COVID19

HUNTING & FISHING SEASONS COVID19 STATE CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS 4/1 Update

Standard / by mookyj / April 1, 2020 / 3 Comments

Update of currently impacted state turkey hunting and fishing seasons that are now an unfortunate reality. I will continue to update this as more states follow suit and when states ease and or rescind restrictions entirely.

Alaska– current 14-day mandatory quarantine order in place until April 21st. Hunters should not plan to travel to or arrive in Alaska before this date. https://gov.alaska.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/COVID-19-Health-Mandate-010-Travel-Declaration.pdf added 4/1

Arizona– San Carlos Apache Reservation turkey hunts canceled https://www.huntingfishing.com/index.php/2020/03/28/san-carlos-apache-tribe-cancels-spring-turkey-hunts-due-to-covid-19-concerns/

Colorado– all playgrounds, campgrounds, dispersed camping and camping facilities (including yurts and cabins) at Colorado’s state parks as well as camping at State Wildlife Areas are closed. Spring turkey hunters now are able to return their license for a refund at any time before the opening day of turkey season. https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/COVID-19-Response.aspx#HuntFish updated 4/1

Florida– 30-day stay-at-home order. those who fly or drive into Florida from states with substantial community spread to self-isolate in Florida for 14 days or the duration of their trip, whichever is shorter. Some resources are closed https://myfwc.com/recreation/notices/ added 4/1

Illinois– all state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas and historic sites closed, hunting and fishing prohibited on public areas https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/news/Pages/Illinois-Department-of-Natural-Resources-Guidance–for-Spring-2020-Turkey-Seasons.aspx

Kansas – travel quarantine from the following: International– China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran States- California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York and Washington https://khap2.kdhe.state.ks.us/NewsRelease/PDFs/3-27-20%20travel.pdf https://ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/When-to-Hunt/Turkey

Kentucky- All Fort Campbell iSportsman activities including hunting, fishing and general outdoor recreation are closed. https://ftcampbell.isportsman.net/default.aspx added 4/1

Massachusetts – MassWildlife canceled all 2020 Youth Turkey Hunt Seminars. Only those who have completed Basic Hunter Education and the Youth Turkey Hunting Seminar allowed to participate in the Youth Turkey Hunt on April 25. https://www.mass.gov/news/masswildlife-covid-19-response

Maryland– strict w/penalty stay at home directive. recreational boating is banned. Subsistence hunting and fishing — limited hunting and limited recreational fishing and crabbing for sustenance only. No permits for fishing tournaments, Commercial fishing deemed essential https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2020/03/30/dnr-issues-guidance-on-governor-hogans-stay-at-home-order/

Montana– travelers arriving from another state or country to Montana for non-work-related purposes undergo a 14-day self-quarantine. The Directive follows the governor’s prior travel advisory and last week’s Stay at Home Directive http://fwp.mt.gov/covid19 added 4/1

Nebraska– suspended the sale of nonresident spring turkey hunting permits immediately. http://outdoornebraska.gov/wildturkey/

New Hamshire– no longer issuing kid’s fishing derby permits or any bass tournament permits. Online sales only for licenses and permits https://wildlife.state.nh.us/about/covid19.html https://www.1011now.com/content/news/Nonresident-spring-turkey-permit-sales-to-end-immediately-569248661.html

North Carolina– multiple boat access, camping, public land closures see: https://www.ncwildlife.org/News/NCWRC-Coronavirus-related-Closings-and-Alerts#107242136-public-fishing-access-area-closures

Washington- Fishing closed, youth turkey hunt canceled. Six game management units that were scheduled to open on April 1 for spring bear hunting closed pending further evaluation. Nearly 90 percent of spring bear permit holders traveling from outside the area. A decision on regular spring turkey may come by 4/6 https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/covid-19-updates

Canada– inaugural New Brunswick spring turkey season canceled https://www.facebook.com/251311101719404/photos/pcb.1360785240771979/1360796154104221/?type=3&theater US Border currently closed to all non-essential travel updated 4/1

Not listed, check your state of interest as many have their park buildings and camping and restroom facilitates either closed altogether or not taking reservations until later this summer. Also noted that some states are banning overnight camping on public lands or designated primitive sites.

