Will openers move back to traditional dates?

[Shiloh]

Seems that they might be starting to settle in on hen mortality.  All states have trended the wrong direction for a while except Wisconsin. 

[PalmettoRon]

In SC, whatever the state legislators decide trumps any wildlife biologist. It's amazing how having a law degree makes one an expert on seemingly every thing.

[deerhunt1988]

Seems that they might be starting to settle in on hen mortality.  All states have trended the wrong direction for a while except Wisconsin. 

And that same conclusion has came from different research projects across multiple states. When I first saw this from a model, it was definitely an eye opener. And honestly a bit of a headscratcher as the significance was so much greater than other variables. Even a "no hunting" scenario. But then another research project finds similar results. And another. So one of the main drivers of turkey decline could actually be something pretty much completely irrelevant to spring hunting. Kinda ironic considering all the changes that have been made that have resulted in a loss of opportunity.

Some places will likely never get their opportunity back as agencies don't like to admit they were wrong. Especially when they jumped the gun. But it is refreshing to not see "dominant gobbler theory" being blasted everywhere you look now.

Hen survival involves predators, so that will make the trapping crowd happy knowing they are doing good and their efforts aren't for naught.

HABITAT, HABITAT, HABITAT trumps all though. And Mother Nature ultimately decides what kind of hatch we  are going to have. Not how many gobblers hunters kill by legal means.

[deerhunt1988]

In SC, whatever the state legislators decide trumps any wildlife biologist. It's amazing how having a law degree makes one an expert on seemingly every thing.

The saddest part of modern "wildlife management"

[arkrem870]

In Arkansas.....the commissioners make all decisions.  They are selected by the governor.  All are wealthy political donors.

[Shiloh]

100% agree with the habitat statement from DH88. 

[Yoder409]

Not a chance in PA.

Our entire turkey program is run by a biologist who couldn't find her hind end with two hands AND a flashlight.   

She's more likely to recommend moving the opener into June so all hens get a second chance to re-nest before hunters disturb the woods.

[deerhunt1988]

Not a chance in PA.

Our entire turkey program is run by a biologist who couldn't find her hind end with two hands AND a flashlight.   

She's more likely to recommend moving the opener into June so all hens get a second chance to re-nest before hunters disturb the woods.

I just hope ya'll get Sunday hunting next spring. There was a presentation posted on here recently where she recommended against it.

[Yoder409]

Not a chance in PA.

Our entire turkey program is run by a biologist who couldn't find her hind end with two hands AND a flashlight.   

She's more likely to recommend moving the opener into June so all hens get a second chance to re-nest before hunters disturb the woods.

I just hope ya'll get Sunday hunting next spring. There was a presentation posted on here recently where she recommended against it.

OK.   Here's how ditzy this gal is....

She's allowing Sundays in the fall.  The fall harvest is pedominantly hens.  And a very large portion of fall kills are incidental....people hunting squirrels or bowhunting.  Well, they legalized crossbows several years back as "legitimate" archery equipment. (That's a whole other issue).  It is MUCH easier to take a turkey with a crossbow than with a bow that must be drawn in the turkey's presence.  So the incidental fall kill WILL go up with 2 or 3 extra Sundays to hunt.  Killing hens is THE thing you do NOT want to do if you are facing populations that are  not the best.

BUT..... There will be no Sundays in the spring to harvest toms.....which only affevts the population by ONE BIRD AT A TIME.   

The lady is TOTALLY lost in the ozone.  A while back I posted a video of her, here, addressing the PA board of game commissioners.  Very hard to watch.

Anyways..... I'm not a supporter of Sunday hunting, myself.  So, the opportunity mattereth not to me.  But, yeah..... PA at its finest. 

[Notsoyoungturk]

Steve says "It makes perfect sense to me".

[Yoder409]

It makes perfect sense to me.

Her, too, apparently.