fall turkey
Estimated Wild Turkey Harvest Reports NY
With the ongoing concerns about the observable decline of wild turkey populations in the great Empire State, it is a timely exercise to take a look at the estimated harvest numbers. We’ll look at this by the statewide macro, all the way back before the observable peaks and what is considered by many to be the heyday of turkeys in nearly every place you might look for them. As a geeky engineer personality, I follow such statistics concerning our favored nemesis, including measurable trophy records. I ask that you consider this carefully from the macro view, as estimations rely on statistical modeling that bears true overall from large volumes of data rather than looking at widely varying micro-ecosystems. Before I dive into this further there is a list of precepts, assumptions, and points to make to take notice of and pay heed to before coming to any conclusions. The current topic of population decline is an emotional and often heated discussion full of finger-pointing and rife with blame and quick fixes. The purpose of this is to show how severe the decline is estimated to be.
Source data used:
The data from 1999 thru 2021 is sourced from NYSDEC webpages https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30420.html, https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30412.html Both pages are captured from previously published versions of the same links. Currently, active published links only go back to 2012.
NYSDEC data from 2006 thru 2021 is estimated harvest data.
https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30420.html 2008 version published spring harvest data included both reported harvest and estimated harvest for 1999 thru 2005 no such comparison for the fall harvest is found in the search.
NYSDEC data from 1999 thru 2005 is estimated harvest data.
https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30420.html 2008 version published spring harvest data included both reported harvest and estimated harvest for 1999 thru 2005 no such comparison for the fall harvest is found in the search.
The data from 1990 thru 1998 is sourced from NYSDEC webpages https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30420.html, https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30412.html Both pages are captured from previously published versions of the same links.
Precepts:
- All data used to create this is from NYSDEC published reports. All comments made here are not as a representative or authority of the NYSDEC or reviewed. Corrections, and or clarifications are sincerely welcomed to make this as accurate as feasibly possible.
- Estimation factors applied to reported harvest numbers are targeted to realistically represent poaching estimates, harvest reporting participation, and other factors identified by the NYSDEC. I would invite them to comment on what is involved in reaching estimation factors applied to each county.
- This is a macro statewide view. Anecdotally, each of us can cite absolute conclusions from our honey holes, the trash talk at the diners, conversations at the trail heads, etc. Managing the wildlife resource by region is the current method.
- Very few of us hunt more than a few counties any given season and even less are afield throughout the entire year. The extenuating factors to list by county much less by individual parcels, tracts of land are too many, too varied to digest well enough to rationally get a handle of the widespread landscape of decline. Such studies on micro ecosystems would take decades to complete and reach any consensus or actionable conclusions.
- The factors derived by the years 1999 through 2005 were averaged out by county and applied to estimate numbers for 1990 thru 1998. NYSDEC has not provided or published factors for these years. The peak factor numbers were not used in my calculations so as to not overstate the peak years. If such factoring data exists it would be much preferred
Observations:
- As the peak years are based only on derived averaged factoring, (1999-2005 Spring Season) it is a conservative estimate that the population is now roughly 20-25% of the peak population year. Some individual counties at first glance appear to be further declined. It will require correlation with license sales in those counties to validate that. What is sustainable year to year is not submitted or asserted here. It is far more complex than the harvest data thus far can suggest.
- The factoring spread among all NY counties (1999-2005 Spring Seasons) ranges from 2.65 to 7.40.
- The average spread among all NY counties (1999-2005 Spring Seasons) ranges from 4.06 to 5.71.
- The averaged factor among all NY counties = 4.57 (1999-2005 Spring Seasons)
- Translation- for every harvest reported. 3.57 turkeys across the Empire State were not reported or taken illegally. It is unclear as to what percentages or other contributors.
