Turkey harvest numbers even with last year thus far

Wild turkey harvest numbers are almost exactly even with last year.

So far this year, 6,584 turkeys have been taken statewide compared to 6,592 a year ago.

This year, 900 of the birds were taken by archers, an increase due to a regulation change that allows archers to buy seasonlong licenses.

Hunting success was spotty during the first two weeks of the spring season in southern Minnesota, according to a sampling of field reports.

"Seems to be plenty of birds around, but it's been very on and off with wind and cold and rain," said Stein Innvaer, assistant area wildlife manager in the Department of Natural Resources' Nicollet office.

Pete Schaefer, a DNR wildlife technician who lives in New Ulm, said he shot a jake early during his second day of hunting on the edge of a ravine near the Minnesota River. Strangely, though, he said the turkeys were silent throughout his long first day of hunting and during the early morning before he found success.

"The birds were a lot more quiet than we've ever seen them before," Schaefer said.

In the Winona area, DNR conservation officer Tom Hemker reported a slowing of hunting success last week as the weather took an unfavorable turn. But Hemker also reported that "a good number of youth turkey hunters" have been out.

In the Rushford area, conservation officer Mitch Boyum said success varied.

Tony Kennedy • 61-673-4213