Beard
Long Island Delivers a New Top Wild Turkey Record
With the inaugural fully open spring season this past May in Suffolk County, it was predicted by many of us in the turkey hunting community that gobblers tagged in Suffolk County would likely rachet the record books upward. It has not only moved the high water mark upward but delivered a new #1 Typical Score on May 10th. This follows another gobbler in the top five from this season- https://www.turkey-talk.com/tblog/?p=2694
A fall season had been in place in Suffolk since 2009, along with a spring youth hunt that began in 2011. After much deliberation and observations of plentiful and healthy flocks on Long Island, the go-ahead for an open spring season hunt was green-lighted this past May. With hunting fall gobblers a more difficult endeavor in the fall season, having an open season in the spring was expected to yield even more impressive gobblers. It is a shift of preferences from fall to spring from over a century ago when fall season was the traditional season.
Christopher Tellone, a resident of Long Island, took his first ever wild turkey gobbler this spring and without question, a wild turkey gobbler of a lifetime. It may be his first turkey, but Christopher is no spring chicken in the woods or new to hunting. As a lifelong deer hunter, he employed many of his woodsmanship skills to help him bag the new top typical score gobbler in the Empire State. Chris, now known to his friends as “Long Spur,” tells the story of getting onto a flock of birds that morning with several gobblers courting hens. Although he is new to calling turkeys, he knew that the hens were not swayed by his calling and the gobblers were not leaving the hens they courted. After giving it ample time for the flock to come his way, he backed out to head to his truck. He spotted the flock several hundred yards in a field. Surmising where they would end up, he patiently made his way to position himself to where they would eventually cross. As the hens left the gobblers an hour later to head back to the woods, they crossed in front, and the gobblers would follow. Choosing the largest gobbler that lead the bachelor group, Chris made good on his shot.
Chris’s bird scoring 84.0000 NWTF-Score surpasses the previous record held for 24 years for the number one typical category taken by Robert Miller Jr. in 1999, with an 82.1600 NWTF-Score. The gobbler was weighed on a certified commercial scale and properly measured in accordance with NWTF guidelines. The gobbler weighed in at 28lbs, sporting 1.75” spurs on each leg, and swung a 10.5” beard.
The gobbler, currently recorded by the NWTF (National Wild Turkey Federation,) also shows the bird to rank #3 in the state for spurs, and #4 for weight.
Using the SBP method of scoring, the gobbler scores 182.0000 taking over the #2 ranking in New York.
NWTF Typical calculation = (weight x1) + (spurs total x10) + (beard x2)
SBP Typical calculation = (weight x1) + (spurs total x32) + (beard x4)
Congratulations on an impressive first gobbler and a new record!
https://your.nwtf.org/members/records/
https://turkey-talk.com/scoresbp.html
-MJ
© 2023 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Pending #4 Typical Record NY Gobbler
After a recent query on social media several days ago, a pending new record book gobbler has been identified and it’s been suggested by many, including myself that with the inaugural spring season on Long Island this past May, that record book gobblers would likely come from there. The gobbler was hunted by Butch Janke from Long Island, in Suffolk County on public grounds on May 6th.
Butch’s gobbler weighed in at 26lbs even, on a state-certified scale, sporting 1-11/16” and 1-1/2” spurs, and a 10-3/8” beard, making the gobbler a record book entry for the typical category. The bird preliminary scores are as follows:
NWTF Typical 81.2500 (weight x1) + (spurs total x10) + (beard x2)
SBP Typical 177.7500 (weight x1) + (spurs total x32) + (beard x4)
Butch’s gobbler will be entered into the NWTF records once witnesses confirm. Two member witnesses are required as weight is over 22 lbs, and spurs are longer than 1-1/2″.
Preliminary stats, once finalized, the gobbler will be the fourth highest-scoring typical gobbler in New York State. Spurs will also tie with ten others recorded in the third-longest spur length in the empire state. Additionally, the gobbler ranks fifth in the SBP system calculation.
For others looking to record their gobbler, it is a good opportunity to point out that he used a certified weight scale, and took plenty of pictures in keeping with NWTF guidelines and those republished and supported by turkey-talk.com, Joyner Outdoor Media, and the Empire State Limb Hangers book project. Butch has agreed to participate in the book project, and I look forward to the interview and learning his story of the hunt firsthand.
