Many States require some type of tag or reporting for turkey kills. Curious what states do or don't? I hunt my home state, FL, it's in the DON'T column. Traveled often to hunt OH, does have a full telecheck system as does KY. On my recent trip to WY I was required to actually punch a tag if killing a Merriam but not report it. I do get almost weekly e mails from WY now and am betting I'll get an end of season survey at some point.
When this topic is discussed so many will mention that some don't bother to fill out surveys or report their kills even if required. IMO they just poached one.
As expected on 6/20 received an on line survey from WY. Sorry to see it wasn't mandatory but did enter you in a prize drawing if you participated.
I have never understood why any state would not have some kind of "physical" tagging-requirement system. New Mexico has had that in place since day one for pretty much every big game species and turkey.
Here, upon harvest, a hunter must immediately attach a carcass tag to the turkey with the date being notched on the tag (there is another alternative called the E-Tag system that is an electronic report, but it still requires the hunter to physically tag the bird).
There is also a mandatory online harvest report that hunters must fill out at some point in the year. If a hunter does not fill out that report, they are not eligible to purchase another license in the future until they do, nor can they apply for any big game or turkey hunt for future seasons.
The fact that every state does not have some sort of similar system in place just floors me...
I agree with that last paragraph. We have to fill out and either call in or send in a tag. In the Fall you have to send in a spur (correction, the whole leg) which I hate the idea of. They are kind of confusing to be honest. Oh yes and you have to tag them as well.
Well here are the regs.
To submit your harvest report you will need the following information:
For All Species:
The 12-digit DOC # (phone-in reports) or the Customer ID # (internet reports) on your license privilege panel, carcass tag, or back tag
Your date of birth (you will be asked for 2-digit month, then 2-digit day)
Location of kill: County, Town, and Wildlife Management Unit
Date of kill and hunting season
Sex of the animal
In addition, you will need:
Spring Turkey
Turkey's spur length (none, less than 1/2", 1/2" or longer, unknown)
Turkey's beard length (less than 3", 3" but less than 7 1/2", 7 1/2" or longer, unknown)
Turkey's weight to the nearest pound
Fall Turkey
Please save a leg from your turkey. You may be asked to submit a turkey leg for DEC to age and sex the turkey. Instructions will be provided.
So used to the PA system of attaching a physical tag at the site of the kill then reporting via website or mail within 5 days.
Florida was a complete shocker last year in that I got no tags with my license. It's like it's the honor system to take only the right number of birds.
New Jersey has a tag system, then you call in to the state with the birds particulars. We used to have to physically take the bird to a mandatory checking station. There were plenty of them in the state. I think it was a mistake to go to phone in Turkey check-in. We are all seeing now that accurate harvest reporting will determine a path forward on handling Turkey populations. Would love to see the physical check-in system return.
Quote from: Yoder409 on June 11, 2022, 08:49:47 AM
So used to the PA system of attaching a physical tag at the site of the kill then reporting via website or mail within 5 days.
Florida was a complete shocker last year in that I got no tags with my license. It's like it's the honor system to take only the right number of birds.
I would say that in most states the harvest number each year (whether it is turkey's, deer etc.) is a "Guesstimate" at best. This is because you are on an honor system in some states and people will take advantage of that.
True in some states you have to fill out a tag and attach it to the deer or turkey. Then within 5 days fill out a Harvest Report Card but people forget or just choose not to fill one out for whatever reason.
Florida is going to have mandatory harvest reporting starting this fall:
https://myfwc.com/hunting/turkey/rules/
Tennessee has had a tagging system for many years for turkey / deer etc ...
Quote from: deerhunt1988 on June 11, 2022, 09:38:48 AM
Florida is going to have mandatory harvest reporting starting this fall:
https://myfwc.com/hunting/turkey/rules/
About time. I'll check the local forums just to read the crabbing about it.
While KS issues tags, they dont make you report anything for deer or turkey. I had some gents from AR tell me they love KS because they only need to buy one tag then print as many copies as they want...
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Quote from: nativeks on June 11, 2022, 09:59:18 AM
While KS issues tags, they dont make you report anything for deer or turkey. I had some gents from AR tell me they love KS because they only need to buy one tag then print as many copies as they want...
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Wouldn't hurt many feelings if you changed "gents from AR" to "poachers from AR". They would probably feel insulted.