Hunting and Fishing Seasons COVID19 State closures and Restrictions

Standard / by mookyj / March 31, 2020 / No Comments

COVID19 , Corona Virus, China Virus, etc. will have an impact on your turkey hunting and fishing seasons in more than a few states. upon publishing prior related post earlier today, it became apparent that more than a few statewide decisions were made known yesterday and today. This is an update of currently impacted state turkey hunting and fishing seasons that are now an unfortunate reality. I will update this as more states follow suit and when states ease and or rescind restrictions entirely.

Arizona– San Carlos Apache Reservation turkey hunts canceled https://www.huntingfishing.com/index.php/2020/03/28/san-carlos-apache-tribe-cancels-spring-turkey-hunts-due-to-covid-19-concerns/

Colorado– all playgrounds, campgrounds, dispersed camping and camping facilities (including yurts and cabins) at Colorado’s state parks as well as camping at State Wildlife Areas are closed.

Nebraska– suspended the sale of nonresident spring turkey hunting permits immediately. http://outdoornebraska.gov/wildturkey/

Canada– inaugural New Brunswick spring turkey season canceled https://www.facebook.com/251311101719404/photos/pcb.1360785240771979/1360796154104221/?type=3&theater Ontario is also rumored to have changes, unable to confirm at this time.

Hunting and Fishing Seasons Still On With COVID19?

Standard / by mookyj / March 31, 2020 / No Comments

COVID19 , Corona Virus, China Virus, whatever label you prefer, it has or will have an impact on your turkey hunting and fishing seasons. For those of you with early seasons down south, you have enjoyed a geographic advantage that the rest of the country will see less of or maybe not at all. You have my envy for time afield.

Before I comment further it is prudent to say that health concerns, the well being of family, friends, neighbors, fellow humans rise well above our beloved pursuits of fin and feather. It may be painful to put our favorite seasons on the back burner, however the reasons for measures taken are stark and very clear although we may or may not agree on the severity or extent of some measures. We defer to our healthcare experts and those in charge of protecting the public. Fisherman, turkey hunters may know a lot of stuff, know it all according to some opinions, but let us leave this to the healthcare professionals as the go-to experts…

I will defer as to what is open or legal to engage in to each of your respective states as it changes daily if not hourly. Some states are temporarily closing public lands, gun stores,sporting good stores and waterways. Fishing in the state of Washington closed just recently. Please check with your local and state governments and respective DNR’s, DEC’s. etc Some states are recommending fishing, hiking, using open spaces as a means to decompress, work off stress, engage in healthy exercise without being in proximity of others.

For us in the northern states trout seasons open tomorrow in many places, turkey hunting opens mid April or May 1st for much of the North East. Maybe…

Turkey hunting and fishing can be enjoyed as a singular pursuit and with minimal interactions with others, easily beyond the six foot social distancing rule currently in place. Trips to the diners, restaurants after a great morning hunt, or day on the water are not allowed currently here in NY. The comforts that we might enjoy during epic fishing and hunting trips now have to be planned and in some cases discarded as non-essential services, businesses are either not open, or pickup and delivery only. Gatherings at hunting and fishing camps are now either temporarily banned or strongly discouraged. Again, you have to check with your respective state. Guiding and charter businesses are taking an especially hard hit in this shutdown.

Those that have planned trips, self guided, outfitters, fishing charters, any of you that have plans to travel may have to reschedule or absorb the costs of canceled hunts, and fishing charters well into early summer. We know it will open back up, but when is the billion dollar question.

