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Turkey Hunter Shot-Stalking? Decoys? Reaping? True Stories?

Standard / by mookyj / April 17, 2021 / No Comments

Out of all the topics I cover as an outdoor writer this topic is perhaps the most gut-wrenching to follow up on.

For those of you that follow my posts, you may recall last spring’s post- Eleven Turkey Hunters Shot…. since then I learned of more incidents from the same season for a total of 16 hunters shot. Other than a few brief paragraphs, no details that we might want to know were disclosed which brings me to the following observations… I can assure you, I conduct repeated searches for updates.

I had full intentions to report follow-ups to each of these unfortunate and preventable events. Several had positive story angles of their hunting partners responding Godspeed with emergency care, and immediate transport to professional medical care facilities. Modern-day heroes if you will indulge me. I do hope that interviews be granted in the future as the value of having a hunting partner can make all the difference in hunting strategies and for the unexpected events we may encounter.

The following story I reported on does have further developments: Father and 11-year-old son shot while turkey hunting, Son succumbed to his injuries. https://mynbc15.com/news/local/mobile-man-charged-in-hunting-accident-that-left-11-year-old-boy-dead Update: the initial charge upgraded to capital murder- https://www.al.com/news/2020/12/veteran-now-charged-with-capital-murder-in-11-year-old-jeffco-boys-hunting-death.html

Other victims, although very open and willing to share their initial experiences, Did not contact afterwards when things settled down. It is not a criticism as full respect for their privacy and my unwillingness to engage in tabloid journalism is the approach here. I have left the door open should they wish to in the future.

For the past two decades, I have tracked stories when they occur. In doing the research other than an initial story, historic search results in one or two paragraphs with little detail at all, in general, reporters see no distinction in how hunting accidents (yes, they call them that) occur nor provide the terms and details we often use to nail down specifics. In each of the events, I have followed the trail of, coverage falls off sharply as one could deduct that hunters shooting hunters ranks rather low in the public interest, and barely a mention in today’s wall-to-wall 24/7 news cycles.

The lack of detailed data can be attributed to HIPAA laws, restricted access in active investigations/court cases, and a tendency for victims to remain private following a shooting encounter. I could ultimately use the FOIL process to gain further details that law enforcement and wildlife agencies are not eager to share. Access to databases used by enforcement, and wildlife agencies would certainly add more to the story. Given the victims’ clear desire for privacy, it is not an intrusive tact I wish to take.

Having covered such topics I am often challenged, demanding proof by naysayers and advocates of stalking/reaping/fanning turkeys that there are no such events, and that reaping and fanning-related shootings do not occur at all. It is the equivalent of burying one’s head in the sand. Vetted studies that suggest otherwise, are a contributing factor in states enacting an outright ban on the practices. Should you care to research this you’ll find as I have that nearly all of the reported news of turkey hunting-related shooting incidents is lacking in substantive details. Having met and known those directly as victims I close this line of thought as too many armchair experts are willfully ignorant in order to support such methods. Non-apologetic for criticism of the absence of common sense and basic safety concerns.

To be fair, to add proper context and perspective, overall with millions of participants engaged in pursuing wild turkeys, we are a rather polite and safe lot despite being sometimes referred to as bloodthirsty killers roaming the woods with bows and shotguns. Statistically, by the numbers, turkey hunting is one of the safest activities we can indulge in. That said, can we agree that zero occurrences are the acceptable incident rate?

As I write this, a report comes out of Union, South Carolina of a hunter shot this morning, no details other than one taken to the hospital, One can assume while turkey hunting? Maybe? As such, no details as of yet.

Having spoken to some of the victims from the spring 2020 hunting incidents directly (some have declined), I can attest to the occurrences with ill-fated results of stalking, reaping, fanning, and the poor acts of shooting decoys, even hen decoys during a rushed shot, where we as shooters have an obligation to identify our targets, just as we are obligated to not present undue risk in our actions. This is much the same concept as taught in defensive driving courses.

It is one thing to read of these events, it is entirely different to speak to victims over the phone, in written correspondence, yet again in a more profound way to meet in person at NWTF national conventions to be handed a full dossier with full-color photos and to shake their hand directly. I can assure you it leaves a lasting impression as to the aftermath of these ill-fated events.

