Posted Friday, June 8, 2012 --- 6:25 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin wildlife officials say fewer hunters killed more turkeys this past spring.

The Department of Natural Resources says it issued 201,984 permits, down from 210,384 in 2011. But hunters still killed 42,612 birds, up 6 percent from last year's spring season. The overall statewide success rate was 21.1 percent, up from 19.1 percent last year.

DNR ecologists say this spring's early warm weather contributed to hunters' success. Last spring's hunt, in contrast, was marred by snow, high winds and subzero temperatures.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.