For me, the trip to Maryland in late April looks to be a non starter. I am pledged to help the land owner take care of a nemesis gobbler on a great property that needs to be dealt with and it is a personal matter, a vendetta if you will. First fish camp for me in May is postponed, possibly canceled til next May. Just got word that the NYSOWA Spring safari for NY writers is canceled and to be combined in the fall. A trip to Maine later in May is sketchy as well. It is all very understandable, yet terribly disappointing. Like most of you, Spring seasons are a time of rejuvenation, recharging the batteries, a time we more than look forward to.

Should there be a travel ban which keeps coming up as a solution for mitigating the spread of the virus, it would put a big damper on racing from one hot spot to another to find a hot gobbler or from one body of water to another in the quest to find where the fish are biting . It would stop out of state travel all together from NY. Should the news turn from bad to something worse on this pandemic, you can see it happening.

As sportsmen we are driven each season sometimes with reckless abandon. As we are morally and legally obligated to follow the emergency measures in place and that has to be checked daily. We should be mindful of the spirit of the laws/orders put in place. The health and well being of our families, ourselves. any and all those we share this planet with can be greatly affected by our failure to do our part to reduce the spread, and the unfortunate impacts of the foe we currently face.

Stay safe, care for your families, and we’ll see you on the other side of this.

-MJ

The Ultimate Spring Hat Trick Destination-Chautauqua County

Standard / by mookyj / June 2, 2019 / No Comments

A bold claim for a resource-laden state such as New York. To be clear, New York boasts many vibrant outdoor adventure meccas, but you’ll want to plan your next turkey hunting and spring fishing getaway to the outdoor paradise in Chautauqua County. Hunting and fishing interests are easy to satisfy and that’s the honest goal for every sportsman.

My recent hat-trick getaway to Chautauqua was memorable and was just what the doctor ordered to decompress and rejuvenate my busy business life. The excursion found me spring turkey hunting in the mornings with Jake Ensign, followed by an afternoon of fishing with Captain Frank Shoenacker of Infinity Charters. In the evenings, after the outings, I could choose from a smorgasbord of places to visit and explore. My base of operations would be at the Comfort Inn Hotel in Jamestown – it was close to Chautauqua Lake and the turkey woods. Perfect for the extra minutes of sleep needed when chasing gobblers. .

I met up with Jake Ensign, a supreme hunting friend that lives nearby.

Jake hosting us on a great tour of North American Big Game taken with his bow

Jake provided an eye-opening personal tour of his game room, as he is one of only a few dozen archery hunters to successfully hunt all of the North American Big Game Species. It was evident to me, Jake had spent many years of dedicated preparation to be so successful. Jake goes the extra mile, the extra 10 miles, in making each hunt an exercise in due diligence. It is impressive even to a veteran turkey hunter like myself.

My introduction to the Chautauqua County turkey woods came early the next morning and did not disappoint. We started out just above a vineyard on a ridge top with plenty of roost trees. Plenty of sign was present. Feathers, tracks, scat and dusting bowls were scattered about during our walk in and out. With the exception of two clucks further up the ridge behind us, we were greeted with a whisper quiet, yet beautiful morning. You could hear every sound and if a turkey gobbled, we could easily locate the bird and make an approach.

As the sunrise greeted us, a chorus of trains blasted their air horns providing shock gobble inspiration from nearby highway crossings far below us. The gobblers, however, opted to be of the strong and silent types. We gave it some time to let the place reveal itself and after several setups, we backed out to not disturb the location. Running and gunning was not the game plan that so many engage in when the action is at a lull. Jake had mentioned they have had many successful hunts in that spot. Assessing the area with such ample sign, I would agree. Of course, when you have plenty of Intel on an area, courtesy of Jake, you conduct each hunt more patiently.

Prime spot in turkey country, one of many in Chautauqua!

