Blog Archives
Sportsmen & Gun owners- CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS Matter to you on Nov 3rd 2020?
Let’s Start with: HELL YES…
A ‘Yes’ response serves no one as lip service when it comes down to making a real difference. Core principles put to action is the only action that matters in your voices and your participation in the election process. We are learning first hand in real time with the supreme court that who wins elections has far reaching impact. The reaffirmation of the second and even the first amendment may be rightfully corrected in my lifetime.
Voting has started in some states, and if you are of legal age, eligible to vote you need to be registered and cast your ballot. To check deadlines to register click on the following: https://www.vote.org/voter-registration-deadlines/
I will not tell you what party to affiliate with, or whom you should vote for. I strongly suggest you look up each candidate, each party, and research their platform, their positions, and most importantly their past voting records and history. Too many change and flip flop to gain votes. We need steadfast constitutionalists, representing us as stewards of our constitution and champions of the first and second amendment rights we hold dear
The mainstream media, Facebook, Google, Twitter, youtube, and other social media actively steer your feeds and searches and what is presented to you on the first pages of your searches, Be mindful that others will forcefully tell you what is fact and what is not. It is evident the fact-checkers are also suspect. There is too much at stake and all the stops are being pulled. As opponents of our positions are happy in the adoption of the ends justify the means to gut the first and second amendments, disarm us, and to end hunting and fishing as dictated by special interest groups.
As a whole, gun owners, hunters, archers, trappers competition shooters, and sportsmen in our grand union and especially in New York State fail miserably in casting ballots, despite a large demographic and cross-section of the population in the nation and the Empire State. If it is not our responsibility who then should this be assigned to,? Leftest Democrats bent on a single-party rule, Marxists, Socialists, Radical Facisists? Political parties make strategic calculations based on mediocre participation and furthers the lack of respect of us by those we send to Washington to represent our concerns and core values.
To be fair, there are those among us that vote with firm conviction, educated on the issues, and especially on those candidates professed to protect our first and second amendment rights. You know who you are and it is not intended to disparage your good efforts.
We are being browbeaten and dictated to by those that have no understanding or working knowledge of history, the second amendment, sustainable wildlife conservation, and yet allow us to pay our way while putting a virtual knee on our necks in every aspect of our activities and inalienable rights.
The same folks that are quick to assert their first amendment rights are the very same that are bent on removing the first and second amendments for conservatives, those who refuse to kneel in front of them.
As a group, we allow this as we decry downstate and national politics. Sorry, but it’s total bullshit. We failed to see it through. Do we allow by the stroke of a pen to declare firearm owners felons by merely owning a legally purchased firearm? It can be argued that treason is being committed against the citizens of our country and entirely unconstitutional on its face.
The framers intended that the second amendment be written purposely to defend against a tyrannical government and acts of treason upon us. It is that plain and simple.
None of us alive today were born into servitude or as serfs to kings whom we broke away from in our founding. If you give a damn about your rights and freedoms and that of your loved ones, your neighbors, your brethren, the passive response, sitting out elections is not a responsible choice, and you must exercise your rights as a citizen.
We cannot afford to sit back and continue letting others do our bidding…
© 2020 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Have We Forgotten 9/11? Those Who Serve us?
Have you Forgotten? Your families? Your neighbors? Your friends? Your ideological opponents? Is this just an annoyance to your daily routine?
Despite my incessant repetition for which I will not apologize: No I have not forgotten, hell no…
Each day, every day on every news channel, news website, social media we get “fuck the pigs”, “defund the police” and more colorful vulgar chants or disparaging language. The narrative that the men and women in blue are chasing down and murdering blacks as some perversion of sick folly driven by hundreds of years of racism. .
With 800K+ LEO’s in the US and a number between ten and twenty unarmed blacks killed annually (number has declined for the past decade) it is not a plague nor an all out assault due to racism.
We have a narrative that labels all those in blue as murderous, racist, unnecessary, unneeded, to have wholesale support withdrawn for political gains. Have we forgotten that those who serve us, see a burning building, a crime in progress, innocents being assaulted and their first instinct is to go towards the danger, to save as many as possible even though they may never see their loved ones ever again?
Of the 2,977 victims killed in the September 11 attacks, 412 were emergency workers in New York City who responded. Out of the 125 that perished at the pentagon no first responders were lost:
343 firefighters, a chaplain and 2 paramedics of the NYC Fire Department
37 police officers -Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Dept.
23 police officers of the NYC Police Dept.
8 emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
1 patrolman from the NY Fire Patrol
Do we fail to honor the lives lost on this fateful day, those lost while serving us each and every day? We hate each other by party affiliation, by whom we vote for, align ourselves with. We are uncivil without cause. We are better than this. I can remember a time…
Are we so entrenched that we forgo living the American Dream and all that it stands for? That we take on the daily challenges, for us to live well and in service to each other as it is tribute to those who sacrificed for us?
For those of you that are polar opposite to my conservative thoughts, that we might not share a strong Irish Stout together, I can toast to our betterment in life and the hope we return to the land of united bloody Americans (as the Brits would call us.)
I have not forgotten:
The memories, the feelings from that day have not faded, nor diminished. It was to be a perfect blue bird day in September.
The near perfect September day morphed, shattered for thousands of victims in mere seconds for many, some in agonizing, terror filled minutes, hours yet for others.
