I read an article in the Ohio Outdoor News (paper edition) about how the Ohio chapter of NWTF is allocating $50,000 to the Ohio DNR Wildlife Division and the Ohio State University for a research study, about the declining turkey populations. My first thoughts were, that's nice. 
Can they not see the forest for the trees? 
Anyway...I've contacted Mike Moore in the past about such issues and received a good response. A few of my articles have been published.
I thought I'd paste a copy of the letter that I sent, for everyone on this forum to read and offer your thoughts/opinions.
Mike Moore,
The latest issue of Ohio Outdoor News has an article about the Ohio chapter of NWTF allocating "$50,000 to support a new turkey research study that seeks to address population declines in the state." I understand that their "heart" is in the right place, in trying to find the reason(s) for the population decline and honorable that they're donating a huge amount of money to do so. However, I see this as "can't see the forest for the trees".
Understandably, we can't control the weather elements and their effects on nesting success. What we can control, is the racoon population. I've never had anyone rebut this idea.... Open a 3 year, No Closed Season, No Limit for racoon. Everyone knows they are nest raiders! Everyone also knows the racoon population is out of control.
I made a bet with a guy that was traveling to Bluffton, from Lima and back, for a soda. Push the reset on the tripometer to zero every time you see a dead coon on the road. If you go over 10 miles without seeing a dead coon, I'll buy you a soda. He said he was approaching the 10 mile mark at one point and didn't make it. My point is that there's too many coons.
Back to my original thread... If the State would impose such a No Closed Season, as I recommend and after the 3 year period they see an increase in the turkey population, problem solved.
At that point, it could be decided whether to continue the season as is or amend it to a lesser degree. Either way, this is a No Cost idea for the State DNR and no loss to the wildlife balance. 
** I have yet to approach the State DNR with this idea, other than mentioning it to local Game Wardens, but I feel that it fell on deaf ears. I have thought about attending a District Game Meeting/Hearing and offering the idea there. It might be a matter of submitting it to the "right person" to get past the "ney sayers" and egos that think it's a bad idea, since they didn't come up with it.
Any way, here's my "food for thought", for your next article, if you choose.
Sincerely, Daniel Mathewson
Can they not see the forest for the trees? Anyway...I've contacted Mike Moore in the past about such issues and received a good response. A few of my articles have been published.I thought I'd paste a copy of the letter that I sent, for everyone on this forum to read and offer your thoughts/opinions.
Mike Moore,
The latest issue of Ohio Outdoor News has an article about the Ohio chapter of NWTF allocating "$50,000 to support a new turkey research study that seeks to address population declines in the state." I understand that their "heart" is in the right place, in trying to find the reason(s) for the population decline and honorable that they're donating a huge amount of money to do so. However, I see this as "can't see the forest for the trees".
Understandably, we can't control the weather elements and their effects on nesting success. What we can control, is the racoon population. I've never had anyone rebut this idea.... Open a 3 year, No Closed Season, No Limit for racoon. Everyone knows they are nest raiders! Everyone also knows the racoon population is out of control.
I made a bet with a guy that was traveling to Bluffton, from Lima and back, for a soda. Push the reset on the tripometer to zero every time you see a dead coon on the road. If you go over 10 miles without seeing a dead coon, I'll buy you a soda. He said he was approaching the 10 mile mark at one point and didn't make it.
My point is that there's too many coons.Back to my original thread... If the State would impose such a No Closed Season, as I recommend and after the 3 year period they see an increase in the turkey population, problem solved.
At that point, it could be decided whether to continue the season as is or amend it to a lesser degree. Either way, this is a No Cost idea for the State DNR and no loss to the wildlife balance. ** I have yet to approach the State DNR with this idea, other than mentioning it to local Game Wardens, but I feel that it fell on deaf ears. I have thought about attending a District Game Meeting/Hearing and offering the idea there. It might be a matter of submitting it to the "right person" to get past the "ney sayers" and egos that think it's a bad idea, since they didn't come up with it.
Any way, here's my "food for thought", for your next article, if you choose.
Sincerely, Daniel Mathewson
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