AGFC Proposal - 1 turkey statewide

[Andy S.]

The AR turkey population has struggled for years. It is to the point that some/several have asked for a further reduction in opportunity and bag limit. Proposal here is 1 statewide bird per season starting in 2023.

AGFC - 1 Bird

 

[Boll Weevil]

Wow, 1 bird. Clear acknowledgement that they have a real issue.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Wow that's tough

 

[TheLBLman]

More like facing reality

 

[UCStandSitter]

1 turkey better than 0 turkeys. If the situation calls for it good on them for making the tough decision.

 

[Spurhunter]

Arkansas turkeys are in really bad shape. I work with a guy that owns land in what used to be a good turkey county and he barely hunts them anymore. He has all but given up on his home state having a good, huntable population.

 

[Gravey]

Wouldn't hurt my feelings as my goal every year is 1 turkey. Just because they're there doesn't mean you have to kill them. Leave some for next year and/or others to chase.

 

[Gobble4me757]

Ha! How about those reduced bag limits and delayed seasons…yeah as expected didn't do anything…just saying for all those for that…sucks though as once again, if they introduced a trapping incentive program as well as focused on statewide habitat improvement it would be interesting to see where those would get them…my suspicions would probably say they would be in a better spot than the alternative…

 

[Andy S.]

 

[Andy S.]

 

[Andy S.]

I can remember when Izard, Stone and Sharp counties killed 600-800 birds each spring. It's terrible how far they've fallen, especially for the residents and locals.

 

[Spurhunter]

I can remember when Izard, Stone and Sharp counties killed 600-800 birds each spring. It's terrible how far they've fallen, especially for the residents and locals.

My buddy's land is in Sharp County. Hard to believe they only killed 228 in a covid year when so many people were hunting more days than ever before. I hunted a few days in Sharp County years ago and it wasn't a problem finding a bird to hunt.

 

[Remington700]

I said when ours went from 4 to 3 it should have been 2. That being said I figure the stats would show that it wouldn't help all that much. I am sure the majority of kills are 1 to 2 birds a year. I love turkey hunting, but would support fewer kills for the future.

 

[REN]

Dead serious when I say this. I honestly dont care if it were 1 or 4. My main thing I would be most frustrated by if it were 1 would be my season would be over early and I would hate that. Dont get me wrong I love to shoot turkey but not having the ability to go after 3 days into the season would be hard for my soul to take lol. Just being there, hearing all the sounds of spring are what bring me the most joy.

I get the flip side though, if something isnt done I may not have the population to even hunt.

 

[AT Hiker]

Could you imagine the uproar if TN went to one bird?

 

[AT Hiker]

Dead serious when I say this. I honestly dont care if it were 1 or 4. My main thing I would be most frustrated by if it were 1 would be my season would be over early and I would hate that. Dont get me wrong I love to shoot turkey but not having the ability to go after 3 days into the season would be hard for my soul to take lol. Just being there, hearing all the sounds of spring are what bring me the most joy.

I get the flip side though, if something isnt done I may not have the population to even hunt.

Just try to bow hunt them without a decoy/ground blind...you'll be hunting all season

 

[megalomaniac]

What's most interesting are the years 2012 thru 2015 or so... it actually looked like the 'no jake' rule was making a difference and improving harvest (and one would assume population indirectly), but then the bottom started falling out again in 2016 for whatever reason.

 

[deerfever]

How many years has Arkansas had the delayed season, no Jake's, and two bird limit in place?

 

[Levee Jumper]

Yeah the Arkansas turkey population is in bad shape.

The older I get the more I appreciate quality over quantity. I would like to see a 2 turkey limit with 1 being in the first 10 days. I also wish we had a preference point quota system set up for out of state hunters as well.

 

[Spurhunter]

I also wish we had a preference point quota system set up for out of state hunters as well.

Instead we have TWRA paying Youtubers $10k to beg people to come to TN.