Comments:
I invite the NYDEC to comment to participate in communicating to New York Sportsmen as to what goes into the statistical modeling and factoring of yearly game harvest number estimates. Poaching of course is already illegal, over-harvest, etc. One thing each of us can control and improve as a group is the harvest reporting participation. 90-100% is possible. I can recall from NYSDEC -NY NWTF meetings during the change over from raw harvest data reporting to estimated harvest reporting, how low the harvest reporting participation was thought to be. I am a big fan of removing as much guessing as possible to improve the statistical modeling. With the population severely declining, how well does it bode to turn a blind eye to those we know that pile up a half dozen gobblers season after season before filling the first tag? It is not the primary reason for the decline but a contributing factor and hinders the ability to accurately model population trends, or stability.
We can do better. If we are to get a handle on the low-hanging fruit of root causes causing the population to decline, we need to get past this, what we can directly, and immediately control. This is a friendly reminder that as sportsmen, we do not require a state agency to self-regulate our own actions. I won’t implore that any of you adopt my personal ethics, but I would ask each of you to give pause/reservation to squeezing the trigger at your favored stomping grounds where you now only see one or two birds whereas you use to see fifteen or twenty in the spring. In far too many locations across the state, we make that choice on what may be the last remaining turkeys, in the field, on the hill. It may be some time to see them rebound, and there are too many places on my list that I’ll check on, but I am no longer willing to fill a tag there. This includes my own property. It is a most disheartening thing.
I will conclude by asking each of you to view this as trending data, not absolute, and is in a broad view of the entire New York wild turkey population. Hopefully, the folks at the NYSDEC will provide much more clarity to this and further explain the modeling and factoring that makes this a monitoring tool for the wild turkey resource we are so passionate about.
-MJ
© 2022
Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
2022 Curtain Call NY Spring Turkey Season
Whatever grandiose plans you may have, the moment of truth has a shelf life of five hours and forty six minutes. Not that anyone is counting…
Apply what you have learned during the course of the past week, better yet with such little time to get it done, pinpointed gobbling or direct line of sight is the best tactile data. Make no mistakes,, add in a dose of good fortune and you’ll send the fat lady packing before show time. With exceptions noted, your choices will make or break the deal.
With a full green up and a depressingly suppressed population of wild turkeys, you are rolling the dice running spot to spot. If you know they are in a piece of woods, work it slowly and methodically. If you follow my musings you know I like my gobblers without an advanced education and dumb as a rock. Best advice-no short courses in hunter tactics and maneuvers.
You are appealing to social gatherings of less than forty yards for turkeys. Confidence calling, feeding purrs, whips and whistles light clucks, and very soft yelping. If one drowns out your call with a more than insistent gobble, get ready as they may not gobble again and come in silent. Late season encounters often conclude in minutes not hours. In recent years I’ve tagged three dandy gobblers with less than two hours left for the season. It can be done, stick with it. As I type this, three gobbles on the roost, and not sure which county he was gobbling from.
If you do get a hen that challenges you, match her and if she goes all in, add one more note, it either escalates quickly or whimpers out. Girlfriend mouthing off gets the boyfriend in trouble far more often than not.
Turkeys have been chased for four weeks and any mistake you make will in most cases result in a hasty exit. Attention to details on anything you wear or carry that makes an unnatural sound, the way you walk through the woods, calling too loudly, snapping twigs underfoot, are all subject to the scrutiny of a very wary bird. It is this scrutiny that amplifies what you can employ to your advantage. Using your fingers to imitate scratching for food in the leaves, using the brim of your hat to imitate a hen stretching her wings and scratching it on the tree bark is a far more effective call than you might first think.
Should you get a bird to gobble it should be noted that what you thought was two hundred yards three weeks ago is well under a hundred yards and closing. They often won’t gobble until very close, nearly in range the last week of the season, and if you aren’t focused and ready you may miss the opportunity.
Hunt all the way to your spot, and all the way back to the truck, the entire hunt can turn around in seconds and the action can be fast and furious. Stay sharp, safe, and alert.
Best of luck the final remaining hours of the season. Now if I can get this lady off my damn shoulder…
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
This Old Turkey Hunter Remembers
A bit of a melancholy kind of Memorial Day as we remember those fallen while engaged in battle, in service to our country. I am fortunate for those family members that have served, eventually came home to continue life onward with us, beyond service to our country. Each time my father returned home from a tour at sea I was too young to know or worry. He was our hero and assumed he always would. We are grateful that was the case.
