fall turkey
River Boating for Fall Turkeys
With a bit of back-and-forth scheduling changes with work contracts during the summer, a fall turkey hunt trip back to the great state of Maine would follow the annual NYSOWA Fall Safari at Peck Lake.
As always, every trip to Maine to hunt with Dan Daman would be somehow different if not unusual, and a new experience. For several weeks leading up to the trip, Dan would inform me, that we might be doing a boat trip for fall turkeys and they were using a favored roost consistently. Music to my ears and added to the anticipation. With all the corn still up and unharvested in the many places we scout, this was a tactical improvement in the odds of working a fall flock of turkeys.
The drive from Peck Lake to Maine was a scenic one as I chose to take the northern route to enjoy a beautiful drive. Leaving just as the sky began to change I enjoyed an inspiring sunrise as I headed towards Rutland, Vermont to cross over the mountain passes toward Route 2 in New Hampshire. Well worth the extra drive time versus taking the major highways. I would scout more intently as I crossed into Somerset County, Maine. No feathered sightings were made until I drove over to meet Dan for a bit of scouting for turkeys. I did find a flock of gobblers on the way over, but not on a property we had access to.
Easy decision to go after the river access to a flock that had revealed themselves routinely that week. We took a flat-bottom Johnboat up the river to reach them. It was eerily quiet, almost surreal with the cool dense fog and near-pin-drop quiet in the predawn darkness. An ultra-quiet electric troll motor made the trip effortless, and just as quiet as our surroundings. We secured the boat and made the short uphill climb to our first sit. Turns out we had closed within 50 yards of the boss hen. It was a late start as far as turkey talk went. Once the boss hen opened up, we had a “significant” conversation up until she pitched down in the adjoining field.
The hen gathered her flock shortly after and we could hear her give a soft cluck in response to Dan’s slate call. She happened to like that slate call a lot. It was interesting when she got fired up on the roost, she sounded more raspy like the mouth call I was using. Switching back and forth between Dan and I, got her issuing 19-20 note assembly yelps, and we would add one more in response to keep her intensity at a peak. Having gone quiet for thirty minutes since fly down, I got up and moved toward a corner to a vantage point. I never got there as the flock was slowly working their way around. In short order, I lined up and took two young jakes. Maine allows five birds per fall season in some counties, no more than two on a given day in the fall. It was my first riverboat trip hunt for me, and I enjoyed the added element to the hunt. A prior boat trip in Clayton, NY to Grindstone Island during a NYSOWA Spring Safari was to get to the dock and then transported by truck to our hunting spots on the island. We thought that was pretty cool as well.
We would load up the boat and take a tour further upstream. Awesome views from the boat. On the way back we watch the entire flock fly out across the river in full view and a spectacular sight to behold.
A fantastic experience and will be added to our repertoire of approaches in the years ahead!
-MJ
© 2024 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
A Grand Fall Safari at Peck Lake
Peck Lake, a gem of Fulton County, was the destination for the NYSOWA 2024 Fall Safari. It was a first for this writer to attend the event there. For years Dan Ladd had been telling me about this location, and I needed to make it to the next event there, he was not wrong! I have come to learn this about Dan, his descriptions are spot on.
To say we were welcomed by the Peck Family is to be well-understated! Our event was well organized, and it dovetailed perfectly with the beauty of Peck Lake and the throwback to an Adirondack-style experience. The cabins were comfortable with the basic necessities and well-kept. It didn’t hurt that we had incredible weather during our time there. Both fishing days were wonderful times on the water. I would spend my two mornings in the neighboring Great Sacandaga Lake. A great time was had with boat captains Steve George and Mike Hauser. The bite was light, however, a few walleye were caught, and the conversations among old friends were priceless.
During our time there we got a first-hand demonstration of SIONYX Marine Vision products. The Nightwave Marine Night Vision Camera would be of interest to any boat owner. As an engineer who designs Image Sensors, I can attest to the features and low-light-level performance they have achieved with their technology. Highly recommended. NYS Forest Owners Association gave us a thorough rundown on their organization and we’ll be working to cross-promote each other. The wildlife museum is a must-stop destination for everyone and has expanded in recent years. On Saturday evening, Assemblyman Robert Smullen of NY District 118 stopped by and met with many of us giving an open invitation to contact him directly on outdoor/sportsmen-related legislation and to help address any current or forthcoming concerns. We could use many more assemblymen of similar mindsets.