In the ripples of life, our greatest loss is to never know or benefit from what great deeds and accomplishments from all those lost.
That we came together as Americans.We were united as Americans. We still are Americans. Many have forgotten this very fact in recent times.
Those that perished on this fateful day of September 11th, 2001.
Those that gave all in order to save lives. Heroes that walk among us to this day.
Those who survived only to succumb to it days, months, and years later.
That we are all equal by way of our maker
This is republish each year as I find it so important to include:
Each anniversary of 9/11, my thoughts return to two fellow NWTF members Cynthia Giugliano & Walter Weaver that we lost that day. A memorial webpage can be found at http://www.turkey-talk.com/9_11_01_memorial.htm
As you toe up on the start line of your favorite road race or triathlon or enjoy another fall season hunting our nation’s forests, fishing the lakes and streams of our great land, I ask that each of you give thought to those that serve us. In your travels I ask that you take the time to thank those that serve us, and continue to support what they do for our country.
Along with counting your blessings, say a prayer for all innocent victims, and that you do something on your part to make the world just a little bit better for those around you. We can all benefit from a little emphasis on acts of kindness.
© 2020 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
2020 Fall Hunting & Fishing COVID-19 Restrictions
As spring seasons were bad enough with stay at home orders, quarantines we have a solid injection of partisan politics, an election cycle, and a lot of scared and fearful people among us. The following update of currently impacted state hunting and fishing seasons is an unfortunate reality as they were this past spring… I will continue to update this as more states follow suit and when states ease and or rescind restrictions entirely. Instead of season shutdowns, it is in the way of 14-day quarantines which ends the possibilities for most of us unless you can afford the cost of an additional two weeks and get the time off to do so. In general most of the restrictions will affect all travel without regard to purpose. Canada is currently shut down for all recreational activities for non-residents.
Alaska– all non-residents must arrive with confirmed negative Covid test results taken within prior 72 hours. Pending test results are a non starter. No option to test on site at the arrival airport or quarantine for 14 days no longer permitted. See Health Declaration form for further info on what must be completed when you arrive at the first Alaska airport.
Many towns and villages have additional requirements for non-residents, check with the local government or borough. Ravn Alaska airlines closed their doors, all their flights canceled Find more at ADFG.gov or State of Alaska Response Page
Penalties: fines of up to $25,000.
Connecticut: Non-residents, residents traveling to or from states and territories with high COVID-19 rates must comply with two-week quarantine or show a negative result from a COVID-19 test. https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/travel
Penalties: a $1,000 fine for each violation.
District of Columbia: Non-residents, residents traveling to or from 29+ states and territories. Virginia and Maryland. Exempted. https://coronavirus.dc.gov/phasetwo
Hawaii: Non-residents, residents traveling to or from other states are required to self-quarantine for two weeks or show a negative result from a COVID-19 test https://health.hawaii.gov/travel/18567/state-to-provide-updated-quarantine-guidelines/
Penalties: Violating the quarantine order is a criminal offense, up to a $5,000 fine and/or a year imprisonment.
Idaho: Non-residents, residents traveling to or from other states are required to self-quarantine for two weeks in effect for Ada County only. https://visitidaho.org/covid-19-travel-alert/
Illinois: no statewide quarantine orders. Chicago has a 14 day quarantine mandate for Non-residents, residents traveling to or from other states. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home/emergency-travel-order.html
Penalties: Violators are subject to fines of $100 to $500 per day, up to $7,000.
Kansas: Non-residents, residents traveling to or from other states (AL, AZ, AR, FL, or SC) are required to self-quarantine for two weeks. https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-COVID-19-Updates
Penalties: Violating the quarantine order -class C misdemeanor, fines from $25 to $100.
Maine: Non-residents, residents traveling to or from other states are required to self-quarantine for two weeks or show a negative result from a COVID-19 test. Travelers from five states, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, New Jersey and New Hampshire, are exempt. https://www.maine.gov/covid19/restartingmaine/keepmainehealthy/faqs
Maryland: Non-residents, residents traveling to or from other states and territories required to self-quarantine for two weeks or until they receive negative test results https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/Documents/07.29.2020%20-%20MDH%20Notice%20-%20Out%20of%20State%20Travel%20Advisory.pdf
Massachusetts: Non-residents, residents traveling to or from other states (Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina and Texas ) are required to self-quarantine for two weeks or show a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. They must complete the Massachusetts travel form if over age 18. Traveling from states with low rates of COVID-19 (currently Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York and New Jersey) is exempt. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order
Penalties: $500 fine per day for failure to complete the form or quarantine for 14 days.
New Hampshire: Non-residents, residents traveling to or from other states outside of New England asked to quarantine for two weeks. https://nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/Travel_advisoryFAQs_6-25-2020.pdf
New Jersey: Non-residents, residents traveling to or from other states are asked to quarantine for two weeks. https://nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/Travel_advisoryFAQs_6-25-2020.pdf
New Mexico: Non-residents, residents traveling to or from other states and territories required to self-quarantine for two weeks or the length of their stay, with exemptions for first responders and other essential workers. Does not apply to those passing through the state and are asked to only stop for essential services for gas or food. https://www.newmexico.org/covid-19-traveler-information/
Penalties: Executive order declares that those in noncompliance “shall be subject to involuntary isolation or quarantine.”