As half the country is currently in season, the next few weeks will open up for the remaining states. It is my sincere hope to have no incidents to comment on, and that you can keep posting the hero pics and smiling faces of youths out for their very first hunts. I prefer those. I wish each of you a safe and memorable season…

-MJ

Standard / by mookyj / April 1, 2021 / No Comments

With the evolution of turkey hunting being as it is, one can draw many parallels to the human trait of wanting the next best mouse trap, the ultimate state of the art product, 100% guaranteed success method, and so on. The turkey hunting industry and the associated marketing of products thrives on this observation as it does for deer hunting and fishing. I’ll throw out the opinion that marketing methods are implemented equally, but I’ll temper that with what I’d expect will be strong opinions from the peanut gallery of each time honored pursuit and it’s enthusiastic participants.

With advancements in methods, product offerings we get a barrage of marketing campaigns, and the bible speak absolutes of hunters from the entire spectrum of abilities and experience levels. It is damn near impossible not to get caught up in it to some level. My weakness would be new calls and without naming names I would like my money back for my dog whistle and damn glad I got to hear the carbonator call in the hands of the maker first while I scoured the countryside trying to buy one. I digress…

Nearly thirty years since I tagged my first gobbler on my very first hunt, I can with the utmost humility claim that it was possible due to the fact I managed to find the most absolute dumbest gobbler in all of upstate NY on that fateful day. Despite walking in as it was getting light out, far too much movement, far too much noise, pulled out and overcalled with every call I had in my overstuffed vest, yet managed to shoot a kamikaze gobbler at sixteen paces that was roosted sixty yards in front of me. Never should have come together as it did whether you are of amateur or professional opinion. This is a stake in the ground to illustrate that any and especially poor methods on the right day, with the dumbest bird can get it done. As each season passed I learned, and more importantly learned not to continue with some foolishness I got lucky with.

With the popularity of hunting shows, and a golden age of turkey chasing that followed the explosion of turkey populations, the demand for instant results drives the market and attitudes of modern day turkey hunters. With the likes of Hevishot, TSS, came the “wisdom” of longer shots, smaller gauges. One can find prostaff on TV shows proclaiming 80-100 yard smack downs while sitting on big open fields, even out through a set of woods. Facebook experts claiming 60 yard shots with 410’s and recommend it to anyone willing to listen.

As a rep for hevishot for a number of years I came across many dedicated hunters that had hours of bench time honing their turkey rigs for the most consistent and tight patterns for every shotgun they owned. I have little doubt of the capability of the setups, and the perforated patterning targets backed up their claimed efforts. Yet most them were about massive knock down performance, not longer shots. I walked away from the gig when the campaign for 75+ yards came out. It was the wrong direction for my sensibilities. The wrong direction for having a turkey up close and nearly in your lap. I was in it to hunt turkeys. Not interested in gathering, sniping them. As I don’t fish with dynamite as a declaration behind this line of thinking, I was not about to go more overkill with TSS to pay $10 a shell at forty yards, when I thought hevishot was a bit much for the task as well. There is enough that can go wrong at forty yards, and having margin to cover range estimation error is reassuring, but that is as far as I’ll buy into it. As a clarification, I do like smaller gauge shotguns becoming more capable at the same close and personal distances as it makes for a good solution for those that can’t take the recoil of stout 12 or 10 gauge rounds.

I have written on reaping and fanning in the past and won’t dwell much on it here. If interested you can read them by clicking the links: reaping update to the original post. If your best setups, best calling, and best tried and true strategies leave you to wanting to dress up as the target of interest, then the term “turkey gathering” is a more accurate label for your activity. I’ll take sitting at an big old maple with a small rise thirty yards out between me and a gobbler all morning long.

While the push back is to label us old school turkey hunters as “boomers,” “elitists,” etc. it sidesteps the entire experience that made turkey hunting the glorious pursuit that is has been for generations. The sport of it is to fool the gobbler to forgo his defenses, have a great setup where he marchs in to appear well within a range that you can use an old shotgun with low brass 6’s to handedly get the job done. The art of woodsmanship, the collection of scouting details all make it routine and a consistent recipe for success. It does not guarantee it, but offers a sporting chance and a level playing field for the quarry at hand.

As turkey hunters do we need a tag filled on every trip afield, to be guaranteed that we would draw the equivalent to use dynamite to insure a legal limit of our catch?

Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media

Turkey Hunter Ten Commandments

Standard / by mookyj / March 27, 2021 / No Comments

Thou shalt have no other passions as thy days are in pursuit and tribute. Thy passions shall yield only to God, family, and service to thy country.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of grouse, woodcock, pheasant, duck or goose. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them.
Thou shalt not take the name of thy God in vain. Thy turkey hunter shall seek forgiveness in the transgressions they shall commit while in pursuit.
Remember thy opening day, keep it above others. Observe the Lord’s day above all others. Four moons shall pass shalt thou scout, labour, and do all thy work of honing thy skills.
Honor thy mentors, thy farmers, all those in aid of thy quest.
Thou shalt not maim nor wound. Thou shall be swift and merciful.
Thou shalt not permit gobblers to commit adulterous acts in thy presence.
Thou shalt not commit sins of trespass against another turkey hunter.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy fellow hunter. It is honorable to aide in perpetuity a false tongue put forth by thee to preserve holy grounds, and secrets they may hold.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s gobbler, thy neighbour’s property, thy neighbour’s shotgun, thy neighbour’s turkey dog, thy neighbour’s ass, nor any possession that thy neighbor uses to fill his trophy room…

Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media

Critical Intel For Northern 2021 Spring Turkey Seasons

Standard / by mookyj / March 26, 2021 / No Comments

While southern states have opened up, youth seasons that have come and gone or about to happen in the next week. Northern states have weeks yet to go before youth season commences and the regular season that typically opens up a week later. With a month to go here in New York an often overlooked period is the transition from winter to spring that is upon us. With wild turkey populations reported to be significantly reduced across the northeast, a time to gather critical Intel for your own personal assessments is readily at hand.

The last of the big winter flocks are into the weeks of fracturing into smaller groups as the fighting for dominance peaks for the rights of breeding. As I pen this, snow cover is nearly gone if not completely so. Food sources are now available that were not just a week or two ago. In short the flocks will be moving in mass or sizable sub groups into the well known historical strutting and roosting areas that we all become more familiar with after getting a few seasons under our belts. If you are taking out youths for the early season or will be hunting your regular season, the opener is less than a month a way and you’ll want to take advantage of this now.

This week and the next several weeks coming up are a perfect time to take a child to cruise your stomping grounds and the areas surrounding them to glass the fields and open areas for low impact scouting. Often you can cover lots of ground in the comfort of your vehicle and will only need to make the walk to hidden fields, otherwise not accessible from a roadside vantage point. Rainy days are excellent for finding flocks. Our family will cruise prospective areas often as a relaxing time to see what we may see. We do this a lot year round as countryside sightseeing was a fun time when the kids were young as it is now with a more determined purpose.

Scouting at this time will give you an overall sense of how big the local populations are, the makeup of gobblers vs jakes vs hens. Often you’ll find gobblers trailing the main flocks if they are not already strutting and fighting, doing their very best to impress the hens. It is often said during the late winter months that you’ll see all of them or none. It’s not the time to panic as large flocks have a uncanny ability to thwart our efforts to find them at times. If you have been following since the beginning of the year, you’ll have a hit list of likely places to check.

Whether you find them on properties you hunt, Murphy’s law says you’ll find them on properties you can’t. During this time, flocks you find a mile down the road on a property you don’t have access too, are just as likely to be front row and center come opening day. Over many seasons you’ll learn this first hand. I would stress that as you do your scouting it is to your advantage to not educate gobblers on your calling abilities long before the season starts. Gobblers will learn and pattern our actions every bit as much as whitetails do in my opinion. Personally I like my gobblers to be as dim witted as possible about what I’m looking to do. Unaware and unmolested by a parade of slamming truck doors, and voracious loud calling will do just nicely, thank you.

With wild turkey populations in reduced numbers compared to the last two decades many of us are mulling the decision as to whether or not to hunt specific stomping grounds at all, leave it be in the hopes of aiding a recovery in local populations. It is a personal decision, and I’ll state that we all act in good conscious and it is to our advantage to gather all the relevant Intel we can to decide wisely. In my little slice of gobbler utopia, I have a running list that I currently refrain from taking a fall bird of either sex and several former spring hot spots that I leave alone for the time being. Places that once held 10-15 long beards any given spring are now subject only to the occasional bird cruising through. We can agree that as sportsmen we can regulated ourselves well ahead of a government agency to restrict bag limits and not over hunt areas we know to be in decline.