A big thank you goes out to Pecks Lake Resort, Peanut, the Peck Family, and their staff, Rogers Cideryard, SIONYX (Mike Hauser,) Franks Gun Shop, NYS Forest Owners Association, Fulton County Tourism, The Wildlife Sports and Educational Museum, and Harnish Outdoor Supply for sponsoring events and meals. I would also like to thank our guides for a wonderful time on the lakes- John Dackhow, Tom Cascone, Steve George, and Mike Hauser!
Pecks Lake Resort is highly recommended, and a perfect setting to relax, decompress, and enjoy an Adirondack style retreat!
NYSOWA President Chris Paparo (Fish Guy Photos) captured several drone footage videos for a “bird’s eye” view of Pecks Lake Resort
https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Robert-Smullen
-MJ
© 2024 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Bring Us Your Tired, Worn Out Anglers, and Turkey Hunters
If you happen to be an angler that is plum worm out reeling in those monster stripers, or any of the multitude of sport fish that will test the limits of your fitness, I might have a solution for you! Lets face it, a day of long retrieves can reality check the best of us crusty ol’ anglers. We know all to well what it is like for us cantankerous turkey hunters to carry out those monster gobblers miles back in from the truck. Guilty as charged…
During the 2024 New York Outdoor Writers Association Conference in Oswego, New York this past weekend, we were introduced to a new local business- Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique. With an invite to try a few of their wellness services, I would visit along with my wife, Lee. We scheduled an afternoon visit after several days of outings during the conference. We were promptly greeted when we arrived and our first impression of a clean, warm and inviting facility was in keeping with what was described to us from Oswego County Tourism staff we met with at our meet and greet on Thursday evening.
The wellness and float offerings are robust and the customer can choose from recommended times for each. As expected they offer a variety of packaged offerings. The services offered include:
Float Therapy / Cryotherapy / Infrared Sauna / Salt Therapy / Oxygen Bar / OHCO M.8 Massage Chair
IV Nutrient Therapy / PBM Therapy / Aesthetics Services
The links embedded in each category of services will take you to a full description of each offering. The prices are affordable, and they have certified medical staff for treatments that you would expect certified professionals.
We both chose the massage chair and oxygen bar as an introduction to their services. The massage was fantastic, not just a simple vibrating chair. Very robust massage, firm enough to be very effective in easing those sore muscles from hauling in those big lakers. Your back and legs will thank you for it. You can also add heat to further enhance the therapeutic value. We did a 16 minute session and would be keen on longer sessions in future visits. The Oxygen Bar is a great experience as you can choose from the various infused scents and you will notice an immediate difference in relaxation, calming and mood. If we had more time the float tank is another offering we would have tried. We will try this in a future visit.
The staff is very friendly, attentive and professional. This adds to the inviting atmosphere, and it is the opinion of this ol’ crusty turkey hunter/fisherman that it is worthy of your time to pay a visit and sample what you might find to your liking and to be most beneficial to rejuvenate from a great day on the water or in your favored turkey woods. For those of you that regularly work out, you would definitely benefit from services offered here. You can learn more at: https://aquaspafloatcenter.com/
You can easily spend a half day or more with combined therapies and with a little planning, create a fantastic long weekend of fishing, of relaxing therapies, and return from a mini vacation rejuvenated and and with memories of great times on the water. Highly recommended!
© 2024 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Father and Son Top 10 NY Turkey Records
A query into the possible record book gobbler taken by Cullen Fennessy this past April during the youth spring turkey hunt would lead to the discovery of four more record book gobblers taken by Cullen’s father, Michael Fennessy. Unlike so many of the stories I cover, I would have the opportunity to visit Cullen and his father en route to a planned trip to Maine this past week.
I would travel north to St. Lawrence County on a beautiful spring day to meet with them, conduct interviews for the Empire Limb Hangers book project, have a look-see at the gobblers, and check measurements and confirm the scales. I would notice with great interest the walls of Mike’s massive garage lined with trophy displays of gobblers, With that, I knew I might be there for a while. I would confirm Cullen’s first gobbler along with four more that Mike presented to me. The tasks were made easier as both, the father and son were concise in their stories and recollection of details. Lots of pictures helped document and confirm the record book entries.
As there are several good stories of the hunts, and will be published in full in the book project, I will outline the top record entries first and continue from there.
