After all the discussion here about declining flocks, public land use and limiting harvest, I thought many would be interested to see Ohio is proposing a change to the bag limit. The new proposal taking effect 2022, if passed, would limit you to harvesting one bearded bird from public land. You can still kill two, but only one can be from public land. Oddly, they site poor reproductive years, but they leave the fall season intact. Of course, the fall kill is a very small fraction of the spring harvest. Annual fall harvest is around 1200-1500 birds and about half and half on sexes. While spring harvest averages around 18,000 -20,000 bearded birds, almost all gobblers. Maybe they should restrict the harvest of gobblers in the fall to insure more breeding males in the spring? I am a fall hunter and usually shoot gobblers, but I'm mostly on private controlled land that has plenty to spare. I will support whatever they decide. This seems to be a national problem and I'm still unsure why it's happening. I hope they figure it out.
Interesting, i had not heard of this. I support this, as the turkey population in my area of ohio has seen a decline. Problem is, they need the restriction across the board, public and private. I honestly believe the fall kill is way higher than reported. People on private land baiting deer in bow season, shooting turkeys as a target of opportunity. With the check stations gone, people just are not reporting the kill, and i think it happens in the spring season too, turkeys being taken and tagged, but not reported. I don't know what the answer is, but it is a step in the right direction. At least Odnr is recognizing that there is a problem.Baiting has caused problems with the spread of disease in the deer herd, i suppose it does the same in the turkey flocks to an extent also. I am not against baiting deer, as it is an effective tool to help control high deer populations, but it can have unintended consequences on other species.
But they are opening the 2021 on a Saturday instead of the traditional Monday.
This adds two days to the season, and increases hunting pressure early in the season.
I hunt public and private, but won't be near public on opening weekend.
They claim it increases hunter opportunity,...we know it's all about license sales regardless
of the turkey population!
Going away from the Monday opener was a dumb move. Public land pressure will be a hoot.
Quote from: joey46 on March 29, 2021, 09:03:13 AM
Going away from the Monday opener was a dumb move. Public land pressure will be a hoot.
Yea that is going to be bad. Owl hooters of Ohio, unite!
It will be interesting to see how many other states make changes.
I just hope they are actually studying the problem and come up with a scientific and viable plan to help the flock, and not just a knee-jerk reaction. Odnr seems to only care about managing for deer, at the exclusion of other game species it seems.
Way to go Ohio! The different limit between private and public makes sense.
This might also limit the out of state pressure on public land. Personally I'd like to see some restrictions on the fall season. I guess this is a start, at least they're recognizing it.
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Quote from: joey46 on March 29, 2021, 09:03:13 AM
Going away from the Monday opener was a dumb move. Public land pressure will be a hoot.
I agree, I just cringed when I saw that.
It's a new breed running the show now, not at all like when I was with the division. I rarely kill any birds on public land, but I do hunt it with others, I'll even go myself if I need a bird in late season.
QuoteI honestly believe the fall kill is way higher than reported. People on private land baiting deer in bow season, shooting turkeys as a target of opportunity. With the check stations gone, people just are not reporting the kill, and i think it happens in the spring season too, turkeys being taken and tagged, but not reported.
I have mixed feelings on this. I think it did make it easier to cheat, but I'm not sure it's a big problem. If someone is going to poach they have no intention of checking it either way. I don't think the fall kill is any greater around me, maybe in other parts. I do know some deer hunters take birds of opportunity, but most buy a tag and report the kill. For me I like the call in check and I hunted other states that done it way before Ohio. I ran a check station for 30 years and it was cool to see all the birds and we got a lot of good info. I am undecided on thsi
That could be good and bad personally in Virginia I would love to see them stop killing jakes and no fall season but if they dropped bag limits from 3 here to 2 all its going to do is make guys not check in birds I know guys who kill 8 gobblers a year and they are all checked in if anything I would love to see all day hunting stopped and rifles banned
I have mixed feelings on this. I think it did make it easier to cheat, but I'm not sure it's a big problem. If someone is going to poach they have no intention of checking it either way. I don't think the fall kill is any greater around me, maybe in other parts. I do know some deer hunters take birds of opportunity, but most buy a tag and report the kill. For me I like the call in check and I hunted other states that done it way before Ohio. I ran a check station for 30 years and it was cool to see all the birds and we got a lot of good info. I am undecided on thsi
[/quote] Don't get me wrong, i like the automated reporting system they have now. After thinking about it, you are right. If someone wants to cheat, they could do it under either system of check-in.I still think the game laws on limits should be the same for public and private. Game animals belong to the state, and not the property it is standing on, for good reasons. It could be done county by county, or by zones, so the areas with high populations could have a higher bag limit vs areas with a lower/declining population could be lowered, instead of a one size fits all plan.They are sort of doing that now with the NE. ohio zone, with a later start date than down south, but kept the all-day hunting and fall season. That doesn't make sense
Wouldn't it be shame if oosers couldn't come in and kill 2 birds on private. Might even put some "outfitters" out business . And no all day hunting Lawdy what's this world coming too!!!!
