Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

     Imagine if all Hen and Gobbler Decoys  were outlawed in all States at the same time on Public Lands in a United effort to increase the Survival Rate of Wild Turkeys Nationwide.
   Imagine if easy Reaping - hiding your Head behind a white Gobbler Head and Full Fan was outlawed in all States at the same time to enhance Gobbler Survival Rates to Breed more Hens.
    Imagine if Turkey Hunters on Public could no longer get  Notifications that a Gobbler was walking on Through their Favorite  area  .
   Imagine if a obvious  Honey Hole- ( open bottom below a gentle ridge ) and surrounded by Cameras  with new Regulations  in place in all States-- No permanent  Ground Blinds of any type to remain in place during the Spring Turkey Season on Public Lands- thereby " inadvertently " OR NOT-  Discouraging  other Turkey Hunters from setting up in this " Claimed" Public Area. 
    Now imagine if Turkey Hunters Nationwide on Public had to much more count on their Calling and Woodsmanship Skills. Skills that with increased  Technology  are needed less and less and therefore bring many more new Turkey Hunters into the Game for easy success and online Gratification  as Turkey Hunting Experts by their 3rd year.
   Just a early Summer Thread here is all. I am sure,I missed a bunch of points to bring up.

We'd see a lot less "hunters" at the gates and quite a bit more turkey on the landscape in my opinion


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It would return the game to the good times when the participants were again turkey hunters rather than mere turkey killers, and there is a mass difference between the two.

More info on that publlic land notification thing please.  Cause I never had an easy public land hunt and I'd like one! :TooFunny:

I don't make the rules, but I abide by them.  I do hope the individual states do what is best for the birds and sustaining populations and not worry so much about tourist/hunter dollars.  But that may look different in each state.

Imagine if grown men wouldn't cry like babies if wma stamp cost were raised a little to allow there to be enough funds for better land management, enforcement, and possibly even allow more purchases of land.

Can hunt millions of acres for mere pennies, yet go up $5 and the world starts crying.

The same ones that buy cans of dip all day long and pay 2k to hunt 1k acres of clear cuts on leases.


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We all would be better off!

Your imagination is spot on 100% ....
But sadly , it's a pipe dream

Jeez!  This forum has become "fantasy land".  Too many with WAY too much time on their hands

Imagine if shotguns were outlawed and everyone had to bowhunt turkeys, that would really help the population and many hunters would quit.

I'll give up using decoys when you stop using a gun, lol.

Quote from: sasquatch1 on June 19, 2023, 10:07:18 AM
Imagine if grown men wouldn't cry like babies if wma stamp cost were raised a little to allow there to be enough funds for better land management, enforcement, and possibly even allow more purchases of land.

What if all users of the public lands were charged a fee including hikers, bikers, and, horsemen.  That would generate fees also and if they decide not to pay to play then existing trails and public areas would be spared their litter and destroyed trails. IMO!!

Can hunt millions of acres for mere pennies, yet go up $5 and the world starts crying.

The same ones that buy cans of dip all day long and pay 2k to hunt 1k acres of clear cuts on leases.


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Quote from: CAPTJJ on June 19, 2023, 02:02:57 PM
Imagine if shotguns were outlawed and everyone had to bowhunt turkeys, that would really help the population and many hunters would quit.

I'll give up using decoys when you stop using a gun, lol.

Guns and bows are for wimps, get an atlatl and hunt like a "REAL MAN"

I messed trying to reply to Sasquatch:
     Imagine if the others users of public land were charged a fee such as:  bikers, hikers, horsemen, and others that do whatever they do.  That would certainly drop more money into the budget.  Those who prefer not to pay to play would be beneficial to public lands by preserving trails and camping areas.  These areas are often trashed in the George Washington NF where I hunt.