We honor them on Veterans Day although it is today that we think of them also as they are our living heroes among us. Not to take away from the intent or deep meaning of this day of remembrance. The sacrifice of one’s life in service to us is a profound act that we honor today.
As a day of reflection I also reflect on a spring season of allowing me to get out and hunt which came perilously close to never happening again after a near fatal experience with Covid late summer last year. It is humbling to know that these heroes sacrificed their tomorrow’s of such days afield, time with family, and leaves me grateful to have had the time as I have had. Something very special after having so many memorable seasons over three decades in the turkey woods.
The turkey woods are by declaration my sanctuary, my church where I ponder my thoughts, engage in deep consolation with my maker. With the good fortune to do so this spring, I find my bearings, and return home grounded and in appreciation for so many things, and for so much that has been done for me and my fellow countrymen.
It is fitting for this old turkey hunter to reflect, to honor, and remember these fallen heroes on Memorial Day as it is not forgotten that all that I have come to love and enjoy came at a price that has been paid in full for our way of living.
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Fanning Reaper Bullies
Had a few comments made to me today and like clockwork repeated each time I visit this topic of Fanning, Reaping, and Stalking. I have revised a Facebook post from some years ago-
In as much accusatory tone as one might muster, apparently, I’m elitist, that I believe I am better than other hunters, and I blast those that don’t hunt as I do or see it my way. I have been told these things directly and accused of actually being an Anti-Hunter…
Sacrilegious… Fighting words… Cash Me Outside …
Seriously, please indulge me for a few moments while I shed a tear in this profound tragedy.
Delete and block are the modern tools in social media that have replaced a black eye and a sore jaw that one got for uncivil dialog back in my youth. Back then, you got real physical feedback for engaging your mouth before putting your grey matter in first gear. I digress…
To be crystal clear, we are talking about the practice of reaping, fanning, and stalking in the rolling, high grass, heavily wooded hunting grounds. This is not a point of concern in open prairies, wide-open mature forests, and large tracts of plowed farm fields in states where rifles are not legal in turkey seasons. I state this for the peanut gallery as otherwise, the village idiot could figure this out. I have friends who do this in very open areas, where the risks of incidents are not a factor. My criticism is directed at circumstances that present undue risk and defy common sense.
I am of critical opinion of those that choose to engage in risky methods in inappropriate settings in the turkey woods, potentially at others’ expense. No apologies, none forthcoming. We are expected to speak up when one displays unsafe gun handling, and engages in methods of undue risk. Is common sense no longer common? The common-sense principles used to promote defensive driving similarly apply very well to hunting. Ask any hunting safety instructor.
Turkey hunting has its inherent risks as in any form of hunting (arguably, factually low,) but why add undue risk? I do not wear antlers on my head or a deer suit during deer season. I am confident my life insurance company would cancel my policy if they were to find out I was rolling the dice on opening day with a nice set of booners on my head. Would a judge dismiss the case should I be shot for wearing a deer costume out in the woods for the opener? I guess yes. I’ll also guess the same when you crawl across a rolling meadow with a real fan and full-color neck and head decoy mounted to your gun barrel. Is the shooter to blame, you bet, are you the reaper to blame, you bet. The most incompetent lawyer across the land would get that thrown out of court. BTW not getting shot is the point.
My take? I hit a nerve and upset my counter-opinioned hunter to the point of a triggered, uncivil response. This is all over the continual debate over Fanning, Reaping, and Stalking wild turkeys. I do not stand alone in my view, nearly half of the state DNRs, DECs have explicit language, and safety information not recommending stalking wild turkeys in any manner. Alabama, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina (WMA’s only), and Rhode Island have outright deemed it illegal to use Fanning/Reaping Methods or engage in stalking turkeys.