I think we should just go one bird and no fall hunt . If you want to get the numbers back then do what needs to be done and don't make the appearance that you are .
Our limited was reduce this year from 4 birds to 3 birds. I have no problem with it, i will take birds to hunt as to having no birds to hunt, i remember those years of be lucky to hear 2 gobblers a season, back in those days birds were hard to come by.. I can see your point also about it could or couldn't add more pressure to public land ...
Quote from: obro on March 29, 2021, 12:26:47 PM
I think we should just go one bird and no fall hunt . If you want to get the numbers back then do what needs to be done and don't make the appearance that you are .
Agreed
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I'd love to see Kentucky do this. It would help birds and hunters.
Quote from: obro on March 29, 2021, 12:26:47 PM
I think we should just go one bird and no fall hunt . If you want to get the numbers back then do what needs to be done and don't make the appearance that you are .
Agreed! Been saying this same thing for several years now! Ohio's population has been declining for several years.
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Quote from: obro on March 29, 2021, 12:26:47 PM
I think we should just go one bird and no fall hunt . If you want to get the numbers back then do what needs to be done and don't make the appearance that you are .
X4 do something that will make a difference. Those extra birds on private land will help repopulate state land.
I'm glad they are making a attempt, but don't punish the guy that only has public land to hunt. Non resident hunters 1 bird per year.
Quote from: perrytrails on March 29, 2021, 04:13:25 PM
Quote from: obro on March 29, 2021, 12:26:47 PM
I think we should just go one bird and no fall hunt . If you want to get the numbers back then do what needs to be done and don't make the appearance that you are .
X4 do something that will make a difference. Those extra birds on private land will help repopulate state land.
I'm glad they are making a attempt, but don't punish the guy that only has public land to hunt. Non resident hunters 1 bird per year.
This is something, limit public guys to one bird . Open on the weekend. Leave fall season going to shoot egg layer hens.
Should be no fall hunt for turkeys. At least no hens period. And no way open on the weekend.
Don't see the point.
I'm all for helping bird numbers but this seems unfair to people who don't have any private land to hunt. Why should they be limited just because they either aren't lucky
enough to have private land or are unable to pay for it. Will their license cost half as much? A later season start on a weekday and liberal trapping seasons will do more for increasing bird numbers than screwing the public land guys out of a bird
Quote from: Kylongspur88 on March 29, 2021, 08:44:39 PM
I'm all for helping bird numbers but this seems unfair to people who don't have any private land to hunt. Why should they be limited just because they either aren't lucky
enough to have private land or are unable to pay for it. Will their license cost half as much? A later season start on a weekday and liberal trapping seasons will do more for increasing bird numbers than screwing the public land guys out of a bird
Agree . Trapping don't work for them. Economically speaking. No funding in it for them.
I'd say a large % of turkeys killed in fall are killed by bow hunters. Very few people target turkeys exclusively in fall. I think they should say gun only and reduce the season length. This will save birds. Would here to see them close it.
I understand what you guys are saying about punishing the guys that hunt only public land but I'm also one of those guys that has only hunted public for years. And more than likely my son will be too! I'll gladly give up one tag to help maintain, steady, and increase the future population of the wild turkey. Especially considering it might be one of the things to assure my young one as well as others that aren't fortunate enough to have private land to hunt down the road will have a healthy population to hunt. I like to hunt and kill them as much as the next guy but I feel like a lot of guys are getting kinda greedy as far as that goes. There is a lot of other ways to enjoy the rest of the season too like taking beginners and calling for friends and family. It's not always about the number of kills and beards you can get. Also the fall harvest numbers are so low already eliminating the fall season where mostly hens are taken anyway isn't going to boost anything. The hens by far out number the gobblers in most areas. Ever notice in the agricultural areas in the fall how there will be groups of 50-100 or more hens and only small groups of gobblers, 8-10 birds or less? Those large hen numbers are making the gobblers old and young compete for food and cover just like to many does will do in a deer herd. I just feel like the tag numbers should be cut in a lot of states to make a difference. But to be honest I think it'd be best to cut the bag limit to 1 bird across the state in kentucky for a while.