Quote from: rifleman on June 19, 2023, 03:27:44 PM
I messed trying to reply to Sasquatch:
     Imagine if the others users of public land were charged a fee such as:  bikers, hikers, horsemen, and others that do whatever they do.  That would certainly drop more money into the budget.  Those who prefer not to pay to play would be beneficial to public lands by preserving trails and camping areas.  These areas are often trashed in the George Washington NF where I hunt.

In many places they are already suppose to

And many places they don't (NF) we don't either


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Imagine Jesus returning today! Would you be ready, I imagine turkey hunting would be irrelevant very fast. I thought I may as well derail this thread since my scenario is more likely than yours....

Imagine adults being so sad that they are  unsuccessful that they'd push to take the youth season away from kids. Oh wait..... NVM


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Quote from: Sir-diealot on June 19, 2023, 03:18:37 PM

Quote from: CAPTJJ on June 19, 2023, 02:02:57 PM
Imagine if shotguns were outlawed and everyone had to bowhunt turkeys, that would really help the population and many hunters would quit.

I'll give up using decoys when you stop using a gun, lol.

Guns and bows are for wimps, get an atlatl and hunt like a "REAL MAN"

Lol. What about spears, pretty sure they are legal in  Nebraska.

I'd like to imagine going back in time and hunting on one of the Alabama farms with Bobby Dale chasing gobblers then coming back to the ranch house for some of that cooking he talked about in his book. Or sitting against one of those big ole cherry bark oaks Tom Kelly wrote about back in the day. Or chasing one of those bad birds that Gene Nunnery wrote stories about. That would be fun! 

Imagine the country side filled with huge American Chestnut trees with trunks 10' in  diameter before they became virtually extinct the early 1900's because of an invasive species virus causing chestnut blight. Imagine the mast crop from a forest full of trees that size!

Check out the pic at the top of the page in this link. Extraordinary!

https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2019/04/29/what-it-takes-bring-back-near-mythical-american-chestnut-trees

Quote from: CAPTJJ on June 19, 2023, 04:59:56 PM

Quote from: Sir-diealot on June 19, 2023, 03:18:37 PM

Quote from: CAPTJJ on June 19, 2023, 02:02:57 PM
Imagine if shotguns were outlawed and everyone had to bowhunt turkeys, that would really help the population and many hunters would quit.

I'll give up using decoys when you stop using a gun, lol.

Guns and bows are for wimps, get an atlatl and hunt like a "REAL MAN"

Lol. What about spears, pretty sure they are legal in  Nebraska.

Sling and Rock like David.

If IF's and BUT's were CHERRIES and NUTS what a WONDERFUL WORLD this would be.  But it's not.

Quote from: Paulmyr on June 19, 2023, 06:58:43 PM
Imagine the country side filled with huge American Chestnut trees with trunks 10' in  diameter before they became virtually extinct the early 1900's because of an invasive species virus causing chestnut blight. Imagine the mast crop from a forest full of trees that size!

Check out the pic at the top of the page in this link. Extraordinary!

https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2019/04/29/what-it-takes-bring-back-near-mythical-american-chestnut-trees

Now the Ash are being wiped out.

I'm still waiting for next spring - imagine that?

Imagine a world where hunters could put aside their differences, quit worrying about how others hunt, and focus on real problems that we face!!  Until that magical day comes, nothing will change! 

 I remember the day when Winchester XX were the shells to shoot. At the end of that time was when Flambeau started marketing decoys, both were in the mid 80's.

There were less turkey hunters then. There were less turkeys killed then. The population was on the rise as well.

Hopefully the newer generations will figure out that the decoys, reaping, TSS "I use TSS" are all not needed to kill a turkey. I purposely don't use most of this stuff because I consider it dead weight. I do not need it to kill a turkey.

I welcome the population dips, as I will the hunter number dip that will follow. Most of the guys that pack all this dead weight will be the first to drop out.

In my time, as Eggshell said, I will see Jesus first.

Personally, I would like to go back to a time when we weren't critical of others' hunting methods or tactics as long as they were legal, and seemingly everyone blames someone else for the reduced number of turkeys in their area, whether it be the YouTube crowd, or those seeking the slam, or those with a sackful of decoys, or somebody using a GPS, and the list goes on and on.

