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SCN - Thank you

Southern Sportsman

Southern Sportsman

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I sent emails and made phone calls a did all I could do leading up to the Commission meeting. I couldn't be there in person due to work and family obligations, but thank you for giving your time and giving voice to what many - including myself - feel are important issues. I'm beyond frustrated with the commission, but thank you for your efforts.
 
Absolutely thank you! I am not hopeful with this commission but we will see. I very much doubt their claims on public comments. I have proven before that they don't have good accountability for comments.
 
Kudos SCN! I too question their comment #s? Do the only count emails to the public comment hunter link? Or do emails to commission members count too?
I tried to watch live but missed some. Looks like 3 bird limit for all of the State minus the Mississippi River Counties who will have a limit of 2 (this last part may not have been voted on yet).
 
Stlbaseball1":3e63ula8 said:
Kudos SCN! I too question their comment #s? Do the only count emails to the public comment hunter link? Or do emails to commission members count too?
I tried to watch live but missed some. Looks like 3 bird limit for all of the State minus the Mississippi River Counties who will have a limit of 2 (this last part may not have been voted on yet).
Click to expand...

That's it.

3 turkey limit next year.

Motion to lower limit to 2 failed.

Motion to delay season opening failed.

Motion to shorten season by one week at the end failed.

Motion to protect bearded hens failed.

Motion to allow jakes only for youth hunters failed.


The TWRA biologists actually said that reducing the limit to 2 would likely have a positive impact on turkey numbers and reproductive success, which is why they DID NOT want to do it. So they could study the impacts of only delaying the season in the southern middle TN counties. So (after SCN spoke again) it was proposed that we could reduce the limit to 2 everywhere except those 6 counties. Biologists agreed that would protect the study data. Motion was made and immediately voted down.

Think about that. They stated at the meeting that every measure of reproductive success is down, reducing the limit to 2 would probably help, therefore we DO NOT want to do it.
 
Southern Sportsman":2kk40ndx said:
Stlbaseball1":2kk40ndx said:
Kudos SCN! I too question their comment #s? Do the only count emails to the public comment hunter link? Or do emails to commission members count too?
I tried to watch live but missed some. Looks like 3 bird limit for all of the State minus the Mississippi River Counties who will have a limit of 2 (this last part may not have been voted on yet).
Click to expand...

That's it.

3 turkey limit next year.

Motion to lower limit to 2 failed.

Motion to delay season opening failed.

Motion to shorten season by one week at the end failed.

Motion to protect bearded hens failed.

Motion to allow jakes only for youth hunters failed.


The TWRA biologists actually said that reducing the limit to 2 would likely have a positive impact on turkey numbers and reproductive success, which is why they DID NOT want to do it. So they could study the impacts of only delaying the season in the southern middle TN counties. So (after SCN spoke again) it was proposed that we could reduce the limit to 2 everywhere except those 6 counties. Biologists agreed that would protect the study data. Motion was made and immediately voted down.

Think about that. They stated at the meeting that every measure of reproductive success is down, reducing the limit to 2 would probably help, therefore we DO NOT want to do it.
Click to expand...

Complete BS
 
I now genuinely believe that the southern middle TN research project is the worst thing that has ever happened for TN's statewide turkey population.
 
Any specifics on the shortened season in southern TN? I.E. how much shorter, dates, etc.?
 
Southern Sportsman":38bbq1pm said:
I now genuinely believe that the southern middle TN research project is the worst thing that has ever happened for TN's statewide turkey population.
Click to expand...

Yup I agree. I have filled out the Southern Middle TN research project questionnaire the past few years but just pitched the one they sent me last week in the trash.
 
I'm not even a resident but am thrilled to see all the action taken by members of this board to help get a change. As a wildlife professional, I all too often hear hunters complain but never take action. Kudos to you all.
 
Southern Sportsman":reqqwbku said:
I now genuinely believe that the southern middle TN research project is the worst thing that has ever happened for TN's statewide turkey population.
Click to expand...

x2

Thank you for the comments. I was off from work today, and literally live about 5 minutes from the meeting location, so I felt it would almost be criminal not to attend. As Director Carter would tell you, I've never been good about keeping my comments to myself even when it might have been in my best interest. It gave me some pretty hard job ceilings, but, I was always able to look at myself in the mirror the next morning.

I am back home with my blood pressure up and extremely frustrated, but, at least I was allowed to say my piece and then given a second opportunity to vent my frustrations from the discussions. I hope I didn't show my azz too bad on round two, but all bets were off at that point.

Thanks to all that participated in the PROCESS through emails or calls. Having these meetings on weekdays really makes it hard for a lot of the public to participate. I understand why it is done that way, but it really limits folks speaking before the Commission. My doing so was to represent all of you that have discussed the turkey issues throughout the year. Maybe when the study is over we will have a Commission ready to better address some of the problems a lot of us are seeing.
 