The following States, and one Canadian Province issue a statement of caution specifically in their hunting regs and or species-specific guides against the practice of stalking as a matter of safety: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky (specifically fanning/reaping), Maine, Maryland, Missouri, New York, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Ontario-Canada. Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Despite the unfortunate shootings of two hunters while fanning in 2017, on private land together with a third, or that in 2013, a fellow turkey hunter suffered fatal injuries from these practices, we have the kill gobblers at all cost crowd claiming folks like me and others are full of it, have no proof, safer than driving, Indians did it, elitists telling us how to hunt and the foolishness goes on and on. There are other incidents that cannot be included at this time as the reporting is vague and one cannot separate decoy use from the topic at hand. Truthfully If I never again found cause to report a hunting incident it would be a great thing.
Me an Anti? Not in this lifetime. I personally don’t care if you choose other ways, or strategies other than what I might choose. Hunters make different approaches work however best it suits them. When it comes to doing things that presents a plausible incident scenario, I will speak out. Having regard for others, and some sense of logical reasoning, my viewpoint is not arrived at lightly or just to see what I might stir up.
The efficiency of the method is not in dispute, nor is the thrill of the experience. It is called reaping for a reason. It can get the job done. Snap shooting while the gobbler is trying to achieve Mach 2 in any direction but yours makes for very hurried, haphazard shots. Some of the youtube videos show this in cringe-worthy gun-handling footage. Throw into this entire mix, you have rifles legal in some states, shotguns pushing up to the 100-yard mark, actually taxidermy or dried fans for more “realism”, and my less than favorite, “I only do it on private land” as we all know those $50-$100 fines all but ensures peace, tranquility, and the ultimate of privacy on our own lands or private lands of others. The arguments for fanning and reaping are that foolhardy.
To round out my observation and comments on a revisit to this foray, do I think I am better than other hunters? I have my doubts as I remain a hopeless member of the tenth legion and I have plenty of lumps and scars from living through difficult periods, events of great loss, and “it’s reality time” moments in my past six decades. In short, hell no. Before I hoist that gobbler over my shoulder, it is pure adrenaline, heart in my throat moment up until he shows up. 30 years later it is every bit as good as my very first turkey hunt. I assume that most of you as fellow hunters have a similar experience. I sincerely hope that you do. I do enjoy other successful hunter’s postings. It pleases me as I know I will get out there as well. So no, I feel akin to my fellow hunters and enjoy as they do, not from a lofty better than thou view. I’ll be just as happy to see your hero pics. Your stories I like even better.
As long as we stay silent, afraid to “ruffle feathers” or hurt our collective reaper/fanning feelings (for some) We allow this promotion (or lack of opinion in fear of) to give a black eye to our great pastime.
Truly yours-
Not Afraid
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Book Projects- State of The Union
Things at Joyner Outdoor Media have been rather chaotic and very busy these days. After recovering from a terribly Covid experience going into last winter, many things have changed, mostly for the better. Several projects have dragged on for years while I forged a living with my tech company. Several long-term projects will be completed, and a few unusual and different ones will surprise you as well. On top of all that, a redesign of the Joyner Outdoor Media website will integrate all the existing published books and will introduce each new book as it is released or slated for a release date. the home base at turkey-talk.com will also be completed and will solicit advertising to make the indulgence self-sufficient.
D.D. Adams- Evolutionary Turkey Call Pioneer, a long-awaited title. is scheduled to be released in June of this year.
Ten To Life- Delirium Tales Of A Covid-19 Survivor is also scheduled to be released in June of this year. This is obviously a different project from what my audience would expect. It is a raw and wild recollection of too many days in hospitals and 18 days in an induced coma.
A Walk In The Turkey Woods- Wandering Thoughts and Revelations is scheduled to be released in August of this year. This collection of thoughts and introspection is an exercise of our mind, and spirit while immersed in the turkey woods. This is a deviation from my prior hunting story books and takes a look at life while spending time in our favored setting.
Empire State Limb Hangers– New York Wild Turkey Records, another long-awaited title, is scheduled for a February 3rd, 2023 release.