After checking a number of properties in the southern region of the county we came upon a parcel not far from Route 86 and got an eager gobble in response to our pleas. With a flat ridge top that lay between us, we settled in to see if we could persuade him across. The wind had come up and it was a solid “maybe” as to whether or not the bird answered us after that. Thirty minutes later a report of something lesser than a 12ga shotgun rang out ahead of us, but much lower on the ridge on another property. We decided to back out. Consistent with other properties we checked, we would come across plenty of turkey sign including sets of gobbler tracks. We were in the middle of great turkey country.

The first morning concluded with sightings of a few hens out bugging in the fields, as we searched for more gobblers to keep track of for the next hunt tomorrow.

Having hunted gobblers in nearly half of New York’s 62 counties, I would point out that the turkey woods of Chautauqua County are among the nicest woods I’ve ever set foot in. A quick review of the past 10 years of harvest data reveals Chautauqua as #1 in New York for turkey hunting harvest. In any given season, Chautauqua is always in the top echelon. With over 20,000 acres of public forests and a mix of land types and food sources, it would be a sound recommendation to add Chautauqua County to your annual spring and fall gobbler chasing vacations.

Before heading out for an afternoon of fishing with Captain Frank Shoenacker on Chautauqua Lake, Jake suggested that we have the best sandwich to be had anywhere (i.e. North America) for lunch. I naturally agreed. My sampling verified his suggestion. A trip to the Ashville General Store is must do stop during your time in the area. The “Jester” spicy turkey sub served hot is a turkey hunter-approved menu item –https://ashvillegeneral.com

After that great lunch, I met up with Frank at the Bemus Point boat launch. The launch was easy to find and not far from the exit off Route 86 for Bemus Point. With eight boat launch sites available on Chautauqua Lake, there is ample access for all boaters – https://www.dec.ny.gov... The Lund Tournament Pro-V was perfect on this beautiful, sunny afternoon. The Lund had a heavier hull and was stable, even in the slight chop we had.

On this outing, Frank and I would both fish and that set the table for a relaxing time on the water. We fished simple, drifting live worms along weed beds and enjoyed lots of fun conversation. As Frank spends more time guiding than fishing, I invited him to fish too and our trip became perfect fun. We were using a killer rig, a homemade double-hook worm harness with a butterfly spinner made by Frank. It’s sort of a secret rig.

We were one of just a handful of boats on the water as you might expect at mid-week of the early season. We caught walleye, perch and a surprisingly large bullhead. A perfect afternoon.

In his larger boat, Frank also guides on Lake Erie: Infinity Charters – https://www.infinitycharters.com/. It is a fantastic way to plan an essential part of your Chautauqua Hat Trick.

Having fished Lake Erie in the past, it is also on my ‘A’ list to frequently visit. I plan to return with my bride of nearly nineteen years to modify the hat trick concept, this time, to be a fishing and lazy-tourist combo. Lee, my wife, loves to fish, and I have promised her to revisit the region.

For the evening, I visited the Southern Tier Brewing Company for a craft beer tasting and a pulled pork sandwich. Accompanied by their “Nitro Stout,” a great beer product, they earned my attention for another “must-do” stop while in the region. Their friendly staff and personal service were 5-star.

Author’s favorite…Southern Tier Nitro Stout microbrew.

I caught up with Jake after dinner to plan the morning hunt and received good news. As Jake scouts at sunset periods, he has endless energy, he found two different turkeys roosted. This is the best kind of news to get when chasing gobblers. Again, another short night, but I would wake up 10 minutes before the alarm clock sounded. Excited? A little bit.

This last morning of my hunt, I would come to appreciate the dedicated strategies that Jakes executes. Our walk to the first roosted bird was in total silence, not a twig nor a dried leaf to reveal our progress. Jake routinely rakes and grooms his paths for stealthy approaches to known roosting areas. It is this extra effort that ups the odds for a successful hunt.

