Final Spring Kill Numbers

[megalomaniac]

It's laughable that people think 600 hens across an entire state the size of tn is the problem

Agreed, 600 hens killed by hunters is nothing. But the 30,000 killed statewide by coyotes becomes pretty significant. But I think making hens protected sends a very important message to the general hunting population- "we HAVE a problem", and "hunters need to be active conservationists to ensure we are part of the solution, and NOT part of the problem"

 

[fairchaser]

Also, the average spur length in TN has to be best in the country at 1.7"

Best part is spur size is inversely proportional to age. Jakes average 16" spurs and old birds average 1.7". :rotf:

I'm fairly certain the error in the spur length can be tied to the way the data must be input in the TWRA app. There are two fields that require an entry. The first field is generally 0 and the second field is in 1/16's. I think it very confusing to say the least and think it's encouraging errors. JMO

 

[Setterman]

Sad to see so many of the states I hunt in a noticeable decline, yet very few hunters are willing to sacrifice and the game agencies are burying their head in the sand. I've grown accustomed to the game agencies and the old breed of turkey hunters would do what's right, but this new generation could care less.

So your not just blaming TWRA for turkey decline? it's also happening in other states too. I've heard so many praise KY and now MO, but both experienced the same decline in kill numbers. Who do you think we should model our state after?

I'm up for any sacrifice that's needed to take care of the problem. what should we do.

I've stated for years it's not just TN. Alabama has been in a steady decline, and it started for them once decoys became legal. Georgia faltered after legalizing baiting for deer. Ky saw a big drop this year.

I think all states in other words are boobing this up. It's not just one thing that's occurring imo. It's a combination of lower poult production and turkey hunters being far more effective killers.

What's hidden is that with the highly effective killing tools now it masks how bad it really is. That's the scariest part.

With decoys, reaping, blinds, tss, etc we as hunters are much deadlier than we were 10 years ago. However, none of the states have adjusted for our effectiveness. There's so many birds being taken that in years gone by would've survived. Therefore we are leaving less breeders and less seed stock.

There's no question something bad is happening, yet TWRA KYDNR GADNR etc aren't changing jack poop, and just keeping the status quo.

You want change? Sacrifice is in order. Start with corn for deer, trail cams etc. Next move the season back 2 weeks and drop the limit to 2, no jakes, no hens ever, no decoys, and open the slaughter on nest raiders. Do something rather than just shrug your shoulders or deny there's an issue.

 

[megalomaniac]

...What's hidden is that with the highly effective killing tools now it masks how bad it really is. That's the scariest part. ...

Now THAT's a 'BOOM, Mike drop" if I've ever seen one. Guys, if you don't all take notice of this excerpt, we're toast as a collective turkey hunter brotherhood. And that may be the scariest part!

 

[Roost 1]

Sad to see so many of the states I hunt in a noticeable decline, yet very few hunters are willing to sacrifice and the game agencies are burying their head in the sand. I've grown accustomed to the game agencies and the old breed of turkey hunters would do what's right, but this new generation could care less.

So your not just blaming TWRA for turkey decline? it's also happening in other states too. I've heard so many praise KY and now MO, but both experienced the same decline in kill numbers. Who do you think we should model our state after?

I'm up for any sacrifice that's needed to take care of the problem. what should we do.

I've stated for years it's not just TN. Alabama has been in a steady decline, and it started for them once decoys became legal. Georgia faltered after legalizing baiting for deer. Ky saw a big drop this year.

I think all states in other words are boobing this up. It's not just one thing that's occurring imo. It's a combination of lower poult production and turkey hunters being far more effective killers.

What's hidden is that with the highly effective killing tools now it masks how bad it really is. That's the scariest part.

With decoys, reaping, blinds, tss, etc we as hunters are much deadlier than we were 10 years ago. However, none of the states have adjusted for our effectiveness. There's so many birds being taken that in years gone by would've survived. Therefore we are leaving less breeders and less seed stock.

There's no question something bad is happening, yet TWRA KYDNR GADNR etc aren't changing jack poop, and just keeping the status quo.

You want change? Sacrifice is in order. Start with corn for deer, trail cams etc. Next move the season back 2 weeks and drop the limit to 2, no jakes, no hens ever, no decoys, and open the slaughter on nest raiders. Do something rather than just shrug your shoulders or deny there's an issue.

Great post... thank you.
If you wanna see laughable check out the TN turkey hunters Facebook page and read what those guys are saying. Crazy!!

 

[Southern Sportsman]

It's laughable that people think 600 hens across an entire state the size of tn is the problem

I haven't seen anyone say that killing 600 hens is "the" problem. But it damn sure isn't helping the problem. Killing hens out of a declining population is counter-productive. That can't be disputed. So why allow it?

