Download a photo of a trophy wild turkey
GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — Hunting wild turkeys in northern Minnesota and discovering the rare dodder plant at the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area is coming up on Prairie Sportsman. “Chasing Wild Turkeys” will air on Pioneer PBS Sunday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Wild turkeys had almost disappeared from Minnesota until 1971 when the state made a swap with Missouri, exchanging ruffed grouse for eastern wild turkeys. Today the familiar call can be heard throughout the state. Host Bret Amundson is turkey hunting with Cory Loeffler, owner of DRC Call Co., makers of goose, duck and sandhill crane calls.
In the next segment, Walt Gessler and his daughter discover the rare rope dodder plant on a hike through the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area. Walt, the WMA’s manager, says the dodder plant seeds had probably laid dormant for years until a prescribed burn cleared the area so it could grow. In its early growth stage, the rope dodder looks like a thin yellow vine that wraps around a host plant to leech chlorophyll. Its dense white flowers coil around a sunflower stem like a rope and when it turns brown in the fall, it looks like a pipe cleaner.
About Prairie Sportsman
Prairie Sportsman an Emmy-awarded series that celebrates our love of the outdoors to hunt, fish and recreate, while promoting environmental stewardship. Prairie Sportsman’s team includes Cindy Dorn, producer/writer; Bret Amundson, host/editor; and Dylan Curfman, editor/videographer. The 2022 season is made possible by funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, SafeBasements of Minnesota, Live Wide Open, Western Minnesota Prairie Waters and members of Pioneer PBS.
About Pioneer PBS
Established in 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit www.pioneer.org