As daylight approached, a hen began to yelp on the limb, not sixty yards from where I sat. Jake mimicked her and I would also respond with muted tree yelps. No gobbling nearby, but one volley of gobbles came from the second location that Jake had marked the night before. It was a little over 250 yards from us. Once the hen flew down, she walked right past Jakes’ location as he sat motionless. She fed away. Once she left, we moved up about 100 yards toward a low swampy area where we had heard the gobbling

We got a quick response from four different gobblers once we sat down and began calling from our new position. They had closed the distance, spotting them moving to my left around the swamp at 80 yards. They were circling and closing fast. As seconds seemed far too long, the most aggressive and vocal of the birds marched in and would stop within range to survey for the hen. The brilliant red, white and blue heads of the gang of four was impressive. The boom that followed sent the other three back as quickly as they came. Maybe a little faster, as I think of it.

Author w/Hat Trick Gobbler, Photo Credit: Jake Ensign

The turkey woods were picturesque with a lush green canopy newly emerged. It was a great hunt in a beautiful set of hardwoods. It also reaffirmed the wisdom in scouting, roosting, letting the hunt play out, and having patience which is a hallmark of Jakes’ approach and one I also favor.

We concluded the hunt with a hearty breakfast which always tastes a little better after a successful hunt! We’ll catch up again in the near future as we hunt common areas not far from my home and I’ll be sure to return!

There are so many places to visit here. Great eateries, wineries, breweries, entertainment venues – something for everyone.

I have planned a returned visit for next year, stay tuned!

-MJ

#chautauqua, #Collin Voss, #Frank Shoenacker, #Jake Ensign, #Jamestown, #North American Big Game, #Southern-Tier Brewing, #turkey, Mike Joyner

Standard / by mookyj / May 15, 2019 / No Comments

For followers of old school turkey hunting, infantrymen, lieutenants of the 10^th Legion, a casual take on the current generation of local pro’s, and outspoken Facebook warriors. It is a chuckle to have a poke at the far too often overly animated foolishness of what is currently promoted, especially in social media, outdoor shows and turkey hunting TV shows.

Disclaimer: The following is to poke fun at in its entirety solely aimed at able bodied industry media, internet pro’s and TV show pro staff. Some among our ranks do not have the physical ability, taken for granted gifts from our maker to get on a ridge waging war on gobblers at a most physical level. Personally, those that get out there despite many difficulties have my admiration, respect, and support. Blinds, decoys are ideal for those afflicted, youths, have a definite role and a useful purpose. Good setups still apply.

“Decoy Selfies” Maybe epic and appropriate for a snow goose hunt as the time and effort to create exquisite and effective patterns in cut corn fields might qualify for artistic copyright protection. It might not attest to the world at large your abilities that you need a week’s wages worth of plastic, foldable fabric to entice a two year old gobbler in range.

“Long Range Shots” When you pull the trigger on what appears to be a black dot on your $25,000 8K HD Prosumer camera or you need a lens longer than your manhood and a diameter to match your slate call to fill up the frame you might want to switch to a rifle. It will be our little secret to not mention in public the half dozen long beards you crippled or dusted the mites off of last week. At least you got some excellent ‘B” roll for intros and scenic footage.

“TSS or go Home” The latest must have… Why use a $2-$3 shell that flattens them at 40 yards when you can spend $8? Just how dead is dead? Please donate all your free cash to noble charities. Those that shoot at close and personal distances can actually kill a gobbler on his own terms in a good setup.

“Reaping and Fanning” Really digging the filmed misses from being too close and chaotic gun handling when the gobbler rushes the fan/decoy nearly spurring you in the jewels. Educational to show the public how you can point your shotgun in all the wrong directions and walk away from it. We do appreciate the challenge over a calm, smooth squeeze in taking the shot. What could go wrong?

“Dirt Nap Selfies” Who thought this was a great idea to start with? Not really a good look. Precursor to bestiality? Turkey love? We’ll just stop there on that one.

Half hour TV show with roughly 12-18 minutes of hunting related footage, of which is endless mentions of products and sponsors. You do not have a show, it’s an infomercial, an extended commercial, interrupted with…. Commercials. I’ve seen it done where you can actually tell a story without naming every company that gave you product in alternating paragraphs. You can also take a series of hunt pictures other than obligatory commitments without it appearing as a floor display at Cabela’s.