-MJ
© 2023 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
14 hours ETA for the last 2023 NY Turkey hunt
With one morning left, the fat lady is suiting up for the final curtain call. Whatever you have in your back pocket for the end of the 31-day wars may be, It’s go time for any last efforts.
What you have observed during the past 30 days comes down to any clues you have from the past week. In any late season advice, and one that I have adopted; I will generally play it old school. We do want to send the fat lady packing before show time. With exceptions noted, late season is about conservative tactics, having very recent sightings, and locations of birds willing to talk or at least show themselves.
It’s been a hard season in many areas, and the ocassional stories of hot action are what give us turkey chasers hope when the local action is non esixtent. Seeing far too many hens out at 6-7 a.m. and that would mean a second nesting is starting to take place or they haven’t been bred yet. Opinions will vary. As learned over many seasons, if you get within a gobbler’s comfort zone, his “bubble” you can get a welcomed response.
It has been a quiet season here in Cortland, and many hunters get antsy and move often, when a little patience would make for less wary birds. If you follow my musings you know I like my gobblers without an advanced education. If I can locate the dumbest gobbler in the county, I am all over it. The blessings of a kamikaze bird is a stroke of luck we seldom get to enjoy. With the reduced populations such encounters remain even more rare.
I’ll repeat most of this advice from prior posts- Confidence calling, feeding purrs, whips and whistles, light clucks, and very soft yelping if any. If you get a gobble in response to your calling, get ready as they may not gobble again and come in silent. It is good advice to assume a silent approach. Late season encounters often conclude in minutes not hours.
Woodsmanship also and assumed, plays a big roll in late season success, the scouting you did last June may yield the clue that puts you in close to where bachelor groups hang. When chasing hens no longer overrides their need to eat and replenish their fat reserves you’ll find them at likely food sources. All the scouting you did in March and April gives you a database of choice roosting trees, dusting bowls, and strutting areas. Most of the seasoned hunters I know actively scout as they hunt through May. Weeks old Intel has limited use as they are either moving to find receptive hens or hanging with other gobblers. If you can sight a gobbler going to roost you have a crucial clue for the morning. I normally would say listen for gobbling on the evening roost. Although others report some roosting success, I have experienced none of that in far too many seasons. I learned to roost birds decades ago,and still do.
Turkeys have been chased for four weeks and any mistake you make tomorrow will in most cases result in an unfilled tag. Attention to 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 under the scrutiny of a very wary birds.
Should you get a bird to gobble it should be noted that what you thought was two hundred yards in the woods 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 can add some BBQ sauce to your tag.
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.
I may get out for a few hours before work, but I can’t say I’m pushing for more than watching another sunrise in the turkeywoods and with any luck have a conversation with my favorite game bird.
Best of luck the final morning of the season.
-MJ
© 2023 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Press Release: Book Release: A Walk In The Turkey Woods, Wandering Thoughts & Revelations by Mike Joyner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 27, 2023
Cortland, NEW YORK – Joyner Outdoor Media announces the audiobook release of A Walk In The Turkey Woods, Wandering Thoughts & Revelations by McGraw resident Mike Joyner
The author’s latest book release offers wild turkey hunters, call makers, contest-calling competitors, and those who simply adore this most elusive monarch, something very different than the “how to,” instructional manuals, or storytelling collections. It is currently available in paperback, hardcover, and kindle. An audiobook is in production.
Publisher’s Summary – “A Walk In The Turkey Woods” is a collection of personal reflections, epiphanies, and revelations gained from countless days roaming the great forests of North America. Captured within this volume of work are short stories, poems, a turkey hunter’s prayer, reverso poetry, and passages deeply profound and personal to the author. This body of work is inspired by the perspective that comes with so much time spent in the grand turkey woods, and from the enjoyment of all God’s creatures within these great forests. To those that passionately engage in the time-honored and most natural pursuits, it is all too well known that the acts of downing quarry are a miniscule portion of what truly transpires and what lies within the heart, mind, and soul of a hunter.