There will be a few small book signing tours starting this summer and I will post those when details become available,
Future Projects:
Roost ‘n Time Tales– Another turkey hunting stories book is likely to come out in 2023 or 2024 and that depends on a number of things coming together. I rough draft stories each season, so it is not absolute in the schedule. As a fourth storybook that may be the last of those efforts,
Old Turkey Tree is a collection of my favorites from each title and will be offered in a hardcover, full-color edition. That will come sometime after Roost ‘n Time Tales is published.
A wild turkey cookbook is a slow cooker work in progress and will come out whenever I get to road-testing my hazardous culinary skills. If I survive that experiment, it will happen…
There are five more slow-rolling book projects that pique my interest in pursuing, and a few novels if I ever get to it, two ideas are turkey hunting themed, and the third is in the sci-fi, horror genre. I might have to be well into retirement at that point.
Books in print:
Hills of Truxton: Stories & Travels of a Turkey Hunter is currently available online at Amazon and other online book stores in paperback, and kindle format. Hills Of Truxton
A 2.0 version is coming later in 2022 with a new cover, a few updated pictures, and the typical text corrections and small edits in the effort to follow in some semblance of the Queen’s English. A hardcover w/ dust cover will also follow in the 2.0 version, The laminated hardcover 1.0 edition is no longer available.
Tales from the Turkey Woods: Mornings of My Better Days is currently available online at Amazon and other online book stores in paperback, and kindle format. Tales From The Turkey Woods
A 2.0 version is coming later in 2022 with a new cover, a few updated pictures, and the typical text corrections and small edits as with my first title. A hardcover w/ dust cover will also follow in the 2.0 version Release of 2.0 will be announced later this fall.
Grand Days in the Turkey Woods is currently available online at Amazon and other online book stores in paperback, and kindle format. Grand Days In The Turkey Woods Hardcovers can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Grand-Days-Turkey-Woods-Joyner/dp/1495125475
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
NY Wild Turkey Records Book Project
The Empire State Limb Hangers book project is coming to a final close for inclusion for the first edition. It has been a long time coming. Since a significant life event this past late summer/fall, wrapping up large works and getting them to the finish line are a concentrated effort now, I have done what I can to gain interviews, including several state wide tours. I can entertain a third tour this summer.
Any new record entries are invited to interview. If you tag or have tagged a legally harvested gobbler that meets the criteria listed at the end of this, I would love to interview you for inclusion in the project. Although your stories and photos will be captured for the book, you will retain all rights to your photo’s and your story. Should you wish to have the story I write up to be used for other uses, Copyright permissions would be normal and expected for personal uses, commercial use can be reviewed for consideration.
The deadline for interviewing for the first edition will be November 21, 2022. If you should tag a fall bird for consideration during late season this fall, contact me- mjoyner@joyneroutdoormedia.com
Book Release is slated for June 3rd, 2023.
The challenges with keeping it all legit for the project is typically weight as most of the common small scales that are used to weigh fish can vary +/- 1 lbs to 2 lbs or more. A weight coupon from a certified scale ensures accuracy and proof of measurement. Otherwise, it can be legitimately and reasonably challenged. The scale should be suitable for products or goods for sale that are taxed in the state.
Pictures with tape measurement in the pics are best to show scale for beards and spurs. There are several handy products to help measure spurs (including the curved outside edge) but as of this writing, none cover the spur measurements that have been described going back decades as published by the NWTF http://turkey-talk.com/scoresbpmeasure.html#spus
Anecdotal evidence cannot be used to substantiate record book entries. If you think you have one for the books: weigh the gobbler on a certified scale and be sure to get a weight coupon. Take plenty of photos. NWTF requires witness signatures that also have to be an NWTF member if you wish to participate in their records program. Safari Club also has a program but is not viewable unless a current member. I may include them if details can be worked out in the future. I am accepting record entries not included in the NWTF system. Please note that the NWTF requires verifications that I have mentioned and will accept their determinations for the project. I do support their system and would encourage you to enter your submission with the NWTF as well. NWTF submissions are now accepted online: www.nwtf.org/hunt/records.