I am also certain there are several hundred more hens killed and lost every year by bow hunters who shoot hens just because they are legal during archery season. Protecting hens would save more than just the 600-700 reported.

 

[poorhunter]

Sad to see so many of the states I hunt in a noticeable decline, yet very few hunters are willing to sacrifice and the game agencies are burying their head in the sand. I've grown accustomed to the game agencies and the old breed of turkey hunters would do what's right, but this new generation could care less.

So your not just blaming TWRA for turkey decline? it's also happening in other states too. I've heard so many praise KY and now MO, but both experienced the same decline in kill numbers. Who do you think we should model our state after?

I'm up for any sacrifice that's needed to take care of the problem. what should we do.

I've stated for years it's not just TN. Alabama has been in a steady decline, and it started for them once decoys became legal. Georgia faltered after legalizing baiting for deer. Ky saw a big drop this year.

I think all states in other words are boobing this up. It's not just one thing that's occurring imo. It's a combination of lower poult production and turkey hunters being far more effective killers.

What's hidden is that with the highly effective killing tools now it masks how bad it really is. That's the scariest part.

With decoys, reaping, blinds, tss, etc we as hunters are much deadlier than we were 10 years ago. However, none of the states have adjusted for our effectiveness. There's so many birds being taken that in years gone by would've survived. Therefore we are leaving less breeders and less seed stock.

There's no question something bad is happening, yet TWRA KYDNR GADNR etc aren't changing jack poop, and just keeping the status quo.

You want change? Sacrifice is in order. Start with corn for deer, trail cams etc. Next move the season back 2 weeks and drop the limit to 2, no jakes, no hens ever, no decoys, and open the slaughter on nest raiders. Do something rather than just shrug your shoulders or deny there's an issue.

Imagine what the harvest would have been IF the weather was good on the weekends. Probably would have been 30000 and everyone would have said "see, no problems in Tennessee with turkeys". TWRA would have continued to say kill all you want, but now there's at least a chance they'll do something.

I know there are still lots of areas that have great numbers, some better than ever, but there are also lots of places that used to be very productive that aren't anymore.

 

[scn]

Here is the TWRA link to all of the Commissioners: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/tenn ... .html#meet

The TFWC meeting where they will vote on the hunting season for the next two years is this Thursday afternoon. If you can't go to voice your opinion on the turkey season, each of their email addresses is there when you click on each name. I can about assure you that a flurry of email activity requesting a more restricted season than recommended by TWRA will be read, and just might carry some weight. By the same token, doing nothing beyond voicing concerns on social media like TNDeer will do nothing to move towards some changes. Your choice.

I've been told that comments that are relatively short, POLITE, and to the point usually are the best received.

 

[th88]

Start with corn for deer

Is a bigger issue for the turkey than most realize...

 

[poorhunter]

Here is the TWRA link to all of the Commissioners: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/tenn ... .html#meet

The TFWC meeting where they will vote on the hunting season for the next two years is this Thursday afternoon with the vote on Friday morning. If you can't go to voice your opinion on the turkey season, each of their email addresses is there when you click on each name. I can about assure you that a flurry of email activity requesting a more restricted season than recommended by TWRA will be read, and just might carry some weight. By the same token, doing nothing beyond voicing concerns on social media like TNDeer will do nothing to move towards some changes. Your choice.

I've been told that comments that are relatively short, POLITE, and to the point usually are the best received.

Sent my email, thank you for the info!

 

[Stlbaseball1]

E-mail sent, as well!

 

[AT Hiker]

If you wanna see laughable check out the TN turkey hunters Facebook page and read what those guys are saying. Crazy!!

I dont think your being facetious, if not I agree with you.
There are two guys on there (for all I know one of them might have created the page) that team up and do their best to prove someone wrong. I can literally cite a source and they will argue with me, of course they provide nothing in the form of a source to back up their comments.
One of the turkey masters is adamant that "most" hens are bred before season starts "that's a fact" he says, he also went on to say its impossible to "kill them all". He also bet his house that we would surpass 30k turkeys next year...I hope he is right but I took a screen shot just in case he was wrong or ever gripes about a decline in his area.

If you ever wondered how we almost wiped out the American Bison, read the TN Turkey Facebook page. "Those are my turkeys and no government man can tell me what to do".


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[ImThere]

Here is the TWRA link to all of the Commissioners: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/tenn ... .html#meet

The TFWC meeting where they will vote on the hunting season for the next two years is this Thursday afternoon. If you can't go to voice your opinion on the turkey season, each of their email addresses is there when you click on each name. I can about assure you that a flurry of email activity requesting a more restricted season than recommended by TWRA will be read, and just might carry some weight. By the same token, doing nothing beyond voicing concerns on social media like TNDeer will do nothing to move towards some changes. Your choice.

