Turkey Hunting Proposal - Gun ONLY in the FAll

[Bowhunter57]

Why?

The DNR is attempting to make it illegal to hunt turkey in the fall with archery equipment, with their new proposal.

A hunting buddy of mine has killed a fall turkey, for the last 4 years, with a bow. If this new proposal goes thru, he will be forced to intentionally hunt turkeys with a shotgun. If the DNR wants to stop fall turkey hunting in an attempt to increase the population, then close the season altogether.

I've made the suggestion of having a No Closed Season and No Bag Limit on Racoon, for 3 years. If after that 3 year period, there's no increase in the turkey population, then the rule changes can go back to where they were. This would be at no cost to the State, to find the results.
Instead, they put Racoon on a "nuisance list" for trapping. Fur prices are at rock bottom and nobody wants to check traps all year long.

What are your thoughts/opinions on this rule change?

 

[Jackalope]

Why?

The DNR is attempting to make it illegal to hunt turkey in the fall with archery equipment, with their new proposal.

A hunting buddy of mine has killed a fall turkey, for the last 4 years, with a bow. If this new proposal goes thru, he will be forced to intentionally hunt turkeys with a shotgun. If the DNR wants to stop fall turkey hunting in an attempt to increase the population, then close the season altogether.

I've made the suggestion of having a No Closed Season and No Bag Limit on Racoon, for 3 years. If after that 3 year period, there's no increase in the turkey population, then the rule changes can go back to where they were. This would be at no cost to the State, to find the results.
Instead, they put Racoon on a "nuisance list" for trapping. Fur prices are at rock bottom and nobody wants to check traps all year long.

What are your thoughts/opinions on this rule change?

I don't like it but I get it. I've shot three of them in the fall from a stand as "targets of opportunity" while deer hunting. I found zero of them. I'm sure that same story plays out quite a bit in the fall. So while I don't like it, I also get it.

 

[switchhitter]

I like it, it is just not enough I think fall season should be toms only!!!
We should not be killing hen turkeys!!!
The population has been declining for 20 years
And yes raccoons should be open season as well

 

[brock ratcliff]

It is assumed the majority of fall turkeys that are archer kills are shot off a corn pile while waiting on a deer. Not a lot of die hard archery/fall turkey hunters. I know it just one and that is because he is not allowed to own firearms

 

[Hedgelj]

I don't like it but I get it. I've shot three of them in the fall from a stand as "targets of opportunity" while deer hunting. I found zero of them. I'm sure that same story plays out quite a bit in the fall. So while I don't like it, I also get it.

All of this

 

[Ohiosam]

Never understood why they allowed hens to be taken in the fall.

 

[tak]

This proposal theoretically should cut the fall harvest to around 500 birds so down to approximately 250 hens. At least the dedicated fall turkey hunters (especially dog hunters) can still enjoy their turkey hunting preference.

 

[bowhunter1023]

To express concern over turkey numbers, ut not open the season on coons year round, is disingenuous IMO.

 

[Wiley E Coyote]

We are allowed to kill coons all year as nuisance animals. I'll be setting DPS again this weekend. Unfortunately crows are off the table during nesting season but all turkey hunters should be working on them when they are in season. They are a lot of fun and good wing shooting practice if you have never tried it. All you turkey hunters own a crow call.

 

[Wiley E Coyote]

As for the rule change I'm fine with it. Sounds like the Bobcat season is not going to happen. Im pretty disappointed about that! Nothing is harder on the turkey population IMO.

 

[Bowhunter57]

As for the rule change I'm fine with it. Sounds like the Bobcat season is not going to happen. Im pretty disappointed about that! Nothing is harder on the turkey population IMO.

Cats are nature's killing machine, be design...FACT. There is no place for a turkey to hide from a bobcat. A bobcat can go up a tree, out a branch in the middle of the night and kill as many as it wants.

I know a couple of brothers that live in Jackson County, that are coyote hunting specialists. They've told me that if they start calling and a bobcat shows up, they just pack up their gear and leave. There are no coyotes in that area. The one brother owns several hundred acres and says that since he's started seeing bobcats, he hasn't seen a turkey in over 7 years.

Turkeys and Deer are the "cash cow" of the State, so I do not understand their allowing bobcats to gain any population status, period. Hell, while they're at it, why not restock wolves and make it so you can't leave your house unarmed.
During WWI, on the eastern front, the Germans and Russians had to call a truce for a few months to start killing wolves. Wolves were killing more men in the trenches than they were losing to enemy fire. During that truce, over 400 wolves were killed. Yep....we need more wolves.
*** Sorry....this DNR really pisses me off, at times. Then there are times when I think there's hope and they're on the right track.

 

[bowhunter1023]

We are allowed to kill coons all year as nuisance animals. I'll be setting DPS again this weekend. Unfortunately crows are off the table during nesting season but all turkey hunters should be working on them when they are in season. They are a lot of fun and good wing shooting practice if you have never tried it. All you turkey hunters own a crow call.

In my due diligence on the subject, it appears to be a stretch of "nuisance" to protect turkeys. In essence, they need to be posing a "public health and safety risk" or be "destroying personal property". Not saying that stretch is not worth taking, but the SSS method would be wise in my opinion. If I'm off base for Ohio, I'd love to know I'm wrong with my interpretation.

 

[Wiley E Coyote]

In my case they are pooping on the horse hay and stealing the barn cat food plus killing kittens. This is a working horse farm and they have asked me to help with the coon population. So I'm glad to help out for hunting permission. It's a good trade off for me and the

 

[bowhunter1023]

In my case they are pooping on the horse hay and stealing the barn cat food plus killing kittens. This is a working horse farm and they have asked me to help with the coon population. So I'm glad to help out for hunting permission. It's a good trade off for me and the

That's certainly within the scope of the law in my opinion. Keep fighting the good fight!

 

[jagermeister]

In my due diligence on the subject, it appears to be a stretch of "nuisance" to protect turkeys. In essence, they need to be posing a "public health and safety risk" or be "destroying personal property". Not saying that stretch is not worth taking, but the SSS method would be wise in my opinion. If I'm off base for Ohio, I'd love to know I'm wrong with my interpretation.

Your interpretation of nuisance is correct. I think the real question is how closely a wildlife officer wants to examine the claim of “nuisance” as it relates to raccoons. I would think most officers around the state would side with the raccoon killer. But I’m sure there’s still some that wouldn’t.