Does anyone know the reason for allowing two birds on private land and only one on public land? Is the regulation in place because the number of birds killed/hunted can be more closely controlled on private land? Just curious as to the reason for this distinction in the regulation.
Quote from: NCL on March 30, 2021, 08:24:18 AM
Does anyone know the reason for allowing two birds on private land and only one on public land? Is the regulation in place because the number of birds killed/hunted can be more closely controlled on private land? Just curious as to the reason for this distinction in the regulation.
I would say that would be the reason
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Quote from: NCL on March 30, 2021, 08:24:18 AM
Does anyone know the reason for allowing two birds on private land and only one on public land? Is the regulation in place because the number of birds killed/hunted can be more closely controlled on private land? Just curious as to the reason for this distinction in the regulation.
Probably for farmers with crop damage complaints , and to help outfitters/ guides leasing land to keep oos licence sales money coming in. That's just a cynical guess though.
Quote from: NCL on March 30, 2021, 08:24:18 AM
Does anyone know the reason for allowing two birds on private land and only one on public land? Is the regulation in place because the number of birds killed/hunted can be more closely controlled on private land? Just curious as to the reason for this distinction in the regulation.
I never saw any explanation in the announcement. This is only a proposed change right now. If possible you should attend one of the public hearings on new regulations. I hunt almost all private land and I can't tell you why it would matter, except most private land sees way less hunting pressure and probably less harvest in relation to the flocks. It's a good question. I pretty much control the private land I hunt and I impose a property limit on the farms. If I can help it I never allow more than 1/3 of the gobblers I have heard to be harvested, when that number is hit I shut it off for what I can control. Neighbors and trespassers will still get a couple. Nost years we never hit the 1/3 mark. It's telling because these properties are some of the best in my area for holding birds. I get some local hunters calling my family and me Arseholes for restricting the hunting, but we have had a forest management plan on this property for 100 years and it shows. Overall, my experience is there has been far less daily pressure on private land. Most land owners only allow a couple guys to hunt. The birds on private are far less harassed, in my opinion.
I enjoy killing two gobblers, but for years we could only kill one and it was just fine. That's what we expected from season and that is what we were happy with. I would be ok with just one again.
I really enjoy fall hunting and I honestly don't think it has a serious impact. I agree withold3toe there are plenty of hens. If you look at fall harvest reports, the kill is pretty close to 50/50 hens and males. The heavier data point is they are mostly young of year birds. My buddy and I almost never shoot YOY birds. We intentionally target older birds. Like I said before the fall harvest in Ohio is roughly 10% of the total kill. I would be for a reduction in the fall season from 6 weeks to one or two, that would eliminate a lot of opportunity bow kills.
I am also ok with limiting nonresidents to one tag in the spring and no fall tags.
I am happy someone is recognizing some changes may be in order. I just hope they apply the science and not just yield to social pressure.
Quote from: BigSlam51 on March 30, 2021, 08:38:12 AM
Quote from: NCL on March 30, 2021, 08:24:18 AM
Does anyone know the reason for allowing two birds on private land and only one on public land? Is the regulation in place because the number of birds killed/hunted can be more closely controlled on private land? Just curious as to the reason for this distinction in the regulation.
I would say that would be the reason
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Thank you, It just seems odd that they would go to all the trouble to write a separate regulation.
Quote from: NCL on March 30, 2021, 08:48:49 AM
Quote from: BigSlam51 on March 30, 2021, 08:38:12 AM
Quote from: NCL on March 30, 2021, 08:24:18 AM
Does anyone know the reason for allowing two birds on private land and only one on public land? Is the regulation in place because the number of birds killed/hunted can be more closely controlled on private land? Just curious as to the reason for this distinction in the regulation.
I would say that would be the reason
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Thank you, It just seems odd that they would go to all the trouble to write a separate regulation.
I would like to see the whole state go to one gobbler a year, no hens. That would really make a difference.