New York: Non-residents, residents traveling to or from 36+ states and territories with high COVID-19 rates must comply with two-week quarantine ; Does not apply to those passing through the state for less than 24 hours. https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory
Penalties: a $2,000 fine for the first violation, $5,000 for the second and up to $10,000 if the person causes harm. Visitors arriving by air who refuse to fill out the health form may be fined $2,000.
Ohio: Non-residents, residents traveling to other states reporting positive COVID-19 testing rates of 15 percent or higher are asked to quarantine for two weeks. The list currently lists six states. https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/families-and-individuals/covid-19-travel-advisory/covid-19-travel-advisory
Oregon: Due to a pneumonia outbreak, all of the Lookout Mtn. Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep hunts have been cancelled for the 2020 season. https://myodfw.com/COVID-19
Pennsylvania: recommends that anyone who arrives from a state “where there are high amounts of COVID-19 cases” quarantine for two weeks upon return. The list includes 17+ states. https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Travelers.aspx
Rhode Island: Anyone arriving in Rhode Island from with a positivity rate of COVID-19 greater than 5 percent — more than 30 states, plus Puerto Rico must self-quarantine for 14 days. A recent negative COVID-19 test can offer you exemption from the quarantine rule https://health.ri.gov/covid/travel/
Vermont: Non-residents, residents traveling to other states must quarantine for two weeks if they arrive from locations with more than 400 active COVID-19 cases per million (indicated on an online map, updated every Friday), https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/restart/cross-state-travel
Penalties: Law enforcement may educate violators on the rule.
Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada , North Carolina , North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming: check before traveling as these states have restrictions on gatherings, some businesses restricted or closed and varying levels of mask requirements
Canada– US Border currently closed to all non-essential travel https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/covid/non-canadians-canadiens-eng.html#er1
2020 NY Spring Season is now closed, Fat lady has sung!
Turkey hunters, times up, lay down your shotguns and bows.. Who got it done today?
It was and odd season for me in Cortland County this spring. As usual work commitments limited the number of days I could hunt, and even then only until 8-9 AM To attend to business. This season will rank near the top for the least amount of gobbling heard.
There were no shortages of beautiful mornings, and one could hear insects out to 600 yards on many of them. If there was a peak for gobbling it came long before May 1st. Never the lest, there were noteworthy highlights.
Several encounters with the Dueling Aces that we have been after for three years now, the last one was interrupted by a bald eagle. After chasing the gobblers off, he presented a side back profile to inspire the patriot in all of us, just as I reached for the camera. Picture of a lifetime I messed up. I did learn that an eagle scream is good for about six gobbles in a sequence.
I met a feathered box call above our place one morning, I could have laid down a paycheck that not only was it a box call, that I could hear the lid, and swore it was a red cedar body with a walnut lid. The hen flew up into a tree and gave it all she had for nearly twenty minutes. Not something you come across often. Despite all her sweet talk, not a single gobble in response.
We called in a very vocal gobbler for Billy Heselden on a very fun hunt, and straight across a fairly steep ridge. All on camera, and one last gobble for the money shot.
Both birds I tagged were very short hunts, last minute checking a few spots before work. Very little calling, and played out far different that the many other hunts I have participated in.
If you had a last day rally, got it done in the eleventh hour, or a great story please share. I do hope your days in the turkey woods were as memorable as I find them to be, and that you enjoy good health and circumstance to be back at it this fall and next spring.
-MJ
© 2020 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Last Call For Spring Turkey Season In NY
It’s crunch time, the fat lady is warming up and she is dressed for the final curtain call. Whatever grandiose battle plans you may have, the moment of truth shall be revealed in the remaining seven hours and two minutes. Not that anyone is counting…
Apply what you have learned during the course of the past four weeks, play it old school, add in a dose of good fortune and you’ll send the fat lady packing before show time. With exceptions noted, late season is in general more about conservative tactics, having very recent sightings, and locations of birds willing to talk.
Gobblers here in CNY are acting like mid June birds with the hens long since bred off. There are pockets of hens reported back with the gobblers,. In the thousands of acres I check on frequently in Cortland County, I’m seeing bachelor groups of longbeards, bands of marauding jakes and single hens out and about later morning grabbing a quick meal before returning to their nests. I’ve been seeing bachelor groups and single gobblers without hens the entire season this year.
With a very late green up and a suppressed population of wild turkeys, running and gunning has in my opinion schooled a lot of the birds. The tactic has been less fruitful for the past several decades as the population declined in my experience. It has been a relatively quiet season in Cortland and the tendency to get antsy and move with very little cover makes for smarter birds. If you follow my musings you know I like my gobblers without an advanced education 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. Both of the two birds I won over started and finished this way with minimalist calling this season. The only clue I had one coming for my second tag was a single cluck then a jake yelp when I responded with a cluck and too very soft half yelps. The jake stayed back, and longbeard came straight in.
Woodsmanship 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. Creek bottoms offering shade in the increasing temps are often a place to find them late season. 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 tonight you have a crucial clue for the morning. I normally would say listen for gobbling on the roost, but there has been precious little of that in the evenings this season.
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.
