When does the 2016 season start? I'm assuming it opens on 4/18/16 and closes on 5/8/16 but couldn't find anything on the net.
Yes, it may not be published on their web site yet but those dates fit their formula.
Yes, the season opens the 3rd Monday in April and runs 21 days. Limit of 2 birds, 1 only the first 7 days, season closes at 1:00 PM CDT, unless changes are made before next year, which isn't likely. I keep thinking the MDC will do away with that "1 bird the first week" nonsense, but it has been that way since I started chasing turkeys here in 1977. I suppose some things really are written in stone?
Quote from: Neill_Prater on July 03, 2015, 09:55:20 AM
Yes, the season opens the 3rd Monday in April and runs 21 days. Limit of 2 birds, 1 only the first 7 days, season closes at 1:00 PM CDT, unless changes are made before next year, which isn't likely. I keep thinking the MDC will do away with that "1 bird the first week" nonsense, but it has been that way since I started chasing turkeys here in 1977. I suppose some things really are written in stone?
Yeah, I think they're a lot closer to lifting that 1:00PM cutoff than dropping the "one bird in the first week" limitation.
Quote from: stinkpickle on July 03, 2015, 11:08:05 AM
Quote from: Neill_Prater on July 03, 2015, 09:55:20 AM
Yes, the season opens the 3rd Monday in April and runs 21 days. Limit of 2 birds, 1 only the first 7 days, season closes at 1:00 PM CDT, unless changes are made before next year, which isn't likely. I keep thinking the MDC will do away with that "1 bird the first week" nonsense, but it has been that way since I started chasing turkeys here in 1977. I suppose some things really are written in stone?
Yeah, I think they're a lot closer to lifting that 1:00PM cutoff than dropping the "one bird in the first week" limitation.
Wasn't it all about keeping the hunter numbers low out there for a good turkey hunt?
The Monday opener kept the weekend crowd down, those that were successful ,couldn't hunt the weekend so there was not so many in the woods at the same time.
The 1:00 closing was to let the hens nest undisturbed.
Don't know if it has done much good or not. Still seems to be a lot of pressure.
A longer season would be nice so everyone wouldn't be in such a rush to get done.
The youth who shoots in the the youth season and not being able to go until the second week is abit overboard i think though. But lets you know their train of thought.
Yeah, I think the Monday opener and the one bird for the first week limit was intended to keep public land pressure under control...which completely makes sense. That 1:00PM cutoff has been proven to be unnecessary, though. Mushroom hunters take over and stomp out a lot more ground than turkey hunters do. Besides, the less-than-hardcore turkey hunters often give up my 1:00PM anyway.
I agree that a longer season would be nice, since there can be such a big difference in breeding/nesting timing between the north half of the state and the south.
Quote from: stinkpickle on July 03, 2015, 12:00:26 PM
Yeah, I think the Monday opener and the one bird for the first week limit was intended to keep public land pressure under control...which completely makes sense. That 1:00PM cutoff has been proven to be unnecessary, though. Mushroom hunters take over and stomp out a lot more ground than turkey hunters do. Besides, the less-than-hardcore turkey hunters often give up my 1:00PM anyway.
I agree that a longer season would be nice, since there can be such a big difference in breeding/nesting timing between the north half of the state and the south.
Right on the mushroom hunters for sure. Crazy thing is a lot don't wait til 1. of course that late in the morning i may be walking and talking trying to get a response, but while leaning on the tree my eyes seem to be looking on the ground. turkey vest has been stuffed full many times, but since i am there. Sure would be nice to start earlier , late march- early April. Some years they are going nuts then.
Quote from: stinkpickle on July 03, 2015, 12:00:26 PM
Yeah, I think the Monday opener and the one bird for the first week limit was intended to keep public land pressure under control...which completely makes sense. That 1:00PM cutoff has been proven to be unnecessary, though. Mushroom hunters take over and stomp out a lot more ground than turkey hunters do. Besides, the less-than-hardcore turkey hunters often give up my 1:00PM anyway.
I agree that a longer season would be nice, since there can be such a big difference in breeding/nesting timing between the north half of the state and the south.
My argument is that because of the one bird limit the first week, virtually every nonresident hunter who comes to Missouri waits until the first weekend to do so. If one could limit out the first week, many of those hunters would be back home before the weekend. I just personally feel it is one of those regulations based on good intentions, but in reality does little to enhance the experience for anyone.
As for the 1:00 closer, it is my understanding science has pretty well disproved the validity of the argument regarding nesting hens. As for why the MDC still won't legalize all day hunting, I don't have a clue. I remember a lot of debate regarding the adding of the 3rd week back 15 years or so ago. Some thought the sky would fall then, but it didn't. I'm guessing a change to all day hunting would be similar in that after a couple of years, few would think negatively toward it.
What MO has is better than what we have right across the river here in IL. You want to talk about a nightmare try 4 lottery drawings for 5 seasons and county specific!
As for here and any other state with a good turkey population I would like to see it opened up to hunt 3 weeks 1/2 hr before sunrise to sunset, 2 bird limit and be able to kill both in the same day if you have the opportunity or desire to do so.
I agree with others on the mushroom hunter aspect of being in the woods. Many of us like to hunt mushrooms as well and the theory of not disturbing nesting hens in the afternoon is BS as I hunt several states that are open to all day hunting that have just as good or in many cases better hunting than ours.
As for theory on multiple birds in the same day - How many times could we all have killed out in one set up when multiple birds come in? Those same birds that walk away with a call and or decoy education could already have tags wrapped around their legs and those of us who like to hunt multiple states could be on the road. Just my :z-twocents:
Good luck hunting to all...
