TWRA

[Bone Collector]

That's the first thing they should have done is closed it to NR. Anyone who had already purchased should have been refunded or given a credit for next year.

Birds never show up to my place until later in the season. I'm on public and it's insane.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[41Magnum]

I'll throw this out there, what about all the pressure turkeys get from the coyotes, bobcats and the hawk? Heck I've
got hawks nesting in my woods.Coyotes are thriving. Maybe that's why I've saw the numbers of turkey here drop like a rock in the last couple of years.
Just my .02

 

[TheLBLman]

What percentage of kills do nonresidents account for?

I've always wondered this myself, but never been able to extract that figure from the data TWRA provides to the public. Better yet, I would like to see how the NR kill percentage has been over last decade. Increased, decreased, stayed the same, etc. I'd also like to see what the NR percentage is for the first 10 days of season, when most NR visit a state.

Good luck trying to extrapolate that info!

Based on my personal observations, the non-resident turkey hunters who come to Tennessee are turkey-killing machines.
It's mainly avid, accomplished turkey hunters from bordering states (particularly Kentucky) who come to TN.
I have many times seen some non-resident turkey hunters from KY limit out in Tennessee before their turkey season even opens in KY.

Tennessee attracts very few novice and/or "average" non-resident turkey hunters.
The ones who come here tend to be very accomplished, serious hunters,
and they come here to limit out asap, before they go back to their home state
and/or on to the next state.

 

[Southern Sportsman]

I'll throw this out there, what about all the pressure turkeys get from the coyotes, bobcats and the hawk? Heck I've
got hawks nesting in my woods.Coyotes are thriving. Maybe that's why I've saw the numbers of turkey here drop like a rock in the last couple of years.
Just my .02

They kill a lot of young turkeys - which is why such a minuscule percentage of eggs ever turn into adult turkeys. But not a whole lot kills adult turkeys in large numbers. Yes, obviously SOME adult turkeys get picked off by coyotes and bobcats, and eagles and horned owls get a few. But nothing kills them like we do - nearly 20,000 gobblers so far this year and we haven't even made it to the second weekend of the regular season yet.

Plus, If anything, increased predator numbers should push us towards efforts to reduce the hunter kill. Not ignore that it's too high.

 

[woodsman04]

I hope they don't close it to NR. I've been hunting in TN since the 90s, mainly because it's better than Alabama, especially north Alabama. the public lands in north Alabama are further away from me than some of the Tennessee places.
It hurts to buy a 400$ hunting/fishing/094 license but I do it every year because it's worth it to me.

When I first started I think the NR hunting all game was $156. Over the years it's steadily gone up and now is like 329$ or something like that.


I also own property in TN, so I really don't know how they would keep me from hunting on my own land. You have to be resident of Tennessee to have landowner exemption. But I hunt lots of other public and private in four counties.

And don't worry, I ain't one of the googans or rude guys that knowingly or purposely screw up other guys hunts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[spoon]

I've hunted 3 different counties and have yet to hear a bird gobble or hear a shot. Been a huge fan of 2 birds per season for years

 

[elknturkey]

What percentage of kills do nonresidents account for?

I've always wondered this myself, but never been able to extract that figure from the data TWRA provides to the public. Better yet, I would like to see how the NR kill percentage has been over last decade. Increased, decreased, stayed the same, etc. I'd also like to see what the NR percentage is for the first 10 days of season, when most NR visit a state.

Good luck trying to extrapolate that info!

Based on my personal observations, the non-resident turkey hunters who come to Tennessee are turkey-killing machines.
It's mainly avid, accomplished turkey hunters from bordering states

Thanks for the compliment [emoji23]. I'd say that's true for about every state tho. Guys who travel do it to extend their season, increase their limit, different subspecies, etc so yeah I'd say most that do it are more hardcore /accomplished. I'd love to know the numbers tho cause go to any state forum and guys complain about NRs while it's likely the residents do prob 85% + of the killing and they're pointing the finger at the wrong person.

I deal with guys mostly out of tenn, North Carolina and West Virginia but never once have I thought they were the problem or mad they were parked in one of my spots. I'm usually thinking man they're in good place, bet they hear some. I just don't understand the disgruntle towards NRs. This is America not the United States of (fill in whatever state). IF, and that's a big IF, NRs were the problem then yes I'd happily support a limited draw.

In the end if you travel out of state for another states resources you're a hypocrite. If you don't travel then I highly suggest going to new areas. America is a beautiful place!

 

[TheLBLman]

Guys who travel do it to extend their season, increase their limit, different subspecies, etc so yeah I'd say most that do it are more hardcore /accomplished.

Exactly.
Don't disagree with anything you posted.

Most of my experiences with non-resident turkey hunters have been in Northern West & Northern Middle TN, where the majority of the non-resident turkey hunters are from KY. By & large, these non-resident hunters are no different than any other hardcore accomplished resident TN hunter. Less avid KY turkey hunters are simply less likely to ever travel to any other state to go turkey hunting.

The avid KY turkey hunters come to TN mainly to take advantage our our TN season opening a week or two earlier, and our TN annual bag limit being exactly double the KY turkey bag limit. Many of these guys hunt a week or two (as non-residents) in Florida, then Alabama BEFORE they come hunt TN for a week or two. Then they'll typically limit out in their home state of KY in 2 or 3 days, then move on to Missouri, and other western states with later opening dates. Some of these guys literally kill dozens of turkeys annually.

