Chasing 49, where's it going

[arkrem870]

Ironically....the fan boys are quite easy to spot. They will stick up for their hero influencers no matter how much hunting opportunity we lose.

[eggshell]

Overall, when things get harder, people stop doing them.  After all, most of those bitching about it are travelling hunters themselves who don't like the competition.

I confess, I am 100% in this category. I don't begrudge people opportunity to enjoy, but I miss the old days when I could hunt lots of ground and lots of birds. I have just quit going as much. Now I stick to private ground that is controlled. I have access in three states if I want. That and my retirement funding doesn't support a lot of travel. I probably will never see the days of traveling thousands of miles in a season again. Go get em boys, this old man already got his gravy years ago. I hope this attitude doesn't put me on the OG poop list...well I am on the team that has been called "Grumpies". I will wear the label.

[Marc]

Ive seen alit of outfits this year still trying to fill hunts.

Not sure if that's bc people are lossing interest or the economy and inflation are taking a hit on people's expendable cash.

Probably a mixture of both.

As much as the word gets out when hunting is good on social media, word also gets out when it is NOT good.

While I enjoy hunting, and enjoy being a "personal guide" for less experienced, I would HATE being a professional guide.  Turkey hunting would be the worst.

You are hunting a limited resource that varies (sometimes greatly) season to season, with a need for a minimum number of clients to make money. (Often with property not having the bird populations to support this type of hunting)

Over-hunt it, you make current clients angry while also diminishing your future resources.  Don't have enough interest, you cannot make a living...

How many ranches have such high turkey populations that can support enough hunting to make enough money to warrant outfitting?

As to state regulations...  I believe the state has a right, and obligation to their residents to prioritize the HUNTING QUALITY to residents first.  As stated, it is not as much about the turkey populations, as it is providing access to quality hunting opportunities, and with more people trying to get on less ground, we will see increased restrictions and regulations...

As to dwindling turkey populations...  Improving and increasing habitat is of primary concern.  Method of take (such as strutter decoys and shells that shoot 80 yards) have a negative effect, and social media certainly plays some role as well...

Apps such as OnX have increased pressure in previously little known areas, so hunters that previously did the leg-work, are now seeing multiple hunters where previously there were none.  During COVID, I was going to stop and hunt a small little 30 acre area of public ground, that I always at least got to hear a bird in...  I pulled up and counted 12 cars for this 30 acre area where I had previously NEVER SEEN A HUNTER.

OnX also makes it more difficult to get private access, as land owners get inundated with requests to hunt.

I believe that in order to maintain a future for game populations that continue to support hunting, that hunters are going to have to pay more and more to continue the resource...  Farming practices have improved, and farmers will need increased financial incentive to leave fallow areas for game (of all kinds) to thrive.

[Old Gobbler]

If you have the desire and means ...do what makes you happy

With that said , this kinda sounds very time consuming,  I'm all for hunting new places and experiences but I wouldn't want to mentally locking myself into some quest that in My mind I have to figure out is this for "me" or a goal to impress "others "

Numbers is another thing , when I was young I kept track , eventually after time ...the numbers didn't seem to matter , the simple act of having a successful and enjoyable hunt was the reward ...notice I didn't mention "kill" I honestly have no clue how many turkeys I've ever killed ..one in a while I write down and take notes .. I find myself being more sentimental ...slowing down , and enjoying the moment -the world needs more Dwain Bland's

Its the experience and good times that matter ...but to answer the og post ..if hunting all 49 is a enjoyable experience..more power to you

[Old Gobbler]

To respond to the comments about out of state hunters

Hot air ballon ...we are loosing altitude...2.6 million turkey hunters on the Ballon...all of them want to throw everyone else off BUT THEMSELVES

Be cautious with excluding out of state hunters ...cause the surrounding  states will all reciprocate IVE SEEN IT BEFORE



I would like to thank each and every whiner and complainer who managed to get out of state hunters kicked out certain Florida management areas , and likely the whole state soon ...you have done some SERIOUS HEAVY LIFTING FOR THE ANTI HUNTERS .. by depriving hunters access to hunting

For the ones that want to stop out of state hunters all over the country PETA and the ANTI's needs to send you a stipend for your hard work ..you deserve a lifetime achievement award from PETA

[Neill_Prater]

I too have a friend who has completed the 49 as well as the Super Slam or World Slam or whatever it's called. Super nice guy and one hell of a turkey hunter. My guess is he's killed more gobblers than anyone on this forum, but you won't read about him in a magazine or see his name listed anywhere as far as I know. He hunts because he loves to do so and has been fortunate to have the means to spend weeks every Spring chasing gobblers. I envy him for that, but not for his multiple slams and success in 49 states.

I am not a collector. I like guns, for example, but I have a meager collection of utilitarian firearms, and little desire for anything more. Our son-in-law spent years and a lot of money and vacation time to complete his goal of attending a baseball game in every major league stadium in the US and Canada. If he was a turkey hunter, he would be chasing the 49.



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