OCONTO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Pursuing some large game birds is underway around the state, as the “Learn to Hunt Turkey” program kicked over the weekend.
On a drizzly Saturday morning, wild turkeys are on the move in this Oconto County field.
“We set up, and then we were there, just waiting. We didn’t hear anything, and then we started to call,” said Grady Yaeger, Suamico.
11-year-old Grady Yaeger anticipates his hunting chance.
“The tom came out right, probably like 15 yards in front of me. And then it turned around and it just stopped walking, and I let her rip, and then it fell right over,” said Grady Yaeger, Suamico.
Yaeger isn’t the only one to bag a bird. Six young hunters brought their harvested turkeys to the Lone Oak Gun Club near Gillett. 13-year-old Brian Kocken says he shot his first turkey after having to choose between two toms.
“I basically shot the fat one, and that’s pretty much that. It’s the most-bestest day of my life,” said Brian Kocken, Oconto Falls.
12-year old Braeden Flaig shot his second turkey in as many seasons.
“I would say if you’ve never done turkey hunting, I would try it. And here, if you get out there, see a turkey, and you can’t shoot it, nobody is going to judge you. But if you do, it’s a fun time. It’s always a great time,” said Braeden Flaig, Bonduel.
“It’s mainly kids that have never hunted before, and when I say kids, we take them out from 10, to 99,” said Gary Lemmen, Learn to Hunt Turkey Program Coordinator.
Gary Lemmen is the program coordinator.
“They go through a four-hour training session. The DNR gives them a free tag to hunt, because it’s the first time. It’s a great time for us mentors. We love turkey hunting, and we’d rather see a kid shoot one, than shoot one ourselves,” he said.
The youth turkey hunt runs April 13-14.
The spring turkey season begins April 17th.
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