Saturday opener sux

[WildmanWilson]

Better wear you suit of armour at Peabody this year on opening day. I bet the hunters will out number the turkeys. The bad thing is they keep taking away more acres and pushing everyone tighter together. Be safe and good luck.

[Xi Bowhunter]

I like the mid-week opener better myself, but I'll make the best of what I have to work with...I can't wait! I'm gonna have to check the turkey season countdown now!:rolleyes:

[joekat46]

Blanket statements usually get me in trouble but I've long felt that any state that has a Saturday turkey opener, on public land, cares very little about the quality of the hunt and zero about hunter safety. My current home state (FL) is as guilty as most and I just skip opening mornings out of frustration. Ohio is one of the few states that seems to have figured it out and ALWAYS opens the general turkey/deer gun seasons on a Monday. That's why sick/vacation days were created.

If you think Peabody will be bad have some Marshall County boy post a picture of just the parking areas at the Clarks River NWR on opening Saturday. Since I moved I haven't been following the goings on at Clarks River that closely. It needed to go into a quota system for both turkey and deer gun about three years ago but I'm betting it never did.

[turk2di]

Blanket statements usually get me in trouble but I've long felt that any state that has a Saturday turkey opener, on public land, cares very little about the quality of the hunt and zero about hunter safety. My current home state (FL) is as guilty as most and I just skip opening mornings out of frustration. Ohio is one of the few states that seems to have figured it out and ALWAYS opens the general turkey/deer gun seasons on a Monday. That's why sick/vacation days were created.

If you think Peabody will be bad have some Marshall County boy post a picture of just the parking areas at the Clarks River NWR on opening Saturday. Since I moved I haven't been following the goings on at Clarks River that closely. It needed to go into a quota system for both turkey and deer gun about three years ago but I'm betting it never did.
Soon as the late George Wright retired, it all went downhill. Loved the monday openers. I felt the movement to Saturday was for money only and for the few extra hunters that didn't care enuf about turkey hunting to take vacation days, so they wanted the state to move opening day to meet them. Thats why George Wright ok'ed all day hunting, too keep it from being moved to a Saturday, which he felt would be disastrous. I know there are a few dedicated turkey hunters that simply could not hunt a Monday opener, but , trust me, they were very few in number. As far as losing Peabody, it's happening as we speak, so get involved. Call your local state legislator and voice your concerns!

[Multidigits]

Soon as the late George Wright retired, it all went downhill. Loved the monday openers. I felt the movement to Saturday was for money only and for the few extra hunters that didn't care enuf about turkey hunting to take vacation days, so they wanted the state to move opening day to meet them. Thats why George Wright ok'ed all day hunting, too keep it from being moved to a Saturday, which he felt would be disastrous. I know there are a few dedicated turkey hunters that simply could not hunt a Monday opener, but , trust me, they were very few in number. As far as losing Peabody, it's happening as we speak, so get involved. Call your local state legislator and voice your concerns!


The turkey flock has nearly doubled and stabalized since geo. retired. The move to Sat., which i'm not fond of, is because of that's what the hunter wanted, based on several surveys.

[30WCF]

I wish all the seasons opened during the week, like a monday. That way all the serious hunters could at least get in a few good days before the weekend warriors come in and mess it up.

[globemountain]

I like a midweek opener my self. I am not looking forward to the Saturday opener. BUT.....I'll be out in the field on opening day.

[Dev]

I thought season opened on the 15th every year no matter which day of the week it was?

[maxcam]

The turkey flock has nearly doubled and stabalized since geo. retired. The move to Sat., which i'm not fond of, is because of that's what the hunter wanted, based on several surveys.

Its a shame the the decisions on resource are based on public opinion and not on science......If the flock has stabilized then how is it a good idea to continually increase opportunity on turkey when we do not know what effects changes are going to have with regards to this new Saturday opener.

I wonder why the gobbler harvest hasnt doubled in the same time period?

[FG]

It is my opinion that politics had a bigger influence in the change than any survey. Several years ago, when the season changed to the 15th, it was a compromise of hunters and a certian commissioner from Eastern KY. It is my understanding that some pretty strong comments were made at that time. The 15th was chosen b/c the biologists felt it was best for the turkey population. Evidently, what is best for the population has been changed and it is now what is best for the few. I think it hurts turkey hunting and the introduction of the sport to new hunters. It has been my contention that the avid hunters got a bird out of the way during the week and took kids and beginners on the first weekend. By opening the season as they are, it forces the more seasoned individual to make a choice about opening weekend. Unfortunately, most will probably be looking for their first bird. It is a departure from what is best for the birds, it is a bad decision for the introduction of turkey hunting to new people, it is a good oppotunity for out of state hunters and is further evidence of the poliitical influences on hunting.

[turk2di]

I thought season opened on the 15th every year no matter which day of the week it was?
That was changed last year, or the year b4. Multi, after a couple years of Saturday openers, time for perhaps another survey. Bring back Monday openers!Bring back Monday openers!

[BOBCAT]

the turkeys don't know it isn't Monday.:p

[Multidigits]

Its a shame the the decisions on resource are based on public opinion and not on science......If the flock has stabilized then how is it a good idea to continually increase opportunity on turkey when we do not know what effects changes are going to have with regards to this new Saturday opener.

I wonder why the gobbler harvest hasnt doubled in the same time period?

Are you trying to say that we are now killing the same number of toms that we killed in Geo.'s last active year???? I don't believe that to be correct.

The season would have opened on Sat. this year under the past rule. It might actually help the flock by making the birds harder to hunt. Success ratio will likely go down, but the harvest remain the same....just a guess?

[schuyler olt]

If I'm not mistaken, the flock was about 80% of today's number when George retired. I'm going on memory, though. Spring harvest went from about 19,000 to 25,000+. That's pretty consistent with the overall growth of the flock.

I was there when we went from a weekday opener to the 15th. The debate wasn't pretty.

Also, I'm pretty sure we've had a Saturday opener since then. I almost hate to say this, but there wasn't much different. I've hunted Saturday openers in other states on public ground. From that experience, there is definitely an impact on the quality of the hunt. On private ground, I can't tell any difference.

[schuyler olt]

Oh yeah--the season opens on Holy Saturday this year. That should reduce the kill number a little.

