The first turkey season is in the books, the second one is underway, and a welcoming spring season rolls on. Is there anything else to talk about? I didn’t think so. The following is a collaboration of everything turkey that you may or may not know about our beloved spring trophy. 

When did turkey hunting begin in Wisconsin? 

Since wild turkeys were first successfully reintroduced into Wisconsin in 1976, population levels continue to increase and expand statewide. Successful wild turkey restoration resulted from tremendous hunter and landowner support, good survival, and high-quality habitat. 

Which state has the lowest number of wild turkeys? 

Almost all the states have at least some turkey populations, with the exception being Alaska. 

How fast can a turkey run? 

Turkeys can clock 18 miles per hour on foot and up to 50 miles per hour in flight.  

What percentage of American homes eat turkey on Thanksgiving? 

88% of Americans surveyed by the National Turkey Federation eat turkey on Thanksgiving. 46 million turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving, 22 million on Christmas and 19 million turkeys on Easter. 

How far can a turkey fly without stopping? 

Unlike the muscles of the hind limbs, which are made for sustained use, the breast muscles that power a turkey's wings are built for rapid but brief exertions. A wild turkey rarely flies more than about 100 yards, which is usually enough to bring it to safety. 

How many beards can a turkey have? 

Typical gobblers have only one beard that continues to grow throughout their life. About 2% of gobblers have multiple beards. 

What's the largest turkey on record hunted in Wisconsin?  

Answer: A 34.5-pound male turkey shot by Scott Cernohous of River Falls, Wis. It's the second largest wild turkey ever recorded in the U.S. 

How many turkeys are there in Wisconsin? 

Over 3,000 turkeys were trapped and relocated in 49 counties. Turkeys moved into other counties on their own. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources estimates that there are 350,000 wild turkeys that live here.  

What is the success rate of turkey hunting in Wisconsin? 

Hunters registered 38,926 turkeys last year for a hunter success rate of 18%. 

How long do turkeys live? 

In the wild, the average lifespan of turkeys is around 3 to 5 years. Turkeys in captivity may easily live 10 years if properly cared for. 

What is the turkey capital of Wisconsin? 

Boscobel calls itself the "wild turkey hunting capital of Wisconsin.” 

What is the Royal Slam turkey? 

To achieve a Royal Slam, a hunter must harvest and register all five subspecies of the American wild turkey, the Eastern, Rio Grande, Merriam's, Osceola (Florida) and Gould's turkeys. While some Gould's tags are available in the states, most hunters travel to Mexico to fulfill the slam's requirements. 

What is the hardest turkey in the Royal Slam to get? 

Osceola Turkey Hunting. The birds' limited range forces hunters, turkeys and civilization into a small area, which makes it difficult to find and collect your prize. In fact, Osceola turkeys are often considered the most difficult part of the grand slam to achieve. 

There you have it, all things turkey. Well, except for this last gem. Who has two thumbs and is going stir crazy waiting for his hunting season? Yep, this guy! 

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