I just checked the harvest numbers for the 2 counties that I hunt and noticed the "final talley" for the entire state was 14,607 in 2020. I went back 10yrs and noticed the average was around 11,500 +/- (I just roughed it). That is a pretty good increase at 27%. I was guessing the extra time available to most folks with the covid situation occurring would lead to an increase, but was surprised it was that much. Those hens had better hatch a few extras!!
Just thought it was interesting...........
Indiana harvested 2500 more than last year and the biologist were predicting a low normal due to the poor hatches we had. I'm thinking next spring will be interesting if he was right about the hatches being bad and this spring looking like last years. Either way I'm glad to see the harvest was up and hope it's going to start trending higher than it has been.
I think no school for students and unemployment put more hunters in the woods this year and that's why the harvest numbers were that much higher. I did ok considering my back is giving me fits and limited my hunting opportunities, but not as well as most years. Any time hunting is a good time and I enjoyed every minute of the season. I primarily hunt public land and in 10 plus years turkey hunting, I haven't been bothered by other hunters thanks to Iowa's four season structure.
I think most overall numbers were up in most states this year.
Quote from: 2eagles on May 19, 2020, 01:01:04 PM
I think no school for students and unemployment put more hunters in the woods this year and that's why the harvest numbers were that much higher. I did ok considering my back is giving me fits and limited my hunting opportunities, but not as well as most years. Any time hunting is a good time and I enjoyed every minute of the season. I primarily hunt public land and in 10 plus years turkey hunting, I haven't been bothered by other hunters thanks to Iowa's four season structure.
We contributed to to the tally,but for as much as we were able to hunt did worse than most years hunting less.
We also had a great time regardless and will be back after them this Fall.
Quote from: Greg Massey on May 19, 2020, 02:46:24 PM
I think most overall numbers were up in most states this year.
Solid bet. Tune back in March 2021 to see all the threads saying gobbling activity is down.
Many states in south increased 30%+. And it wasn't because there are more birds... next few years may be pretty rough. This virus hitting in the spring is the worse thing that could have happened for Turkeys..
Not real difficult to comprehend most states have been in a decline... most states have just killed more Gobblers than normal, because of all the "extra part timers". None of this is going to help any of the problems turkeys were already facing.
Quote from: FL-Boss on May 20, 2020, 03:06:59 PM
Many states in south increased 30%+. And it wasn't because there are more birds... next few years may be pretty rough. This virus hitting in the spring is the worse thing that could have happened for Turkeys..
Yep! This year will have long lasting effects I'm afraid.