Quote from: joey46 on June 11, 2022, 09:57:49 AM
Quote from: deerhunt1988 on June 11, 2022, 09:38:48 AM
Florida is going to have mandatory harvest reporting starting this fall:
https://myfwc.com/hunting/turkey/rules/
Great! Still many whining about the deer reporting but it seems to be working out. Being able to do it by phone from the field a good thing and available in several states.. I'll check the local forums just to read the crabbing about it.
States should all look at Missouri's system...simple and has solid requirements. New Mexico is similar.
Some states I've hunted need help!!!
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I can't believe some states don't require tagging and reporting, reminds me of the ole Halloween candy bowl at the front door.
Yes there will always be a certain percentage of scofflaws no matter what rules are in place but I would think game managers would want the data. Crazy.
If a state doesn't have tagging or a form of harvest reporting, you can bet on politics as the reason why (not state wildlife officials).
in WV for deer, bear and turkey you attach a field tag at the kill site before moving the carcass and then call in or log in for a 13-digit DNR ID number within 72 hours or 24 hours from the close of the respective season (whichever comes first). rules are a little different for trappers.
Quote from: nativeks on June 11, 2022, 09:59:18 AM
While KS issues tags, they dont make you report anything for deer or turkey. I had some gents from AR tell me they love KS because they only need to buy one tag then print as many copies as they want...
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A few years ago KS ended internet sales for NR. Before that I'm sure that's how it went down. A social media hunter got busted in NE for killing over limit on one permit.
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Quote from: deerhunt1988 on June 11, 2022, 10:53:29 AM
If a state doesn't have tagging or a form of harvest reporting, you can bet on politics as the reason why (not state wildlife officials).
Yes, good point, this seems likely
Quote from: GobbleNut on June 11, 2022, 08:45:07 AM
There is also a mandatory online harvest report that hunters must fill out at some point in the year. If a hunter does not fill out that report, they are not eligible to purchase another license in the future until they do, nor can they apply for any big game or turkey hunt for future seasons.
THIS..................... is what EVERY state should be doing !!!!! With cell phones and computers, there's ABSOLUTELY NO REASON NOT TO.
You'll get the most accurate data possible.
Georgia is call in/online reporting.
No tags. Same with deer.
In Iowa you physically tag the deer or turkey in the field before moving it. Then you have 24 hrs. to report it. If you don't use/fill a tag then you do nothing.
Alabama has reporting system and really started enforcing about 3 years ago to try to help catch those shooting over limit. Deer works great because they check processors. Don't know how well working on turkeys. Poachers are poachers
You have to report Eastern turkey kills in Texas. They even want you to pinpoint that on a map. Not fond of that part.
I often don't have cell service at my lease in another county. One year I hit the dot and showed I killed a bird in my living room where I sat filling out the form. No one ever questioned it and I live in a county where season is closed. Outside giving up my good spots to the state and who knows who else...it's not a big deal to report the harvest. I think more states should. We also have to tag the bird.
Quote from: Sixes on June 11, 2022, 12:28:50 PM
Georgia is call in/online reporting.
No tags. Same with deer.
Ga does have a harvest record to fill for people with out cell phones, or you can call in or use an App. Either way you go about it. The kill needs to be reported/recorded before the turkey leaves the kill sight.
Florida ...they are going to this upcoming year do a mandatory online harvest reporting on all wild turkeys ...this I believe to be the first move in the right direction the FWC has done with turkey hunting in over 10 years
There is only one place in the entire world where you can shoot the subspecies of wild turkey , known as the Osceola , and it's pretty much a anything goes mentally...and the FWC is taking a "close the gate after the horse runs off "mentality
The state of Florida needs to immediately implement a "no Jake rule " statewide with a minimum beard length rule ...and they need to close up all hen harvesting loopholes asap ...from there they may need to review some painful but probably needed restrictions
Almost all states in the south have seen some bag harvest limitations in recent years ...but nonr I repeat none of them are in as bad of shape as Florida with massive habitat loss and insane hunter pressure...Florida is flat out the worst of the worst in all categories...I'm even willing to venture or speculate we kill less gobblers on wmas than Rhode island or Connecticut
Florida continued - Maybe after a year or two of actual mandatory reporting they'll have an idea how many birds are really killed. Next needed step is to try and get an idea how many hunt turkey successful or not.. With a system that doesn't often account for any resident over 65 it could be 10,000 or 100,000 additional turkey hunters. Yes - as unbelievable as it sounds if you are resident over 65 you can hunt non quota public land and any legally accessed private land with no accountability. Few WMAs even have check stations now. You were on the honor system as to bag limits throughout the season. No cheating please. A turkey tag for EVERYONE would be nice. If the politicians insist on the over 65 giveaway that could easily be accomplished. Now start working on the quota hunt redraws. Preference points for them would help balance them out a little. That is a whole different and confusing subject that would bore most from other states. I'm amazed they finally are going to the mandatory turkey reporting. Never thought I'd see it. L O N G overdue.