“10” Circle” What turkey nogg’n other than from prehistoric periods would you ever need to cover that as a target? If a gobbler closes the distance needing that big a pattern, I’ll need a bigger gun, maybe a bazooka or fragmenting ordinance. Since when are we wing shooting turkeys in flight regularly? 3” covers point of aim rather well. At what point did we focus on penetration-punching thin air?

“Resurgence Of Customer Call Makers” Split observation as there are many with decades of excellence of artistry, improving and building upon their craft. A look on Facebook and Ebay would suggest that $200 worth of tools from Amazon, China and the finest lumber from home depot and you can achieve snobbery elitism in 3…2…1 Instant gratification without effort.

“Face Painting” We’re not talking Navy Seals or sniper ops. If it’s your girlfriend, love of your life, yes we are accustomed to the practice. Let’s face it we enjoy women looking their best in hunting photo’s, on camera. Guys can pull off the sleep deprived two day stubble as the rugged look. If it’s your bro, fellow hunting partner, you have a girlfriend. A $4 facemask works.

“Old School $$ Envy” $2,000 custom antique shotgun, $200 micro polished choke, $8 shells, $400 box call from the 70’s, designer head to toe camo in original tree bark (very pricey) Sits in a blind with $600 worth of plastic and a strutter decoy out in front. Total old school as they tell it and writes a 3,500 word story on each and every epic battle in the “deep woods and ridges”

“Covered up in decals and patches” You spend boat loads of money to have the latest 3D HD ultra-permanent dyes in your camo gear, camo clad guns to only cover them up in branding/product decals in the most brightest colors. We have names for that; smart, pragmatic hunter is not among them. Also see: “All Product, No Story”

“Victory Dance” We understand you finally outsmarted the most evil turkey this side of the Rocky Mountains. A deep humbling respect for your quarry might not be the message here, no matter what the script on the teleprompter says or how much you say it on ‘B’ roll.

-MJ

TurVenting

Standard / by mookyj / April 12, 2019 / No Comments

TurVenting

(noun)

A state of extreme aggressiveness, rage, anger stimulated by lack of turkey hunting, the discovery of trespassers, or to bear witness to bushwhacking. May become visibly agitated, physically violent in severe cases or when multiple mitigating circumstances are present.

Other side effects are known to occur when exposed to $200 decoys, TSS, fanning, and reaping. Current data reveals a causal relationship with age, days afield vs tags filled ratio’s, and geographical areas. An increasing number of seasons is thought to further severity of symptoms.

Believe In The Turkey Woods

Standard / by mookyj / September 8, 2018 / No Comments

A more positive and helpful campaign…

-MJ

#Just do it #turkeywoods #believe

Standard / by mookyj / May 30, 2018 / No Comments

You can vastly improve every turkey hunt you have ever been on or will ever have…

Once you get out on your first turkey hunt and unless you absolutely cannot deal with getting up very early, you’ll be hooked and addicted. A life sentence for most of us. It is a given that it is just a short period of time before those that pursue wild turkeys become lifelong members of the Tenth Legion. If your fate has brought you to this place then my musings may ring true for you.

As a self-professed grumpy old turkey hunter, it has become evident in the seasons that have marched on and the many pairs of boots worn out, that unless you possess the rare skill of an ironclad memory you will at some point fail to remember the lesser details of times afield in the turkey woods. Remembering the highlights of many great hunts is something even us old turkey hunters do well enough. The exact places and times, weather, important events of the times, thoughts, things you notice while afield become harder to recollect as time marches on.

Turkey hunters, in general, can tell great stories as there is so much to recall and so many interactions to add to the depth of each story. Fishermen are well known for storytelling abilities, especially some whoppers of questionable origin. They have nothing on turkey hunters as we can spin tales for days on end. Never underestimate the value of time spent at the tailgate of a pickup truck, or at the local diner. The conversations, the stories are priceless in my opinion.