[buckfever]

Are you trying to say that we are now killing the same number of toms that we killed in Geo.'s last active year???? I don't believe that to be correct.

The season would have opened on Sat. this year under the past rule. It might actually help the flock by making the birds harder to hunt. Success ratio will likely go down, but the harvest remain the same....just a guess?

I think George Wright retired in 2002 and passed away in 2004. Ky's spring harvest was greatest during his final year. Here's the numbers:

2002 - 28,102 total turkeys
2003 - 27,381
2004 - 26,224
2005 - 25,531 (which KDFWR said was an "eyepopping" harvest in this month's Ky. Game & Fish magazine)

On the bright side for this spring, we've had a great mast crop and mild weather, which will hopefully reduce any winterkill.

On the other hand, we've had 3 straight years of reduced Spring harvest, despite a significant growth in the number of turkey hunters (i.e. harvest is down about 10% despite an estimated 20% growth in hunter numbers). On top of that, we've lengthened and added seasons/weapons and substantially increased our bag limits. Although the Saturday opener may not have an impact this year due to coincidental timing, it will in the future. IMO, it makes little sense to rush headlong into all these season changes without knowing what the actual impact will be.

If we continue to have a declining harvest every year, how many years can we just attribute it to poor hatches and bad weather during the hunting season?

[Multidigits]

Spring harvest, but not over all harvest. You forgot the fall birds from the expanded fall season.

[buckfever]

Spring harvest, but not over all harvest. You forgot the fall birds from the expanded fall season.

Yeah, I know, but the Spring seasons are the only way to compare apples to apples - similar season lengths and bag limits. The fall seasons can't really be compared b/c the 2002 was so short and limited relative to more recent seasons.

In any event, the 2002 total (combined spring and fall) turkey harvest was still 30,457, a couple thousand birds higher than in 2005 when the total harvest was 28,810 (which had a heckuva lot more hunters and enormously expanded fall season lengths and bag limits).

[Multidigits]

Not when some of the apples got killed in the fall.

[buckfever]

Not when some of the apples got killed in the fall.

Okey dokey, well then, let's put it this way:

The Spring turkey harvests (the only seasons where the limit has stayed constant at 2 gobblers and the seasons lasted roughly the same amount of time) has declined steadily over the last 4 years.

The overall harvest has decline 3 out of the last 4 years, despite enormous growths in season lengths, bag limits and hunter numbers, as well as the ability to harvest both hens and gobblers.

[limbhanger]

Yep, gonna hate Sat. openers, my days off are Tue./Wed.

[maxcam]

Are you trying to say that we are now killing the same number of toms that we killed in Geo.'s last active year???? I don't believe that to be correct.

The season would have opened on Sat. this year under the past rule. It might actually help the flock by making the birds harder to hunt. Success ratio will likely go down, but the harvest remain the same....just a guess?

I am questioning why if the flock has doubled why the harvest hasnt......In fact the harvest has been stagnant at best for the last several years with a slight decrease over the last 3. If the flock has "stabilized" as you put it then how can you or any other person say that there are more birds to kill to fill the expanding opertunity that is being offered. The increase in bag limits has been a revolving door policy for going on 6 years with no time to study what the effects of increased opportunity are doing to the turkey flock. It is the opinion of the wildlife director that this flock has reached saturation. Other more promenent biologists disagree.

The bottom line is regardless what my opinion is or yours for that matter, THE TURKEY HARVEST HAS BEEN IN DECLINE OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS WHILE THE NUMBERS OF SPRING TURKEY HUNTERS HAS INCREASED BY OVER 25% over the same time period. There is no doubt given that fact that the quality of spring turkey hunting in Kentucky has deminished.........

[Multidigits]

Maybe it's too many people taking them 65 yard shots you were preaching about this past week? :eek:

[Poorboy]

I guess I must be the oddball here. I am looking forward to it. I get to hunt my own place for 2 days in a row at the beginning of the season. In the past everyone else slipped in messed with them before I could screw them up myself.;)

[maxcam]

Maybe it's too many people taking them 65 yard shots you were preaching about this past week? :eek:

Might be.....But those variables should have been weighed and measured before longer season were made availible.....;)

More importantly your point only proves further that the numbers of birds that are harvested are much harder to kill. Why, I hope you arent going to suggest its because they are super intelligent!
I can garrantee you that Im not the only person walking into the woods with a 3.5 inch gun capable of killng a bird at that distance......To put it in simple terms....With the improvements in equipment, longer days and seasons afield and 25% more hunters we still are not killing more birds!

[Multidigits]

Naw....just a couple of seconds before the shot would work just fine. People shooting at turkeys at 65yards because of bad advice from experienced hunters..........think that might have an effect on harvest results?

[maxcam]

Naw....just a couple of seconds before the shot would work just fine. People shooting at turkeys at 65yards because of bad advice from experienced hunters..........think that might have an effect on harvest results?

You need to read the entire post......I said my gun was capable.....

But makes no difference, if a hunter has a weapon the he knows is capable of killing a bird at x y or z distance and he is capable of making the shot, where does your code of ethics apply?

[teacher]

I guess I must be the oddball here. I am looking forward to it. I get to hunt my own place for 2 days in a row at the beginning of the season. In the past everyone else slipped in messed with them before I could screw them up myself.;)

I'm right here with ya Poorboy.... Guys if you don't want to hunt Sat. then wait till Monday and have it all to yourselves. It's that simple... I am a serious hunter, but I am serious about working and supporting my family also. I don't have vacation days... It's not because I took them all, but I get one personal day and 10 sick days. My personal day was used for LBL quota deer hunt. I hope nobody is suggesting that I lie by calling in sick to go turkey hunting. Wouldn't that be a great example set by a teacher!!

[Xi Bowhunter]

I guess I must be the oddball here. I am looking forward to it. I get to hunt my own place for 2 days in a row at the beginning of the season. In the past everyone else slipped in messed with them before I could screw them up myself.;)

If you can only hunt the weekends it would be to your advantage. I personally like the midweek opener, but I'll take it as I can get it.:D

[maxcam]

My suggestioin to you all is to wake up and smell the coffee or you may not have any turkeys to hunt opening morning, other than jakes and hens!

[Poorboy]

I like jakes. Bring on the jakes. :D

[teacher]

Me too!!! They fit better in my deep fryer.