Quote from: Neill_Prater on July 04, 2015, 01:28:46 AM
Quote from: stinkpickle on July 03, 2015, 12:00:26 PM
Yeah, I think the Monday opener and the one bird for the first week limit was intended to keep public land pressure under control...which completely makes sense. That 1:00PM cutoff has been proven to be unnecessary, though. Mushroom hunters take over and stomp out a lot more ground than turkey hunters do. Besides, the less-than-hardcore turkey hunters often give up my 1:00PM anyway.
I agree that a longer season would be nice, since there can be such a big difference in breeding/nesting timing between the north half of the state and the south.
My argument is that because of the one bird limit the first week, virtually every nonresident hunter who comes to Missouri waits until the first weekend to do so. If one could limit out the first week, many of those hunters would be back home before the weekend. I just personally feel it is one of those regulations based on good intentions, but in reality does little to enhance the experience for anyone.
As for the 1:00 closer, it is my understanding science has pretty well disproved the validity of the argument regarding nesting hens. As for why the MDC still won't legalize all day hunting, I don't have a clue. I remember a lot of debate regarding the adding of the 3rd week back 15 years or so ago. Some thought the sky would fall then, but it didn't. I'm guessing a change to all day hunting would be similar in that after a couple of years, few would think negatively toward it.
Indeed, a LOT of nonresidents target that first full weekend, so anybody else able to hunt the first Monday thru Friday gets a little jumpstart. Although it's inconvenient for me, I'll take it and go with it. That 1:00PM cutoff has gotta go, though. ;)
Quote from: GSLAM95 on July 04, 2015, 02:59:34 PM
What MO has is better than what we have right across the river here in IL. You want to talk about a nightmare try 4 lottery drawings for 5 seasons and county specific!
As for here and any other state with a good turkey population I would like to see it opened up to hunt 3 weeks 1/2 hr before sunrise to sunset, 2 bird limit and be able to kill both in the same day if you have the opportunity or desire to do so.
I agree with others on the mushroom hunter aspect of being in the woods. Many of us like to hunt mushrooms as well and the theory of not disturbing nesting hens in the afternoon is BS as I hunt several states that are open to all day hunting that have just as good or in many cases better hunting than ours.
As for theory on multiple birds in the same day - How many times could we all have killed out in one set up when multiple birds come in? Those same birds that walk away with a call and or decoy education could already have tags wrapped around their legs and those of us who like to hunt multiple states could be on the road. Just my :z-twocents:
Good luck hunting to all...
Quality of the hunt. Fewer hunters in the woods, Monday opener i believe started when non-residents were not even a factor. The more serious turkey hunters took it off if possible. Many were very happy just to get 1 tom in the spring.
Could have killed 2 toms many times in one setup, but then , heck i already have seen the show, the anticipation, gobbling and strutting. Letting the other Tom go to gobble the next day or week and do it all over again, fun. Ben Lee, if i could breath life back into him for another day! :icon_thumright:
Shot 2 birds same day in Kansas a time or two, season ended too short for me so stopped doing it. But i don't get the opportunity to hunt many states either. If i don't get another , I tried and had fun.
Would like to see all day hunting, longer season and let the kids in on the first week even after a successful youth season.
But I guess we got it pretty good here? Illinois sure sounds like a headache, wouldn't like that.
Quote from: stinkpickle on July 05, 2015, 01:13:38 AM
Quote from: Neill_Prater on July 04, 2015, 01:28:46 AM
Quote from: stinkpickle on July 03, 2015, 12:00:26 PM
Yeah, I think the Monday opener and the one bird for the first week limit was intended to keep public land pressure under control...which completely makes sense. That 1:00PM cutoff has been proven to be unnecessary, though. Mushroom hunters take over and stomp out a lot more ground than turkey hunters do. Besides, the less-than-hardcore turkey hunters often give up my 1:00PM anyway.
I agree that a longer season would be nice, since there can be such a big difference in breeding/nesting timing between the north half of the state and the south.
My argument is that because of the one bird limit the first week, virtually every nonresident hunter who comes to Missouri waits until the first weekend to do so. If one could limit out the first week, many of those hunters would be back home before the weekend. I just personally feel it is one of those regulations based on good intentions, but in reality does little to enhance the experience for anyone.
As for the 1:00 closer, it is my understanding science has pretty well disproved the validity of the argument regarding nesting hens. As for why the MDC still won't legalize all day hunting, I don't have a clue. I remember a lot of debate regarding the adding of the 3rd week back 15 years or so ago. Some thought the sky would fall then, but it didn't. I'm guessing a change to all day hunting would be similar in that after a couple of years, few would think negatively toward it.
Indeed, a LOT of nonresidents target that first full weekend, so anybody else able to hunt the first Monday thru Friday gets a little jumpstart. Although it's inconvenient for me, I'll take it and go with it. That 1:00PM cutoff has gotta go, though. ;)
Why would you want the 1:00 closure to go till sunset. Do you honestly have trouble killing your birds with it in place. I haven't had any issues with the 1:00 closure and shooting my 2 birds for the past 30 years.
If you don't have a problem killing your birds at the crack of dawn, then why do you care what the rest of us do???.
If you need some reasons, rain in the morning, family obligations, time from work, or my personal favorite is I just hate to get up before the crack of dawn. So just pick one
Quote from: Hook hanger on July 05, 2015, 10:52:02 PM
Why would you want the 1:00 closure to go till sunset. Do you honestly have trouble killing your birds with it in place. I haven't had any issues with the 1:00 closure and shooting my 2 birds for the past 30 years.