Cullen’s gobbler taken in April 2024 during the special youth season, ties at #5 with NWTF Typical Score of 81.1250 (SBP Typical Score 172,2500) in New York. Weighing in at 26 lbs 12 oz. becomes the 11th heaviest bird, vetted, and recorded. The beard taped out at 11.8750 and ties with several others as 13th longest beard makes for a grand gobbler in the Empire State. There is a wonderful back story to the hunt, one of father and son, the help of Steve VanPatten , and the chance encounters of a red Cardinal with a heartwarming connection to his great-grandmother. With the backdrop of a warm and inviting experience of a North County hunt camp, it is the start of a lifetime of memories to be made. Given the impressive qualities as a young adult that I discovered in interviewing Cullen, and the mentorship he is receiving as a young hunter, It would be little surprise to see him make a father proud in a path well taken and have his own collection of memories of the great turkey woods.
Michael’s gobbler taken in May 2017 comes in at the new #6 with NWTF Typical Score of 80.8750 (SBP Typical Score 168,5000) in New York. Weighing in at 30 lbs. 0 oz. this boss gobbler becomes the new 1st heaviest bird, vetted, and recorded. Beard measured at 10.1250, and sported 1-9/16″ and 1-1/2″ spurs to complete a grand father-son entry in New York Wild Turkey Records. It is the first to have found where a father and son have pulled a hat trick in the record books.
Michael has also entered three additional gobblers that place:
@ 14th with a NWTF Typical Score of 76.1250, (SBP Typical Score 159,0000,) #10 for weight of 27.0000.
@ 28th with a NWTF Typical Score of 73.7500, (SBP Typical Score 155,0000,) #10 for weight of 27.0000.
@ 32nd with a NWTF Non-Typical Score of 91.1250, (SBP Non-Typical Score 185,0000,) #5 for weight of 28.0000.
Several potential records are being looked into and hopefully vetted. One in particular would topple #1 Typical in NY and one I hope to verify soon. A thank you goes out to Keven Lothridge for the heads up on coming across these incredible stories!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Empire-State-Limb-Hangers/139342609441424?v=info
http://empirestatelimbhangers.com/
© 2024 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
. #turkeyhunting #nywildturkeyrecords #wildturkey #nyturkeyrecords #recordbookgobblers
Spring , Summer, “and” Fall Fishing Chautauqua County, a “Must Do” Destination
With all the competition for our recreational time in the fall, with all the available seasons, fall sports, and school activities for our children, there is precious little time left for fall fishing. This is especially true here at the “J Ranch” in McGraw New York with fall turkey season, archery and firearm seasons for whitetails, and upland game. Personally, I love to fish, and should I ever engage the same in reckless abandon as I chase gobblers, I would not be able to hold down a full-time job simultaneously.
As I continue, this is a fantastic companion to spring and summer fishing the great resources of Chautauqua County. I write of fantastic outings here in past spring/summer camps and as you plan your fishing vacations and book charters, guide services, it is under strong recommendation you start right here in Chautauqua County
I was fortunate to attend the Chautauqua County Media Fall Fish Camp the first week in October this past fall. This media fish camp is one of several held in the spring, summer, and fall, sponsored by the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, and hosted by Dave Barus. The initial plan was for a few of us to spend time fishing “Steelhead Alley” for the annual spawning run, bass, perch, walleye, and muskies on Chautauqua Lake, We would also spend time on Lake Erie for walleye. Like any well-laid-out itinerary involving the outdoors, the weather would be impactful, and we would adapt to the less ideal conditions.
Before I indulge your fishing interest further, I nearly titled this article “It’s all about people.” It is not enough to just say this as the camaraderie, the dynamics of personalities, and the chemistry between our group and our host struck us all as a big takeaway for each of us. I will intertwine this theme as I continue.
The abundant natural resources of Chautauqua County, world-class fishing, and over-the-top hospitality of our host do much to embed a fantastic time at fish camp. As you read further, it is evident that the area itself, and easily accessed resources create a “Must Do” destination that I would urge you to explore with a strong recommendation.
Back to fishing…
As we arrived at our cottage along the eastern shore of Chautauqua Lake, we learned the unseasonably warm and dry weather would impact our fishing choices and strategies. The fish would be found deeper than expected, and the streams would be at unseasonably low levels that the steelhead fishing would not come into play until well past our time there. With the smooth planning and capabilities of Dave Barus, our host, a quick regroup and arraigning of trip schedules was easily agreed upon.