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I'm on board with the one bird season, and closed fall season, at least for a couple years anyways. But it needs to work in tandem with some predator control/trapping. Way too many nest robbers and predators taking poults.
I agree Ward, My personal opinion is reduced nest success is the primary cause. They even hint at this in the proposal announcement when they say due to reduced brood success in recent years. In my opinion two things are paramount; Habitat destruction and nest depredation. One other factor that is uncontrollable is weather.
I don't think that in the big picture harvest is impacting the flock in any significant form.
I don't know a fix for the nest predators on a large scale. The destruction of the fur market really destroyed our predator control. Raccoon hunting used to be huge around here and now I know of 1-2 active coon hunters. Add in all the other nest predators and it's a tough go for hens. I don't think any single predator is more destructive than raccoons. I used to trap and I would catch anywhere from 25-30 raccoons on my trap lines . I can catch that many now by simply trapping around my barns and garden.
I agree bigslam. One bird per person. No hens. Those that feel the need for 2 tags, take a kid or a friend hunting. I promise you'll get more satisfaction seeing and helping someone get their first bird. And they will never forget it.
4-5 years down the road the state would realize they made the right decision.
Quote from: eggshell on March 30, 2021, 09:06:31 AM
I agree Ward, My personal opinion is reduced nest success is the primary cause. They even hint at this in the proposal announcement when they say due to reduced brood success in recent years. In my opinion two things are paramount; Habitat destruction and nest depredation. One other factor that is uncontrollable is weather.
I don't think that in the big picture harvest is impacting the flock in any significant form.
I don't know a fix for the nest predators on a large scale. The destruction of the fur market really destroyed our predator control. Raccoon hunting used to be huge around here and now I know of 1-2 active coon hunters. Add in all the other nest predators and it's a tough go for hens. I don't think any single predator is more destructive than raccoons. I used to trap and I would catch anywhere from 25-30 raccoons on my trap lines . I can catch that many now by simply trapping around my barns and garden.
Same situation where i live too. Raccoon population is out of control. And we also have a rising population of coyotes. Don't see hardly anyone running coonhounds around here any more.Like you said, fur prices bottomed out and people just quit trapping and hunting them.
Quote from: the Ward on March 30, 2021, 12:03:23 PM
Quote from: eggshell on March 30, 2021, 09:06:31 AM
I agree Ward, My personal opinion is reduced nest success is the primary cause. They even hint at this in the proposal announcement when they say due to reduced brood success in recent years. In my opinion two things are paramount; Habitat destruction and nest depredation. One other factor that is uncontrollable is weather.
I don't think that in the big picture harvest is impacting the flock in any significant form.
I don't know a fix for the nest predators on a large scale. The destruction of the fur market really destroyed our predator control. Raccoon hunting used to be huge around here and now I know of 1-2 active coon hunters. Add in all the other nest predators and it's a tough go for hens. I don't think any single predator is more destructive than raccoons. I used to trap and I would catch anywhere from 25-30 raccoons on my trap lines . I can catch that many now by simply trapping around my barns and garden.
Same situation where i live too. Raccoon population is out of control. And we also have a rising population of coyotes. Don't see hardly anyone running coonhounds around here any more.Like you said, fur prices bottomed out and people just quit trapping and hunting them.
is there any way to change this? or was it just too big of a cultural shift?
nwtf or turkeys for the future could have contests where each pelt brought in gives you a chance to win things like special trips or prizes. though game regulations would have to change for that to be legal
:gobble: Just REFRAIN FROM SHOOTING HENS...
Quote from: eggshell on March 30, 2021, 09:06:31 AM
I agree Ward, My personal opinion is reduced nest success is the primary cause. They even hint at this in the proposal announcement when they say due to reduced brood success in recent years. In my opinion two things are paramount; Habitat destruction and nest depredation. One other factor that is uncontrollable is weather.
I don't think that in the big picture harvest is impacting the flock in any significant form.
I don't know a fix for the nest predators on a large scale. The destruction of the fur market really destroyed our predator control. Raccoon hunting used to be huge around here and now I know of 1-2 active coon hunters. Add in all the other nest predators and it's a tough go for hens. I don't think any single predator is more destructive than raccoons. I used to trap and I would catch anywhere from 25-30 raccoons on my trap lines . I can catch that many now by simply trapping around my barns and garden.
