Proposed Mississippi Turkey Season Changes - Update

[deerhunt1988]

-Season structure opening date change - Failed to pass despite majority of public comment supporting it.

-Elimination of fall turkey season - passed

-Mandatory tagging - passed, with implementation scheduled for 2025

There are talks on the table to extend the non-resident open public lands draw through March 31 (an addition of 3 more days), to bring the "free for all" pub land opener more in line with other states (Alabama public opens April 1). And also possibly limit non resident bag limit.

[slave601]

Well this sucks! I was really wanting to see the season bumped back a little

[Howieg]

Thank you for update

[dah]

They moved the opener back some ten years ago in south east Oklahoma and they cant show any data that it helped in breeding and nesting in that region . Has any agency ever shown any data that shows bumping season back has increased breeding success . Hens were already bred and laying eggs when season opened earlier . They moved our opener statewide back ten days and we had poults on the ground the last week of season this year , I think that is about right for any year to start to get a few poults at that time . I just don't agree starting later is a factor . Oklahoma's highest populations occurred for several decades with out a later opener . I actually am wondering if it may have been working to good , turkey populations were to high , mother nature is adjusting . Just a thought .

[deerhunt1988]

First article on it

https://www.dailyleader.com/2023/05/18/mississippis-spring-turkey-season-remains-unchanged-fall-season-closed/

[slave601]

They moved the opener back some ten years ago in south east Oklahoma and they cant show any data that it helped in breeding and nesting in that region . Has any agency ever shown any data that shows bumping season back has increased breeding success . Hens were already bred and laying eggs when season opened earlier . They moved our opener statewide back ten days and we had poults on the ground the last week of season this year , I think that is about right for any year to start to get a few poults at that time . I just don't agree starting later is a factor . Oklahoma's highest populations occurred for several decades with out a later opener . I actually am wondering if it may have been working to good , turkey populations were to high , mother nature is adjusting . Just a thought .

To me the later opener is more about all the NF land being covered in out of staters being such an early opener.

[guesswho]

To me the later opener is more about all the NF land being covered in out of staters being such an early opener.

Probably so.   Instead of moving the season back 10 days, you would think a better option would be to just implement no nonresidents for the first 10 days.   The two states I hunt the most , AL and Ga have both moved their season openers back with no data to back up the decision.   And we probably won't ever get those dates back.   A shame (take the E off, or leave it on) to say the least. 

[Howieg]

" probably " a up hill battle trying to figure out how to benefit our turkey populations, meanwhile , not losing to much out of state influx of cash flow ....

[dah]

 In Oklahoma , the department  did not mention the out of state hunters factoring in to making their decision on opening dates unless I missed it . All I heard was disturbing the breeding , blah , blah , blah , with no studies done except for one person down south in another state . I dont think they had any idea of any benefit or consequence , even though they had ten years to look at in the south east region , they felt like they had to do something . I spoke in person to a department biologist in a wma camp turkey hunting this spring , politely stated a couple of concerns on season opener and habitat in that WMA. I stated that I disagreed with the late opener and that this wma was growing up and getting to thick , that if areas were not opened for natural grasses and bugging the turkeys will be unable to increase in numbers due to habitat . It is old growth pine and oak . His response was another wma close by had lots of grass but lower turkey numbers ( not true) so open grass is not an answer and that he believes the season should be closed . If you knew me you would be proud of my restraint , I walked away .

[Prospector]

Cash Flow; doesn't take the sale of near as many NR license to catch up and eclipse R cash .  Our powers to be aren't gonna dissuade NR too much. After all, we Residents gonna buy our tags every year... the NR is gravy. Lots of gravy since we open so early...

[ddturkeyhunter]

There has had to have been some studies done out there on a subject like that, but just like a lot of things information just not shared property. Just the observation of one CO we encountered in WY Black hills this spring said he noiticed more birds since they moved there opener date back a few years ago. We were hunting there because SD Black Hills had just pushed there season opener back later then WY. For a number of years ago when we were on a tighter hunting time frame, and both states had same start time. We would hunt SD Black Hills first and if time remaining go hunt the WY side also. This year was first year of the flip flop WY first and next year SD has plans on a opener a week later yet. Don't  think anyone knows for sure the full reason for less birds so there trying anything just to say there trying.

[deadbuck]

I watched the monthly commissioners meeting and the beautiful part of it was as soon as they stated 73% of the people that provided a public comment wanted the season opener pushed back, the ringleader says does anybody make a motion. One of them fires right off and says I make a motion to NOT change the starting date.  Why bother even taking public comments if you arent going to do what the hunters/taxpayers vote/say they want? Democracy at its finest, lol

[dah]

 Deadbuck
  Just think , 73 percent of the hunters wont hunt the opener because they don't believe in it . Should make the woods really nice , right . The biologist that told me he wanted the season closed admitted he had been hunting and hadn't shot one yet so we know that these people that spout these changes have  the privilege of leading by example . I also wonder if the 73 percent that wanted to delay the opener couldn't give any really good data or good research to justify such a move . maybe , lack of evidence led to the motion and vote  . I really wish it was that easy and I am proved wrong , if a later opener helps the birds I will admit  I was wrong and be grateful .

[harleytom]

Deadbuck
  Just think , 73 percent of the hunters wont hunt the opener because they don't believe in it . Should make the woods really nice , right . The biologist that told me he wanted the season closed admitted he had been hunting and hadn't shot one yet so we know that these people that spout these changes have  the privilege of leading by example . I also wonder if the 73 percent that wanted to delay the opener couldn't give any really good data or good research to justify such a move . maybe , lack of evidence led to the motion and vote  . I really wish it was that easy and I am proved wrong , if a later opener helps the birds I will admit  I was wrong and be grateful .

Biologist that wanted the season closed should be fired frankly. If it's gotten to that point he, and his counterparts have failed in their job and the state needs to improve their biologist crew.


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