As they are not talking much now, any sightings are key tactical data. If you can get out and roost tonight, it may be the final and most useful clue for the last day. With the foliage fully out you can get in close but you’ll have to be there very early tomorrow morning. 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
© 2020 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Hunting & Fishing Restrictions Covid-19 Update
Update of currently impacted state turkey hunting and fishing seasons. Turkey season wraps up next week, with Maine closing in June. Updates may show promise for summer fishing. States with 14 Day Non Resident Quarantines are showing some progress in lifting the restriction.
Alaska– Phase 3/4 starts today, and with recommended guidelines and practices. Extended the travel restrictions on out-of-state travelers and residents returning to the state through June 2. link updated 5/22
Arkansas- Buffalo National River open to day use. link updated 5/22
California– Hunting, fishing on base is suspended until further notice. link Edwards Air Force Base -restricted to mission-essential personnel only. link Fort Hunter Liggett- All 2020 Fishing and 2019-20 Hunting permits sales have been suspended. link
Arizona– San Carlos Apache Reservation turkey hunts canceled link
Colorado– 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 beginning to open. San Juan County-all public lands closed. Fort Carson- hunting is NOT available on Fort Carson or Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, USAF Academy “official business only”. Fishing the 5 lakes are open for all eligible users with a USAFA fishing permit linkupdated 5/22 Gunnison county banning any visitors until further notice. link
Delaware– All out-of-state residents traveling into Delaware to immediately self-quarantine for 14 days link
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 link
Georgia– Fort Benning- Restricted to Authorized personnel only link Fort Gordon- Open to recreation if you have access link The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is temporarily shutting down all dispersed camping corridors, day-use areas, trailhead facilities and other recreation sites on the Blue Ridge Ranger District link
Hawaii– All arriving residents and visitors thru 6/20 will immediately go into a 14-day quarantines upon entering the state link Lana‘i Axis Deer Hunt Canceled link
Idaho– Idaho Fish and Game resumes the sale of all nonresident hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and tags. link updated 5/22
Illinois– DNR to Reopen Select Sites for Limited Activities May 1 link
Kansas – travel quarantine from the following: International– China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran States- California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts(new). New Jersey, New York. Rhode Island (new) Washington Massachusetts and Rhode Island are new to the list, while California, Florida and Washington have been removed link Kansas has an “explicit ” call out of quarantine of 14 days before you can hunt link
Kentucky- All Fort Campbell iSportsman activities including hunting, fishing and general outdoor recreation are now open, Spring Turkey Season has been extended through 17 May 2020 link The state’s travel ban expired. updated 5/22
Massachusetts – All travelers arriving in the Commonwealth are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days, link
Maine– all travelers coming to Maine quarantine for 14 days link Maine regular turkey season open two days early, on May 2. Turkey hunters will not be required to register their birds at tagging stations. Changes are temporary for 2020 only. link
Maryland– Recreational fishing and hunting reopened, social distancing guidelines must be followed. l link updated 5/22
Michigan– charter fishing and guide operations are now permitted link updated 5/22 State harbors and marinas are closed through at least June 9 link
Missouri– Fort Leonard Wood – Restricted to Authorized personnel only link
Montana– travelers arriving from another state or country to Montana for non-work-related purposes undergo a 14-day self-quarantine.
New Hamshire– no longer issuing kid’s fishing derby permits or any bass tournament permits. Online sales only for licenses and permits link
New York– West Point, Outdoor Recreation= Round Pond Recreation Area – Permitted Fishing and Passive Recreation Only, 9AM-5PM link
North Carolina– multiple boat access, camping, public land closures see: link Dare County- restrictions lifted link updated 5/22
North Dakota– All travelers arriving to North Dakota from international locations and states with widespread coronavirus outbreaks must quarantine immediately for 14 days link
Ohio– People traveling into Ohio to self-quarantine for 14 days. link non-resident hunting and fishing licenses suspended link
Oklahoma– order requiring travelers from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Louisiana and Washington to undergo a 14-day quarantine. link
Pennsylvania- State parks and public campgrounds remain closed. link
Rhode Island– all out-of-state travelers to quarantine for 14 days if they intend to stay in the state. Fishing system in place-staggers the days when licensed anglers can fish. Those with last names beginning with A through M can only fish on even numbered calendar days, and those with last names beginning with N through Z can only fish on odd numbered calendar days. link
South Carolina– All dates all SCDNR Lottery hunts on WMA properties have been canceled. Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge hunts remain open unless a “Stay Home” order is declared. link Fishing events link
Texas– Joint Base San Antonio – Hunting closed until further notice link 14 Day travel quarantine lifted link updated 5/22 Texas Attorney General Says Gunnison County’s Temporary Nonresident Ban Is Unconstitutional link
Utah– All recreational travel by non–residents of San Juan County is prohibited link
Vermont– 14 Day travel quarantine from any state link
Virginia– Langly AFB outdoor recreation open link updated 5/22 Marine Corps Base Quantico- outdoor recreation canceled link
West Virginia– 14 Day travel quarantine lifted updated 5/22`
Wyoming– non resident quarantine has been lifted updated 5/22
Canada– US Border currently closed to all non-essential travel
Not listed, check your state of interest as many have their park buildings and camping and restroom facilities 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.