[WildmanWilson]

Here's the problem with the Saturday opener. You will have maybe 90 % or more of the hunters out hunting on that one day.

The weekday opener may have 60 % of the hunters out. Many of the hunters will be done and not even hunt the weekends if it opens on the weekdays.

It would be better because the hunters are spread out more and the quality of the hunt will be better for everyone in the long run.

[Feedman]

Has anyone seen the 2005 spring hatch data yet that the department presented at the last NWTF Board meeting. I only got a brief look. State wide hatch was 1.8 Poults per hen. Worst hatch state wide in over 20 years.

[Poorboy]

Cut out the extra week, get out by 1:00, reduce the limit, but don't punish the guy that has to work! I want to be one of the guys who don't hunt the week because I limited out the weekend for a change.

[maxcam]

Has anyone seen the 2005 spring hatch data yet that the department presented at the last NWTF Board meeting. I only got a brief look. State wide hatch was 1.8 Poults per hen. Worst hatch state wide in over 20 years.

The wildlife director told the crossbow advisory panel that early indications suggested the hatch was a good one.....:eek:

The real issue with the saturday opener occurs in a few years when the opening date for turkey will be on April 9th. This will be a full 10-14 days before peek breeding of hens and will result in a major disruption of the breeding cycle. Then when you loose a spring turkey you remember how damn good that Jake you shot tastes......:mad:

[Multidigits]

The wildlife director told the crossbow advisory panel that early indications suggested the hatch was a good one.....:eek:

The real issue with the saturday opener occurs in a few years when the opening date for turkey will be on April 9th. This will be a full 10-14 days before peek breeding of hens and will result in a major disruption of the breeding cycle. Then when you loose a spring turkey you remember how damn good that Jake you shot tastes......:mad:

Not true.....he said it was good in some areas and bad in other areas. Overall at that time, they thought it would be average statewide. He also said all the data wasn't in yet and hadn't been studied. Last I heard the Ky.-NWTF was in favor of the Sat. opening?

[Poorboy]

Why not reduce the limit if the flock can't handle the pressure? I don't feel guilty about shooting a legal turkey on my own place and if I was only allowed one so be it. I may be more particular then but probably not. I just trying to understand the problem here. Maybe zoning for different numbers? Last year I had to wipe the snow off the barrel to see the bead so I can see there maybe a problem with local hatches.

[maxcam]

Why not reduce the limit if the flock can't handle the pressure? I don't feel guilty about shooting a legal turkey on my own place and if I was only allowed one so be it. I may be more particular then but probably not. I just trying to understand the problem here. Maybe zoning for different numbers? Last year I had to wipe the snow off the barrel to see the bead so I can see there maybe a problem with local hatches.

The problem as I see it is there has been an increase in bag limits and longer season implementation over the last 5 years and this one will be 6th.

The KDFW as it stands today, has no earthly idea what they are managing with regards to turkey let alone how to......The commission wants to increase revenue by selling more liscense and the Biologist keep accomodating the commission by selling more opportunity on the resource.

Go to the KDFW webpage and look at the harvest numbers yourself. Spring harvest is down 10 % while hunter numbers are up nearly 25% over the last 3 years. Yet they keep increasing bag limits.

[Multidigits]

When did they last increase the Spring bag limit????

[maxcam]

When did they last increase the Spring bag limit????

the increased the number of days in the season during the spring and increased the fall bag limits......

[maxcam]

Tom you can sit behind that keyboard and nit pick all you want but it doesnt matter.......This flock is headed to hell in a hand basket and when it gets there you can stand with your boys in Frankfort and help them pack their bags.....

[Multidigits]

"Yet they keep increasing bag limits."

Threw me off there. Thought we could get 3 this year to help with some of the crop damage them rascals are doing. The fall season idea was pushed by the KY-NWTF, so you have to think they support it. I know Sky sure was happy the day it went through.

[Xi Bowhunter]

The deer herd was down last year and now the turkey flock!? Where have I been?:rolleyes: I must not be in the same area as all these "bad times" are. You all sound like you are in the "great depression" of hunting seasons....Turkey season and deer season have been great for me in the past 2-5 years....No complaints, but that is JMHO.:)

[Multidigits]

Tom you can sit behind that keyboard and nit pick all you want but it doesnt matter.......This flock is headed to hell in a hand basket and when it gets there you can stand with your boys in Frankfort and help them pack their bags.....

Maxi, the simple fact is that most Ky. turkey hunters don't believe what your saying. Who knows why, maybe the dought hasn't hit their area. I know it sure hasn't hit where I hunt.

[maxcam]

The deer herd was down last year and now the turkey flock!? Where have I been?:rolleyes: I must not be in the same area as all these "bad times" are. You all sound like you are in the "great depression" of hunting seasons....Turkey season and deer season have been great for me in the past 2-5 years....No complaints, but that is JMHO.:)

That being the case Xi why sweat the weekend opener.......A little hunting pressure shouldnt effect you with all the resource you have should it....?

By the way have check the harvest record for you region over the last three years?

[Xi Bowhunter]

I'm not sweating the weekend opener,;) like I said in my previous posts, I'll take the hunting when I can get it. I like the mid week opener because the rest of my crazy family wouldn't be out there chasing turkeys till the weekend came.:D I kinda like having the "jump" on the weekend warriors.:)

[Xi Bowhunter]

That being the case Xi why sweat the weekend opener.......A little hunting pressure shouldnt effect you with all the resource you have should it....?

By the way have check the harvest record for you region over the last three years?

Yeah the "numbers" are down......but they are just that......NUMBERS!;) You got to make the numbers work for you! Think positive:)

[maxcam]

Yeah the "numbers" are down......but they are just that......NUMBERS!;) You got to make the numbers work for you! Think positive:)

If they are just numbers how do you expect the KDFW to manage the resources.......Do you know what the KDFW uses as a factor when taking into account Telecheck errors and non reporting of turkey?

[Xi Bowhunter]

You seem to forget that my posts are just my opinion of the situation, I just call it like I see it, and I don't see the turkey harvests being down a sign of the population "going to hell in a handbasket". I mean come on, you can't have a pennalce year every year. It is going to go up and down from year to year. I see way too many turkeys to believe the popluation is in danger. They may be down in your area, I'll give you the beinfit of the doubt, but I couldn't hardly work a bird last season because of the huge amounts of hens that hung around the toms all season long. If there was any problem I had last season, it was that there were TOO MANY hens for the toms to choose from to come to my one lonley hen call I was able to make. I couldn't find a tom with out hens last season.