Same around here. Last year 46 coons , one trap one season. Live trap by the shed. Dang things should be considered rats. Open season. Would bet there are 10 coon or more for every hen turkey in Missouri, maybe more.
And strange this year only 4 caught. They didn't come running back in to take over apparently.
I'd love to know what % of hunters actually kill both of their birds on public. Thinking this will make a difference is laughable. Time in the woods kills turkeys. The more opportunity, the more killing. If they were genuinely concerned, they wouldn't be adding 2 days to the season!
Quote from: deerhunt1988 on March 30, 2021, 07:05:48 PM
I'd love to know what % of hunters actually kill both of their birds on public. Thinking this will make a difference is laughable. Time in the woods kills turkeys. The more opportunity, the more killing. If they were genuinely concerned, they wouldn't be adding 2 days to the season!
Good point
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IMO deer feeders = more coon
Quote from: tracker vi on March 30, 2021, 08:52:30 PM
IMO deer feeders = more coon
Totally agree! I would love to see a study on whether there is a correlation between when baiting becomes legal and declines in turkey numbers. I also don't think using only harvest results is the best measure.
Quote from: Kylongspur88 on March 30, 2021, 10:16:10 PM
Quote from: tracker vi on March 30, 2021, 08:52:30 PM
IMO deer feeders = more coon
Totally agree! I would love to see a study on whether there is a correlation between when baiting becomes legal and declines in turkey numbers. I also don't think using only harvest results is the best measure.
Not quite what you are asking before, but Mississippi State will be releasing a study soon showing how quickly corn reach dangerous levels of aflatoxins for poults during the summer months. It can happen as quickly as 5 days!!!
There is a lot of good comments here. I live in a state other than Ohio, but have about 1,200 acres of prime turkey habitat. It has been managed for a variety of wildlife for over 20 years. I purchased land in Ohio 20 plus years ago because my home state had become far too political within its department of natural resources to manage wildlife for the people that purchase licenses, abide by the laws, and introduce persons young and old to the sport of hunting. It got really bad especially with the Sunday hunting fiasco just to name one of many fiascos there.
Over the last 20 years the Ohio DNR has become more of a political animal operated out of Columbus than in years past - which is not good for hunters or wildlife. I do not work for that agency and am not a state employee, but I do spend a lot of time each year attempting to assist persons within the agency.
It has become all about revenue generation to be used for other aspects state government and not wildlife. For example, game checking stations with metal tags are gone as an attempt to save money. While I agree some are going to poach regardless, there is little doubt that far moe people get their bird or game home and don't call or get on line to check it in then in the past. Therefore, more birds are bing killed and not tagged then in the past. Next, a larger percentage of your license fee goes to agencies other than OHDNR than in the past. Wildlife officers are cut back in terms of the number of hours they can work and without spilling the beans the single most productive manner in which they catch turkey poachers has been completely removed from their tool bag so to speak to save money. Without it the number of people baiting illegally increases yearly. I detest any person who shoots a turkey over bait, and unfortunately many do and I have helped catch and prosecute a _hit ton of them so I know what I am talking about.
Moving on, Ohio promotes baiting for deer in the fall because it sells corn! A lot of corn. I would love to make it illegal to bait, but they are not going to bait. As someone stated above, far more turkeys are being killed over bait in the fall by a bored hunter who sees one wonder in to the bait pile than we know.
Moving on again, fewer and fewer people hired by the OHDNR these days hunt. Yes, you read that correctly. This includes officers. They truly don't appreciate the natural resource as we do. It is just a job to them. And, while many many many in that division of state government are truly vested in doing a great job, more and more each year simply view it as a 9-5 job that has little impact on them personally.
Throw in a bad spring or two, and you have a significant impact on the population. I am blessed because there is truly very little hunting on my farm so our population is strong, but it is not what it once was. Maybe we don't need as many as we had in the past and I would accept that from most biologist looking at my property. But, lets not allow a political bull crap continue to impact our outdoors.
Make some phone calls, educate yourself and make a difference. Don't just assume they are trying to do something for the hunter. The extra two days this year is there for one reason and one reason only. They are trying to sell more out of state licenses to make up for lost revenue last year when the State was closed to out of state hunters a few weeks before season opened.
This has been a great thread and a lot of really good points. I may just send a link to the chief of ODW. They need to hear us.