I’ll wish each of you the best of luck in working up a grand plan for your spring season and if at all possible urge each of you to introduce a child or new hunter to a time honored tradition we have come to love and cherish.

Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media

March 23, 2021 Update- Spring Turkey Hunting & Fishing COVID-19, 36 States Unrestricted, NY opening up April 1st, Canada Still closed…

Standard / by mookyj / March 23, 2021 / No Comments

The following is a current update of currently impacted state hunting and fishing seasons as the current reality

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, restriction extended to at least April 21st.

Please review your home state for return restrictions as you would for your next hunting or fishing destination as 14 of the 50 states are currently subjected to restrictions. Those planning to hunt tribal lands, or military bases check directly with their respective websites for the latest status.

Alaska– update 3/8 non-resident travelers to Alaska are no longer required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result in order to gain entry but are strongly encouraged to do so. As of March 5, Alaska’s Safe Travels website did not reflect the policy change.

-2nd test, taken five to 14 days after arrival in Alaska, is strongly recommended, but not required.

-All non-resident travelers must still complete a Travel Declaration Form and a Self-Isolation Plan

-Asymptomatic travelers contracted / recovered from COVID-19 can forego testing by providing proof of a previously positive result of a PCR test taken within 90 days of travel.

California: Regional stay-at-home orders issued in January have been lifted. restrictions exist in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. Santa Clara County- travelers arriving from over 150 miles away must quarantine for 10 days. In most counties, hotels can welcome travelers and restaurants can serve outdoors. Los Angeles, all travelers over the age of 16 who are entering from another state or country must submit this online form Form must be filled in when arriving into an airport or Union station.

Connecticut: update 3/19 mandatory travel restrictions rolled back, lifted.

District of Columbia: visiting from high risk states for more than 24 hours must show a negative Covid-19 test no more than 72 hours prior. If longer than a three day stay, another test must be done three to five days after arrival. High-risk states are categorized as those having more than 10 daily Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people. An interactive map complied by The New York Times shows which districts and regions meet this threshold. Travelers from Maryland and Virginia are exempt.

Hawaii: 10-day quarantine unless a negative nucleic acid amplification test results (NAAT)–taken at an approved site–in hand upon arrival or uploaded – health form online. A QR code rquired to be given to airport screeners upon arrival. At least 25% of arriving passengers will be randomly selected for a free, second, rapid Covid-19 test at the airport. Travelers must stay for results to come through before they leave.

Kauai County, must go into quarantine for 10 days unless heading into a “resort bubble”; those staying at specific hotels can arrive with a negative PCR test, head directly to their resort upon arrival, tested onsite, two to three days later. They will remain in quarantine during their stay.

Illinois: no statewide quarantine orders. Chicago has a 10 day quarantine mandate or COVID test within 72 hours of traveling for Non-residents, arrivals into Chicago are categorized into two groups, orange and yellow, based on the infection rates in the home states.

Kansas: mandatory 10 day quarantine is needed for anyone who has:

taken a sea/river cruise since 3/25/2020
attended out-of-state mass gathering >500 people (masks not worn and unable to keep further than 6 feet apart).

One can ‘test out’ of a 10-day quarantine on day 6 of quarantine and released on day 8 with a negative result (instead of day 11).

Kentucky: 14-day quarantine is recommended for visitors and returning residents.

Maine: 10-day quarantine or negative Covid-19 test in the past 72 hours. Arrivals w/ pending tests must isolate until results obtained. All types of Covid-19 tests accepted. Arrivals must sign a Certificate of Compliance.

Maryland: update 3/23 no official statewide travel restrictions

Massachusetts: update 3/8 arrivals must fill in a travel form. Arrivals from high-risk states- quarantine for 10 days or produce a negative Covid-19 test taken within the last 72 hours. The fine for non-compliance is $500 per day. Hawaii, Missouri, Oregon, Washington and Puerto Rico currently listed low-risk states.

Minnesota: update 3/18 As of March 18, there were no official statewide travel restrictions

New Hampshire: update 3/23 As of March 18, there were no official statewide travel restrictions

New Jersey: currently advising against all non-essential interstate travel. Visitors and returning travelers must quarantine for 10 days if not tested. Those with a negative test are asked to isolate for 7 days. Travel from New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware is exempt. All other travelers must complete an online survey.