[turk2di]

You seem to forget that my posts are just my opinion of the situation, I just call it like I see it, and I don't see the turkey harvests being down a sign of the population "going to hell in a handbasket". I mean come on, you can't have a pennalce year every year. It is going to go up and down from year to year. I see way too many turkeys to believe the popluation is in danger. They may be down in your area, I'll give you the beinfit of the doubt, but I couldn't hardly work a bird last season because of the huge amounts of hens that hung around the toms all season long. If there was any problem I had last season, it was that there were TOO MANY hens for the toms to choose from to come to my one lonley hen call I was able to make. I couldn't find a tom with out hens last season.
Its all about the hatch fellas;)

[Valley Station]

1.8 POULTS PER HEN??? I had not heard that, Where was that report hid all fall??
That is probably the worst hatch Kentucky has recorded since the restocking program began!
All reports from Frankfort, all fall, was that Kentucky's turkey biologist had reported a "normal to good" hatch.
That guaranties Kentucky's turkey flock will continue the downward spiral.
Spring of 2007 sure going to be Quite One with low number of 2 year olds.

Any more, it wouldn't suprise me to see a "brilliant" decision to have "spring hen" season created because of a BoDunk University survey reporting a "majority" of those surveyed thought decline of previous harvest was due to "toms all henned up"!

[schuyler olt]

Sky was happy when the fall season was expanded because I THOUGHT it would provide an opportunity to kill the hens it seems EVERYBODY complains about. Well. In looking at the numbers, it looks like we're taking about 45 % gobblers in the fall.

The POTENTIAL annual limit of 6 gobblers is WAY too high.

As to those who say they're seeing scads of turkeys on their place, how many are gobblers? I'll use the place I hunt as an example. We have about 800 acres to hunt, and a very limited number of hunters, most of whom do not tag out. We shoot only hens in the fall. We have a good number of gobblers given what we hear in the mornings, so I'm sure the hens are getting bred. So in theory, we should be seeing an ever-increasing number of gobblers. But year in, year out, we encounter about the same number of toms.

An area will only hold so many toms because of their being territorial. Young birds will go to where there is a void, so that they can create a territory. A guy that cleans out both two year olds on his farm will probably kill the next two two year olds that migrate to fill the void he created. Apply that statewide, and you'll only increase the numbers of toms at a very slow rate, if you increase them at all.

Regardless of statewide limits, when it comes to turkeys, sometimes you need to manage the kill on your property differently if you want to increase the quality of the hunt in your area and neighboring areas down the road.

Let the gobblers walk in the fall.

[turk2di]

1.8 POULTS PER HEN??? I had not heard that, Where was that report hid all fall??
That is probably the worst hatch Kentucky has recorded since the restocking program began!
All reports from Frankfort, all fall, was that Kentucky's turkey biologist had reported a "normal to good" hatch.
That guaranties Kentucky's turkey flock will continue the downward spiral.
Spring of 2007 sure going to be Quite One with low number of 2 year olds.

Any more, it wouldn't suprise me to see a "brilliant" decision to have "spring hen" season created because of a BoDunk University survey reporting a "majority" of those surveyed thought decline of previous harvest was due to "toms all henned up"!
I simply don't see how there could only be 1.8 poults per hen last season. We had great hatching weather thru-out the critical hatching and early developement stage. Im not a biologist, but if last years hatch were that bad, then there are factors at play not previously considered(eg. more bobcats than we thought, other predation). If it comes to pass this spring that we fail to set or nearly set a record, then i will be concerned. Time will tell.

[turk2di]

Sky was happy when the fall season was expanded because I THOUGHT it would provide an opportunity to kill the hens it seems EVERYBODY complains about. Well. In looking at the numbers, it looks like we're taking about 45 % gobblers in the fall.

The POTENTIAL annual limit of 6 gobblers is WAY too high.

As to those who say they're seeing scads of turkeys on their place, how many are gobblers? I'll use the place I hunt as an example. We have about 800 acres to hunt, and a very limited number of hunters, most of whom do not tag out. We shoot only hens in the fall. We have a good number of gobblers given what we hear in the mornings, so I'm sure the hens are getting bred. So in theory, we should be seeing an ever-increasing number of gobblers. But year in, year out, we encounter about the same number of toms.

An area will only hold so many toms because of their being territorial. Young birds will go to where there is a void, so that they can create a territory. A guy that cleans out both two year olds on his farm will probably kill the next two two year olds that migrate to fill the void he created. Apply that statewide, and you'll only increase the numbers of toms at a very slow rate, if you increase them at all.

Regardless of statewide limits, when it comes to turkeys, sometimes you need to manage the kill on your property differently if you want to increase the quality of the hunt in your area and neighboring areas down the road.

Let the gobblers walk in the fall.
Sky, what does Our newest turkey biologist say? I remember from George Wrights study that spring gobbler harvest was at a point they couldn't handle anymore harvest pressure. Tho i love fall hunting, i wouldn't cry to loudly if we lost a fall gobbler from one of the fall gun season. I know that there an uncomfortablely large number of turkeys lost during archery season. Seems as if 3/4 of those birds hit are never found.

[slickhead slayer]

I'm right here with ya Poorboy.... Guys if you don't want to hunt Sat. then wait till Monday and have it all to yourselves. It's that simple... I am a serious hunter, but I am serious about working and supporting my family also. I don't have vacation days... It's not because I took them all, but I get one personal day and 10 sick days. My personal day was used for LBL quota deer hunt. I hope nobody is suggesting that I lie by calling in sick to go turkey hunting. Wouldn't that be a great example set by a teacher!!

If your not willing to lie to your employer to turkey hunt, then your not a serious hunter.
If people are serious enough about turkey hunting, they will take the days off. If they aren't serious enough, then waiting for the weekend is no big deal.
I remember signing a petition to leave it as a weekday opener at the NWTF banquets. I never saw one person there oppose it.
Its a rule that will positively affect only a few, and its the few that could take the days off if they were serious.

