Are you seeing more fall hunters?

[greentrout]

We had a big rain early yesterday and I went out over my lunch. Happy to see some fresh sign! Ready for mid-October!




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[Dougas]

My season started the first of September and goes to the end of January. Daily and season bag limit Of 2 either sex. I haven't been out yet, but I am going out this Saturday. I have seen some toms in the area recently. I can also purchase 3 beardless permits good for three birds each for a total of 9 beardless turkeys for the bag limit that runs from November 1st to the end of February if I wanted to.

[Kylongspur88]

For those that are serious fall/winter turkey hunters, I wish you well. For most western hunters, fall/winter turkey hunting in these parts takes a back seat to other hunting pursuits, I think. We just have too many other game species that are a distraction. 

I, personally, do not know a single person that hunts fall turkeys here other than a few that buy a license because they will be in the woods hunting something else. I would bet the great majority of turkeys killed in the fall here are shot due to casual encounters of hunters who run into them while hunting other species.  Nothing wrong with that, I suppose, but I hate to see our turkeys killed as a "consolation prize" for somebody who only is pulling that trigger as an "afterthought" because they happened to run into a flock while pursuing something else.

As a "trained" wildlife biologist, I do have certain concerns about either-sex fall turkey hunting from a management standpoint...specifically in places where turkey populations are declining or depressed. Again, referring to the situation here, I (unfortunately) believe that too many of our casual fall turkey hunters have the tendency to try to pick out the "big bird" in a fall flock...which often can be that adult hen who has demonstrated an ability to successfully nest and raise poults to adulthood. In declining populations, I don't think that tendency bodes well for turkey populations anywhere that they may be struggling. 

Now, I also suspect my concern about the above has limited application in healthy turkey populations...but I am just as certain that, in some situations, the harvest of adult hens in fall seasons can be a very real problem. 

I suppose the moral of my story is this:  If you are a turkey hunter in the fall and run into a flock of hens and young of the year birds, shoot one of those young birds and leave those adult hens...who have demonstrated that ability to be successful mothers...alone. 

Years and years ago I'd kill the occasional fall hen but not anymore. I'm not going to tell others how to hunt but knowing what I know now about how turkeys breed and how quickly populations can tank in any given area I'm just not going to do it

[Yoder409]

Don't think there are any more fall hunters here than there ever were....which is very few.

A few guys here actually TARGET turkeys in the fall.  Most that get tagged were targets of opportunity by somebody hunting something else.

[Dougas]

I tagged out on toms today. The first one weighed 19.6 pounds with a beard of just under 8" and 3/4" spurs. The second one weighed 18.3 pounds with a beard just under 7" and 3/4" spurs. Bothe are smoke gray toms.

[1iagobblergetter]

Not hardly any true fall turkey hunters around me!It doesn't bother me either!

[Dtrkyman]

I may give the fall hunt a go this year?  Would be tom's only for me.  If I go I am venturing into new ground and staying away from my spring spots, so maybe I can expand my spring areas finding birds in new country.

[YoungGobbler]

For those that are serious fall/winter turkey hunters, I wish you well. For most western hunters, fall/winter turkey hunting in these parts takes a back seat to other hunting pursuits, I think. We just have too many other game species that are a distraction. 

I, personally, do not know a single person that hunts fall turkeys here other than a few that buy a license because they will be in the woods hunting something else. I would bet the great majority of turkeys killed in the fall here are shot due to casual encounters of hunters who run into them while hunting other species.  Nothing wrong with that, I suppose, but I hate to see our turkeys killed as a "consolation prize" for somebody who only is pulling that trigger as an "afterthought" because they happened to run into a flock while pursuing something else.

As a "trained" wildlife biologist, I do have certain concerns about either-sex fall turkey hunting from a management standpoint...specifically in places where turkey populations are declining or depressed. Again, referring to the situation here, I (unfortunately) believe that too many of our casual fall turkey hunters have the tendency to try to pick out the "big bird" in a fall flock...which often can be that adult hen who has demonstrated an ability to successfully nest and raise poults to adulthood. In declining populations, I don't think that tendency bodes well for turkey populations anywhere that they may be struggling. 

Now, I also suspect my concern about the above has limited application in healthy turkey populations...but I am just as certain that, in some situations, the harvest of adult hens in fall seasons can be a very real problem. 

I suppose the moral of my story is this:  If you are a turkey hunter in the fall and run into a flock of hens and young of the year birds, shoot one of those young birds and leave those adult hens...who have demonstrated that ability to be successful mothers...alone. 

That's some interesting perspectives. And it's absolutely true...

[zelmo1]

The Maine fall limit of 5 birds is attracting a few local hunters. I hope it doesn't implode on them. I have seen a huge uptick from previous years. They should learn from overharvesting in other states.    Z

[eggshell]

My buddy and I been hunting for two weeks and have not seen a single fall turkey hunter. We have hunted mostly state land too. We're both tagged out now so I won't know what else may happen. Heading to KY a week from Saturday.

[zelmo1]

I got my facebook stalker, wife, to check out a few posts that I wasn't familiar with the OP. Not surprisingly that most of the recent posters didn't tag many birds in the spring. But they are tagging a fair few birds in the fall. The fall limit is 5 and you can shoot hens. Sad to say that lots of pics are of hens. I just get a baaaaad feeling about this. The number of posters/pics are way up from the last few years. I don't know if there are enough to make an impact, just hate seeing pics of dead 9 pound hens.  I'm not against fall hunting, just the bag limit and shooting hens.    Z