Pro angler and guide Don Staszczyk would take fellow outdoor writer Megan Plete Postol and myself out on Chautauqua Lake for a morning of walleye fishing. We would be snap jigging for them with Rapala Jigging Raps and Snap Raps. Despite loads of fish easily found, they were not in a feeding mood. We would boat a few walleyes for the cooler, and experience more than a few bumps and hits on the lures from fish that were just not feeling the need to feed. It was a fantastic outing, full of great conversation, and bright sunny weather. We were treated to Megan’s high speed boat handling skills on the way back to the dock, a first for her at the helm of a very capable bass boat.
On Lake Erie that same morning, outdoor writers Dave Figura and Jerrod Vila were trolling for walleye with Tom Yetzer of Reel Time Charters. The fish were a bit more hungry out on the great lake and they would land more walleye to help make a grand dinner that evening.
With plenty of fish to clean, we got to put the Smith knives from our camp sponsors to good use! Vila, along with outdoor writer John Childs started the prep work as our master chefs. The culinary result was a delicious dinner of crab-filled walleyes, wrapped and baked, and topped with a creamy, lemon sauce. As fresh as a shore lunch, the walleye were rod to the plate in just a few hours and it is as good as it gets. It is a meal that you can recall in an instant where you close your eyes, and can taste and smell vividly, possible only when it is that fresh, and prepared brilliantly. Making me a bit hungry as I type this…
John Childs, an outdoor writer from Texas, spent the morning on the southern section of Chautauqua lake with Captain Frank Shoenacker (Infinity Charters,) caught perch and silver bass, and experienced the same conditions with walleye without an appetite. Having fished with Frank in recent years, I can attest to the great fishing experience and comradery you can expect.
The following day, Megan, John, and I would head out to Lake Erie with Tom Yetzer. I can assure you, you’ll have fun on his boat. A great story teller and is quick to dial in the right lures to make it happen. We would be heading into some rain, and with Tom’s mastery of how to best navigate to calmer waters. we would go from sluggish hits while trolling with bottom-bouncing spinners tipped with worms to plenty of “fish on” declarations. We would enjoy a great morning of fishing, and lots of storytelling across many topics. We would catch nice sized yellow perch, white fish and of course walleyes!
I would head out before the last morning due to work obligations and I knew just how much I was missing out on. That is the problem with responsible adulting sometimes. The evening before the last day we all came to similar opinions as to how great the conversations were, the bonding as friends, and as fellow writers the importance of our roles to communicate how grand the outdoors experience in Chautauqua County truly is!
The combination of natural resources, the natural beauty of the area, and a region complete with fantastic eateries, historic sites, breweries and wineries has something very special to offer dedicated fishermen, and families alike. I might suggest that you will find yourself to enjoy your time here as we have. As you plan your next fishing trip this spring, over the summer, and the fall seasons, it is well worth your attention and a great destination to bring your spouse and entire family!
© 2024 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
#Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, #Eastern Lake Erie Charter Boat Association,
A Must Have Book on the Era of Wild Turkey Restoration and Call Making Boom.
The latest book from turkey hunting historian, book and call collector Brent Rogers, is a fantastic addition to your turkey hunting library. Brent’s second book- Yelp & Gobble, Inc: How Restoring the Wild Turkey Spurred on a Game Call Innovation Boom, is a wonderfully written book. Brent offers his latest with quality color printing in a hard cover offering. A forward by Jim Casada starts off the friendly tone of the book and for those that collect turkey hunting books, you would be familiar with Jim’s musings and his turkey hunting book business.
I can attest to the fact Brent writes and speaks in the same warm and friendly voice that well conveys turkey hunting stories as well as making often dry historical facts much more interesting and engaging for the reader. If you started hunting turkeys before the turn of the century, you will recognize some of what he covers in the book. Coverage of these influential call makers are well captured in depth and there is something for all turkey hunters to enjoy. A golden era of exploding turkey populations and a call making industry that followed on the coattails of it. The author’s love and genuine interest in the time honored past time shines through in his writings, making this offering a most enjoyable read!
© 2024 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
New Audiobook- Reapercide- Fatalism Defined by Mike Joyner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2022
New Audiobook- Reapercide- Fatalism Defined by Mike Joyner
Joyner Outdoor Media Proudly Announces the Audiobook release of
Reapercide- Fatalism Defined by Mike Joyner
Cortland, NEW YORK – Joyner Outdoor Media announces the audiobook release of Reapercide- Fatalism Defined , by McGraw resident Mike Joyner
A new audiobook version rounds out the offerings of the 2024 release in paperback, hardcover, and kindle book offerings. The author is very pleased to provide the title in the audiobook format which is an ideal format for the the title. The author, Mike Joyner recruited the narrating talent of Tim Carper from Lexington, Kentucky as a great fit for the project.