Sometimes, yes. I've had to walk away from a gobbling bird five times in the last two years because of it. And I'm not always around at sunrise. No problem
eventually getting the tags filled, but it takes multiple trips and putting more pressure on the properties than necessary.
I got the same resistance when I posted this issue on a NY forum board. I would love if NY changed the 12:00 cutoff to sunset. I live far from where I hunt and it would give me more chances at filling a tag on less trips...Many..many times I've walked away from a gobbling bird to stay legal...A tag filled is a tag filled if you ask me...it would probably add up to LESS pressure in the nesting woods if you figured it all out..Once a tag gets filled your done..one less hunter in the woods that season..
And honestly in 18 years of chasing turkeys I still don't always get it done in the morning..
Quote from: stinkpickle on July 06, 2015, 10:10:07 AM
Quote from: Hook hanger on July 05, 2015, 10:52:02 PM
Why would you want the 1:00 closure to go till sunset. Do you honestly have trouble killing your birds with it in place. I haven't had any issues with the 1:00 closure and shooting my 2 birds for the past 30 years.
Sometimes, yes. I've had to walk away from a gobbling bird five times in the last two years because of it. And I'm not always around at sunrise. No problem eventually getting the tags filled, but it takes multiple trips and putting more pressure on the properties than necessary.
Having to walk away from birds is part of hunting what are you going to do if you dont kill the bird before he flys back up into the tree for the night. Also Im not getting where you say it will be less pressure on your properties if your going to hunt past 1:00 then any time your there after that will be more pressure than you are already putting on your property now. I dont always go out at sunrise. I know of multiple times i have left town with folks or by myself and been back to town with birds in the back of the truck before it was even 1:00. The only reason MDC is even thinking about making it a sunset closure is to entice out of state hunters in to buy more tags. I would make a bet that the $190 tag price will increase again soon after they do it also.
Quote from: Hook hanger on July 06, 2015, 01:29:59 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on July 06, 2015, 10:10:07 AM
Quote from: Hook hanger on July 05, 2015, 10:52:02 PM
Why would you want the 1:00 closure to go till sunset. Do you honestly have trouble killing your birds with it in place. I haven't had any issues with the 1:00 closure and shooting my 2 birds for the past 30 years.
Sometimes, yes. I've had to walk away from a gobbling bird five times in the last two years because of it. And I'm not always around at sunrise. No problem eventually getting the tags filled, but it takes multiple trips and putting more pressure on the properties than necessary.
... Im not getting where you say it will be less pressure on your properties if your going to hunt past 1:00 then any time your there after that will be more pressure than you are already putting on your property now...
In my experience, if I can fire up a tom at 1:00 in the afternoon, the odds are MUCH greater that he'll pay me a visit versus earlier in the morning when he's glued to hens. If I tag him at 1:30PM and leave, there is less pressure applied to the farm by me not having to show up the next morning.
And this question, "what are you going to do if you dont kill the bird before he flys back up into the tree for the night?" Seriously?
Quote from: stinkpickle on July 06, 2015, 05:08:57 PM
Quote from: Hook hanger on July 06, 2015, 01:29:59 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on July 06, 2015, 10:10:07 AM
Quote from: Hook hanger on July 05, 2015, 10:52:02 PM
Why would you want the 1:00 closure to go till sunset. Do you honestly have trouble killing your birds with it in place. I haven't had any issues with the 1:00 closure and shooting my 2 birds for the past 30 years.
Sometimes, yes. I've had to walk away from a gobbling bird five times in the last two years because of it. And I'm not always around at sunrise. No problem eventually getting the tags filled, but it takes multiple trips and putting more pressure on the properties than necessary.
... Im not getting where you say it will be less pressure on your properties if your going to hunt past 1:00 then any time your there after that will be more pressure than you are already putting on your property now...
In my experience, if I can fire up a tom at 1:00 in the afternoon, the odds are MUCH greater that he'll pay me a visit versus earlier in the morning when he's glued to hens. If I tag him at 1:30PM and leave, there is less pressure applied to the farm by me not having to show up the next morning.
And this question, "what are you going to do if you dont kill the bird before he flys back up into the tree for the night?" Seriously?
Your wrong on the pressure thing. if you walk away at one and come back and kill next day in 30 min it would be the same pressure. If you killed your birds before 1:00 it would be less pressure. Yes Im serious on that question! You most likely are going to walk away is my guess.
Quote from: Hook hanger on July 06, 2015, 10:08:23 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on July 06, 2015, 05:08:57 PM
Quote from: Hook hanger on July 06, 2015, 01:29:59 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on July 06, 2015, 10:10:07 AM
Quote from: Hook hanger on July 05, 2015, 10:52:02 PM
Why would you want the 1:00 closure to go till sunset. Do you honestly have trouble killing your birds with it in place. I haven't had any issues with the 1:00 closure and shooting my 2 birds for the past 30 years.
Sometimes, yes. I've had to walk away from a gobbling bird five times in the last two years because of it. And I'm not always around at sunrise. No problem eventually getting the tags filled, but it takes multiple trips and putting more pressure on the properties than necessary.
... Im not getting where you say it will be less pressure on your properties if your going to hunt past 1:00 then any time your there after that will be more pressure than you are already putting on your property now...