Of course, similar can be said for many TN resident hardcore turkey hunters
who also start out non-resident turkey hunting in Florida, Alabama, come back to TN, then on to Kentucky, Missouri and other western states later.

I personally have no problem with non-resident hunters, as it would be very hypocritical of me if I did.

 

[TheLBLman]

And I'm positive just as many KY resident deer hunters complain about the TN non-resident deer hunters
as TN resident turkey hunters complain about any KY non-resident turkey hunters.

My "beef" with TWRA is has little to do with non-resident hunters,
although I do believe the main reason TWRA is opening our turkey season so early
is to attract more non-resident hunters.

I'd just like to see our season open at least a week later, and our bag limit reduced from the current 4
to simply 2, even though that would decrease the number of non-resident hunters coming to TN for turkeys.
But all would still be free to come, and would enjoy better turkey hunting once they arrived,
as would the rest of us.

 

[cmn]

I am a NR in many other states. I was an outfitter in Montana, living in Nashville. I was HATED! I leased a ranch that no resident was ever allowed to hunt except the owners family. Some idiot fired shots into camp and told us to go home. I brought money to a poor area of the state. Bought local whenever possible. I would allow residents to put in for doe and cow elk tags. I would send my guides with them and help with hauling and skinning. Asked the ringleader at a public meeting why they hated me so much....crickets! Attitudes changed finally.... we all have a right to hunt where we wish if we follow regulations and are courteous to all. I still guide here for fishing and hunting. I caught myself mad about another guide on "MY" water. Hypocrite I was. Now we just need to all get along and help each other. Good luck out there this season. Hopefully we will see a new "plan" and hunting will improve for those who are experiencing tough populations.Be safe...Chris

 

[elknturkey]

My "beef" with TWRA is has little to do with non-resident hunters,
although I do believe the main reason TWRA is opening our turkey season so early
is to attract more non-resident hunters.

I'd just like to see our season open at least a week later, and our bag limit reduced from the current 4
to simply 2, even though that would decrease the number of non-resident hunters coming to TN for turkeys.
But all would still be free to come, and would enjoy better turkey hunting once they arrived,
as would the rest of us.

I agree. 4 birds is nice but honestly it's too much. A week later would also be beneficial. I think it was sustainable 20 years ago but not now with so many hunters and tactics that have made hunters so much more successful. I assume a lot of guys kill 4 birds now when it wasn't too common that long ago.

Growing up you couldn't find a spot to park during deer season but had a whole mountain to oneself during the spring. It's literally flipped here. Lot more turkey hunters than deer hunters.

 

[elknturkey]

Now we just need to all get along and help each other. Good luck out there this season. Hopefully we will see a new "plan" and hunting will improve for those who are experiencing tough populations.Be safe...Chris

Well said

 

[tnanh]

And I'm positive just as many KY resident deer hunters complain about the TN non-resident deer hunters
as TN resident turkey hunters complain about any KY non-resident turkey hunters.

My "beef" with TWRA is has little to do with non-resident hunters,
although I do believe the main reason TWRA is opening our turkey season so early
is to attract more non-resident hunters.

I'd just like to see our season open at least a week later, and our bag limit reduced from the current 4
to simply 2, even though that would decrease the number of non-resident hunters coming to TN for turkeys.
But all would still be free to come, and would enjoy better turkey hunting once they arrived,
as would the rest of us.

I agree. But, one thing they need to consider is revenue created by both resident and nr license sales LONG TERM. Long term sales and revenue is going to suffer greatly if they don't start listening to advice and MANAGE THE RESOURCE. Deer hunting is suffering, fishing is suffering due to asian carp, and turkey populations are suffering and there is no arguing it. People will not buy nr license when the resources suck. I know many avid resident deer hunters who have quit due to cwd. Fewer hunting and fishing oportunities will mean fewer jobs for twra. In the grand scheme of things the twrc and twra could care less what the hunters of Tennessee have to say about any season, deer or turkey, when they ask for our recommendations and that needs to change.

 

[bloodtrailing]

And I'm positive just as many KY resident deer hunters complain about the TN non-resident deer hunters
as TN resident turkey hunters complain about any KY non-resident turkey hunters.

My "beef" with TWRA is has little to do with non-resident hunters,
although I do believe the main reason TWRA is opening our turkey season so early
is to attract more non-resident hunters.

I'd just like to see our season open at least a week later, and our bag limit reduced from the current 4
to simply 2, even though that would decrease the number of non-resident hunters coming to TN for turkeys.
But all would still be free to come, and would enjoy better turkey hunting once they arrived,
as would the rest of us.

I agree. But, one thing they need to consider is revenue created by both resident and nr license sales LONG TERM. Long term sales and revenue is going to suffer greatly if they don't start listening to advice and MANAGE THE RESOURCE. Deer hunting is suffering, fishing is suffering due to asian carp, and turkey populations are suffering and there is no arguing it. People will not buy nr license when the resources suck. I know many avid resident deer hunters who have quit due to cwd. Fewer hunting and fishing oportunities will mean fewer jobs for twra. In the grand scheme of things the twrc and twra could care less what the hunters of Tennessee have to say about any season, deer or turkey, when they ask for our recommendations and that needs to change.

Revenue should not be a consideration when managing a natural resource.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tnanh]

I agree completely revenue should not be a consideration but what I was saying is they need to look at it long term since so many people think it is a consideration with twra.