Unless you have never hunted on land owned by anyone other than your own family or a government entity in the state in which you reside, never hunted outside of that state, never took a novice hunter hunting or called in a bird for someone else after filling your tags, or shared information about a hunting area with friends, never shot at a bird over 40 yards, or shoot TSS , or hunt from a blind, there are those on this forum who thinks you are part of the problem.

I don't feel that I have the right to criticize how others choose to hunt, as long as they are not exceeding the legal limit and are obeying the other laws in the areas they hunt anymore than someone else has the right to criticize me for the TV programs I choose to watch or the books I choose to read.

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It appears it is going to be a L O N G off season on this forum with more than it's share of :TrainWreck1:.

I'll add another thought to consider. The forum members of Old Gobbler are a huge minority in the general hunting public. If any agency is looking at majority constituent opinions, ours is insignificant as a group. So our bitching carries very little weight. Sure many share in our various ideas, but in the end the general public wants a hunt that is as easy and slanted to their advantage as possible. It's the self gratifying philosophy of the day....

just a thought to throw out there, not a position stance or anything.

I imagine i will continue to hunt gobblers the way i have for years. I do enjoy this forum and i have learned a lot over the years from members. I guide myself in what i feel helps make me successful in hunting these gobblers. I have learned over the years, it's not always about the kill, but just enjoying yourself and not worrying so much about what others think or their opinions. So imagine this or imagine that is all up to that person. I'm already imagining what Spring of 2024 will bring in hunting / chasing gobblers and what new hunting gear / calls, i might buy before next spring. My passion is my passion to imagine that next gobbler, gobbling at my calling and coming into my setup and playing the game with him. We all have to remember we are the predators who are trying to kill these gobblers regardless of the equipment we are using in tricking him into coming into our killing range. Imagine that we all have our opinions. 

Quote from: eggshell on June 20, 2023, 07:40:12 AM
I'll add another thought to consider. The forum members of Old Gobbler are a huge minority in the general hunting public. If any agency is looking at majority constituent opinions, ours is insignificant as a group. So our bitching carries very little weight. Sure many share in our various ideas, but in the end the general public wants a hunt that is as easy and slanted to their advantage as possible. It's the self gratifying philosophy of the day....

Exactly.  At the end of the day, wild turkey managers are tasked with the responsibility of sorting through all of the opinions and desires of that entire constituency and making management decisions that attempt to conform with what they assess to be an overall consensus (that has some biological validity),...while at the same time balancing that with the primary management mandate of protecting the resource.  I'm fairly certain that the "overall consensus" of that casual-turkey-hunting majority probably doesn't match up closely with the desires of many of us here on OG.

Quote from: GobbleNut on June 20, 2023, 10:12:30 AM

Quote from: eggshell on June 20, 2023, 07:40:12 AM
I'll add another thought to consider. The forum members of Old Gobbler are a huge minority in the general hunting public. If any agency is looking at majority constituent opinions, ours is insignificant as a group. So our bitching carries very little weight. Sure many share in our various ideas, but in the end the general public wants a hunt that is as easy and slanted to their advantage as possible. It's the self gratifying philosophy of the day....

Exactly.  At the end of the day, wild turkey managers are tasked with the responsibility of sorting through all of the opinions and desires of that entire constituency and making management decisions that attempt to conform with what they assess to be an overall consensus (that has some biological validity),...while at the same time balancing that with the primary management mandate of protecting the resource.  I'm fairly certain that the "overall consensus" of that casual-turkey-hunting majority probably doesn't match up closely with the desires of many of us here on OG.