New Mexico: quarantine for 14 days or the entire length of stay.

New York: update 3/23 mandatory travel restrictions rolled back, lifted starting on April 1st.

update 3/8 fully-vaccinated travelers who received the final dose of their vaccine within the preceding 90 days are exempt from quarantine and testing rules

Those arriving from a non-bordering state (New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware) are exempted. 14-day quarantine, visitors can ‘test out’ to a 3 day quarantine with a negative test taken 72 hours before arrival. Travelers with negative results from second test taken on day four may leave quarantine.

All visitors must fill out a Traveler Health Form, non compliance with regulations, face a fine of up to $10,000 Those who leave New York for less than 24 hours do not need to get a test before returning, nor do they need to quarantine. They must get a Covid-19 test on the fourth day back.

Ohio: restricting travel from states with a 15% positive testing rate, requires self-quarantine for 14 days; this currently includes–Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Texas.

Oregon: 14-day quarantine Non-essential travel and tourism is ill-advised.

Pennsylvania: update 3/8 Travelers no longer required to quarantine for 10 days or supply negative test results for entry.

Rhode Island: 14 day quarantine if arriving from states with a >5% positive testing rate. Exemption for negative Covid-19 test taken in the last 72 hours. Exception doesn’t apply to international travelers. Travelers must complete a certificate of compliance and a travel screening form. Travelers may take a test upon arrival and quarantine until negative Covid-19 test result is obtained.

update 3/8 The updated spreadsheet currently lists Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, ~~Delaware~~, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, ~~Indiana~~, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, ~~Louisiana~~, Mississippi, Missouri, ~~Montana~~, ~~Nevada~~, ~~New Hampshire~~, New Jersey, ~~New York~~, North Carolina, ~~Ohio~~, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, ~~Virginia~~, ~~Washington~~, ~~West Virginia and Wisconsin~~.

No exemption for those having Covid-19 vaccination. Those that have had Covid-19 in the past 90 days and completed isolation periods, are exempted.

Vermont: 14 day quarantine Visitors can end the quarantine after 7 days with proof of a negative Covid-19 test. Those arriving by car or plane (as well as rental cars) can complete quarantine and testing in another state before arriving. Those staying in short-term rental or lodging and campsites must submit a certificate of compliance or an online compliance statement when they check-in.

States that currently have no travel restrictions: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado (Pitkin County requires a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival), Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana (although visitors to the seven Indian reservations should check), Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota (some roads through Native American reservations are closed), Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Washington State: 14-day quarantine recomended

Canada– update 3/23 extending restrictions on nonessential travel at our land borders through April 21. US Border currently closed to all non-essential travel https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/covid/non-canadians-canadiens-eng.html#er1

Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media

March 8, 2021 Update- Spring Turkey Hunting & Fishing COVID-19 Restrictions

Standard / by mookyj / March 8, 2021 / No Comments

The following is a current update of currently impacted state hunting and fishing seasons as the current reality… I will continue to update this when states ease and or rescind restrictions entirely. Instead of season shutdowns as in 2020, states that have 10 to 14-day quarantines may also opt out with 72 hour testing to forgo the quarantine which modifies our plans at the least, or ends the possibilities of taking the trip in the worst scenario. 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.

Please review your home state for return restrictions as you would for your next hunting or fishing destination as 21 of the 50 states are currently subjected to restrictions. Those planning to hunt tribal lands, or military bases check directly with their respective websites for latest status.

-2nd test, taken five to14 days after arrival in Alaska, is strongly recommended, but not required.

-All non-resident travelers must still complete a Travel Declaration Form and a Self-Isolation Plan

-Asymptomatic travelers contracted / recovered from COVID-19 can forego testing by providing proof of a previously positive result of a PCR test taken within 90 days of travel.

Connecticut: update 3/8 A policy update is set to take effect on March 19, transitioning Connecticut’s mandatory travel restrictions to recommended guidance, Currently in force: Travelers must quarantine for 10 days except from New Jersey, New York or Rhode Island. All must submit online health form $500 fine for non-compliance. Second option: Covid-19 test taken in the past 72 hours or to take a test upon arrival and quarantine until the results come through.