“What a hunter experiences and holds dear to their hearts is entirely foreign to those that do not hunt. As visitors, as voyeurs of wondrous places we feel at home and fully immersed in all that it is.” The passages within these pages convey what is well beyond the mechanics of strategies and techniques of outwitting our favored quarry. The conclusion of great and epic adventures is a satisfaction worthy of our efforts and concludes with so many memories to be had, and uplifting experiences in the natural world.
Hardcover, paperback books, and kindle – available now on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW36MGN9
About Mike Joyner:
An avid turkey hunter for nearly a quarter century, Mike Joyner has been roaming the hills and woodlands of America stalking the elusive prey -wild turkey. Joyner is a former president of the New York State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, serving from 1996 to 2005
A new book: D.D. Adams, Evolutionary Turkey Call Pioneer, is set to be released later this year. Mike is currently working on a 6th book entitled: Empire State Limb Hangers, New York Wild Turkey Records.
The author is also an owner of a technology company, and appears on dozens of US and Worldwide patents for video/image sensor innovations. He spends his quality time in his turkey woods sanctuary known as the “J” Ranch in McGraw, New York, where he lives with his wife Lee. For more information on the author visit his personal website: www.mikejoyner.com
-MJ
© 2023 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Four Phases of a Turkey Hunt
-MJ
© 2023 Joyner Outdoor Media
Books In Print Update
This is just an update on what’s available for current titles and small updates. As the printer now offers case laminate hardcovers, I have added this to current titles and will also do for future releases.
Hills of Truxton: Stories & Travels of a Turkey Hunter is currently available online at Amazon and other online bookstores in paperback, laminated hardcover, and kindle format.
A 1.2 version is the current print-on-demand book with a new cover, and the typical text corrections and small edits in an effort to follow in some semblance of the Queen’s English. The laminated hardcover 1.2 edition is now available.
An audiobook is underway for production to coincide with the 1.2 updates. a March is expected. Audiobook will be narrated by Tim Carper
A Hardcover Linen Wrap (Dust Jacket) offering is not scheduled at this time. Should there be demand for it, I may do a run of them. Updated 2/3/23
Paperback—–Hardcover—–Kindle—–Audiobook (coming soon)
Tales from the Turkey Woods: Mornings of My Better Days is currently available online at Amazon and other online bookstores in paperback, laminated hardcover, and kindle format.
A 1.2 version is the current print-on-demand book with a new cover, and the typical text corrections and small edits in an effort to follow in some semblance of the Queen’s English.
Although the original release featured a Hardcover Linen Wrap (Dust Jacket), the printer discontinued the service. A Hardcover Linen Wrap (Dust Jacket) offering is not scheduled at this time. Should there be demand for it, I may do a run of them.
Paperback—–Hardcover—– Kindle—–Audiobook Updated 2/23/23
Grand Days in the Turkey Woods is currently available online at Amazon and other online bookstores in paperback, laminated hardcover, kindle format, and Hardcover Linen Wrap (Dust Jacket). An audiobook is currently available. The audiobook is narrated by Tim Carper.
Paperback—–Hardcover—–Kindle—–Audiobook—–Hardcover w/dustjacket
Ten To Life- Delirium Tales Of A Covid-19 Survivor is currently available online at Amazon and other online bookstores in hardcover, paperback, and kindle format. An audiobook is currently available. The audiobook is narrated by Tim Carper.
A Hardcover Linen Wrap (Dust Jacket) offering is not scheduled at this time. Should there be demand for it, I may do a run of them.
Paperback—–Hardcover—–Kindle —–Audiobook
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Meaning Of Thanksgiving At The ‘J’ Ranch
What It Means to Celebrate Thanksgiving At The ‘J’ Ranch
As a holiday celebration that prominently features a turkey dinner feast, it is front and center in this author’s thoughts. Having had several medical “Hard Resets” in the past fourteen months, a celebration of “What am I thankful for,” has my undivided attention. Here at the ‘J’ Ranch, Joyner Outdoor Media, there is a long list of things to be thankful for. The shortlist for this grumpy old turkey hunter includes a good supply of gobblers to chase next season.
