I haven't kept up with the dialog since season started in April, but I am seeing a common dialog on several post.
Seems like the influx of new hunters and the debate on the turkey population problem is the rage.
If we don't get young people involved than face it the sport will die, from lack of funds and elected political agendas.
I'm not here to debate either of these but I will ask you to look at Georgia's DNR work being lead by Dr Chamberlain.
His project's info is spot on what I'm seeing this year in East TN. Fewer hens then I've ever seen in 30 years of hunting. I have had Coyotes and a fox come in too calling and found one nest busted littered with hen feathers.
Easterns are fewer this year here. Without someone to pick up the cause and push for improvements, I fear this section of the state will return to way it was in the 1980s when just seeing a turkey during the season was a major feat. TWRA and NWTF are not perfect but it's the best tools we have to secure the future of turkey hunting in this state. I do have high hopes for the newly formed TFT organization, its theme is the correct one.