Publisher’s Summary – It is a grand experience roosting a gobbler, having an ideal setup, calling him in strutting, and outsmarting the bird for one last time. There are folks that promote fanning and reaping to be just as alluring as the old ways.
ReaperCide, Fatalism Defined- focuses on the discussion of common sense hunting safety, covering the shooter’s responsibility, the compromised actions of those who use these methods, and the plausibility of mistaken-for-game incidents. A case is made for not standing in line for a Darwin Award participation trophy.
When it comes to hunting safety, we do not apologize. Hunting methods and ethics may vary among us, but it is reasonable to assert common ground in these matters. We have a legal, and moral obligation to ourselves and our fellow hunters to return home safe from a grand day afield in the turkey woods.
The audiobook is now available on Audible/Amazon
The audiobook is now available on Apple iTunes
Hardcover, paperback books, and Kindle – available now on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTQH91XT
Joyner can be made available for media requests by emailing: info@joynerourdoormedia.com
For more information on the author visit his personal website: www.mikejoyner.com
© 2024 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
PR Book Release: ReaperCide- Fatalism Defined by Mike Joyner
Joyner Outdoor Media Proudly Announces the Book Release of ReaperCide- Fatalism Defined by Mike Joyner
Cortland, NEW YORK – Joyner Outdoor Media announces the Joyner Outdoor Media Proudly Announces the Book Release of ReaperCide- Fatalism Defined by Mike Joyner
The author’s latest book release dives straight in, headlong into the discussion of the controversial subject of reaping, fanning, and stalking wild turkeys. The author makes a sound and well-reasoned case against the methods that are currently banned in eight states during spring and fall wild turkey hunting seasons. It is currently available in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle.
Publisher’s Summary – It is a grand experience roosting a gobbler, having an ideal setup, calling him in strutting, and outsmarting the bird for one last time. There are folks that promote fanning and reaping to be just as alluring as the old ways.
ReaperCide, Fatalism Defined- focuses on the discussion of common sense hunting safety, covering the shooter’s responsibility, the compromised actions of those who use these methods, and the plausibility of mistaken-for-game incidents. A case is made for not standing in line for a Darwin Award participation trophy.
When it comes to hunting safety, we do not apologize. Hunting methods and personal ethics may vary among us, but it is reasonable to assert common ground in these matters. We have a legal, and moral obligation to ourselves and our fellow hunters to return home safe from a grand day afield in the turkey woods.
Hardcover, paperback books, and Kindle – available now on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTQH91XT
Joyner can be made available for media requests by emailing: info@joynerourdoormedia.com
For further information on the author: www.mikejoyner.com
-MJ
© 2024 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
BOOK PROJECTS- 2024 UPDATE
Book Project Update-The following two projects have been long-term works in progress and very different efforts than the storybooks that I write one chapter at a time, at random throughout the years. Some just appear to be at random as a eureka moments once enough material is collected, and put aside to publish without any particular schedule. As these two large projects require large swaths of time to keep it all straight, with far too many moving parts, it is a much slower workflow.
D.D. Adams- Evolutionary Turkey Call Pioneer, a long-awaited title. scheduled to be released this past summer had been pushed back after a snafu in source material permissions. Regrouped on pictures and may have to do one more photo shoot to fill a few gaps. Expect editing and finishing chapters through the winter. Aside from proof reading there will be a period of review for any gaps.
Empire State Limb Hangers– New York Wild Turkey Records, another long-awaited title, is on track for this year. Weekly progress on this. The entire database has been gone through and grown the records two fold. The project expanded dramatically. All data is up to date and locked down as of July 2023. All but a last push on interviews and finalizing each story included in the book. Those that have responded with interest of inclusion will be interviewed.
Books Scheduled For Release:
ReaperCide, Fatalism Defined– tackles a controversial topic and includes musings collected for some time. Will be released 2/13/24. This was a formatting effort as it is a collection of commentary over the past decade. Much like the Random Musings series and a few other titles that will spring up unscheduled, it is mostly consolidating prior musings with a little polish and organizing.