Kansas: mandatory 10 day quarantine is needed for anyone who has:

taken a sea/river cruise since 3/25/2020
attended out-of-state mass gathering >500 people (masks not worn and unable to keep further than 6 feet apart).

One can ‘test out’ of a 10-day quarantine on day 6 of quarantine and released on day 8 with a negative result (instead of day 11).

Kentucky: 14-day quarantine is recommended for visitors and returning residents.

Maryland: quarantine for 10 days or negative Covid-19 test taken up to 72 hours before arrival. Visitors advised to re-test 72 hours later. Travelers arriving from Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. are exempt. Those failing to conform will face a $5,000 fine or a year in prison.

Minnesota: 14 day quarantine upon entry (or re-entry), out-of-state travel is discouraged.

New Hampshire: If arriving from other than a New England state (Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island), travelers are asked to quarantine for 10 days. After seven days, travelers can ‘test out’ with a negative PCR test. Exemption for anyone who has had the second Covid-19 vaccine more than 14 days prior to travel–no need to get tested or quarantine. Those who had Covid-19 more than 90 days prior to travel and are recovered (and have proof) are also exempt.

New Mexico: quarantine for 14 days or the entire length of stay.

New York: update 3/8 fully-vaccinated travelers who received the final dose of their vaccine within the preceding 90 days are exempt from quarantine and testing rules

Oregon: 14-day quarantine Non-essential travel and tourism is ill-advised.

Pennsylvania: update 3/8 Travelers no longer required to quarantine for 10 days or supply negative test results for entry.

No exemption for those having Covid-19 vaccination. Those that have had Covid-19 in the past 90 days and completed isolation periods, are exempted.

Washington State: 14-day quarantine

Canada– US Border currently closed to all non-essential travel https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/covid/non-canadians-canadiens-eng.html#er1

Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media

2021 Spring Turkey Hunting & Fishing COVID-19 Restrictions

Standard / by mookyj / February 7, 2021 / No Comments

2020 was bad enough on squashing the best made plans for all of us, As with the fall seasons, stay at home orders, quarantines are still subjected to partisan politics, an agenda filled with fear whether it be based in science, a rational view of probability and statistics, or based on less noble and uncaring intentions. There are a lot of scared and fearful people among us. We all know of those horribly afflicted and or have passed on from it. It is however for us to view it as to be taken seriously and in respect of others.

The following update of currently impacted state hunting and fishing seasons is an unfortunate reality as they were this past year… I will continue to update this when states ease and or rescind restrictions entirely. Instead of season shutdowns, many states have opted for 10 to 14-day quarantines with options of 72 hour testing to forgo the quarantine which modifies our plans at the least, or ends the possibilities of taking the trip in the worst scenario. 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.

Please review your home state for return restrictions as you would for your next hunting or fishing destination as 23 of the 50 states are currently subjected to restrictions

Alaska– all non-residents must arrive with confirmed negative Covid test results taken within prior 72 hours. Pending test results are a non starter.

Non-residents must do one of tfollowing:

submit a travel declaration and self-isolation plan AND arrive with proof of a negative Covid-19 test;
follow the work plan that your employer filed with the state; or
buy a Covid-19 test upon arrival at a cost of $250 and quarantine until results come through.

Connecticut: Travelers must quarantine for 10 days except from New Jersey, New York or Rhode Island. All must submit online health form $500 fine for non-compliance. Second option: Covid-19 test taken in the past 72 hours or to take a test upon arrival and quarantine until the results come through.

Kansas: mandatory 10 day quarantine is needed for anyone who has:

taken a sea/river cruise since 3/25/2020
attended out-of-state mass gathering >500 people (masks not worn and unable to keep further than 6 feet apart).

One can ‘test out’ of a 10-day quarantine on day 6 of quarantine and released on day 8 with a negative result (instead of day 11).

Kentucky: 14-day quarantine is recommended for visitors and returning residents.

Massachusetts: arrivals must fill in a travel form. Arrivals from high-risk states- quarantine for 10 days or produce a negative Covid-19 test taken within the last 72 hours. The fine for non-compliance is $500. Hawaii remains the only low-risk state.

Minnesota: 14 day quarantine upon entry (or re-entry), out-of-state travel is discouraged.