In my experience, if I can fire up a tom at 1:00 in the afternoon, the odds are MUCH greater that he'll pay me a visit versus earlier in the morning when he's glued to hens. If I tag him at 1:30PM and leave, there is less pressure applied to the farm by me not having to show up the next morning.
And this question, "what are you going to do if you dont kill the bird before he flys back up into the tree for the night?" Seriously?
Your wrong on the pressure thing. if you walk away at one and come back and kill next day in 30 min it would be the same pressure. If you killed your birds before 1:00 it would be less pressure. Yes Im serious on that question! You most likely are going to walk away is my guess.
It ain't the birds that are killable in the first 30 minutes that are the problem. Those birds die on the first day, anyway.
So your saying you cant kill one in the first 30 min on the third week? Ya your excuses are bs I can show you how that can be done on heavily hunted public ground even. MDC is not caring what or why you think a resident should hunt all day the only reason they are wanting to go to all day hunting is gain more non resident tag sales they are not in it for your quality of hunting or the game its self just tag sales is all their thinking at this time!
Quote from: Hook hanger on July 07, 2015, 09:41:11 AM
So your saying you cant kill one in the first 30 min on the third week? ...
Not always. Maybe if I had a reaper umbrella where I could walk out into the middle of a field and shoot him off a hen...
Ha maybe you just need to refine your calling skills you dont need to have some reaper decoy or even a hen decoy for that matter to call a bird in. It actually is pretty easy to call birds in the third week as long as ya dont sound like an idiot scratching on a call.
Quote from: Hook hanger on July 07, 2015, 10:12:29 AM
Ha maybe you just need to refine your calling skills you dont need to have some reaper decoy or even a hen decoy for that matter to call a bird in. It actually is pretty easy to call birds in the third week as long as ya dont sound like an idiot scratching on a call.
Riiight. I'll work on that. ;)
Im pretty sure there is not a thing wrong with the hunting hours the way they are if i can call in 18 birds that die not including the ones people missed in 21 days of season. I didn't even go out every day of the season either. I would say that is not a bad missouri season for me. I had to walk away from 2 that were at 65 yards and coming at 1:00 and the hunter just wanted me to finish them for the show and I told him not on my farm. I dont like to educate them any more than I have too. Days like that the birds win. I have hunted other states that are all day hunting and I sure as heck dont want to see missouri turned into one of those states.
This year, we had toms glued to hens well into the third week. Every tom in gun range was there because he followed a hen.
Quote from: Hook hanger on July 07, 2015, 11:03:18 AM
Im pretty sure there is not a thing wrong with the hunting hours the way they are if i can call in 18 birds that die not including the ones people missed in 21 days of season. I didn't even go out every day of the season either. I would say that is not a bad missouri season for me. I had to walk away from 2 that were at 65 yards and coming at 1:00 and the hunter just wanted me to finish them for the show and I told him not on my farm. I dont like to educate them any more than I have too. Days like that the birds win. I have hunted other states that are all day hunting and I sure as heck dont want to see missouri turned into one of those states.
I don't really want to wade into this pissin' match, but,...I will anyway ;D
Key words in this discussion are found in the "my farm" statement you have made above. Even if you don't take into consideration the points made by others about some people having limited time to hunt and having to travel a long ways to do it, you are showing your hand with the "my farm" statement. A lot of people don't have a "my farm" to hunt on where they can control hunting pressure, intrusions by others, and a whole host of other factors that affect the difficulty of success in hunting.
Sure, anyone should be able to kill turkeys with ease if they can control all of the variables that make turkeys harder to kill. ....But a lot of folks do not have the apparent luxury that you do. Many of us here have hunted some of the "my farm" situations,...and anybody that compares those situations with "real world" turkey hunting on pressured properties is just fooling themselves.
If you dislike non-resident hunters, just say so. But don't get all high and mighty about other peoples hunting skills and ability to kill turkeys because you apparently hunt on the local turkey farm.
There is absolutely no biological reason for having shortened hunting hours. For those with limited time or live a long ways from where they will be hunting, shortened hours just create a totally unnecessary obstacle to their success.
Quote from: GobbleNut on July 07, 2015, 01:13:33 PM
Quote from: Hook hanger on July 07, 2015, 11:03:18 AM
Im pretty sure there is not a thing wrong with the hunting hours the way they are if i can call in 18 birds that die not including the ones people missed in 21 days of season. I didn't even go out every day of the season either. I would say that is not a bad missouri season for me. I had to walk away from 2 that were at 65 yards and coming at 1:00 and the hunter just wanted me to finish them for the show and I told him not on my farm. I dont like to educate them any more than I have too. Days like that the birds win. I have hunted other states that are all day hunting and I sure as heck dont want to see missouri turned into one of those states.
I don't really want to wade into this pissin' match, but,...I will anyway ;D
Key words in this discussion are found in the "my farm" statement you have made above. Even if you don't take into consideration the points made by others about some people having limited time to hunt and having to travel a long ways to do it, you are showing your hand with the "my farm" statement. A lot of people don't have a "my farm" to hunt on where they can control hunting pressure, intrusions by others, and a whole host of other factors that affect the difficulty of success in hunting.
Sure, anyone should be able to kill turkeys with ease if they can control all of the variables that make turkeys harder to kill. ....But a lot of folks do not have the apparent luxury that you do. Many of us here have hunted some of the "my farm" situations,...and anybody that compares those situations with "real world" turkey hunting on pressured properties is just fooling themselves.
If you dislike non-resident hunters, just say so. But don't get all high and mighty about other peoples hunting skills and ability to kill turkeys because you apparently hunt on the local turkey farm.
