Mandatory Reporting

[Yoder409]

There is also a mandatory online harvest report that hunters must fill out at some point in the year.  If a hunter does not fill out that report, they are not eligible to purchase another license in the future until they do, nor can they apply for any big game or turkey hunt for future seasons. 

THIS..................... is what EVERY state should be doing !!!!!  With cell phones and computers, there's ABSOLUTELY NO REASON NOT TO.

You'll get the most accurate data possible.

[Sixes]

Georgia is call in/online reporting.

No tags. Same with deer.

[captpete]

In Iowa you physically tag the deer or turkey in the field before moving it. Then you have 24 hrs. to report it. If you don't use/fill a tag then you do nothing.

[Kingwoodsman]

Alabama has reporting system and really started enforcing about 3 years ago to try to help catch those shooting over limit. Deer works great because they check processors. Don't know how well working on turkeys. Poachers are poachers

[Tail Feathers]

You have to report Eastern turkey kills in Texas.  They even want you to pinpoint that on a map.  Not fond of that part.

I often don't have cell service at my lease in another county.  One year I hit the dot and showed I killed a bird in my living room where I sat filling out the form.  No one ever questioned it and I live in a county where season is closed.   Outside giving up my good spots to the state and who knows who else...it's not a big deal to report the harvest.  I think more states should.  We also have to tag the bird.

[Paulmyr]

Georgia is call in/online reporting.

No tags. Same with deer.

Ga does have a harvest record to fill for people with out cell phones, or you can call in or use an App. Either way you go about it. The kill needs to be reported/recorded before the turkey leaves the kill sight.

[Old Gobbler]

Florida ...they are going to this upcoming year do a mandatory online harvest reporting on all wild turkeys ...this I believe to be the first move in the right direction the FWC has done with turkey hunting in over 10 years

There is only one place in the entire world where you can shoot the subspecies of wild turkey , known as the Osceola , and it's pretty much a anything goes mentally...and the FWC is taking a "close the gate after the horse runs off "mentality

The state of Florida needs to immediately implement a "no Jake rule " statewide with a minimum beard length rule ...and they need to close up all hen harvesting loopholes asap ...from there they may need to review some painful but probably needed restrictions

Almost all states in the south have seen some bag harvest limitations in recent years ...but nonr I repeat none of them are in as bad of shape as Florida with massive habitat loss and insane hunter pressure...Florida is flat out the worst of the worst in all categories...I'm even willing to venture or speculate we kill less gobblers on wmas than Rhode island or Connecticut

[Prospector]

Mississippi has the Harvest Reporting ( but no physical tagging). While I don't think it's a total waste of time I certainly hope my state agency is not spending too much time and money on it. The numbers are merely suggestive in the barest sense of the word as I suspect non reporting is rampant. Being suggestive and all makes a great way for hunters resident and non to see which counties the turkeys are being killed....if this is all they're going to do, I'd rather the money and time be spent on quality research and action that ACTUALLY help the species....

[El Pavo Grande]

While KS issues tags, they dont make you report anything for deer or turkey. I had some gents from AR tell me they love KS because they only need to buy one tag then print as many copies as they want...

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While the majority of Arkansas hunters are law abiding, there are too many that obviously give us a black eye when it comes to hunting.  Unfortunately, KS (especially in the past) provided the opportunity for outlaws to accumulate #s, which is what it was about for many.  I would support a "shoot, shovel, and shut up" approach with such a type.  Bury them deep, because we don't want them back.   We now have printable licenses in Arkansas, so you can imagine how that goes.  It's a poacher's dream scenario. 

[GobbleNut]

I would support a "shoot, shovel, and shut up" approach with such a type.  Bury them deep, because we don't want them back.   

Ahhh,...wouldn't it be nice if the SS&S approach to poachers was allowed?!    

Wishes aside, the closest thing we have to it (that will not end up with someone spending the rest of their lives in prison) is for that majority of sportsmen (and the public, in general) that are honest and law-abiding to be vigilant, less accepting of poaching, and pro-active in working to eliminate it.  It starts from the ground up.  Changing that culture of acceptance, both in terms of local or regional attitudes, and also in terms of establishing effective deterrents/penalties for violators, are key elements.

On topic, physical tagging of game and mandatory reporting of harvest may nor curb the worst violators.  What they do, however, is give authorities mechanisms that help them apprehend the bad guys.  ...Not to mention the harvest management data that is gleaned from such requirements. That is at least a start...and it is by no means an insignificant one.     

[Prospector]

Please understand I both ask and comment in an effort to gain knowledge so no disrespect intended. Other than harvest information, what info can be gleaned from mandatory harvest reporting? If a poacher kills a bird over the limit or before/after season one can only hope they are stupid enough to report... if a hunter commits an accidental shooting of an illegal bird, some may report, most won't. I've been in MS since before Harvest Reports started.... and really don't see what if any difference it has made. Now, using Harvest Reports as ONE of the tools in management? Ok I get it then. But when it appears that is all being done? Well, I say can it and hire extra GWs with the $ saved....

[Tail Feathers]

While KS issues tags, they dont make you report anything for deer or turkey. I had some gents from AR tell me they love KS because they only need to buy one tag then print as many copies as they want...

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While the majority of Arkansas hunters are law abiding, there are too many that obviously give us a black eye when it comes to hunting.  Unfortunately, KS (especially in the past) provided the opportunity for outlaws to accumulate #s, which is what it was about for many.  I would support a "shoot, shovel, and shut up" approach with such a type.  Bury them deep, because we don't want them back.   We now have printable licenses in Arkansas, so you can imagine how that goes.  It's a poacher's dream scenario.

. Texas has tags.  Thankfully.  Deer, turkeys and certain ocean fish must be tagged.  Deer also have to logged n the back of the license.  Eastern turkeys have mandatory reporting.  It makes poaching more risky and proving a case a bit easier for the wardens. 

[Chris O]

Iowa has mandatory reporting on deer and turkeys by either calling or online. We also have to tag those animals right after we harvest them. We also have to have tags for bobcats and otters that the DNR will put on those animals for you after you call them.

[Ctrize]

Michigan is going to the mandatory harvest report this year. I will have to talk to the DNR biologist to find out why it took so long and what were the deciding factors.