X2  ... Agree

I am just glad I can see the regulations for what they are. Bare minimum requirements for those undisciplined and incapable of setting higher standards for themselves. Personally, I refuse to be a bare minimum guy. Especially in a sport I claim to be passionate about. I am gonna keep working on myself and pushing to be better than GED level in turkey hunting and in life. I have plenty to keep me busy, and y'all can figure out your own lives. I know I am not gonna let my kids get by with GED type behavior, though. We have enough of those type running around.

come on happy....what the heck is this G.E.D. stuff. your a G.O.A.T.S your already post graduate level. This is not the rookie league, man. Run three times up the mountain and back and then we'll consider your pentence.

Quote from: eggshell on June 20, 2023, 03:32:53 PM
come on happy....what the heck is this G.E.D. stuff. your a G.O.A.T.S your already post graduate level. This is not the rookie league, man. Run three times up the mountain and back and then we'll consider your pentence.

.

 Really.....to address the question of the OP.

It would amount to nothing or only a small help to the overall population of the wild turkey. Eastern States are vastly Private Property. Only doing these things on Public ground will not make much of a difference if any.

Wishful thinking.

Imagine if CRP wasn't passed in the 1985 farm bill allowing land owners to get paid for planting pine trees as a water quality and erosion control effort with the promise of it being a cash crop when then forest matured. The initial stages of the plantings was great for wild turkeys as it provided excellent habitat for nesting and brood rearing and coincided with the boom many states seen in their turkey populations. But as the pine trees matured the bottom fell out of the market. Land owners no longer managed the trees as a cash crop by thinning and allowing sunlight to get to the forest floor. The plantings have become a wasteland as far as turkey habitat and the maturity of these forests also coincides with the decline in turkey populations in many states.

Also the bill provided payments to land converted to non native grassy habitat by allowing mat forming pasture grasses like fescue and bermuda to be planted causing millions of acres of possible brood rearing habitat to go to the wayside also in the name of water quality and erosion control.

Many state, city, and county agencies also have these types of mat forming grasses on their lists of preferred plantings for erosion control.

Imagine if millions of acres of private land wasn't converted to these polt rearing/ turkey wastelands. Imagine if govt agencies weren't planting this garbage on the side of roads, interstates, and other construction projects where erosion control was needed. Imagine if all this acreage was planted in forbes like clover and other  polt friendly plants.

So it seems in the name of protecting the environment it's possible great harm has been done to wild turkeys and other ground nesting birds like the Bobwhite quail.

Imagine if people were aware of this.

Quote from: Paulmyr on June 20, 2023, 07:47:26 PM
Imagine if CRP wasn't passed in the 1985 farm bill allowing land owners to get paid for planting pine trees as a water quality and erosion control effort with the promise of it being a cash crop when then forest matured. The initial stages of the plantings was great for wild turkeys as it provided excellent habitat for nesting and brood rearing and coincided with the boom many states seen in their turkey populations. But as the pine trees matured the bottom fell out of the market. Land owners no longer managed the trees as a cash crop by thinning and allowing sunlight to get to the forest floor. The plantings have become a wasteland as far as turkey habitat and the maturity of these forests also coincides with the decline in turkey populations in many states.

Also the bill provided payments to land converted to non native grassy habitat by allowing mat forming pasture grasses like fescue and bermuda to be planted causing millions of acres of possible brood rearing habitat to go to the wayside also in the name of water quality and erosion control.

Many state, city, and county agencies also have these types of mat forming grasses on their lists of preferred plantings for erosion control.

Imagine if millions of acres of private land wasn't converted to these polt rearing/ turkey wastelands. Imagine if govt agencies weren't planting this garbage on the side of roads, interstates, and other construction projects where erosion control was needed. Imagine if all this acreage was planted in forbes like clover and other  polt friendly plants.

So it seems in the name of protecting the environment it's possible great harm has been done to wild turkeys and other ground nesting birds like the Bobwhite quail.

Imagine if people were aware of this.