I never really though of the baiting issue. I do get upset that so many farms have deer bait that I am afraid to turkey hunt on them. Officially, if there are active feeders it's baited and you can't hunt within a certain distance of bait, for turkeys. Sometimes you don't even know it's there. ON one farm I hunt they keep feeders going year round and the birds roost on the property I hunt and soon as they come off the roost they head to the feeders across the valley and stay there most of the day....I hate it. I just hunt it in the evenings mostly. I asked a wildlife officer once and he said it's a huge problem, trying to determine if someone is hunting bait anymore. Unless they are parked right in the feeder area he said he let's them go. He said he understands most turkey hunters aren't hunting the bait, but if you are close and repeatedly set up close to a feeder your getting a ticket. You may not even know it.
WTNUT, I am a retired employee of Ohio Division of Wildlife and I can tell you you are right on how the employee profiles have changed. They have cut hours too. The new license increase will help. License money is still by law dedicated to Wildlife, but many have tried to get at it. Our past Governor Kasich was a horrible fund raider and he done everything he could to politicize and take Wildlife's money, but the fact it's law has mostly protected the funds. He did fire some dedicated people and put a lot of people in place that were political gifts. I agree that the division is not what it once was on a professional level, but it's still good. Back in the early 2000s they lost a lot of the really experienced "movers and shakers" as they offered retirement incentives to get the higher salaried people off the books. I understand that management philosophy from a pure money point, but a lot of high level knowledge went with those people. I was among those who left and two of my counter parts left as well. Between us we had changed the entire face of our unit. I am not trying to brag, but stating something I have awards for and is well documented. The people who replaced us where good people, but had very little real experience managing a resource. I also agree a lot is driven by money now. I see some of the things they come up with and just say to myself, "Oh my God, what are they thinking".
Some great thoughtful posts in this thread. We, as turkey hunters, need to go to the regional Odnr public meetings and have our voices heard. Squeaky wheel and grease. I think it is going to take a multi-pronged approach of small, incremental changes. There are a lot of other states with declining populations also, so what are the common denominators causing it? If we can pinpoint these, we can start moving forward with solutions.Every state will have it's own regional issues, i.e. weather, but there should be some things causing it since the decline is widespread.
https://www.toledoblade.com/local/animals/2020/05/26/ODNR-wildlife-chief-cleared-of-charge/stories/20200526099
Back on the baiting. This was the biggest political pile of crap ever. How can you police the public when you can't police your own? If this had been the average Joe Blow, he or she would have received a citation, been convicted, paid a fine and maybe lost the right to hunt for a period of time. I can tell you from personal knowledge this had a significant and negative impact on the Department's rank and file.
I apologize for the typos in my message above. I was rushing when I should have just saved the message, proofed and then sent.
To correct a few now, Ohio is not going to ban baiting because farmers sell to much corn to deer hunters.
There is no reason why parts of Ohio could not be a two to three bird state with no fall season. Why have a fall season? Think about the number of properties that bait for deer in the fall. I grow at least 75 acres of food plots each year and I can't keep deer on the property without picking or shelling corn and putting out bait piles. All of my neighbors do, so I have to as well. It is crazy. How far you have to be from bait is a grey area when hunting turkey, so my rule is no fall turkey hunting for anyone at my place. In the spring, standing corn left for deer is gone by the end of February. Nevertheless, every property around me baits for turkeys during season. Yes, probably 75% have been caught over the years, but it puts a huge toll on our local officer and those from adjoining counties. Trying to police spring baiting for turkeys with fewer and fewer tools each year is like trying to keep water in a strainer.
WTNUT, LoL I just re-read my post and I had an error too. I stated a farm I hunt had feeders. That is not true, it is the neighbors across the valley that have feeders and that is why birds leave the farm I hunt and only come back in the afternoon. I actually had a conversation with the wildlife officer in that county and he gave me the thumbs up as long as I stayed on my side of the valley I wasn't hunting bait. I may be a retired Division man, but they'd still give me a ticket and even more so because of who I am. I'm no chief that's getting a pass. I fall hunt and enjoy it, but I have to be careful where I hunt. MY family has around 1200 acres as well and there are no bait sites or feeders allowed. I think they only create problems.
You are right, people are shooting spring birds over bait. I know a guy that feeds all winter and stops 30 days before season, so he can claim it's not active bait. However, the birds still go to that field because they have been programmed there is food there. technically he's legal, but I still say it's baited.