Scoring tabulations for the project will include the NWTF system, and the SBP weighted system. for more info on SBP http://turkey-talk.com/scoresbp.html
For those that I have contacted or attempted to contact at the beginning of the project: Your stories will be available to review as I complete them. The book will not be published until each person reviews and provided feedback as to the accuracy and that no sensitive information that needs to be private remains so. Hunting location is often the consideration for discretion.
If you haven’t been interviewed and would like to be included, please contact me, I would love to include as many as possible that met the original score criteria.
There will be future editions as records are broken. For those I attempted to include in prior attempts, should you desire to catch up and be included in the project, that would be welcomed for future inclusion. Some hunters have passed on, and should their families or hunting partners have an interest, please contact me directly. The more turkey hunters that come on board that I originally sought to interview, the better. Records are made to be broken, eclipsed, and are expected.
If you have harvested a legally tagged wild turkey with one or more of the following attributes in NY during the 2021-2022 spring/fall seasons, or years prior, registered or not registered with NWTF records, I would love to talk to you about being included in the book!
Please contact mjoyner@joyneroutdoormedia.com
Note: Non-registered birds- measurable attributes must be verified for consideration.
Typical score greater than 75.000 (weight x1 + beard x 2 + L & R spur x 10)
Non-Typical score greater than 105.000 (weight x1 + beard(s) x 2 + L & R spur(s) x 10)
Weight greater than 26.5 lbs. (verifiable certified weight)
Beard Length greater than 12″ (verifiable length)
Spur Length greater than 1.625″ (verifiable length)
Color phase variations and Hens with beards or spurs are notable stories for inclusion.
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Back In the Saddle
There is something to be said for being driven, to be able to harness that energy to overcome circumstances, to bounce back from near death which I can authentically speak to now after a near-fatal Covid event. The passion of being in the turkey woods shares this drive with many other pursuits and you can translate this into whichever it may be for you, from your own source of inspired living. This in no way lessens the importance of God, family, country, and the love and care of your friends.
I won’t go into much detail about this past late summer/early fall brush with death, but in a nutshell; I was hit hard with Covid-19, delta variant, given a 10% chance of surviving, spent 40 days in four hospitals, 18 of which was sedated in an induced coma. As I write this, I am still actively recovering.
I missed the entire fall turkey season as it was not at all feasible at the time. It was a concentrated effort and succession of small milestones that led to sitting in a blind for deer season, not 80 yards from my home. We live in the woods, so it’s actually a viable choice. I can tell you that I was beyond thrilled to be able to do that much. By the end of deer season, I was able to take an ATV to a favorite sit, although I am far more into hunting all the way in and hunt all the way-out mentality. What walking I could do was on a treadmill in a controlled setting or along the country roads carrying a portable O2 tank.
Fast forward to spring recovery planning, and I would continue to increase walking, and see slow but consistent improvements. There is a blessing in going through such circumstances and coming out the end of it as a survivor. Seeing the ones you love, and friends you sorely miss are the most obvious things to be so grateful for. As I walked to my appointed listening spot under a starlit Texas sky, I took in all its splendor, so grateful to be able to slowly walk a mile and a half in without toting an oxygen tank or covering the distance with a walker. I enjoyed every step of that old dirt road.
To those that know me for many years, I prefer to take the game to the gobblers I chase. Not one to just hang out in a blind along a field. Sometimes it is the right strategy. As a ridge hunter, as my preferred terrain, I see a four-hundred-foot elevation change as a matter of time to cover the climb and the distance, not if I’ll go after a gobbling bird. I remain of a similar perspective, just much slower until I drop weight and put back some of that spring in my step.
