Turkey Population

[Bowhunter57]

If hunters have overharvested an animal the blame is 100% with the DNR whose responsibility it is to prevent that.

Odd you should bring this up. I have a hunting buddy that says, "If the DNR says we're allowed to kill 6 deer total for the year, there must be plenty of them out there. So, I'm killin' my share and doing my part."
He laughs about it and realizes the consequences of his actions, but at the same time he is serious about killing as many as he is allowed.

I'm fortunate enough to have an area that doesn't allow much hunting, except for myself and a couple of occasional gun hunters. I've stopped shooting does in this area, for over 14 years and the populations is reflective of that action. There are so many bucks in the area, it's crazy.

 

[tracker 6]

The only thing better than the 60's is deer and turkey's. Everything else,grouse rabbit and pheasant suck.Don't know if that is a good trade or not.

 

["J"]

The only thing better than the 60's is deer and turkey's. Everything else,grouse rabbit and pheasant suck.Don't know if that is a good trade or not.

It is in the budget of the DOW…. Multiple tags vs one small game tag. But you’re right. The bird population has plummeted too almost nonexistent in most of the state.

 

[Jackalope]

Thats why I mentioned we must do better, because you are right, we have mostly failed. I absolutely blame DOW for most of our issues and they should be doing better too. But they have proven that they usually lack that capability. Tonk is still winning awards for his "management". In their hazy eyes they have created a mecca for us dumb hunters and we should be happy about it. Compared to 1960s yes, kudos to them, but its now 2022 and they are still riding that horse. DOW will never get it exactly right or will behind schedule if they do. Its politics. We have to hold ourselves and neighbors accountable. Easier said then done I know, especially when your neighbor hunters are assholes.

Not just easier said that done, its impossible. Hunters as a whole are completely incapable of managing a state game population to any meaningful extent. I would even go so far as to say a small co-op of land owners in a small geographic area is impossible. We'll never get everyone to agree and some will think it doesn't apply to them, while others will remain greedy and think " one more won't hurt". I understand what you're saying, but the whole notion that we as hunters are conservationists is incorrect. Our role is to kill things, through the action of killing things we produce funding for conservation. We have little if anything to do with it after we spend the money. We've always required a larger body of laws and biologists to manage our destructive actions and charge us fees to offset our actions. Unfortunately, the most important player in that game the DOW has betrayed hunters time and time again. The only recourse we as hunters have is to go after the DNR and demand meaningful change. It's unfortunate but we can't even gather enough support to do that, much less self manage game populations.

 

[Jackalope]

Odd you should bring this up. I have a hunting buddy that says, "If the DNR says we're allowed to kill 6 deer total for the year, there must be plenty of them out there. So, I'm killin' my share and doing my part."
He laughs about it and realizes the consequences of his actions, but at the same time he is serious about killing as many as he is allowed.

I'm fortunate enough to have an area that doesn't allow much hunting, except for myself and a couple of occasional gun hunters. I've stopped shooting does in this area, for over 14 years and the populations is reflective of that action. There are so many bucks in the area, it's crazy.

Yep. Plenty of them out there. I would venture to day there are more of those guys than anyone else.

 

[giles]

It's like watching the great debate over deer numbers...

 

[hickslawns]

It's like watching the great debate over deer numbers...

I actually forgot this was the turkey thread until you said this.

 

[Sgt Fury]

I’ve noticed the decline on my place in Vinton county also. There used to be 3 different large flocks of turkeys that would visit my bait pile daily back around 2012-2017. Since then, there’s been a lot less sightings and only one small flock of hens with the occasional lone gobbler strolling through. Bobcat sightings coincidentally have gone up during that same period.

 

[Reagan]

Odd you should bring this up. I have a hunting buddy that says, "If the DNR says we're allowed to kill 6 deer total for the year, there must be plenty of them out there. So, I'm killin' my share and doing my part."
He laughs about it and realizes the consequences of his actions, but at the same time he is serious about killing as many as he is allowed.

I'm fortunate enough to have an area that doesn't allow much hunting, except for myself and a couple of occasional gun hunters. I've stopped shooting does in this area, for over 14 years and the populations is reflective of that action. There are so many bucks in the area, it's crazy.