There is absolutely no biological reason for having shortened hunting hours. For those with limited time or live a long ways from where they will be hunting, shortened hours just create a totally unnecessary obstacle to their success.
I call in and kill birds on public ground around me for myself, friends, and family members. So I dont always hunt "my farm" locations. My private ground is managed for out of state hunters that come and hunt with me. Yes it is a little more difficult on public ground but not enough that it matters. I have had to deal with as many trespassers on private ground as i have had to deal with other hunters on public ground. I have helped (pointed them in the right direction) nonresident hunters that i see driving around the public hunting areas around me.
There is absolutely no biological reason for having shortened hunting hours. For those with limited time or live a long ways from where they will be hunting, shortened hours just create a totally unnecessary obstacle to their success.
[/quote]
In my opinion it would be fine if we went to all day hunting If and only If MDC decided to go back to a two week season where you could only kill one bird each week like it used to be. MDC is planning to do all day hunting only for the fact that it will entice more out of state tag sales. Their only other option was to let hunters shoot both birds the same day to entice more out of state tag sales.
Wow...sorry I started this post! I just wanted to know when Missouri season opens next year. I'm a non resident and heading your way next spring....can't wait to take a couple Missouri thunder chickens back to PA.
Quote from: JK Spurs on July 07, 2015, 06:35:51 PM
Wow...sorry I started this post! I just wanted to know when Missouri season opens next year. I'm a non resident and heading your way next spring....can't wait to take a couple Missouri thunder chickens back to PA.
Don't worry about the opener. Just show up at the end and spend 30 minutes on public land. ;D
:agreed:
I'll be there the second week!
::) Unbelievable
Quote from: dejake on July 08, 2015, 07:28:30 AM
::) Unbelievable
:angel9: True,...my apologies to all for my participation in derailing the topic. I will henceforth attempt to get a grip..... ;D
IMO if a state was serious about hunter retention/recruitment they would have , better youth seasons, early archery only seasons, all day hunting and fall seasons. This is why I enjoy my early spring hunts in KS. and NE. My home state of IL. is poor spring hunt for me, archery only on public land that has no restrictions for public use at any time. If your bird isn't down early you will start seeing the public by 8:00 am and I'm not talking about hunters. In the fall, public land is my favorite time to archery hunt turkey in IL. Hopefully educated people will make changes for the future of turkeys and turkey hunting as they see fit.Be safe.
And why shouldn't public land be available and accessible to everyone all of the time?
Why an early archery season? Dead is dead whether by arrow or shot.
Sent from the Strut Zone
Quote from: dejake on July 08, 2015, 02:00:28 PM
And why shouldn't public land be available and accessible to everyone all of the time?
I am not positive on statewide but here in the county that I live there is no mushroom hunting allowed on public ground that you are allowed to turkey hunt until 1:00 pm each day of the entire turkey season.
In this area mushroom hunting is a huge event once the Morels start popping. It is an amazing amount of people that ignore the state IDNR signs that are posted at the State areas that clearly state "NO Mushroom hunting until 1PM".
I don't disagree with allowing them access personally but if it's ok for them to be walking around mushroom hunting why can't we turkey hunt in the afternoon? They say the turkeys need time to be undisturbed for nesting, I say BS to this as many other states have mushroom hunters and turkey hunters allowed in the woods all day long and the turkeys nest just fine. As I mentioned in a previous post the philosophy the IDNR uses on their hunting hrs is hogwash!
Quote from: dejake on July 08, 2015, 02:00:28 PM
And why shouldn't public land be available and accessible to everyone all of the time?
SAFETY
Quote from: davisd9 on July 08, 2015, 02:33:15 PM
Why an early archery season? Dead is dead whether by arrow or shot.
Sent from the Strut Zone
More opportunity if you choose to hunt with a bow. Less pressure for a quality hunt.
Deer and turkey in the fall earlier , so why not spring turkey?
I must have misunderstood Fallhnt's post. I took it to mean that there's archery only on public land. I can see restricting access for short periods while there's gun hunting.
I personally like the 1 p.m. closure and the 1 bird first week rule, keep the nonresidents going to KS and NE :toothy9:
Quote from: I-55Bandit on July 10, 2015, 09:49:36 AM
I personally like the 1 p.m. closure and the 1 bird first week rule, keep the nonresidents going to KS and NE :toothy9:
I am a non-resident that has hunted MO consistently for 20+ years. I have shed so much blood, sweat, tears, and made enough memories to last a lifetime that y'all need to just adopt me as a resident turkey hunter. Doesn't seem that long ago we were paying $75 for a non-resident license. I honestly don't know why MO would change anything about their turkey management? The conservative structure provides for quality hunting. I don't know how much an effect all day hunting would have on the quality, but why change a good thing?
I have walked away from quite a few working gobblers at the 1:00 pm cut off. Just adds to the experience of it all. I like that they offer a youth weekend, but would be in favor of being allowed another the first week. Early bow season....leave that for KS and bow hunt during the fall or regular spring season if choose to do so.
Hookhanger,
Don't know why, but I'm gonna delve into this one.
Your comments on this board full of turkey hunters whose experiences exceeds yours is a pizzing match comparable to trying to "Out Catholic the Pope", and is the main reason these type boards are getting old for me.
If I were to guess, I would say you are a younger fella.Here's my advice: Relax a little. You will enjoy the hunt much more. You don't build a hunting reputation by your own testimonials. Other people do that for you and it takes years to occur.