[buckfever]

I'm right here with ya Poorboy.... Guys if you don't want to hunt Sat. then wait till Monday and have it all to yourselves. It's that simple... I am a serious hunter, but I am serious about working and supporting my family also. I don't have vacation days... It's not because I took them all, but I get one personal day and 10 sick days. My personal day was used for LBL quota deer hunt. I hope nobody is suggesting that I lie by calling in sick to go turkey hunting. Wouldn't that be a great example set by a teacher!!

Don't you get 3 months of vacation in the summer?

As for using your sick days. . . .I know I'd be sick as a dog if I was sitting at work on opening day. I'm sure that there are doctors out there that would prescribe the whole week off for "preventative" medicinal purposes.

[turk2di]

I know you guy's r gettin tired of hearing me refer to George Wright all the time, but if he thought that weekend openers were bad for the resourse and the quality & safety of the experience, thats all i need to know!

[Multidigits]

I know you guy's r gettin tired of hearing me refer to George Wright all the time, but if he thought that weekend openers were bad for the resourse and the quality & safety of the experience, thats all i need to know!

There's no chance that George Wright will be our turkey biologist again, why keep bringing it up. Seems to be a saying--something about a horse?

[joekat46]

You obviously don't watch "Ghost Whisperer" Tom.

[schuyler olt]

Steve Dobey is our new turkey biologist, by the way. Seems to be a very nice guy. He splits his time between turkeys, elk and bears. One thing to be said about George--he was our last full-time turkey biologist. He also won the Moseby Award.

Multi--your concept is no more valid than telling us to ignore Newton's First Law because Newton's dead, or that the Theory of Relativity is to be ignored because Einstein is dead. George's study on gobbler mortality is still recognized as the leading study of its kind, and still is referred to by other turkey biologists and members of the NWTF Tech Committee.

George didn't quit being a student of turkeys when he retired, and he's not been gone a year. Indeed, he discussed the crossbow issue with several of us, including former Commissioner Boatwright. Mike's comments at George's memorial service will stay with me a very, very long time.

[Multidigits]

Sky, none of this discussion is relevent to the crossbow. But if you want to bring it up? Crossbow has killed very few gobblers in the past. It'll kill a few in the future, but it's not the problem if there is one. IF there is a problem it's more likely with the 25,000 (all toms) killed in the Spring, than the other 4 bird limit AVAILABLE in the Fall. Want to guess what the precentage of Spring hunters that kill even one bird in the fall is????

Last, has Steve Dobey read the study done by George??? How about sending him a copy of it so he'll get up to speed a little quicker.

[schuyler olt]

Sky, none of this discussion is relevent to the crossbow. But if you want to bring it up? Crossbow has killed very few gobblers in the past. It'll kill a few in the future, but it's not the problem if there is one. IF there is a problem it's more likely with the 25,000 (all toms) killed in the Spring, than the other 4 bird limit AVAILABLE in the Fall. Want to guess what the precentage of Spring hunters that kill even one bird in the fall is????

Last, has Steve Dobey read the study done by George??? How about sending him a copy of it so he'll get up to speed a little quicker.

Tom,

I brought it up solely to show that he was still keeping abreast of things. I haven't asked Steve if he's read it, but I'd bet he has.

Y'all have your long season now. All we can do is keep our eyes and minds open over the next few seasons while we see what happens, right?

[Multidigits]

The "long season" is not approved as law yet, so it's to early to tell, but I'm sure it'll be monitored by plenty of experts?

Saturday opener will have a lot more effect than will the crossbow in the fall. That's my prediction, we'll see who's right?

[schuyler olt]

Oh, I agree with you about the Saturday opener, at least in the short term.

[maxcam]

You seem to forget that my posts are just my opinion of the situation, I just call it like I see it, and I don't see the turkey harvests being down a sign of the population "going to hell in a handbasket". I mean come on, you can't have a pennalce year every year. It is going to go up and down from year to year. I see way too many turkeys to believe the popluation is in danger. They may be down in your area, I'll give you the beinfit of the doubt, but I couldn't hardly work a bird last season because of the huge amounts of hens that hung around the toms all season long. If there was any problem I had last season, it was that there were TOO MANY hens for the toms to choose from to come to my one lonley hen call I was able to make. I couldn't find a tom with out hens last season.

So what is the solution to that problem....start wackin hens or maybe just maybe there arent enough TOMS.....:rolleyes:

I hunt all over the state so its not a question of where I hunt. I harvest my two birds every year, so my experiencde isnt the question either. What I am saying loud and clear is that if there isnt a increase in harvest when hunter numbers have increased by over 8% each year for the last three years and there is in fact a decrease in the number of toms harvest over the same time period then there is a problem!
How many huge flocks did you see last spring? Do you think you have good competition for hens by toms in your area.....If soo why are the birds so henned up and reluctant to break away? Better yet if there is an abundance of Toms then why arent they done breeding by 11 or 12 and then cruising strut zones lookin for lonesome hens? Because there are not enough Toms to breed the hens we have, thats why......

[Xi Bowhunter]

So what is the solution to that problem....start wackin hens or maybe just maybe there arent enough TOMS.....:rolleyes:

I hunt all over the state so its not a question of where I hunt. I harvest my two birds every year, so my experiencde isnt the question either. What I am saying loud and clear is that if there isnt a increase in harvest when hunter numbers have increased by over 8% each year for the last three years and there is in fact a decrease in the number of toms harvest over the same time period then there is a problem!
How many huge flocks did you see last spring? Do you think you have good competition for hens by toms in your area.....If soo why are the birds so henned up and reluctant to break away? Better yet if there is an abundance of Toms then why arent they done breeding by 11 or 12 and then cruising strut zones lookin for lonesome hens? Because there are not enough Toms to breed the hens we have, thats why......