I've been told that comments that are relatively short, POLITE, and to the point usually are the best received.

Good post. Sitting here biching isn't going to do any good. Please take the time to send an email.


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[Roost 1]

If you wanna see laughable check out the TN turkey hunters Facebook page and read what those guys are saying. Crazy!!

I dont think your being facetious, if not I agree with you.
There are two guys on there (for all I know one of them might have created the page) that team up and do their best to prove someone wrong. I can literally cite a source and they will argue with me, of course they provide nothing in the form of a source to back up their comments.
One of the turkey masters is adamant that "most" hens are bred before season starts "that's a fact" he says, he also went on to say its impossible to "kill them all". He also bet his house that we would surpass 30k turkeys next year...I hope he is right but I took a screen shot just in case he was wrong or ever gripes about a decline in his area.

If you ever wondered how we almost wiped out the American Bison, read the TN Turkey Facebook page. "Those are my turkeys and no government man can tell me what to do".


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I'm very serious. Its quite pathetic. And I bet I know which 2 guys you are talking about. There is a crew of them tho that will gang up on anybody that don't see it their way. I'll bet anything you wanna bet some of those "turkey hunting legends" are killing most of their birds over bait. Which leads to why they got so many birds to begin with, they draw all their neighbors birds as well. However that only works for so long which is also why they are adamant about Not pushing the season start date back any at all. Anyone that thinks all or even most of the hens are bred by April 1, don't know nearly as much about birds as they think. Lots of ignorance on this subject that keeps the waters muddled.

 

[megalomaniac]

I sent another reminder email to my district commissioner as well as all 4 at larges. Hopefully something happens.

 

[AT Hiker]

I'll bet anything you wanna bet some of those "turkey hunting legends" are killing most of their birds over bait. Which leads to why they got so many birds to begin with, they draw all their neighbors birds as well.

I have ZERO doubt that far to many people are baiting, its the only thing that makes sense for one farm to be able to kill a dozen turkeys off it while surrounding tracks struggle. When someone admits they killed 10+ long beards off a piece of land less than 100 acres you have to wonder...how?
Then you have the unintentional baiting, I.e. farms with livestock being fed a grain diet. That concentrates those birds, giving a false impression that the entire area is hunky dory.





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[Boll Weevil]

Sitting here biching isn't going to do any good.

This.

For the most part I stayed out of the 2018 round of "declining population" discussions simply because I've grown tired of repeating the same thing for several years. I'm of the opinion that while the State has a role in this equation so do hunters and land managers. I understand that not everyone has property to manage and I'm blessed in that regard but for those that do, how are you actively engaged to help the birds in your area?

I'll be the first to say I have no clue whatsoever the cause of the dramatic decline in some locations. Also have no idea why research may show a large percentage of hens don't even attempt to nest. Chicken litter, spread of a disease, or a maybe it's a turkey rapture...I haven't a clue. What I do know is there's a very long list of things we can do that could help. Like others, I saw the decline in my area several years ago and applied management practices as best I could. Today there's a healthy and growing flock on the farm but it took years of effort.

Guess I'm just tired of all the griping rather than focusing on what we CAN do.

 

[poorhunter]

I'll bet anything you wanna bet some of those "turkey hunting legends" are killing most of their birds over bait. Which leads to why they got so many birds to begin with, they draw all their neighbors birds as well.

I have ZERO doubt that far to many people are baiting, its the only thing that makes sense for one farm to be able to kill a dozen turkeys off it while surrounding tracks struggle. When someone admits they killed 10+ long beards off a piece of land less than 100 acres you have to wonder...how?
Then you have the unintentional baiting, I.e. farms with livestock being fed a grain diet. That concentrates those birds, giving a false impression that the entire area is hunky dory.


Very very true.



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[AT Hiker]

Email sent, hopefully it will be acknowledged.


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[Oak]

Here is the TWRA link to all of the Commissioners: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/tenn ... .html#meet

The TFWC meeting where they will vote on the hunting season for the next two years is this Thursday afternoon. If you can't go to voice your opinion on the turkey season, each of their email addresses is there when you click on each name. I can about assure you that a flurry of email activity requesting a more restricted season than recommended by TWRA will be read, and just might carry some weight. By the same token, doing nothing beyond voicing concerns on social media like TNDeer will do nothing to move towards some changes. Your choice.

I've been told that comments that are relatively short, POLITE, and to the point usually are the best received.

Email sent! Thank you scn!