I am literally thankful to wake up each morning. Thankful for the love of a good woman, my children, grandchildren, family, and friends. I am thankful for a career that is peaking in years when most are retiring out. I am also thankful to be able to walk again under the stars of a Texas sky this past spring. Gaining back the stength to climb a ridge to be on the same level with a bird in the turkey woods is something I am so grateful for. I was nearly denied temporarily or could have turned out worse had my medical issues resolved differently. Those are just highlighted ones; the list could run through several pages and my ability to recall them all.
This Thanksgiving will be observed in its full meaning here as I hope it will be at your home. Most years, a jake or jenny taken in the fall is featured as an essential part of our feast. My fall birds this year were taken in Missouri. The bounty will be enjoyed at Squaw Creek Lodge in Northwestern Missouri. It is a milestone as the first harvested gobblers taken there since the opening of the new outfitting business. At the “J’ Ranch we may use a bird taken this Spring in New York. It is our tradition to use a wild turkey for the thanksgiving feast or Christmas meal. Some years it is done for both holiday festivities.
This Thanksgiving, every holiday, truthfully every day, we rise to take on the day. We have much to be thankful for. Our lives are not perfect reflections of bedtime stories, romantic-themed movies, lofty ideals. It is seldom the fast-paced living on the edge, amps on 11 lifestyles. It sure looks good in a video and especially looks good on paper. Our lives twist and turn, we lose those we love. We are at times disappointed in ourselves. We can be discouraged by events. Sometimes let down in our expectations of others. It happens to all of us in varying degrees. It occurs at different times and places without regard to our stations in life.
We dust ourselves off from the imperfections, disappointments. We resolve the intentional or unintentional offensives and we take it on again the next day. That is the American spirit that we are proud to say. It is our common connection to others no matter where they come from. We celebrate the good in our lives, in others, the special moments, and the successes.
Your crazy deranged relatives at the Thanksgiving dinner table are actually human by birth. You might be surprised to know they live, love, lose, worry, and suffer for the same reasons yourself. They take joy in spending a day with you in it. Having the company of others on this holiday is no more complicated than that. Some of you may accept the challenge.
With many followers and friends here on social media, there is a continual list of those to pray for. Some, for the most tragic of circumstances. There are those passed unexpectedly, afflicted by disease, severe medical issues or addictions. There are many reaching out, struggling with divorce, and those with broken or dysfunctional families. I am one of many who include you in our collective thoughts and prayers. It is a stark reminder of what blessings I may have and to not take them for granted. We can for at least a few brief moments be of comfort in our responses and our actions. Not facing your strife alone, to know others are rooting for you is the upside of being human.
It is my sincere wish that all of you enjoy a day with family and close friends. May your joy and love of others leave no room for/cast away the things that divide us. We can surely do without the hateful politics, and contrived drama far from our homes and hearts.
Happy Thanksgiving!
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Book Projects- Heading Into 2023 Update
Things at Joyner Outdoor Media remain busy these days, Still recovering from a near-fatal Covid experience in August/September 2021, and an emergency open surgery four weeks ago, things have changed yet again. Several long-term projects will finally be completed by this year and next spring, and a few unusual and different ones to be released in the future that will surprise you as well.
D.D. Adams- Evolutionary Turkey Call Pioneer, a long-awaited title. scheduled to be released this past summer has been pushed back. Lots of pictures in a large format book, and currently going thru thirty hours of interviews that have been transcribed. Plans are to release on Amazon and other online book stores in hard cover, paperback, kindle and something special for collectors while keeping it manageable on the wallet.
Empire State Limb Hangers– New York Wild Turkey Records, another long-awaited title, is pushed back. Still seeking those eligible to interview for the project, but a cutoff will occur once I nail down a release date. Plans are to release on Amazon and other online book stores in hardcover, and paperback formats.
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 1.2 version is coming later this Fall 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. An audiobook is being considered a 2023 release to coincide with the 2.0 update.
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 1.2 version is coming later this Fall 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. An audiobook is being considered a 2023 release to coincide with the 2.0 update.
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 An audiobook is being considered for a 2023 release.