Good portion probably would've became crops which aren't very good either. Maybe worse in some ways


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Quote from: sasquatch1 on June 21, 2023, 06:12:49 AM

Quote from: Paulmyr on June 20, 2023, 07:47:26 PM
Imagine if CRP wasn't passed in the 1985 farm bill allowing land owners to get paid for planting pine trees as a water quality and erosion control effort with the promise of it being a cash crop when then forest matured. The initial stages of the plantings was great for wild turkeys as it provided excellent habitat for nesting and brood rearing and coincided with the boom many states seen in their turkey populations. But as the pine trees matured the bottom fell out of the market. Land owners no longer managed the trees as a cash crop by thinning and allowing sunlight to get to the forest floor. The plantings have become a wasteland as far as turkey habitat and the maturity of these forests also coincides with the decline in turkey populations in many states.

Also the bill provided payments to land converted to non native grassy habitat by allowing mat forming pasture grasses like fescue and bermuda to be planted causing millions of acres of possible brood rearing habitat to go to the wayside also in the name of water quality and erosion control.

Many state, city, and county agencies also have these types of mat forming grasses on their lists of preferred plantings for erosion control.

Imagine if millions of acres of private land wasn't converted to these polt rearing/ turkey wastelands. Imagine if govt agencies weren't planting this garbage on the side of roads, interstates, and other construction projects where erosion control was needed. Imagine if all this acreage was planted in forbes like clover and other  polt friendly plants.

So it seems in the name of protecting the environment it's possible great harm has been done to wild turkeys and other ground nesting birds like the Bobwhite quail.

Imagine if people were aware of this.

Good portion probably would've became crops which aren't very good either. Maybe worse in some ways


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Actually in the southeast over 2 million acres was converted from poor quality Ag land( pasture and crop) to planted pine forest in a matter of 7 years from the inception of CRP in the 85 farm bill until 1992. That's not including pine plantings from lumber companies. Because of the enactment of CRP and corporate plantings, 20 percent of all land in the southeast is pine plantation of which the 2 million acres  that were enrolled in CRP are managed poorly if at all.

Episode #21 of the TFT Wild Turkey Science Podcast covers this and a bunch of other land use changes that have occured during the boom of wild turkeys and the possible relationship between the decline and these land use changes. It's a really good listen for anybody concerned with declining turkey populations in the southeast and other parts of the country.

 And, if the ground wasn't subsidized it very well could ha e been sold and "Improved". Could have been proved by malls, shopping centers, housing developments....

Pines are far better than some options.

Quote from: WV Flopper on June 21, 2023, 10:30:58 PM
And, if the ground wasn't subsidized it very well could ha e been sold and "Improved". Could have been proved by malls, shopping centers, housing developments....

Pines are far better than some options.

I guess anything is possible but than the land that was developed instead would still be untouched.

Quote from: WV Flopper on June 21, 2023, 10:30:58 PM
And, if the ground wasn't subsidized it very well could ha e been sold and "Improved". Could have been proved by malls, shopping centers, housing developments....

From what I have seen recently, housing developments have become prime wild turkey habitat...   ::)

The weapons of choice there are hockey sticks and lacrosse sticks, lol. Z

I can imagine alot right now with turkey season so far away! Most of it though is how or where I'm going to kill the next one! Tactics and Ethics just show what type of hunter you are. I tend to worry more about how I personally hunt more than the way others hunt.

Imagine if the majority of hunters could think outside the box and beyond "if it's legal" and "limits".  And  rather than spending effort, time, and money to make the hunting easier, focus on improving habitat and removing predators, wherever applicable on public and private.  Imagine if these wildlife organizations concentrated more on ground level work than recruiting new members, and were a voice of reason for some of the questionable "killing" tactics and self promotion marketing that is limiting opportunity.

  I agree, housing developments can be great habitat. The best place I hunt borders a housing development. I have literally called Toms through people's yard. This piece of property is under contract with a solar company, so my hunting time there is limited for sure. I have hunted it for.maybe 12 years, heck of a ride.

Down the road a few miles is a very similar situation, very small wood lots that are full of turkeys. All private with unattainable permission/access.