As an author and what I wish to share with each of you: I cannot recommend it strongly enough the value of capturing your days afield in any of the mediums available within a short period of time after the hunt or during your time at camp. Whether you have inklings of publishing your stories someday, posting to your friends on social media, or as a keepsake for yourself and your family, you can take it on good advice you will not regret capturing your experiences. If you are a poacher, maybe not so much. That aside, as the decades roll by, the value of this effort grows with each passing season. If you are at all like me, each season adds many days of grand experiences worthy of remembering, worthy of being captured as a keepsake.

You can improve every hunt you have had or ever will embark on with the use of a daily journal, a blog, a camera, even your smartphone. It has never been easier in my lifetime to capture the essentials of a great experience in the turkey woods. It is not a requirement to be a schooled writer, a professional photographer, recording engineer, or a movie director. A handwritten journal is something your family will cherish for generations. Although a handwritten journal is something more common from my generation, modern day office programs do the job well. The apps on your smartphone can also do much of that for you.

Along with capturing the moment, anyone who uses a daily journal will be quick to tell you how useful the daily capture of data, tidbits, observations that can be gone over later that reveal trends, little secrets which you can use to your full advantage in future seasons.

By utilizing easily accessible tools you can capture the little details that jog your memory, paint a picture as you saw it, as you experienced it. A smartphone is a tool that tends to be with you most of the time, and the one you can use at a given moment is a most useful tool. Some models take decent pictures, record video, and audio, and allows for note taking, even word processing. I do carry a professional camera for essential shots, even then the smartphone is a go to as it is easily accessed. I have in the past written entire stories, blog posts, even a movie trailer on my smartphone while on a plane or passenger in a truck on a road trip. I find it handy when my thoughts come together and capture them in the moment. Unlike my daughter, I do not possess the skill or have small enough fingers to be masterful of the smartphone interface for typing. If I could only master that tiny screen keyboard…

Take the time to take lots of pictures. Learn the basics of how to frame a good photo, set up proper exposure and focus points. Take notes as you go. Save them off on your home desktop or laptop, and back up the files. These captures are your digital keepsakes. Just as in shorthand, worry about making it perfect or the way you want later, Get it captured first and foremost.

Just as you direct your attention to display tail fans, beards, and spurs, you can go back and edit, and print your pictures, clean up your notes or fully write out your stories. If inclined as some might be, organize and edit your audio and video files. The ever growing use of social media promotes this to a large degree and the skills used in posting events are directly applicable in capturing your days afield.

The best hunts are those that you can remember well and as you add to those each and every season I am confident you’ll be glad that you took the time to write it down, type it out, photograph it, and or record it. Today is the day if you haven’t done so to write down any and all details from hunts of the past, gather photographs, and organize each of them. Your memory tomorrow may not be as sharp as it is today.

To the many memories made in the great turkey woods and to the many more great memories to be made in the seasons to come.

-MJ

#turkeyhunting #oldturkeyhunter #wildturkey #turkeywoods #respect

A Grand Spring Turkey Season

Standard / by mookyj / May 28, 2018 / No Comments

With the final days of 2018 Spring Turkey season winding down, my season in NY in a quest to fill a tag concluded on the 18^th. NY was a sleeper for me this year as my usual hot spots did not reveal gobbling toms at any of them. I had little hopes for prospects from all the scouting I did. With what scouting data I had, I decided not to hunt our place for the first time since we bought it in 2000. One bird gobbling on our place a week before season was as good as it got. There were years were 12-15 long beards would roost our property along with that many more jakes. Just as we deer hunt our place we would only fill a tag or two a season. It has steadily declined from a number of poor brooding seasons in succession. This spring looks to be favorable for a successful first nesting and hope we can string together a few more in a row in the coming years.