Turkey hunters Shot This Spring Season- Commentary
With the count now at 15 shot during 2020 spring season-
Folks are jumping to a lot of conclusions with almost zero data or facts other than two were shot by an off duty wildlife officer this past weekend. We don’t know if risky techniques were in play or if it is all the fault of the shooter, In my view, what I have followed up on over the years it normally is. Just like defensive driving there are choices that perpetuate or negate the possibilities. With the scenarios possible, we have to wait to get a sense of where this all broke down.
Investigations need to conclude, court proceedings need to run their course, and then we may have a complete picture. Unlike national and local politics we still have a presumption of innocence. Is it to our benefit to vilify the shooters or the victims without facts in hand?
It is up to the shooter to determine a safe sight picture for a legit target. Ultimately it is the first and last preventive to a errant shooting, However if someone is using a real fan, or full mount taxidermy it is not so cut and dry. Do we really need to challenge the ability of others to figure it out? I know a few that will actually use a gobbler mount, wear a half mount or fan on their head or mount it on their barrel. It is not my cup of tea. I’m not known to wear a 12 point buck costume on opening day of regular deer season either, but hey I’m a bit weird that way. Sorry, but if you think its OK, stand in line for a Darwin award participation trophy.
It pays to be patient when it comes to dropping a bird if something appears odd, out of place, we verify anyway while looking over foreground and background. We would hope that someone engaged in reaping or fanning would move in such a way that would appear unnatural to us as hunters. Proponents of it exclaim that we should be able to see that it is not a real target. I would prefer that to be true. Anecdotal stories I have been told by long time friends as to their close calls is enough to raise the hair on the back of your neck. When you add in rolling terrain, woodland features, high grass, the presentation becomes partial views. You put my wide butt behind a fan, and you’ll know it’s a poor representation of a turkey. I can’t suggest the same for you narrow butt turkey hunters. Sometimes there’s a blessing in being overweight…
We don’t know what we don’t know yet. Out of the now 15 shot this spring, several have had decoys mentioned in the story without details, one I have interviewed and it was a hen decoy with the head sticking out of the back of his vest while seated, the shooter was at 8 yards with a crossbow. I am not able to comprehend that many wrong decisions in a month much less in a single moment by the shooter. I will be following up on two stories that I have direct information and once I conclude several more interviews.
What I do know, what we should all know- If we take the time to identify a proper target, clear foreground and background and refrain from unreasonable risk taking, the incident rate would hover at zero and that is where it needs to be.
We pray for healing Godspeed and their recoveries and of course for those that have passed and their families.
-MJ
© 2020 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Eleven Turkey Hunters Shot During The 2nd Half Of April, The First Week In May.
This is an update to the previous blog post Seven Turkey Hunters Shot in the 2nd Half of April… As mentioned before our hunting community has no tolerance for one much less eleven fellow turkey hunting brethren being loaded up in an ambulance or worse… None of us want to be there…
I’ll repeat for those that missed the first post: 2.5 million turkey hunters are afield in any given year, the incident rate hovers below 0.003% in an average year. Not to minimize the impact on the victims, the context is that 99.997% of us do the right things and hunt safely. The families and friends would have a very different perspective, and we pray for their families and swift recoveries.
Having said this, indulge me here… once you squeeze that trigger, release your arrow, it cannot be undone, you cannot put the shot load back in the shell, no more than the arrow back on it’s rest. It is 100% avoidable by our own due diligence and commitment to hunting safety. We owe this to each other. Please review common safety tips at the bottom of this.
I have a few updates on the first seven I covered, and now an eight and ninth injured in a shooting incident (archery tackle, making it the second one this season) where the hunter survived, but with gruesome results. It’s not pretty. I’ll refrain from posting the picture. Trust me for not crossing the line with gore as I’ll not stoop to tabloid sensationalism. His partner was hit after a bolt made a pass thru, luckily it did not penetrate. Sadden to report two more shot where an 11-year-old boy has died. His father was also wounded and is recovering.
Turkey Hunter Survives Being Shot in Face; Virginia Game & Inland Fisheries Investigating https://www.outdoorsrambler.com/post/turkey-hunter-survives-being-shot-in-face-virginia-game-inland-fisheries-investigating By Ken Perrotte Update- Shooter has been charged with a misdemeanor for reckless handling of firearms. I will have a story on this in the coming days– MJ
Hunter Killed In Wednesday Accident At Young County Line (TX) https://www.grahamleader.com/news/hunter-killed-wednesday-accident-young-county-line By Brian Smith No incident details or charges have been announced at this time, it is reported that the incident took place while three life long friends were turkey hunting. A foundation has been created in his memory https://www.facebook.com/SethKeenerFoundation/
Kansas Boy Airlifted to Hospital After Hunting Accident https://hayspost.com/posts/5ea6ce33eb7f1705360383cd Hays Post The victim has moved out of ICU after sustaining a shotgun blast to the head. Details are sparse with the mention of a decoy closed to the victim and the failure of the shooter to identify the target is given as a factor for the incident. No details on type of decoy, movement, fanning or reaping is currently available. Individuals involved are reported to be cooperative and the incident is still under investigation. No charges have been announced at this time.
Hunter Lucky To Be Alive After Being Shot, Mistaken For Turkey In Shannon County, Mo. https://www.ky3.com/content/news/Hunter-lucky-to-be-alive-after-being-shot-mistaken-for-turkey-569940291.html By Michael Deene No further details or charges have been announced at this time.