I just know what i see in my area Maxcam, I see big groups of toms and hens every fall, and I see more than enough birds in the spring. I hunt mainly 2 countys, and I have never had a problem with not seeing birds. I am glad to see your concern for the flock and it's general well being, but I really don't see it being as big of a problem as you are making it out to be. But remember, that is just my opinion.;) I just know you can't have the best of years every year, just like deer season this past year. I can say with some confidence that the harvest rate will go up, and all will be fine. But we will just have to wait and see. I wish you a successful season this year, I know I am looking foward to a great year from what I have observed.:D

[maxcam]

I just know what i see in my area Maxcam, I see big groups of toms and hens every fall, and I see more than enough birds in the spring. I hunt mainly 2 countys, and I have never had a problem with not seeing birds. I am glad to see your concern for the flock and it's general well being, but I really don't see it being as big of a problem as you are making it out to be. But remember, that is just my opinion.;) I just know you can't have the best of years every year, just like deer season this past year. I can say with some confidence that the harvest rate will go up, and all will be fine. But we will just have to wait and see. I wish you a successful season this year, I know I am looking foward to a great year from what I have observed.:D

I appreciate your observations afield. Why do you suppose that your entire region is down in turkey harvests if there appears to be plenty of birds and there are more hunters.......

As far as the number of birds harvest this year....No doubt the harvest figures should increase.....Hunters will have an extra weekend....Thats a no brainer....but will it be a linear increase of with is be disproportionate? My guess is it will be disproportionate because there arent enough mature birds.....I will also say that Jakes will take another beating this year.....

[Xi Bowhunter]

Well, I could see where you would say there just aren't enough toms to go around, and that may be the case in some areas. It may be the case in the region I hunt....I really don't know. All I can go by is what I see hunting my areas, and driving around from farm to farm. I have seen alot of toms already this year still in groups, and I saw more birds deer hunting this year and last year than I ever did. But (and I'm being serious here), what to you suggest we do if there is a problem? I have never thought of it as a problem, so I haven't given a solution much thought. If it isn't broke don't fix it I guess, so I haven't really though about it. But if you are concerned, then maybe I need to look into it a little more. What is your suggestion?

[teacher]

If your not willing to lie to your employer to turkey hunt, then your not a serious hunter.
If people are serious enough about turkey hunting, they will take the days off. If they aren't serious enough, then waiting for the weekend is no big deal.
I remember signing a petition to leave it as a weekday opener at the NWTF banquets. I never saw one person there oppose it.
Its a rule that will positively affect only a few, and its the few that could take the days off if they were serious.

I am a very serious hunter!!!! If your willing to lie about hunting, then your willing to lie about other things. You can call me a non-serious if you want, but I can call you not serious about being right with God. Just because you didn't see anyone oppose the petition doesn't mean anybody didn't. If there wasn't anybody oppose to it, it would still be on a weekday wouldn't it?

[teacher]

Don't you get 3 months of vacation in the summer?

As for using your sick days. . . .I know I'd be sick as a dog if I was sitting at work on opening day. I'm sure that there are doctors out there that would prescribe the whole week off for "preventative" medicinal purposes.

More like 2 months, and I fish every chance I get. All the more reason not to fake being sick and take off extra days. Isn't two months off enough for one year? Next summer will be even shorter, since by law, we have to further our education and take summer classes.

[Poorboy]

Teacher, I am sure your district wouldn't mind you being absent during the testing window.

[naturalelite]

Someone on here might know I remember seeing someone talk about the 2000 or 2001 season and say that "The good old days" of turkey hunting in kentucky are right now. That there was no way that Kentucky could continue to produce those kind of #'s. It was due to great hatches and the proper amount of hunting pressure. I can't for the life of me remember who said it but I remember it was on Tv. Anyone remember seeing or hearing this? I will say since then hunting has become harder where I hunt but I feel that it is due to pressure because in the fall I am still seeing the same # of birds they are just harder to kill in the spring.

[WBBP]

Spring Male Female Total
2005 25537 186 25723
2004 26224 181 26405
2003 27381 169 27550
2002 28120 172 28292
2001 23077 120 23197

Fall
2005 1352 1927 3279
2004 2747 3842 6589
2003 1218 1587 2805
2002 1120 1235 2355
2001 1241 1280 2521

Fall/Spring Tot.
2005 26889 29002
2004 28971 32994
2003 28599 30355
2002 29240 30647
2001 24318 25718

Note : Public land not included

These are the numbers, but many variables to consider like the addition of the fall gun.

K season

[Feedman]

I simply don't see how there could only be 1.8 poults per hen last season. We had great hatching weather thru-out the critical hatching and early developement stage. Im not a biologist, but if last years hatch were that bad, then there are factors at play not previously considered(eg. more bobcats than we thought, other predation). If it comes to pass this spring that we fail to set or nearly set a record, then i will be concerned. Time will tell.

Turk,
I would like for you to come down to my neck of the wood and I will show you less than 1.8 poults per hen. We have had 3 years in a row of bad hatches. Turkey numbers are extremely low this fall and winter. Seeing a turkey now is almost as rare as seeing a deer was a few years ago. We have 2 farms and can hunt the neighbors farm. We are accustomed to seeing lots of turkeys. That is just not happening now.

Feedman

[turk2di]

Turk,
I would like for you to come down to my neck of the wood and I will show you less than 1.8 poults per hen. We have had 3 years in a row of bad hatches. Turkey numbers are extremely low this fall and winter. Seeing a turkey now is almost as rare as seeing a deer was a few years ago. We have 2 farms and can hunt the neighbors farm. We are accustomed to seeing lots of turkeys. That is just not happening now.

Feedman
Bad luck run of hatch time thunderstorms? I know that the hatch of 04 was excellent, and at least in Western Ky the weather was for the most part dry with no coolish rains thru-out the hatching & development stages. Had 2b a good, if not great hatch in this neck of the woods. Beats me, not callin u a liar, u know what u c and don't see. The natural ingredients were there for prime hatch. But all it takes at the wrong time is one thunderstorm to hurt an area or region. Hope the spring brings you a cathedral of gobbling;)

[Valley Station]

2005 Spring weather conditions or something, must have had negative impact on turkey, quail and rabbits. Reproduction was down in most parts of western and central Kentucky on all three(3) species. However, don't recall that bad of rain or cold temperatures.

[Multidigits]

Bad luck run of hatch time thunderstorms? I know that the hatch of 04 was excellent, and at least in Western Ky the weather was for the most part dry with no coolish rains thru-out the hatching & development stages. Had 2b a good, if not great hatch in this neck of the woods. Beats me, not callin u a liar, u know what u c and don't see. The natural ingredients were there for prime hatch. But all it takes at the wrong time is one thunderstorm to hurt an area or region. Hope the spring brings you a cathedral of gobbling;)

Jim Lane said that the hatch was spotty, seems to be right on. Way to go Jim, glad your on top of it.

