[Tony Harris]

So as not to highjack another thread I thought we should discuss what we each feel is the problem/s facing Arkansas Turkey population. I really want to hear what you are seeing as wrong that is real, not the AGFC is a bunch of morons.

Why are our turkey numbers downand staying down?

Is the turkey poaching problem as wide spread as the deer poaching problem is?

Why do our neighboring states have more turkeys than us?

Should we consider a one adult gobbler limit per season?

Is the fall season hurting us?

Add your own questions or answers.

 

[jerry dean]

Kee Kee is killing to many logbeards.:biggrin:

 

[ArkArcher]

I think Hogs are hurting some of the areas! I know at our camp, 5 years ago it wasn't uncommon at all to sit on a stand and see a flock of 10-15 turkeys. Now, two years ago, we started seeing hogs and a ton of hog sign on our lease and NO turkeys! I saw 2 hens back in December and those were the first turkeys I had seen in 2 years on our lease and I didn't see one hog this year. We made a strong effort to get rid of the hogs and I think we did did a pretty good job of thinning them way out. A lot less pictures of hogs, and a lot less hog sign this year....now, we are starting to see more turkeys.

Just my theory. Take it or leave it.

 

[Buba Garrett]

Tony as you can see from my other arguments I apparently dont know much but I will give it a shot

Poor hatches the past few springs -less birds
Huge increase in the amount of hunters- Hunting on public land is harder
Instead of pushing seasons back later and later why dont we go to a 1 bird limit and see what effect it has???
Poachers- I think its worse than anyone realizes- put together a reward program that REALLY pays to catch a poacher- Judges bust these lowlifes to there knee's when caught
We need a more liberal predator season

 

[JR1]

Why are our turkey numbers downand staying down?
I think that poor hatches have an awful lot to do with this. Combined with liberal bag limits of two birds and a three weekend season this has just not allowed our numbers to bounce back after several consecutive poor hatches.

Is the turkey poaching problem as wide spread as the deer poaching problem is?
Probably, but there is no way to ever know what those numbers are or how they fluctuate. We can speculate, and many do, but there is just no way to determine the complete impact of this on the population.

Why do our neighboring states have more turkeys than us?
Better habitat in many states such as MO. Less liberal seasons for years, such as MO. I would say fewer turkey hunters in states like TN and OK. Also I see better, well thought turkey plans implemented in surrounding states. States that care about turkey numbers and not just passifying hunters and commissioners.

Should we consider a one adult gobbler limit per season?
YES, YES, YES. And go to a two week season for a few years as well.

Is the fall season hurting us?
Doubt it very much.

Add your own questions or answers.
To get our numbers where they need to be, we, the hunters, are going to have to be willing to give up some things like time in the woods and number of birds we kill. Public land guys, like me, are going to have to urge the commission to put almost all the WMAs on permit hunts and then be satisfied with getting drawn once every couple years or even worse.

 

[turkeyhunter]

I'm seeing more turkeys this year than in the past.

 

[Buba Garrett]

I'm seeing more turkeys this year than in the past.

TH I have too especially up where we hunt but you know as well as I do by the time season opens up they will be well edumacated! Which actually is ok- I am hardheaded but I think this year I finally figured out how to get me a shot at before season called to many weeks before season dog runned Turkey Just got to adjust your tactics!

 

[Kee Kee]

Kee Kee is killing to many logbeards.:biggrin:

some of the beards on the ones i kill do look like logs...but seriously, don't give me all the credit

 

[Buba Garrett]

Go back to a Monday opener!
1 bird limit
2 week season
Keep the Youth hunt as is but bust the ones that take advantage of it!:smack:

 

[odocoi]

Shorten the season and the limit to one male turkey.

 

[Kee Kee]

Why are our turkey numbers downand staying down? poor hatches, poaching, killing jakes, predators...i definantly agree with the hog problem. when you say turkey numbers are you saying gobbler numbers or the whole turkey population?

Is the turkey poaching problem as wide spread as the deer poaching problem is? worse

Why do our neighboring states have more turkeys than us? no clue

Should we consider a one adult gobbler limit per season? if it will help the population

Is the fall season hurting us? no clue, never seen the harvest numbers

 

[reggie-2-guns]

So as not to highjack another thread I thought we should discuss what we each feel is the problem/s facing Arkansas Turkey population. I really want to hear what you are seeing as wrong that is real, not the AGFC is a bunch of morons.

Why are our turkey numbers downand staying down?

Reggie favors the chain of liberal seasons we've had up until last year.

Is the turkey poaching problem as wide spread as the deer poaching problem is?

Reggie doesn't know...

Why do our neighboring states have more turkeys than us?

Reggie hasn't hunted anywere except MO, and the number one difference he sees is shorter seasons.

Should we consider a one adult gobbler limit per season?

No, but he wouldn't support increasing the limit.

Is the fall season hurting us?

It's not helping. If you want to have more hens hatching out little fluffy turkeys, the fall season doesn't seem like a good idea.

Add your own questions or answers.

What about bringing back that Monday opener?

 

[quax]

quax agrees with reggie. if we're having a problem with our turkey population, what sense does a fall firearms season make?

 

[shoot2killarchery]

I like the Monday opener idea again. Most people who aren't serious about turkey hunting won't take that first week off of work. I think clear-cutting, logging, and all of these oil and natural gas companies destroying land is a huge factor in the population. Also, there is a lot of hay production in Arkansas and thousands of nests are destroyed that way.

 

[Buba Garrett]

I like the Monday opener idea again. Most people who aren't serious about turkey hunting won't take that first week off of work. I think clear-cutting, logging, and all of these oil and natural gas companies destroying land is a huge factor in the population. Also, there is a lot of hay production in Arkansas and thousands of nests are destroyed that way.

Never thought about that on the hay fields- good observation!

 

[y hunt]

I will state I am no expert first of all.

I have noticed in a local WMA that hogs have appeared. The turkey numbers are growing and they appear to be doing great. This area has had a lot of food plots put in, planted, and maintained.

I have to say it has more to due with the hatch and that is weather related and out of management control. With a poor hatch none of the other management will do much good.

Game and Fish needs to set the seasons depending on hatch information. That being said they have to be better at gathering hatch information. If the hatch is bad one year make the unpopular season cuts. I think the true hunters will accept it. If it is on sound management data.

 

[Buba Garrett]

Bring back the Monday opener

 

[Buba Garrett]

Improve Habitat in the National Forrest!
Form a group of dedicated hunters that is willing to provide whatever it takes to work with Forrest commision to improve drastically the National Forrest Habitat- We already do this at several WMA in the state and seems to be helping- The Ouahita's could definitely use it

Oh Yea did I mention bring back Monday opener!:smack:

 

[Buba Garrett]

Sell a 5 dollar "Turkey Tag" each year and ear mark all the funds to provide better habitat and management- Put a "Tony Harris" on the board so us working folks know the money is being spent wisely!

 

[soarkrebel]

Hogs could be a problem but so could coons and other varmits.

I think a one week season starting on monday is a good idea. I would be there.
Poaching in south arkansas is a BIG problem! They have got to hammer those poachers.

The season could open a week earlier.

I did see about 18 last thursday but they will be hard to kill come April.