A 14-Year-Old Boy Shot In Jones County Hunting Accident (NC) https://www.jdnews.com/news/20200421/14-year-old-boy-shot-in-jones-county-hunting-accident By Trevor Dunnell Reported to be recovering from face and neck injuries. No investigation findings have been announced at this time.
Boy Shot In Hunting Accident Airlifted, 2nd sustained gunshot injuries (W.Va) https://wvva.com/2020/04/28/boy-shot-in-hunting-accident-airlifted/ By Bailey Pace Update- Both are reported to be recovering, no further details. The cause is also reported to be a lack of proper target ID, shooting at movement thru dense cover. No changes have been announced as the investigation continues.
Turkey Hunter shot with cross bow (IL) – Eric Rheude survives a horrific broad head pass thru from a crossbow @ 8 yards, also striking his hunting partner in the boot. Shooter was targeting the head of a hen decoy that was sticking out of his turkey vest. DNR Investigation findings have been sent on to the attorney general for possible charges. A full story forthcoming in a few days- MJ
Father and 11-year old son shot while turkey hunting, Son succumbed to his injuries. The shooter has been charged with Reckless Manslaughter. The father sustained minor injuries and treated at the scene. https://mynbc15.com/news/local/mobile-man-charged-in-hunting-accident-that-left-11-year-old-boy-dead
I will repeat here for those just picking up on the story… The following tips, good practices are well advised for your safety and that of others:
- Avoid wearing the bright colors of a gobbler’s head, red, white, or blue. Large areas of black may resemble the body of a turkey. These are turkey colors, and another hunter may mistake you for a bird.
- Be 100% sure of your target. Check your foreground and your background. Those extra seconds of making sure can save a life!
- Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Don’t rely on your gun’s safety. Treat every gun as loaded.
- If you see another hunter, don’t move- any motion can be mistaken for a turkey. Instead, call out to alert the other hunter that you are there. Do not wave or attempt to get up, or use a turkey call to alert the incoming hunter.
- Do not stalk turkey sounds; it could be another hunter. Find a good setup with your back to a tree, rock, or other large natural barriers wider than your shoulders. Then go about working to call the birds to you. Stalking is illegal in many states.
- You may consider placing a hunter orange ribbon high on a tree to help other hunters identify your location, or wear on your person entering or leaving. It is a legal requirement by some states, do not assume orange to be an end-all for safety. Always identify your quarry and what may be in front of, behind, or to either side. You have no guarantee that others are wearing orange…
- Reconsider the assumed risks of using “tail-fanning” or “reaping’ techniques (using gobbler decoys, a synthetic fan, or real tail feathers) out immediately in front of you, mounted on your gun barrel or a head/hat mounted product while crawling or stalking. A fan may be large enough to hide you from view from other hunters and you may falsely assume they will properly identify you vs. a real gobbler.
- Always let someone else know where you will be and when expected to be back via text, email, or phone message. In an emergency, precious minutes can make all the difference for someone to direct first responders to your location or for someone to know when you are late returning.
We continue to pray for those injured, that those that have succumbed to their injuries and for their families. May they heal well Godspeed.
-MJ
© 2020 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Restrictions Ease- Hunting & Fishing Seasons Slow Roll Out, Covid-19 Update
Update of currently impacted state turkey hunting and fishing seasons. Some states are now slowly easing up restrictions. States with 14 Day Non Resident Quarantines are showing little progress in lifting the restriction at this time.
Alaska– current 14-day mandatory quarantine order is extended to May 19, 2020 link Gov. Mike Dunleavy rescinded the cancellation of all spring bear hunts in Alaska Thursday, saying that spring bear hunts will be open to Alaskan hunters, but not available to those non-residents and anyone from outside the state. link Limited Fishing Charters, Camping and Lodging link Added 5/5
Arkansas- Buffalo National River closure includes angling, turkey hunting. link added 4/18 added 5/5
California– Hunting, fishing on base is suspended until further notice. link Edwards Air Force Base -restricted to mission-essential personnel only. link Fort Hunter Liggett- All 2020 Fishing and 2019-20 Hunting permits sales have been suspended. link
Arizona– San Carlos Apache Reservation turkey hunts canceled link
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. link San Juan County-all public lands closed Fort Carson- hunting is NOT available on Fort Carson or Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, USAF Academy “official business only”. Fishing the 5 lakes closed link Yuma County delaying spring turkey season to 5/2/20, Gunnison county banning any visitors until further notice. link
Delaware– All out-of-state residents traveling into Delaware to immediately self-quarantine for 14 days link
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 link
Georgia– Fort Benning- Restricted to Authorized personnel only link Fort Gordon- Open to recreation if you have access link Added 5/5 The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is temporarily shutting down all dispersed camping corridors, day-use areas, trailhead facilities and other recreation sites on the Blue Ridge Ranger District link
Hawaii– All arriving residents and visitors will immediately go into a 14-day quarantines upon entering the state link Added 5/5 Lana‘i Axis Deer Hunt Canceled link
Idaho– The purchase of non-resident black bear, fishing and turkey tags is no longer available link If you already had an agreement with an outfitter for a spring black bear hunt before the April 4th suspension, you may still obtain your tags and go on the hunt.