[grousebuster]

Don't you get 3 months of vacation in the summer?

As for using your sick days. . . .I know I'd be sick as a dog if I was sitting at work on opening day. I'm sure that there are doctors out there that would prescribe the whole week off for "preventative" medicinal purposes.
I wasn't aware of the three months of vacation for teachers starting in May. I thought it was June and July. The last time I checked there wasn't a hunting season except for squirrel. If anybody else would like to have a two month vacation such as Teacher, I would recommend going back to college for the next 4-5 years full time and then continuing your education when you become a teacher for the next 2-5 years, because it's required by the state of Kentucky. Also pay $1,000 per class (12 classes) coming out of your pocket. This is not a complaint a teacher should have because he chose the profession. However, to those of you on the outside looking in, the grass is always greener. Teacher you worked hard to get where you're at. When you finish your Masters enjoy those summer breaks. If someone complains about it, they chose their future.;)

[joekat46]

Grousebuster - I'll be the last to usually defend "Mr. Buckfever" but it doesn't hurt to check someone's bio before jumping on them over their education.

This thread took an interesting turn. This is one fun forum. Sorry I took a break from it for awhile.

EDIT:

MY MISTAKE "grouse". His bio is now blank. Let me assure you he has the type of education of which you speak. Never hurts to "know thy enemy". Right counselor? I may be in need of another break.

Good luck to everyone up there this year. It looks like I'll be only hunting Florida and Ohio this turkey season. Break time.

[buckfever]

Grousebuster - I'll be the last to usually defend "Mr. Buckfever" but it doesn't hurt to check someone's bio before jumping on them over their education.

This thread took an interesting turn. This is one fun forum. Sorry I took a break from it for awhile.

EDIT:

MY MISTAKE "grouse". His bio is now blank. Let me assure you he has the type of education of which you speak. Never hurts to "know thy enemy". Right counselor? I may be in need of another break.

Joe - To be honest, I don't think I've ever had anything in my bio and never realized I was your "enemy", but I'd be happy to share all my details with you all the way down to my first make-out session with Leslie Lyons in the 5th grade if it would help?

If you need independent verfication, Multi will likely confirm that I've passed (with flying colors mind you) all my continuing legal education courses that qualify me as a "jack-leg" and an "ambulance chaser".

[teacher]

Teacher, I am sure your district wouldn't mind you being absent during the testing window.

You might be right, but for me it's one of those, if they don't know it doesn't matter. Well, I would know. If everybody thinks I'm not a serious hunter, then fine. I think serious hunters don't lie about hunting or fishing. This includes the reasons they give for going.

[maxcam]

Bad luck run of hatch time thunderstorms? I know that the hatch of 04 was excellent, and at least in Western Ky the weather was for the most part dry with no coolish rains thru-out the hatching & development stages. Had 2b a good, if not great hatch in this neck of the woods. Beats me, not callin u a liar, u know what u c and don't see. The natural ingredients were there for prime hatch. But all it takes at the wrong time is one thunderstorm to hurt an area or region. Hope the spring brings you a cathedral of gobbling;)

I dont belive we have had an excellent hatch in several years.....4 of the last five have been below average with 04 being a good hatch......Not that it mattered as 2005 saw another decrease in the harvest numbers.....

I hunt western Kentucky and in one of the top counties in the state. I know the 3 year and older birds were down and 2 year old birds werent much better......

[maxcam]

Buck

JoeKat is one of those out of state proponents for the crossbow......Hes a little buddy to your little buddy.....;)

[Multidigits]

I dont belive we have had an excellent hatch in several years.....4 of the last five have been below average with 04 being a good hatch......Not that it mattered as 2005 saw another decrease in the harvest numbers.....

I hunt western Kentucky and in one of the top counties in the state. I know the 3 year and older birds were down and 2 year old birds werent much better......

Down or you have trouble with them? How did you count them in that county? Ever see any turkeys on the way down there?

I don't know Joe at all, but he sounds like he has it figured out pretty well.

[Poorboy]

Teacher, I made that comment because I know that my district has always had a problem in the past with me being late during that time frame. Didn't mean to ruffle ya;)

[slickhead slayer]

I wasn't aware of the three months of vacation for teachers starting in May. I thought it was June and July. The last time I checked there wasn't a hunting season except for squirrel. If anybody else would like to have a two month vacation such as Teacher, I would recommend going back to college for the next 4-5 years full time and then continuing your education when you become a teacher for the next 2-5 years, because it's required by the state of Kentucky. Also pay $1,000 per class (12 classes) coming out of your pocket. This is not a complaint a teacher should have because he chose the profession. However, to those of you on the outside looking in, the grass is always greener. Teacher you worked hard to get where you're at. When you finish your Masters enjoy those summer breaks. If someone complains about it, they chose their future.;)


My wife was a teacher. School would end the second to last week in May, and resume in mid August. It was almost three months of vacation just in the summer. She also got off two weeks at Christmas and a week for Spring Break, plus all the normal Holidays.
Thats about 1/3 of the year off. Not saying thats good or bad, just stating a fact.

[maxcam]

Down or you have trouble with them? How did you count them in that county? Ever see any turkeys on the way down there?

I don't know Joe at all, but he sounds like he has it figured out pretty well.


Just passing along the info that was shared by that biologist you sing the praises of.....Of course he thinks that a good hatch is 3 poults per hen so Ild say his expectations are low to begin with......Just my opinion though!

[Big R]

I think its fine that they have the season set to come in on a Sat.and added the extra weekend to allow people who work during the day the opportunity and extended chances by giving them more weekends.I personally work 2nd shift and hunt every day I can.Sure I enjoy it more when most people are at work and not hunting but I think that more weekends and weekend openers give others that love it as much as i the added opportunity they deserve.I know that someday I will work dayshift too and will not want to use my vacations to get more hunt time here in my home state as I like to use them to hunt elsewhere.Although I am not above calling in work a day or two(for personal reasons which is not lying)to go hunting.