What I'm noticing is how many seem to be sitting back and not mentioning their state. I'm currently looking at 5 states for a next season OOS. I won't mention them either. Tough times for some but if you do your homework I'm betting there are still plenty of opportunities out there. Good luck to all. :turkey2:
Mississippi has the Harvest Reporting ( but no physical tagging). While I don't think it's a total waste of time I certainly hope my state agency is not spending too much time and money on it. The numbers are merely suggestive in the barest sense of the word as I suspect non reporting is rampant. Being suggestive and all makes a great way for hunters resident and non to see which counties the turkeys are being killed....if this is all they're going to do, I'd rather the money and time be spent on quality research and action that ACTUALLY help the species....
Quote from: nativeks on June 11, 2022, 09:59:18 AM
While KS issues tags, they dont make you report anything for deer or turkey. I had some gents from AR tell me they love KS because they only need to buy one tag then print as many copies as they want...
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While the majority of Arkansas hunters are law abiding, there are too many that obviously give us a black eye when it comes to hunting. Unfortunately, KS (especially in the past) provided the opportunity for outlaws to accumulate #s, which is what it was about for many. I would support a "shoot, shovel, and shut up" approach with such a type. Bury them deep, because we don't want them back. We now have printable licenses in Arkansas, so you can imagine how that goes. It's a poacher's dream scenario.
Quote from: El Pavo Grande on August 01, 2022, 12:03:52 AM
I would support a "shoot, shovel, and shut up" approach with such a type. Bury them deep, because we don't want them back.
Ahhh,...wouldn't it be nice if the SS&S approach to poachers was allowed?! :angel9:
Wishes aside, the closest thing we have to it (that will not end up with someone spending the rest of their lives in prison) is for that majority of sportsmen (and the public, in general) that are honest and law-abiding to be vigilant, less accepting of poaching, and pro-active in working to eliminate it. It starts from the ground up. Changing that culture of acceptance, both in terms of local or regional attitudes, and also in terms of establishing effective deterrents/penalties for violators, are key elements.
On topic, physical tagging of game and mandatory reporting of harvest may nor curb the worst violators. What they do, however, is give authorities mechanisms that help them apprehend the bad guys. ...Not to mention the harvest management data that is gleaned from such requirements. That is at least a start...and it is by no means an insignificant one. :icon_thumright:
Please understand I both ask and comment in an effort to gain knowledge so no disrespect intended. Other than harvest information, what info can be gleaned from mandatory harvest reporting? If a poacher kills a bird over the limit or before/after season one can only hope they are stupid enough to report... if a hunter commits an accidental shooting of an illegal bird, some may report, most won't. I've been in MS since before Harvest Reports started.... and really don't see what if any difference it has made. Now, using Harvest Reports as ONE of the tools in management? Ok I get it then. But when it appears that is all being done? Well, I say can it and hire extra GWs with the $ saved....
Quote from: El Pavo Grande on August 01, 2022, 12:03:52 AM
Quote from: nativeks on June 11, 2022, 09:59:18 AM
While KS issues tags, they dont make you report anything for deer or turkey. I had some gents from AR tell me they love KS because they only need to buy one tag then print as many copies as they want...
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While the majority of Arkansas hunters are law abiding, there are too many that obviously give us a black eye when it comes to hunting. Unfortunately, KS (especially in the past) provided the opportunity for outlaws to accumulate #s, which is what it was about for many. I would support a "shoot, shovel, and shut up" approach with such a type. Bury them deep, because we don't want them back. We now have printable licenses in Arkansas, so you can imagine how that goes. It's a poacher's dream scenario.
. Texas has tags. Thankfully. Deer, turkeys and certain ocean fish must be tagged. Deer also have to logged n the back of the license. Eastern turkeys have mandatory reporting. It makes poaching more risky and proving a case a bit easier for the wardens.
Iowa has mandatory reporting on deer and turkeys by either calling or online. We also have to tag those animals right after we harvest them. We also have to have tags for bobcats and otters that the DNR will put on those animals for you after you call them.
Michigan is going to the mandatory harvest report this year. I will have to talk to the DNR biologist to find out why it took so long and what were the deciding factors.