Ten To Life- Delirium Tales Of A Covid-19 Survivor is currently available online at Amazon and other online book stores in hardcover, paperback, and kindle format. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3LP45XD/ An audiobook is currently being narrated by Tim Carper and will come out later this fall.
A Walk In The Turkey Woods- Wandering Thoughts and Revelations, the brand new release on 2/27/23 is currently available online at Amazon and other online book stores in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle. An audiobook is currently in production with a spring 2023 release anticipated. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW36MGN9
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, it may be one of the last of those efforts. The seasons and memories have been so inspirational which continues to drive these titles.
Old Turkey Tree– will be a collection of my favorites from each storybook 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, a 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 more slow-rolling book projects that pique my interest in pursuing, and I add bits and pieces to each project 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: On top of all that, a redesign of the Joyner Outdoor Media website is planned, It 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.
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
DEC Finalizes ’22-’23 Wild Turkey Regulations
DEC Finalizes Wild Turkey Hunting Regulations for 2022-2023 seasons. The anticipated changes to open a spring season on Long Island and update shot size changes to include the #9 shot have been approved. Both are long-awaited changes. If you spend any time out on Long Island you will quickly learn they are long overdue for a spring season. One of the few areas of the state not seeing a decline. The shot size change accommodates the popular TSS formulations that are a game changer for small bore shotguns albeit expensive and overdone in traditional 10 and 12-gauge offerings. It will make a huge difference in the performance of your 20-28 gauge and 410 blunderbusses.
From the NYSDEC:
DEC Finalizes Regulations to Expand, Improve Wild Turkey Hunting
Changes Create a New Hunting Opportunity on Long Island and Modernize Hunting Regulations
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced changes to wild turkey hunting regulations that will provide hunters additional hunting opportunities. The finalized regulation establishes a spring turkey season in Suffolk County in 2023, with a season limit of one bearded bird, and makes #9 shot legal for hunting turkeys statewide during the fall and spring seasons.
“Wild turkeys are a conservation success story in New York and across the United States,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Thanks to DEC’s careful management and restoration programs and the work of our conservation partners since the 1960s, sizable populations of turkeys can now be found in every region of the state. This new regulation will increase opportunities for New York turkey hunters and supports ongoing effective management of this game bird.”
Since the 1990s, the turkey population on Long Island has grown to more than 3,000 birds. In 2009, modern turkey hunting on Long Island began with a five-day fall season and a one-bird bag limit. After DEC established this season and later a two-day, youth-only spring season, area turkey populations continued to increase. Current turkey populations support additional hunting opportunities in the form of a spring season from May 1 through 31, with a bag limit of one bearded bird.
For most turkey hunters, the new spring 2023 season will be the first spring turkey hunting opportunity on Long Island. Spring turkey hunting on Long Island will begin in May 2023 in Suffolk County, Wildlife Management Unit 1C.
In addition, following a public comment period earlier this year, DEC is modernizing statewide turkey hunting regulations by changing the minimum shot size from #8 to #9 for turkey hunting statewide. The change was necessitated by advances in shotshell technology. Previously, shot sizes smaller than #8 (larger number indicates smaller size) were prohibited because they lacked the kinetic energy downrange to humanely harvest a turkey. Modern shotshells use heavier metals such as tungsten alloy, tungsten-iron, or bismuth, maintain enough energy to humanely harvest a turkey, and perform as well or better than many traditional turkey loads. Changes to shot size restrictions apply to both fall and spring seasons and go into effect on Sept. 1, 2022.
For more information about turkey hunting, visit DEC’s website.
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
NY Counties Est. Wild Turkey Harvest Reports
In further examination of NY State wide harvest reports, https://www.turkey-talk.com/tblog/?p=2368 we’ll look at this by the county-wide 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. I ask that you consider this carefully from the larger view, rather than looking at widely varying micro-ecosystems. There is a list of precepts, assumptions, and points to make to take notice of and pay heed to before coming to any conclusions. In comparision to the state wide view, pay particular attention to the numbers as the lower estimated numbers appear to vary widely and can be attributed to many factors that tend to null each other out in a larger, macro scale.
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.
- This is a sub-macro county-wide 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 towns. public game lands, 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.
- 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.
I will conclude by asking each of you to view this as trending data, not absolute. 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
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