I have lived in Missouri for 18 years. There is no biological argument to maintain the 1 pm closure. Your rationale on why there may be changes coming is pure conjecture and unnecessarily conspiratorial. I am not a huge fan of MDC, but license sales are NOT their major source of income.
I have written letters to the regulations committee in regards to the Youth regulation prohibiting successful youth portion hunters from taking part in the first week of the regular season.
Glad you don't need to hunt after 1 pm to kill your birds. Why worry about how other folks may choose to hunt. My conjecture seems to point to the argument that most opposition to extending the 1 pm closure stems from the fear of someone else killing "my turkey".
Quote from: Hooksfan on July 11, 2015, 08:16:17 AM
Hookhanger,
Don't know why, but I'm gonna delve into this one.
Your comments on this board full of turkey hunters whose experiences exceeds yours is a pizzing match comparable to trying to "Out Catholic the Pope", and is the main reason these type boards are getting old for me.
If I were to guess, I would say you are a younger fella.Here's my advice: Relax a little. You will enjoy the hunt much more. You don't build a hunting reputation by your own testimonials. Other people do that for you and it takes years to occur.
I have lived in Missouri for 18 years. There is no biological argument to maintain the 1 pm closure. Your rationale on why there may be changes coming is pure conjecture and unnecessarily conspiratorial. I am not a huge fan of MDC, but license sales are NOT their major source of income.
I have written letters to the regulations committee in regards to the Youth regulation prohibiting successful youth portion hunters from taking part in the first week of the regular season.
Glad you don't need to hunt after 1 pm to kill your birds. Why worry about how other folks may choose to hunt. My conjecture seems to point to the argument that most opposition to extending the 1 pm closure stems from the fear of someone else killing "my turkey".
While you don't think there is a biological argument there is a quality hunt issue there. I and many others prefer quality hunting. My reasons why the changes are coming are the real reasons why MDC is going to go through with the changes. Its not about hunters having more time in the woods or if it will lesson the quality of hunting. Its only about out of state hunter tag sales. Yes I know its not the major source of income for them but they are looking at options to increase their income in all ways possible and this is one of them. I'm not trying to "out catholic any of the popes on this board" :TooFunny: I'm not trying to build some hunting reputation like a jack wagon prostaffer or something along those lines. Im just voicing my opinion why I don't like to see the changes that are coming. Well not sure if you consider a person born in the 70s as younger fella guess that depends on if you were born in the 60s or earlier i guess. I am not fearful of much reguarding hunting "the my turkey comment" but I always have a little fear when I have to approach trespassers or poachers with firearms in places their not supposed to be.
Quote from: El Pavo Grande on July 10, 2015, 08:43:31 PM
Quote from: I-55Bandit on July 10, 2015, 09:49:36 AM
I personally like the 1 p.m. closure and the 1 bird first week rule, keep the nonresidents going to KS and NE :toothy9:
I am a non-resident that has hunted MO consistently for 20+ years. I have shed so much blood, sweat, tears, and made enough memories to last a lifetime that y'all need to just adopt me as a resident turkey hunter. Doesn't seem that long ago we were paying $75 for a non-resident license. I honestly don't know why MO would change anything about their turkey management? The conservative structure provides for quality hunting. I don't know how much an effect all day hunting would have on the quality, but why change a good thing?
I have walked away from quite a few working gobblers at the 1:00 pm cut off. Just adds to the experience of it all. I like that they offer a youth weekend, but would be in favor of being allowed another the first week. Early bow season....leave that for KS and bow hunt during the fall or regular spring season if choose to do so.
Good question "why change or mess with something that already works very well". And here is the worst part about changes. Once a change has been made more liberal towards hunting it is almost impossible to make it go back.
Hunting regulations are generally either "biologically" based or they are "ethically" based. For instance, we don't shoot hens in the spring season because we want to assure the future of wild turkey populations by protecting nesting hens to insure adequate recruitment of new turkeys into the population each year,...a biological reason.
On the other hand, for the most part, states don't allow "roost shooting" due to ethical reasons,...taking an unfair advantage of game. There is really no biological reason for doing that, however.
Any regulation put in place for hunting should have a basis in either one or the other. Things like a 1:00 closure or shooting one gobbler a day, or in the first week, or whatever, fundamentally just fall under the ethics category. They are not biological concerns.
Ultimately then, those regulations fall under the "who wants what the most?" category more than anything else. If the majority of Missouri turkey hunters are satisfied with the existing regulations, then so be it. But if anybody is trying to justify those regulations based on biological reasons, they would be in error.
Social reasons are another matter altogether. If there are enough mushroom hunters in Missouri to create a need to give separate time periods to "hunters" and "gatherers", then that obviously is a consideration that must be addressed. Once again, though, if the MDC is setting those regulations based on any sort of biological justification, they are doing so wrongly.
As one who has hunted a number of states, some of which have early daily closures, I find it to be an unnecessary nuisance to not be able to hunt in the afternoon. I make the best of it by trying to locate new places to hunt, make contacts, and pattern birds,...but all the while I am asking myself, "why is this state not allowing people to hunt in the afternoon?" Whatever, the justification, it is what it is,...and we just go with the flow.
I live in Georgia and we can hunt all day, and I am very thankful. I can say with out a doubt that 90% of the turkeys I have killed have been in the afternoon. I am a school teacher and hunt almost entirely after I get off work. I hunt on Saturday mornings, but it's kind of a crap shoot when it comes to the weather. I probably would just give up turkey hunting if it were not for the afternoon hunting. Is this the best way to hunt? I am not sure, but when it's the best game in town , you play it then, or you don't play at all.