Both birds in NY were tagged on public game lands and excellent hunts. Great start in Texas and managed a double on three year old gobblers despite a massive cold front that shut things down. The season progressed to an eventful but no birds harvested the first full week in NY. Next stop was in Jackson, Ohio and had three days of hunting with David Christian. A dandy of a gobbler was taken on the last day. Super fun hunt and had a ball chasing birds there. Upon returning home, some very fun hunts in NY with a great bird tagged on mother’s day, and the second bird at the NYSOWA Safari in Oswego. Very different in NY for me this year as I parted ways with a longtime hunting partner and hunted all together differently than in past years. Far more patient style and it paid off handsomely as allowing the hunts to unfold rather than rush on to the next spot resulted in a far better outcome.

Last trip of the season was to Pittsfield, Maine with Dan Daman and we had a great time as we always do. Really enjoy returning there often. Great hunts that also took their time unfolding before us. Tagged out in one day with one bagged mid-morning and the second just about dinner time. The lay down breeding decoy did take some extreme sexual abuse, and have pics to prove it. Avian X decoys make one hell of a noise when the gobbler puts his back into it. Went out the second morning in the quest to get Dan’s wife Carrie a bird and we had a big show of gobbling first thing. Close, no cigar. We moved on and found a flock of big jakes that ended up minus one when all said and done.

My bride of nearly 18 years was not able to get out this season as she is convalescing from surgery in late April. Opening day couples date has been the norm for all these years. This fall we’ll get back out to hunt together on opening days as the seasons roll in, and as we have for so many years.

With the remaining days I have a few fellow hunters to put in front of a gobbler for their first ever birds. With a little luck and proper timing, hope to make it happen the final days before the fat lady sings Thursday at noon.

I wish all of you out in the last days of the season grand success and memorable hunts. It has been the best season for me for so many reasons, from great action packed days afield to peaceful times in the great turkey woods.

-MJ

#turkeyhunting #oldturkeyhunter #wildturkey #turkeywoods #respect

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2018 NY Wild Turkey Records

Standard / by mookyj / May 6, 2018 / No Comments

It’s that time of year here in New York, If you tag a gobbler that meets the criteria listed below, we would love to interview you for inclusion into the project. It has been a long time coming and in the works and still ongoing / active project.

The main issues with keeping it all legit is typically weight as most of the small scales are typically used to weigh fish can very +/- 1 to 2 lbs or more. A weight coupon from a certified scale ensures accuracy and proof of measurement. Otherwise it can be legitimately challenged. Needs to be suitable for produce or goods for sale.

Pics with tape measurement in the pics are best to show scale for beards and spurs. Anecdotal evidence unfortunately cannot be used to substantiate record book entries no matter how good the stories are. Best bet if you think you have one for the books, get a weight coupon, and take plenty of photos. NWTF requires witness signatures that also have to be a NWTF member if you wish to participate in their records program. Safari Club also has a program but is not viewable unless a member. I may include them if details can be worked out.

The book project has been on hiatus for a long period while I started a tech company. some things are getting normalized and now getting back to original efforts.

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.

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. I am cutting off interviews this fall as it needs to get on a schedule for completion

The placings have shifted some, as the D.D. Adams biography will come out first, possible end of summer 2018, more news to come by the first week in July as to release date.

I am working toward a Fall winter 2018 book release. There will be future editions as records are broken and those I attempted to include, catch up with the project. The more hunters that come on board that I originally sought to interview, the better. Records are made to be broken and eclipsed and is expected.

If you have harvested a legally tagged wild turkey with one or more of the following attributes in NY during the 2017-2018 spring/fall seasons, or years prior, registered or not registered w/NWTF records, We 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 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, Hens with spurs

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Empire-State-Limb-Hangers/139342609441424?v=info

http://empirestatelimbhangers.com/

. #turkeyhunting #nywildturkeyrecords #wildturkey #nyturkeyrecords #recordbookgobblers

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