Wild turkeys have been steadily increasing in numbers in northern WI (and the Midwest in general) over the last several decades due to warmer winters. Less snow makes it easier for turkeys to scratch for food, and they show increased survivability with warmer temperatures. I remember my father telling me that although they were present in the area, seeing wild turkeys used to be an uncommon sight, as when I was a young girl in the 80s and early 90s it was. However, I remember seeing them more frequently as I got older to the point where they were consistently roosting in the white pines in my backyard and roaming the small patches of farm field in the area on a regular basis. When I went home over Christmas break this year (2016), I was amazed at the extent of turkey trails through our rural neighborhood, and the number of individual sets of tracks (I never saw turkey tracks up and down the river as a child).
LEO says For more information see Cornell Lab or Ornithology
Observations From Members 