Quote from: larry9988 on July 11, 2015, 05:17:40 PM
I live in Georgia and we can hunt all day, and I am very thankful. I can say with out a doubt that 90% of the turkeys I have killed have been in the afternoon. I am a school teacher and hunt almost entirely after I get off work. I hunt on Saturday mornings, but it's kind of a crap shoot when it comes to the weather. I probably would just give up turkey hunting if it were not for the afternoon hunting. Is this the best way to hunt? I am not sure, but when it's the best game in town , you play it then, or you don't play at all.
That's exactly why I was able to hunt turkey a LOT more in the fall back in high school...because Missouri allowed it during the fall season.
Speaking of ethical..there are some who feel that the only "ethical" time to kill a turkey is right after flydown or sometime after leaving the roost. Shooting a bird in the late afternoon on his way BACK to the roost is somehow unethical or "cheating" or not "right"..What is the difference really?..Like I said before a tag filled equals less pressure in the woods the next day..I say as long as its done according to the local rules its all good with me..
Quote from: LI Outdoorsman on July 12, 2015, 08:04:12 AM
...Like I said before a tag filled equals less pressure in the woods the next day...
Hey now! There's no place for logic and reason in this thread. ;)
On ethics, I knew a landowner back in my high school days that thought it was unethical to shoot toms in the spring, since all they were trying to do was "get some". He thought that was just plain mean and unfair. LOL!
Quote from: Hook hanger on July 11, 2015, 09:43:51 AM
Quote from: El Pavo Grande on July 10, 2015, 08:43:31 PM
[quote author=I-55Bandit link=topic0+ years.
I have walked away from quite a few working gobblers at the 1:00 pm cut off. Just adds to the experience of it all. I like that they offer a youth weekend, but would be in favor of being allowed another the first week. Early bow season....leave that for KS and bow hunt during the fall or regular spring season if choose to do so.
Good question "why change or mess with something that already works very well". And here is the worst part about changes. Once a change has been made more liberal towards hunting it is almost impossible to make it go back.
you think that would happen? They took the Doe season limits down significantly when they felt that the population was being affected.
Quote from: I-55Bandit on July 10, 2015, 09:49:36 AM
I personally like the 1 p.m. closure and the 1 bird first week rule, keep the nonresidents going to KS and NE :toothy9:
Don't think the 1 o'clock closure is working to keep nonresidence out of Missouri. Or the one bird first week either they still seem to flock here. I wonder what the numbers are for nonresident turkey hunters compared to Kansas and Nebraska with there all day hunts and longer seasons? I know around Truman like this opening day I wasn't sure what state I was in from all the nonresident license plates , I guess state of shock! Lol
Quote from: owlhoot on July 12, 2015, 02:30:41 PM
Quote from: I-55Bandit on July 10, 2015, 09:49:36 AM
I personally like the 1 p.m. closure and the 1 bird first week rule, keep the nonresidents going to KS and NE :toothy9:
Don't think the 1 o'clock closure is working to keep nonresidence out of Missouri. Or the one bird first week either they still seem to flock here. I wonder what the numbers are for nonresident turkey hunters compared to Kansas and Nebraska with there all day hunts and longer seasons? I know around Truman like this opening day I wasn't sure what state I was in from all the nonresident license plates , I guess state of shock! Lol
I have a lot of experience hunting all 3 you mention and in my opinion KS sees more out of state hunters than the other two, at least the areas I have hunted. Everybody and their brother hunts KS now. I think 15 years ago MO was the top destination, but KS has been the new fad over the last 10 years. For numerous reasons....easier to kill more turkeys consistently, all day hunting, two per day limit. Though I am sure the border areas can vary.
Trust me as a resident of MO, I would NOT want all day hunting and more than one turkey the first week. It will attract a whole lot more out of state hunters. I hear multiple people discuss those as negatives. Be careful what you wish for!!!
It was MO, then KS and more recently NE the "hot" spot for out of state hunters. Yay internet and social media.
IMO what MO has done has worked so why change it. However, I am convinced that gobbler harvest has little effect on turkey populations so I am not sure changing it up will hurt the population. I know this, when I hunted MO 20 years ago, we would take guns to the motel room and then drive around and hear gobblers all afternoon!
Quote from: drenalinld on July 13, 2015, 01:30:24 AM
It was MO, then KS and more recently NE the "hot" spot for out of state hunters. Yay internet and social media.
IMO what MO has done has worked so why change it. However, I am convinced that gobbler harvest has little effect on turkey populations so I am not sure changing it up will hurt the population. I know this, when I hunted MO 20 years ago, we would take guns to the motel room and then drive around and hear gobblers all afternoon!
I agree. I live north of the river from you and grew up in your county. It surprises me the people that will not hunt here at home, but will travel to KS or NE to hunt, then plaster the exploits all over Facebook. To each his own I guess.
Quote from: El Pavo Grande on July 13, 2015, 12:58:31 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on July 12, 2015, 02:30:41 PM
Quote from: I-55Bandit on July 10, 2015, 09:49:36 AM
I personally like the 1 p.m. closure and the 1 bird first week rule, keep the nonresidents going to KS and NE :toothy9:
Don't think the 1 o'clock closure is working to keep nonresidence out of Missouri. Or the one bird first week either they still seem to flock here. I wonder what the numbers are for nonresident turkey hunters compared to Kansas and Nebraska with there all day hunts and longer seasons? I know around Truman like this opening day I wasn't sure what state I was in from all the nonresident license plates , I guess state of shock! Lol
I have a lot of experience hunting all 3 you mention and in my opinion KS sees more out of state hunters than the other two, at least the areas I have hunted. Everybody and their brother hunts KS now. I think 15 years ago MO was the top destination, but KS has been the new fad over the last 10 years. For numerous reasons....easier to kill more turkeys consistently, all day hunting, two per day limit. Though I am sure the border areas can vary.