Does this same buddy trust the government for everything else? Covid “facts” are a good example of why government should not be trusted. The DOW is just another faction of government.

 

[Bowhunter57]

Does this same buddy trust the government for everything else? Covid “facts” are a good example of why government should not be trusted. The DOW is just another faction of government.

Absolutely not! He's a hunting nut, not an idiot.

 

[giles]

Maybe he is hunting pockets of deer that need regulated. I am one of those people that finds those pockets or property owners that want/need deer taken. Some years I take a state limit, others I might only take one. Like last year, I only took one.

I believe this is what @LonewolfNopack is trying to say. The ODNR can only provide guidelines. It is up to the hunter to make a choice in the areas the hunter hunts. If we all hunt like the Amish, there would be nothing let to hunt. It is up to us as seasoned hunters to help educate these newer hunters. Places like TOO are a great platform of information. But we shouldn't bash a guy for taking a limit. Maybe his place needs it to keep the balance.

 

[Bowhunter57]

giles,
My hunting buddy and I are fortunate that we do find areas that are thick with deer. He and I are both aware of the shortcomings of the ODNR, as well as their intentions, whether good or bad.
The predator issue in this state is a big one and it's not going to go away anytime soon. In the end, I believe it's going to be up to us hunters to do something about it. Our hunting of specific game, is going to have to change by way of self regulation. Be that as it may and going off of human nature and past history, these changes are most likely going to be area specific and not state wide.

Several years ago, during the Deer Check Station days, my hunting buddy's cousin and his brother went to the 2 Check Stations and asked for the deer numbers at the end of each day. This was in Guernsey County. They were not believing the numbers the ODNR were reporting and thought they were much lower. As it turns out the actual numbers were significantly lower and only by the 3rd day. On the 4th day, 2 GWs showed up at his door step and asked if he'd been inquiring about the deer numbers at the Check Stations, to which he replied "yes". The GW said he was directing him to cease his inquiry immediately. He said it was public knowledge, nothing he was doing was illegal and he closed the door in his face.

Nothing came of it, but nothing changed either. When the deer kill numbers were posted, it was over 4,000 for that county, which wasn't even close to what they found by asking at the Check Stations.
So, yes, my hunting buddy and I are painfully aware of the ODNR's issues with falsifying records, lack of predator control and money changing hands via the Ohio Insurance Commission, etc.
To start another conversation.... I personally know a State Farm insurance agent that seen paperwork go across his desk for the delivery of trucked coyotes to this state, and distributed by the CSX railroad company, as a means of deer population control. It might sound a bit far fetched, but when you see it first hand, it becomes larger than what we'd imagined. Again, it's all about the money, cause it sure as hell ain't about the wildlife.

 

[Floki]

Just wanted to say ….
FJB! ….. Carry on….

 

[Spencie]

This is the reason for the decline in turkeys.

 

[Left field]

Absolutely right did see one on a golf course it’s rural and wooded but 1 bird only is definite reflection of turkey numbers

 

[Left field]

I really hate to here that Curran
I have been hunting turkey in Ohio since it was a lottery and you made sure your application was there in time if you wanted the first 2 weeks. But it seems like in my area there are less birds now than then.
even if they open the season on coons who is going to hunt them. Only a few dedicated Coon hunter’s left. And they don’t shoot the coons out anymore.
Why don’t they close the fall season or make it bearded turkey only? There is no reason to shoot a hen with the falling population.
There is an open season on coyotes but the population just continues to grow.
Bobcats have not moved into my area yet but it won’t be long.

Is Russia still biggest buyer or is it European countries buying furs?

 

[GoetsTalon]

Turkey fur?

 

[Jackalope]

Is Russia still biggest buyer or is it European countries buying furs?

From my reading nobody is buying coon pelts. NAFA is gone and a coon isn't worth the cost to ship them. The largest, prime, undamaged pelt may average $14. Most that sell will average $2-5 and the bulk of the furs (over 60%) will not sell at all. China and Russia are all but shut down from buying and producing garments. After covid the market is flush with ranch mink in storage.

 

[tracker 6]

Weekend results Ohio’s wild turkey hunting season underway - The Record Herald

 

[giles]

Weekend results Ohio’s wild turkey hunting season underway - The Record Herald

10% succes rate in the opening 2 days...