Each of the three days hunting in Eden, Texas, I put in four to five miles a day of walking and carrying my loaded turkey vest and firearm. Walking on a treadmill is one thing, out in the field it is a bit more effort. On the second day, I had to walk a small hill for the first mile and finished the last half a mile downhill. Once again, a beautiful still morning and you could hear forever. I could hear a bird gobble as I crested the hill and heard him several more times as I descended to the river bottom flat that I was looking to get to. The hunt was a memorable one, rather productive as it resulted in calling in 19 hens with 5 strutting gobblers. Two gobblers came back with me. Beautiful morning and I continued to enjoy the remaining hunts at the ranch. The ranch had a variety of wildlife, and we would enjoy seeing the periodic visits throughout each day.
For those of you recovering from Covid or the exhaustive list of other life-changing ailments, I implore you to do what you can to get outside, to get back to what moves you, what drives you each day. It is hard at times; it is downright depressing when it doesn’t go as planned or fast enough to suit your expectations. Those are often temporary setbacks and change for the better is inevitable if you can embrace a positive outlook. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones. If this old grumpy turkey hunter can do it, there is hope. If you are a believer, the power of prayer is a powerful thing, for those that do not, embrace the energy of goodwill on your behalf. I do wish each of you recovering the best in your journey.
We are back in the saddle! Just riding a bit more tame and gentler horse.
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
NYSDEC Proposed Changes to NY Wild Turkey Hunting Regulations
Two new regulation changes are being proposed to the landscape of wild turkey hunting regulations. In a nutshell, they are looking to include shot sizes as small as #9’s and add a spring turkey season to Suffolk County on Long Island. As always, your opinion only makes an impactful difference if you voice it directly to those crafting legislation and regulations.
I’ll state this bluntly- Responding in those never-ending echo chambers is a fool’s errand. Pause the back and forth chatter on social media and take a few minutes of your time to voice your support or opposition to proposed regulations. Public comment on these regulatory proposals runs through June 5, 2022.
Send your comments by email to wildliferegs@dec.ny.gov with “Proposed Turkey Regulations” in the subject line or mail to: Joshua Stiller, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754.
https://www.dec.ny.gov/press/125107.html
As to the #9 shot, you get my thumbs up as long as it stipulates heavier/more dense than lead. As I read the regulation change, it does not. Hevi Shot and TSS loads are a huge upgrade to smaller than 12 gauge bores and with the right choke, deliver an ethical ballistic solution when reviewing comparative observation of expected pattern/energy on target. If proposed regulations opt only for TSS shot, it can be argued reasonably as it is yet heavier and denser than Hevi-13. I would recommend #9 shot in TSS for .410 shotguns as an optimal choice. My opinion however does not support or suggest the longer ranges that some promote.
Suffolk County has plenty of turkeys, and suitable habitats to hunt them. The downside is the access as much of it is private holdings. To those that have hunted and fished on Long Island, it is abundant in opportunities, but it is different. There are folks that are not opposed to hunting but do not want to see it directly. Discretion and sportsmen’s best behavior in these settings would be essential to the success of opening a season there. Much of the public access in Suffolk County is multi-use and well-used and you can be assured that those groups will voice their opinions without reservation.
You can find info on public grounds at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/40399.html
The following is the currently proposed text:
6 NYCRR 1.40(c)(2) is amended as follows:
(2) Spring. A permittee may hunt wild turkey only during those open seasons and in
those wildlife management units (as described in section 4.1 of this Title) listed below.
Open season Wildlife management units
Closed 1A[, 1C] and 2A
May 1st to May 31st Rest of the State
6 NYCRR 1.40(d)(2) is amended as follows:
(2) Spring. A permittee may take:
(i) two bearded turkeys during the spring season as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of
this section; however
(ii) no more than one bearded turkey per day; and
(iii) no more than one bearded turkey in WMU 1C
6 NYCRR 1.40(f)(3) is amended as follows:
(3) A permittee may hunt turkey with a shotgun or handgun loaded with shot no larger
than number 2 and no smaller than number [8]9.
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
When Your Season Needs A Little Pick Me Up
Season a little dull, need to up your turkey master game? Try a new twist of the modern biathlon! 10 Meter Gobbler snatch and 21KM Run. Truly separates the posers from the alpha males come turkey season! Just the ticket for poacher training too!
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