Books in print:
Hills of Truxton: Stories & Travels of a Turkey Hunter 1.2 version, available online at Amazon and other online book store in paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. Hills Of Truxton
Tales from the Turkey Woods: Mornings of My Better Days 1.2 version, available online at Amazon and other online book stores in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. Tales From The Turkey Woods
Grand Days in the Turkey Woods is available online at Amazon and other online book stores in Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. Grand Days In The Turkey Woods Hardcovers w/dustjacket can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Grand-Days-Turkey-Woods-Joyner/dp/1495125475
Ten To Life- Delirium Tales Of A Covid-19 Survivor is available online at Amazon and other online book stores in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3LP45XD/
A Walk In The Turkey Woods- Wandering Thoughts and Revelations, is available online at Amazon and other online book stores in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle format. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW36MGN9
An audiobook is currently in production with a 2024 release anticipated.
Random Musings- Of The Left Hemisphere, is available online at Amazon and other online book stores in Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. https://www.amazon.com/Random-Musings-Left-Hemisphere-Joyner-ebook/dp/B0C2WMQNHH
Random² Musings:-A Left Hemisphere Continuum, is available online at Amazon and other online book stores in Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. https://www.amazon.com/Random%C2%B2-Musings-Left-Hemisphere-Continuum-ebook/dp/B0CK4WH86B
Personal Hunting Journals Collection. nine journals total in the collection, and tailored to your favored seasons. All journals are available for $7.59 on Amazon
For a consolidated set of links to purchase on Amazon, click on: https://www.joyneroutdoorme dia.com/journals_promo.html.
Future Projects:
Tales from The Roost, Roost ‘n Time Tales– Another turkey hunting stories book is likely to come out in the late summer of 2024 and depends on a number of things being completed prior to coming together. I rough draft stories each season, so it is not absolute in the schedule. As a fourth storybook, it may be one of the last of those efforts. The seasons and memories have been so inspirational which continues to drive these titles.
Random3 Musings:-A Left Hemisphere Continuum, last installment of random social media commentary, mostly conservative view points, some humor, and of course hunting themed commentary.
Old Turkey Tree, Stories From The Turkey Woods– will be a collection of my favorites from each storybook title and a full-color edition will be offered in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle. That will come sometime after Roost ‘n Time Tales is published.
A wild turkey cookbook is a slow cooker, a work in progress, a joint project with Lee Joyner and will come out whenever I get to road-testing my hazardous culinary skills. If I survive that experiment, it will happen…
There are more slow-rolling book projects that pique my interest in pursuing, and I add bits and pieces to each project folder as they fit or strike me to capture at the moment. There are a few novel project ideas if I ever get to it.
Websites: A redesign of the Joyner Outdoor Media website is active, integrating all the published book websites, lists current projects and future projects (mostly novels) in planning stages. the home base at turkey-talk.com is up and running, and will solicit advertising to make the indulgence self-sufficient when that final section is done.
-MJ
© 2024 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
NY Fall Turkey Season In Decline?
The Fat Lady has sung for the New York second season covering most of the southern tier region. Unless I get hooked up for a hunt for the 3rd season on Long Island coming up, the turkeys are safe for a few months, until May rolls around again. The last time I filled a fall tag in New York was back in 2015. It is most certainly not due to a lack of opportunities, in fact just the opposite. The truth of it is I had opportunities each year since, and would come up in range for a shot opportunity or could easily set up a plan on a fresh sighting and march forward with battle operations either with our beloved Weimaraners, who both have now passed over the rainbow bridge or could set up near a roost the following morning based on timely intel.
With the lack of sightings covering large areas, and many options of parcels to hunt, including fantastic state lands that have been great each spring season, I opted not to fill a tag on a jake, jenny, or a hen in flocks I did find and were no more than 5-10 birds in the flock. A flock of gobblers, say a half dozen or more would be fair game, but as witnessed, a couple here or there wasn’t rising to the occasion given how depressed the population is currently and the decline of recent years.
Before you draw any conclusions or respond hastily, my comments are at best anecdotal commentary. There is no scientific observation or proof of authority suggested, not by my intentions. It is one data point covering a specific set of parcels, my travels, and it is assumed Murphy is riding shotgun and thwarting my best efforts to spot them at will. Not seeing much for scratching’s or scat you would find in known roost areas. I know of other hunters in different regions who report decent sightings and are successful when all is said and done. For the past nine fall seasons, the scouting has shown little promise for flocks large enough to want to take a turkey out of. I still hunt the fall turkey seasons in New York, and as of late, it is more like catch and release without the ballistic event or just wading in the stream.
As I wrangle out my thinking here, It might be a thought to hunt them with a camera and satisfy my driven tradition of hunting fall turkeys. I will hold any opinion of what the past two years are looking to add up to once I do my winter scouting and hopefully will get more up-to-date data from the NYSDEC.
-MJ
© 2023 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
RSS - Posts