Illinois– DNR to Reopen Select Sites for Limited Activities May 1 link added 4/28
Kansas – travel quarantine from the following: International– China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran States- California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts(new). New Jersey, New York. Rhode Island (new) Washington Massachusetts and Rhode Island are new to the list, while California, Florida and Washington have been removed link updated 5/5 Kansas has an “explicit ” call out of quarantine of 14 days before you can hunt link
Kentucky- All Fort Campbell iSportsman activities including hunting, fishing and general outdoor recreation are now open, Spring Turkey Season has been extended through 17 May 2020 link updated 5/5 People traveling to Kentucky from out-of-state will now be placed under quarantine for 14 days due to an executive order link suspending sale of non-resident turkey-hunting permits- 2020 spring turkey season link
Massachusetts – All travelers arriving in the Commonwealth are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days, link Joint Base Cape Cod/Camp Edwards controlled turkey hunt canceled link
Maine– all travelers coming to Maine quarantine for 14 days link Maine regular turkey season open two days early, on May 2. The youth season has also changed from May 2 to April 25 and adding a additional day, April 27. Turkey hunters will not be required to register their birds at tagging stations. Changes are temporary for 2020 only. link
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 link
Michigan– charter fishing and guide operations are not permitted, possible opening- 5/15 link updated 5/5 DNR-managed boating access sites that were open for the season and remained open during the stay-at-home order will remain open. The addition of various amenities, such as the placement of courtesy piers and the reopening of bathrooms at boating access sites. State harbors and marinas are closed through at least June 9 link updated 5/5
Missouri– Fort Leonard Wood – Restricted to Authorized personnel only link
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 link FWP has suspended all spring turkey and spring black bear seasons through at least April 24th for non-resident nonresident spring turkey and bear seasons resumed, April 25 link updated 5/5
Nebraska– suspended the sale of nonresident spring turkey hunting permits immediately. link
New Hamshire– no longer issuing kid’s fishing derby permits or any bass tournament permits. Online sales only for licenses and permits link
New Jersey: Starting May 2, All state parks and forests will re-open to “passive recreation,” that includes fishing and hunting link updated 5/5
New York– West Point, Outdoor Recreation= Round Pond Recreation Area – Permitted Fishing and Passive Recreation Only, 9AM-5PM link Boat launches, marinas allowed to open updated 5/5
North Carolina– multiple boat access, camping, public land closures see: link Dare County- Resident only travel. Non-Resident Property Owners who have a valid entry permit with matching government issued ID according to the schedule below:
- Monday, May 4 at 6:00 a.m. – Entry is ongoing for non- resident property owners whose last name begins with A – I
- Wednesday, May 6 at 6:00 a.m. – Entry begins and is ongoing for non- resident property owners whose last name begins with J – R
- Friday, May 8 at 6:00 a.m. – Entry begins for non-resident property owners whose last name begins with S – Z link updated 5/5
North Dakota– All travelers arriving to North Dakota from international locations and states with widespread coronavirus outbreaks must quarantine immediately for 14 days link
Ohio– People traveling into Ohio to self-quarantine for 14 days. link non-resident hunting and fishing licenses suspended link
Oklahoma– order requiring travelers from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Louisiana and Washington to undergo a 14-day quarantine. link
Oregon– Washington and Oregon Departments of Fish and Wildlife open Chinook fisheries along Columbia River on limited days in May link updated 5/5 Non-residents can fish and hunt in Oregon again beginning May 5 link updated 5/5
Pennsylvania- will reopen marinas and allow guided fishing trips again. Private campgrounds will also reopen. State parks and public campgrounds remain closed. link added 4/28
Rhode Island– all out-of-state travelers will be stopped at the border and told to quarantine for 14 days if they intend to stay in the state. Order extended to all states because of the rate of infection in other areas, mentioning New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and New Hampshire by name link Fishing system in place-staggers the days when licensed anglers can fish. Those with last names beginning with A through M can only fish on even numbered calendar days, and those with last names beginning with N through Z can only fish on odd numbered calendar days. link
South Carolina– Exec order- self-quarantine for 14-days for travelers lifted. link All dates all SCDNR Lottery hunts on WMA properties have been canceled. Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge hunts remain open unless a “Stay Home” order is declared. link Fishing events link updated 5/5
Texas– Joint Base San Antonio – Hunting closed until further notice link 14 Day travel quarantine from the following: flying into Texas from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the city of New Orleans, driving from the cities of Miami, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta. Also included in the order are the states of Washington and California. link Texas Attorney General Says Gunnison County’s Temporary Nonresident Ban Is Unconstitutional link
Utah– All recreational travel by non–residents of San Juan County is prohibited link
Vermont– 14 Day travel quarantine from any state link
Virginia– Langly AFB outdoor recreation canceled link Marine Corps Base Quantico- outdoor recreation canceled link
Washington- Hunting for turkey and spring bear open on May 5. Spring turkey season will end on May 31, as originally scheduled. All freshwater fishing and some saltwater fishing and shellfishing now permitted link updated 5/5 Spring bear special permit seasons will be extended until June 30. Spring bear hunters who would normally travel outside their local areas to hunt may wait to see how travel guidance evolves, or seek a permit refund link added 4/28
West Virginia– 14 Day travel quarantine from the following: Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Italy, and China link
Wisconsin– No Motors in Michigan Boundary Waters link Wisconsin State Parks And Forests To Reopen on May 1 link updated 5/5
Wyoming– all travelers coming to Wyoming quarantine for 14 days link nonresident fishing licenses has been suspended until April 30 link updated 5/5
Canada– inaugural New Brunswick spring turkey season canceled link US Border currently closed to all non-essential travel
Not listed, check your state of interest as many have their park buildings and camping and restroom facilities 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.
