Will openers move back to traditional dates?

[arkrem870]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8WzJykWzfA

Tennessee study clip

[Tail Feathers]

I doubt it.  Not anytime soon.  State agencies don't want to admit they were wrong.

[3bailey3]

Can't see Akansas moving it back ever! Glad my home state, Ms. never caved and moved it back to begin with!

[arkrem870]

Arkansas proved this theory wrong a decade + ago. It's why many of us were confused when it took off like wildfire. And state agencies jumped on board wholesale with an easy pen stroke fix. Total hoax

[Notsoyoungturk]

Tennessee still not start until the 11th.  It is possible this information was not available when they set the 2026 season dates.  We will see what happens in future years.

[zelmo1]

I hope not up here, I will lose 2 days at the beginning of the season. May 1st is still too late here but that's what we will be stuck with. We really need more support for our long range turkey management plan. I am vocal but don't have any juice where it is needed.  Z

[Greg Massey]

Dates for my state have already been set for 2026 so I agree with others ... NO ....

[cwedding]

Well... this information has been out there since April of 2024 and the TN commission has completely ignored the findings of this study when setting our seasons for 2025 and 2026. So I'm going to go with No, We will not be getting moved back to usual openers.

We interviewed Dr. Harper and Dr. Beuhler in April of 2024 if you'd like to hear more about this study-

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-turkey-hunter-podcast-with-andy-gagliano/id859529852?i=1000652354433


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[GobbleNut]

It seems to me that IF it has been clearly established that the traditional/earlier season starting dates have no impact on breeding/fertility, then any decision to return to those traditional dates might best be determined by polling the state's turkey hunters to see what they prefer?...

Having said that, it is counterintuitive to me to think that starting to hunt BEFORE turkeys have had a chance to breed for a period of time prior to hunting them is a good idea...especially in struggling turkey populations. So, the question that comes to my mind is "when do the turkeys in a state actually begin to breed?"  Having a firm grasp on that might make establishing season dates based a bit more on science rather than "guess and by gosh" like it seems some states do.

My conclusion, or speculation, in this specific instance is that the TN turkeys in question are/were perhaps initiating breeding a week or two before the traditional early starting dates...which would indicate to me that there is some degree of breeding saturation occurring prior to hunting them. In my mind, that would account for the study's findings. 

Regardless, as a general statement, I am personally a proponent of a management strategy that includes not starting to hunt before the turkeys have had a reasonable opportunity to breed. I just fundamentally think that is a good idea.

[Tail Feathers]

100% agree Gobblenut.  That should be the main consideration for setting seasons.

[arkrem870]

I'm not aware of any studies that show hens are failing to initiate nests..... fact is we are chasing a reason for decline. And we are rejecting what the science tells us. Because we don't like the answer. 

[WV Flopper]

My opinion:

Public outcry has influenced season dates.

Public outcry will again, influence dates.

Unless you're a Turkey Biologist take a back seat to those that are and let them do their job!

I am not a turkey biologist, but I enjoy flopping turkeys. Know your place and stay in your lane.

[Tom007]

As long as we have openers to enjoy, I'm good whatever dates they choose.

[silvestris]

I like to start when the Dogwoods are blooming.  Starting later does not seem natural.  It is like starting the game at halftime.  I think that habitat degradation is the number one issue affecting populations, and that takes a lot of effort and money.

[Ihuntoldschool]

My opinion:

Public outcry has influenced season dates.

Public outcry will again, influence dates.

Unless you're a Turkey Biologist take a back seat to those that are and let them do their job!

I am not a turkey biologist, but I enjoy flopping turkeys. Know your place and stay in your lane.


This. X100.