Trust me as a resident of MO, I would NOT want all day hunting and more than one turkey the first week. It will attract a whole lot more out of state hunters. I hear multiple people discuss those as negatives. Be careful what you wish for!!!
Been 7 years or more since hunting KS . I know I sure liked it because of all the walk-in with nobody on it . Between 2000 -2008 anyway when I hunted there the landowners granted permission without much fuss . So things must really be changing .The only packed areas were in N. East counties were Missouri and Iowa hunters flocked . It was a refreshing change from MO hunting with too many hunters. There are too many resident and non-resident hunters in Mo and there has been too many for years now . So I would agree that any regulations to bring more in the game would not help.
Quote from: drenalinld on July 13, 2015, 01:30:24 AM
It was MO, then KS and more recently NE the "hot" spot for out of state hunters. Yay internet and social media.
IMO what MO has done has worked so why change it. However, I am convinced that gobbler harvest has little effect on turkey populations so I am not sure changing it up will hurt the population. I know this, when I hunted MO 20 years ago, we would take guns to the motel room and then drive around and hear gobblers all afternoon!
Yeah but the population has definitely changed now. There are a fraction of a gobblers compared to 20 years ago
Quote from: drenalinld on July 13, 2015, 01:30:24 AM
... I know this, when I hunted MO 20 years ago, we would take guns to the motel room and then drive around and hear gobblers all afternoon!
It's been almost 20 years since I heard that, too. :(
I moved to Missouri about 18 years ago. Honestly, even in the years when the population plummeted, there were still plenty of gobblers for hunters whose tactics were aggressively going after the birds.
I hear folks attest how many birds were around in the 80's and I can only imagine what that was like. One thing I am fairly certain about is that hunting was not responsible for the plummet. Folks who know more than I do about biology say it is part of the normal population cycle and that we will likely never reach those numbers again.
My argument is that if conservative regulations didn't preserve Missouri turkey numbers and it is accepted that more liberal regs will not have a discernable impact, then why not make some changes?
Seems like the MDC is more interested in managing people than they are managing wildlife, IMO.
I also find it interesting to see Missouri residents complaining about the nonresident pressure and speak of their own exploits in Kansas and Nebraska in the same breath. Sorry, but "I don't want someone else to kill MY turkeys" isn't a sound biological argument.
I would be for liberalized limits, all day hunting and a week long archery season AFTER the regular season.
Yeah, it's amazing what four or five consecutive years of spring flooding will do. :(
Quote from: Hooksfan on July 13, 2015, 11:10:56 PM
I also find it interesting to see Missouri residents complaining about the nonresident pressure and speak of their own exploits in Kansas and Nebraska in the same breath. Sorry, but "I don't want someone else to kill MY turkeys" isn't a sound biological argument.
Hey I resemble that statement ;D
Haha. Well at least your man enough to admit it. Turkeys aren't smallmouth bass and this Ole boy ain't catching and releasing gobblers.
Speaking of smallmouth, this has been one of the most frustrating summers to get on the creeks with all of the
rain.
Plus the more these guys sound like they dont want non residents messing with their turkeys the more it kinda makes you wanna go there and give it try!..
(must be something good their hiding down there!)
Only place I have found local hunters resent non-resident hunters more is in MS.
Quote from: Hooksfan on July 14, 2015, 02:53:56 PM
Haha. Well at least your man enough to admit it. Turkeys aren't smallmouth bass and this Ole boy ain't catching and releasing gobblers.
Speaking of smallmouth, this has been one of the most frustrating summers to get on the creeks with all of the
rain.
Terrible! I have been once
Quote from: drenalinld on July 14, 2015, 04:31:50 PM
Only place I have found local hunters resent non-resident hunters more is in MS.
Ain't that the truth. Those Mississippi boys just don't like the Louisiana hooligans and I can't say I blame em. And until I moved to Missouri, I was one of those Louisiana hooligans hunting Mississippi. :toothy9:
Quote from: LI Outdoorsman on July 14, 2015, 04:05:09 PM
Plus the more these guys sound like they dont want non residents messing with their turkeys the more it kinda makes you wanna go there and give it try!..
(must be something good their hiding down there!)
Haha, well we should all go to Bama then. They say the aint got no turkeys there!
We got even less in MO. :smiley-char092:
Plus they got loooong seasons and all day hunting , right alone with huge bag limits on Toms! ;D
Sent from the Strut Zone
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Deer and turkey in the fall earlier , so why not spring turkey?
[/quote]
Because turkeys aren't deer.Fall hunting doesn't educate the birds like Spring hunting would.If a state like Missouri had an early archery season, every shotgun hunter in the state would be hunting birds that had already been pressured. I am an archery hunter and I choose to do that for the challenge. I have taken part in the early Kansas Season and would also do it if Missouri had an early season, but I don't believe I deserve any special treatment because I chose to use a bow. I find it kind of ironic that archery guys tout the difficulty levels associated with archery methods and then turn around and support regulations that would inherently only make it EASIER to kill a turkey.
If you want to archery hunt turkeys, go for it. They are legal to use during the firearms season in every state I am aware of. As I stated earlier, I would support an extra week for the dedicated archery folks AFTER the regular season.