State Bag Limits- Too Many Or Too Few?

[Davyalabama]

Well, I typed a response and it timed out and didn't post, oh well.

Predators, back in the day, you had guys doing it for a living, plus you had us boys and dad's running dogs for coons on Friday and Saturday nights.  Some of us adventurers, we would get into an older uncle's, granddad's, great grandad's sheds and find some old traps for coons, beaver, fox, possums and even coyotes.  Coyotes weren't as prevalent in my neck, but we did have some.  .22's and taking care of these predators, a lot of fun was had in those days.  We, ok, I didn't look at it like predator control, I was having fun!!!!!  A pelt(s) would bring money for 12 gauge shells, bricks of .22lr, even helping out with the family, not to mention maybe spending it to take a girl out.

You didn't have the government involved - name on this trap, run it everyday, blah blah blah.  Set it and check it when you could.  We didn't wait weeks or anything, but hard for a youngster to check a trap everyday and have school, after school work and or sports, family obligations and chores, etc.  Maybe getting some dad or granddad to loan us the pulpwood truck and load a cord and a half to make some serious extra money to buy traps.     

Anyone remember betting a brick of .22lr or a .7oz coke on who could load the largest piece to go on the bottom for stacking the load? 

[zelmo1]

I have submitted a proposal to our state that would keep the limit at 2, but issue 1 Tom only tag and 1 legal turkey tag. Nobody, even kids need to shoot 2 jakes. I want the kids to be involved and learn the ethics we try to live by here. Also asked that anyone over 16, exempting first time hunters, be issued "Tom only" tags. I am interested in long term results, even though I won't be here to see them, lol. Z

[kytrkyhntr]

Baiting, TSS, and youtube, has taken its toll on turkeys, more than any other factors. Anyone who cannot realize that, has no ability to reason.  My personal self imposed limit, is 4 longbeards, Spring and Fall combined. I eat everything on them, and 4 will carry me thru a year, Although I have turkeys on my own land, as well as neighbors, my satisfaction has always come from killing on public ground. No self respecting turkey hunter would kill his own turkeys, at least in the circle I run in

so now youre not a self respecting turkey hunter if you harvest turkeys out of the population on the ground you own lol

you guys always make solid points then go back and say the dumbest "look at me im a old school pro" comment ive ever heard. 


what is this your 3rd or 4th account on here?

can you write out the old swamper pro turkey man pelican lalongbeard rules of engangement?

I WANNA BE A PRO TOO GUYS PLEASE WRITE THE RULES OUT FOR ME.

pat yourself on the back a little harder please

[kytrkyhntr]

wait sorry i forgot your tell...

[quavers59]

  I stopped last Spring  of 2025 at 2 Gobblers in New Jersey to concentrate on New York more and help my Partner get her Gobbler.
    I still think New Jersey should have a Max Spring Limit of 5 Gobblers.
  I know there is a Small group that knowing all the regs,Lightening Fingers during the early minutes of the" Over The Counter" day in March and just plenty of Time,Money, and most likely hunting both Private + Public-- are able to kill 8- 10+ Gobblers a Season- probably  more as the upper limit is 25+ Spring Turkey Tags.
  Problem is this small group grows each Spring . 5 Max in such as small State as New Jersey.  That is plenty enough.
 

[Tom007]

I stopped last Spring  of 2025 at 2 Gobblers in New Jersey to concentrate on New York more and help my Partner get her Gobbler.
    I still think New Jersey should have a Max Spring Limit of 5 Gobblers.
  I know there is a Small group that knowing all the regs,Lightening Fingers during the early minutes of the" Over The Counter" day in March and just plenty of Time,Money, and most likely hunting both Private + Public-- are able to kill 8- 10+ Gobblers a Season- probably  more as the upper limit is 25+ Spring Turkey Tags.
  Problem is this small group grows each Spring . 5 Max in such as small State as New Jersey.  That is plenty enough.
 

I think a limit of 2 would be fine. Obviously it would help dwindling populations. This winter here will certainly affect Northern NJ, minus temps, frozen snow on the ground for months could be a problem, stay tuned. IMO

[JeffC]

I think Jersey does a pretty good job on limiting permit sales per zone but totally agree with the lower numbers of birds around now, my zones sell out every year fast, unfortunately know a few local guys who are self-employed and kill a lot of Toms. I will get a permit for each week, hopefully hunt 1 day per week, but limit myself to 3 Toms. Haven't hit that limit in a longtime.

[quavers59]

Tom007+ JeffC-seasonal member/ don't  know how to quote.
    A good 3 weeks back my Sister filmed a good sized flock of possibly  25 Turkeysin New York- just a few miles from Sussex County,NJ.
  North Jersey Turkey Populations are coming back slowly . There are pocket areas in all the Public Areas in North Jersey and there are alot of these areas. I think Sussex County Turkey Hunters will have more Luck in 2026.
  JeffC- Agree the limit might be better at 3 or 5. I hope to get 3 this Spring before helping out. I probably  help others too much- lol.
  I knowingly laughed while watching a Southern Outdoorsman podcast a few days back-- THIS MAN KNOWS - when Alabama  Turkey Hunter Claude Strothers said to the guy he was calling for -- for 3 Springs. If,I keep Yelping them up for you,I will never take another Gobbler.
  Awesome Podcast- unfortunately  he just passed away at age 82 just before that podcast aired.