New Mexico: quarantine for 14 days or the entire length of stay.

New York: arriving from a non-bordering state (New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware exempted) 14-day quarantine, visitors can ‘test out’ to a 3 day quarantine with a negative test taken 72 hours before arrival. Travelers with negative results from second test taken on day four may leave quarantine.

Oregon: 14-day quarantine Non-essential travel and tourism is ill-advised.

Pennsylvania: All travelers above the age of 11, 10 day quarantine or proof of a negative Covid-19 test, taken within 72 hours. Non compliance may result in a $300 fine

The updated spreadsheet currently lists Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

No exemption for those having Covid-19 vaccination. Those that have had Covid-19 in the past 90 days and completed isolation periods, are exempted.

Washington State: 14-day quarantine

Canada– US Border currently closed to all non-essential travel https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/covid/non-canadians-canadiens-eng.html#er1

Turkey Fanning & Reaping, Banned In Six States

Standard / by mookyj / February 6, 2021 / No Comments

If you engage the fanning/reaping technique to convince wary gobblers to come your way, it would be solid advice to check up to date state regulations where you’ll be hunting. You’ll find that I repeat prior musings in part or in whole that are worthy of repeating from past reports on fanning and Reaping.

The controversial tactic is discouraged in hunter safety courses taught across the country. Since then six states now have an outright ban on the practice with corresponding violation statutes and penalties. Almost half of all US states either ban or strongly warn against stalking which encompasses fanning and reaping methods. The states are listed at the end of this.

The NWTF and hunter safety education curriculums promote hunter safety in their published materials in all states which cautions specifically against the practice of stalking (fanning/reaping.) It can be claimed in all states but I have not confirmed that. As hunting regulations are governed by each state, the list is based on the premise of what is officially published.

It is popular among YouTube hunters and prominently shown on some TV hunting shows. For calling it out, having any criticism of it, one can expect the push back, attacks and trash talk. As a valid criticism of a practice laden with foreseeable risk, none of us should apologize…

It is understandable that some see it as exciting and possibly the only thing that might work for gobblers that won’t leave a field, won’t budge. Those that espouse outwitting a gobbler on its own terms as a noble pursuit can be observed being disparaged and accused of “elitism” by those that promote this tactic. In my view it is wrong headed and self serving at the risk of others that we share the turkey woods with. Exceptions of wide open terrain without rifles is noted.

Outwitting a stubborn gobbler by having the right set up, convincing the gobbler to forgo his natural instincts, and making calls that the bird wants to hear is a satisfaction you long remember. It has been my experience and it is driving motivation season after season in my view.

As a fraternity of turkey hunters we abide by the ideal that any and all turkey hunting incidents are 100% preventable an that one is far too many. 2020 was a bad year in comparison to years prior. Zero incidents is the acceptable number.

Eleven Turkey Hunters Shot During The 2nd Half Of April, The First Week In May.

Turkey hunters Shot This Spring Season- Commentary

In covering such topics I have come to learn that most folks that are involved in these events are not inclined to interview much, and those I had direct knowledge and contact with were not up for followups. I did offer to cover their stories but at their comfort and convenience. Understandable as I see it and I fully respect that.

List of States, Provinces

In a review on the various DNR’s, DEC’s, DWR’s etc, the following States enacted a ban on the practice of stalking, fanning, reaping, and specifically stated in their turkey hunting regulations:

Alabama, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

South Carolina (WMA’s only), Rhode Island

The following States, and one Canadian Province issue a statement of caution specifically in their hunting regs and or species specific guides against the practice of stalking as a matter of safety:

Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Idaho

Kentucky (specifically fanning/reaping), Maine, Maryland, Missouri.

New York, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon.

Ontario, Canada. Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin

There may be more that publish separately as safe hunting tips, and hunting education courses. For my research I used the published hunting regulations for each state or province. I will edit the list as others become known.

I would not expect states with predominantly wide open spaces to adopt such restrictions. Should there be an uptick in reckless events, fatalities, I would expect more states to take a more conservative position.

-MJ

Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media

Sportsmen & Gun owners- CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS Matter to you on Nov 3rd 2020?

Standard / by mookyj / September 27, 2020 / No Comments

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…

Have We Forgotten 9/11? Those Who Serve us?

Standard / by mookyj / September 10, 2020 / No Comments

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.

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