Thank you SCN!! I wonder if they would consider making our legal hunt time like MO. If we can't push season back or reduce the limit to 2 birds statewide. Why not pitch the idea of a 1pm quit time? Would that have a shot?
 
SCN, THANK YOU for Your Service!
Glad you could represent the conservation minded sportsmen of Tennessee today.

scn":2tuduc3h said:
Southern Sportsman":2tuduc3h said:
I now genuinely believe that the southern middle TN research project is the worst thing that has ever happened for TN's statewide turkey population.
Click to expand...

x2
Click to expand...
x MANY!

Certainly a shame we have so many TWRA "managers" and Commissioners who absolutely
cannot see the forest from the trees, or from their desks in Nashville,
regarding our statewide turkey management.
Pathetic.

At least they did a little something, teeny tiny step in the right direction in reducing the limit.
And that, likely wouldn't have happened without SCN's being there in person.
 
Southern Sportsman":3pvhte8j said:
...
Think about that. They stated at the meeting that every measure of reproductive success is down, reducing the limit to 2 would probably help, therefore we DO NOT want to do it.
Click to expand...

That makes perfect sense to me. At least they have been consistent with the (mis)management of turkeys in TN for the past 15 years.

TY Steve for giving our voices a face at the meeting. I'm actually floored they reduced the limit to 3. Too bad it won't make a bit of difference. Im still in the camp that limits don't matter nearly as much as WHEN they are killed.

I do think there will be a significant improvement over the next decade for those counties with a 2 bird limit and 2 week delayed season start.
 
My frustration is that as said above the TWRA biologists admitted that poult recruitment for whatever reason is declining year over year. Commissioner Woods pointed out as well that TWRA admitted that numbers would be down over the next couple of years due to the record number killed this year. So we are producing less turkeys year over year and took out a record harvest this year. It's not hard to see that equates to a roller coaster headed in the wrong direction in terms of turkey population. There was so much focus on upsetting the research project. Let's not affect that and let the remainder of the state suffer is the way that I feel. I really thought that from the discussion that leaving the Southern Mid TN county limit the same so it wouldn't affect the study and reducing the limit to 2 for the remainder of the state would gain more traction, but it didn't. I am all about continuing the project, but there were ways around it. I am just afraid that they are going to keep running this study, conclude this or that needs to be done, but it will be too late.

I am glad to see the reduction to 3, but the biologists also admitted that it would have much of an affect. I hope I am wrong but really don't have a warm fuzzy after seeing declines in many large areas over the past couple of years. I was glad to see some of the commissioners voice concerns but feel like there was more push in 2018 to do something than now. I was also disappointed to see some commissioners basically say nothing. Chairman Holbert actually pointed one of them out, can't remember which one, in one of the roll call votes.

I will give kudos again to scn. I only caught part of his last comments as someone came in my office but will rewatch it. I've spent alot of time trying to get the information out on this forum and others to show the avenue to voice our concerns and seems frustrating when they keep asking about how many actual comments came into TWRA about turkeys. What about all the emails that were sent??? It's also frustrating that so much weight is put on someone being there when this happens on a weekday. I will give scn kudos for the third time for taking the time to attend when others can't.

I don't understand how they can say there is no biological reason to do something that may have a positive affect on numbers like reducing limits to 2 and pushing the season out a week or two when they say that turkey numbers are down. That just don't add up especially after removing 40k birds this year.
 
megalomaniac":2ralmg9z said:
That makes perfect sense to me. At least they have been consistent with the (mis)management of turkeys in TN for the past 15 years.

TY Steve for giving our voices a face at the meeting. I'm actually floored they reduced the limit to 3. Too bad it won't make a bit of difference. Im still in the camp that limits don't matter nearly as much as WHEN they are killed.

I do think there will be a significant improvement over the next decade for those counties with a 2 bird limit and 2 week delayed season start.
Click to expand...

I have the utmost respect for TWRA and TFWC. They have a tough job, but I just can't fathom the management strategy of turkeys. It seems like the biologists trip over what they are saying and nearly contradict themselves as they go. Very frustrating for me...........

Also, I hope to see significant improvements in the counties with limits reduced to two and seasons set back as well. I just hope it isn't too late for the remainder of the state. I am a very optimistic person and not doom and gloom at all, however, I just don't have a good feeling about turkeys going forward. At least I like to fish as much as I like to turkey hunt..........
 
Thanks Steve and thanks to all of you who sent emails and made your voice heard. What's the old saying, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink it. SO MANY voices and comments continue to fall on deaf ears, YEARS worth of comments and emails. As LBLMan stated, baby steps are better than no steps, but man, how hamstrung can a ninety-five county statewide program be over a five county study? I sure hope something conclusive comes out of this southern counties study. Thanks everyone for the updates.

I haven't watched the meeting, so this may not apply, but now is the time to send thank you emails to anyone who spoke/voted in favor of statewide turkey conservation.
 

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