Seven Turkey Hunters Shot in the 2nd Half of April…
As a general opinion, our hunting community has little tolerance for one much less seven fellow turkey hunting brethren making that awful trip to the hospital. One of them has been fatally shot. None of us want to be there… In that position… that scenario…
I feel a mighty big soapbox coming along to climb up on. It is a gut reaction, three of those shot were very young, one young hunter shot an adult, and one adult hunter was shot by an old-timer (for clarity of perspective, I am targeted by AARP these days), the 6th is not disclosed as of yet. The seventh hunter was fatally shot, a young man just 23 years old. Tragic, and heartbreaking.
The truth is, most everyone I know that chases gobblers know exactly what I would have to say. We all get it, right? I will spare the sermon as the lessons taught and preached among ourselves is a universal truth taught in every hunting safety class in every state.
Despite two and half million turkey hunters that engage in our beloved past time each year, the incident rate is so far down in the mud that you have to use negative powers of ten to express the unfortunate statistic. 0.003% in an average year is a victim of an errant shooting while afield. Not to lessen the impact of what has just taken place, the context is that 99.997% of us camo warriors manage to abide by safety rules, code of conduct, and do so without incident. That is all well and good and the actuaries and statisticians will be pleased in that. The families and friends of these three boys and four men will have far less appreciation of it.
Rather than detail each of these, I have their news stories linked below. One of the seven is very detailed by my good friend and fellow writer Ken Perrotte from Virginia. I am scheduled to interview the young man in the near future. As updates are released I will update.
Turkey Hunter Survives Being Shot in Face; Virginia Game & Inland Fisheries Investigating https://www.outdoorsrambler.com/post/turkey-hunter-survives-being-shot-in-face-virginia-game-inland-fisheries-investigating By Ken Perrotte
Hunter Killed In Wednesday Accident At Young County Line (TX) https://www.grahamleader.com/news/hunter-killed-wednesday-accident-young-county-line By Brian Smith
Kansas Boy Airlifted to Hospital After Hunting Accident https://hayspost.com/posts/5ea6ce33eb7f1705360383cd Hays Post
Hunter Lucky To Be Alive After Being Shot, Mistaken For Turkey In Shannon County, Mo. https://www.ky3.com/content/news/Hunter-lucky-to-be-alive-after-being-shot-mistaken-for-turkey-569940291.html By Michael Deene
A 14-Year-Old Boy Shot In Jones County Hunting Accident (NC) https://www.jdnews.com/news/20200421/14-year-old-boy-shot-in-jones-county-hunting-accident By Trevor Dunnell
Boy Shot In Hunting Accident Airlifted, 2nd sustained gunshot injuries (W.Va) https://wvva.com/2020/04/28/boy-shot-in-hunting-accident-airlifted/ By Bailey Pace
Some of these are titled and reported as “accidents.” It is a misuse of language and those of us in the turkey hunting community know that one hundred percent of the possibilities are preventable by following turkey hunting ethics and gun (archery implements as well) handling/safety rules.
The following tips, good practices are well advised for your safety and that of others:
- Avoid wearing the bright colors of a gobbler’s head, red, white, or blue. Large areas of black may resemble the body of a turkey. These are turkey colors, and another hunter may mistake you for a bird.
- Be 100% sure of your target. Check your foreground and your background. Those extra seconds of making sure can save a life!
- Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Don’t rely on your gun’s safety. Treat every gun as loaded.
- If you see another hunter, don’t move- any motion can be mistaken for a turkey. Instead, call out to alert the other hunter that you are there. Do not wave or attempt to get up, or use a turkey call to alert the incoming hunter.
- Do not stalk turkey sounds; it could be another hunter. Find a good setup with your back to a tree, rock, or other large natural barriers wider than your shoulders. Then go about working to call the birds to you. Stalking is illegal in many states.
- You may consider placing a hunter orange ribbon high on a tree to help other hunters identify your location, or wear on your person entering or leaving. It is a legal requirement by some states, do not assume orange to be an end-all for safety. Always identify your quarry and what may be in front of, behind, or to either side. You have no guarantee that others are wearing orange…
- Reconsider the assumed risks of using “tail-fanning” or “reaping’ techniques (using gobbler decoys, a synthetic fan, or real tail feathers) out immediately in front of you, mounted on your gun barrel or a head/hat mounted product while crawling or stalking. A fan may be large enough to hide you from view from other hunters and you may falsely assume they will properly identify you vs. a real gobbler.
- Always let someone else know where you will be and when expected to be back via text, email, or phone message. In an emergency, precious minutes can make all the difference for someone to direct first responders to your location or for someone to know when you are late returning.
We owe it to ourselves and to each other to act and hunt in a safe manner and promote the best practices to ensure we all get to come back the next season to spend time in the great turkey woods and all of God’s creations.
As mentioned I will update as more details are published. We pray for those injured, that have succumbed to their injuries and for their families. May they heal well Godspeed.
-MJ
© 2020 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
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