza (Zone 1)
- May 2, Marinette - UW-Marinette - Fine Arts Building, Herbert L. Williams Theatre, 750 W Bay Shore St. (Zone 5)
- May 3, Oshkosh – NOTE: 7 - 9 p.m., UW-Oshkosh - Reeve Memorial Union #202, 748 Algoma Boulevard (Zone 3)
- May 10, La Crosse - UW-La Crosse - Cartwright Center, Port o’ Call Lounge, 1725 State St. (Zone 1)
- May 14, Minocqua - AmericInn Minocqua Conference Center, 700 Highway 51 N (Zone 7)
- May 15, Stevens Point - UW-Stevens Point - Dreyfus University Center, Laird North (Room 230), 1015 Reserve St. (Zone 3)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Scott Walter, (608) 267-7861; Krista McGinley, (608) 261-8458