In my opinion,the problem with the low numbers is due to several different things like weather,the increase in the amount of hunters which increases the amount of hunters in the field running birds wild and reducing there time to do their mateing,the call in check system which Im sure plays a substantial part in the non reporting of kills but I like due to the fact that its lots easier but would not be a bit sore about if they went back to check stations,and last but not least the Fall Season which I dont see how can't effect the turkey population.I personally enjoy the fall season as much as anyone but dont think you should be able to kill more than 2 birds period in the fall regardless if done with a bow or gun!Why other than revenue would you add game limits as long as you pay the extra money for the extra permits.I personally would not care one bit to see the fall season limits reduced to 2 birds by gun/bow/or crossbow but no more than a total of two and only one of either sex.I truely believe that the reason for the increased limits in the fall are influenced by the amount of revenue and not because they have no effect on spring breeding and hatch #s as they say.It may not increase spring hatch #s one bit but I think it would!
But who am I to say though,Im no turkey biologist!

I would hope to think that most that truely enjoy Turkey hunting (or any other kind of hunting for that matter)would agree that smaller bag limits doesnt mean less opportunity but means more quality.

Just because you kill your two dont mean that you cant go and enjoy a hunt with someone who hasnt!;)

[Poorboy]

I don't understand this vacation concept anyway. A teacher gets paid for working a certain amount of days. The total gets added up and divided into 26 weeks and paid bi weekly or how ever the district decides. Those summer checks are money that had already been worked out. Plus added responsibilities such as ballgames, bus duty, staying late and working every night those aren't figured in. This in addition to attending classes out of pocket and I could go on.

Teacher was just making a point that he was practing what he preaches about telling the truth and other lessons that some people have forgotten.
I admire him for that.

This thread was about the Saturday Opener being bad and I'm sorry for being one of the causes for it getting off track.

[teacher]

My wife was a teacher. School would end the second to last week in May, and resume in mid August. It was almost three months of vacation just in the summer. She also got off two weeks at Christmas and a week for Spring Break, plus all the normal Holidays.
Thats about 1/3 of the year off. Not saying thats good or bad, just stating a fact.

P.D. days started here Aug.1 for all teachers. Students started back on 4th. Already lost one Holiday due to snow. Next snow day we start losing days off our Spring break. Last year, Spring break was just a three day weekend for me. We had many snow days to make up. This year, just one so far buy many days of winter left. When I was in High School we too started back to school late Aug. Those days have been long gone for years.

[teacher]

Teacher, I made that comment because I know that my district has always had a problem in the past with me being late during that time frame. Didn't mean to ruffle ya;)

Your fine.:) I was wondering about that one. I don't have tenure at this district yet and missing during testing would be the ultimate sin for me. They are already counting down the days for CATS.

[joekat46]

Joe - To be honest, I don't think I've ever had anything in my bio and never realized I was your "enemy", but I'd be happy to share all my details with you all the way down to my first make-out session with Leslie Lyons in the 5th grade if it would help?

If you need independent verfication, Multi will likely confirm that I've passed (with flying colors mind you) all my continuing legal education courses that qualify me as a "jack-leg" and an "ambulance chaser".

"Enemy" only in the sense that we usually find ourselves on opposite sides of an issue.

This forum has now become so argumentative that no matter what subject is discussed a serious fight ensues before it concludes. It is has become too much for even me to play in continually. Since I won't be hunting KY this season I'm going to let you guys sort things out on your own. I'll still be reading, keep my UCBK membership current, and hope to draw an LBL permit in 2007.

I think I knew Leslie's mother. Like mother like daughter? GOOD LUCK THIS SEASON!

[grousebuster]

My wife was a teacher. School would end the second to last week in May, and resume in mid August. It was almost three months of vacation just in the summer. She also got off two weeks at Christmas and a week for Spring Break, plus all the normal Holidays.
Thats about 1/3 of the year off. Not saying thats good or bad, just stating a fact.
I'll be the first to say that teachers don't have a right to complain about their jobs, and Teacher wasn't complaining about his job on this forum. The point is that others complain about the breaks or vacations that others receive. The grass is always greener on the other side. Ask your wife, there are things about her job that make her mad. I guess I'm saying that if you wanted to make a $100,000 dollars plus a year, go to school to be a doctor or lawyer. If you want extra time off work go to school to be a teacher. We all choose our professions. If I work on a barge, trash man, police officer. I chose my destiny. If you're upset with the benefits that others receive, I would suggest changing or preparing for another job. This is a little off from where this forum was headed, I felt a need to defend our public educators from the riddicule they receive.

[Multidigits]

Just passing along the info that was shared by that biologist you sing the praises of.....Of course he thinks that a good hatch is 3 poults per hen so Ild say his expectations are low to begin with......Just my opinion though!

No, you said you surveyed your county and the hatch was down. show your expert research for us???

[buckfever]

Buck

JoeKat is one of those out of state proponents for the crossbow......Hes a little buddy to your little buddy.....;)

Max, I remember JoeKat well. I guess my point was "Being on the opposite side of that issue doesn't make him an enemy though."

[turk2di]

Great to hear from u joekat46.

[grousebuster]

Grousebuster - I'll be the last to usually defend "Mr. Buckfever" but it doesn't hurt to check someone's bio before jumping on them over their education.

This thread took an interesting turn. This is one fun forum. Sorry I took a break from it for awhile.

EDIT:

MY MISTAKE "grouse". His bio is now blank. Let me assure you he has the type of education of which you speak. Never hurts to "know thy enemy". Right counselor? I may be in need of another break.

Good luck to everyone up there this year. It looks like I'll be only hunting Florida and Ohio this turkey season. Break time.
No intention on my part of deflating anyone's education. Just wanting to make a point that Teacher worked hard and went through the state requirements for his particular job to get where he is and have the summers off:) .

[grousebuster]

I'll be the first to say that I got sidetracked on jobs. Let's get back to issue of the opening weekend of Turkey Season. Sorry!!!:rolleyes:

[schuyler olt]

Interestingly enough, the push for a Saturday opener did have a job-related component to it, but not in the way you think.

The big push for that opener came from Eastern Kentucky. The working guys down there were getting aced by "disabled" persons who weren't well enough to work but perfectly able to climb mountainsides turkey hunting, if you catch my drift. A Saturday opener levelled the playing field for those guys.

All-day hunting was proposed as a means to give working folks and school kids a chance to get in some weekday hunting.

Just a little history lesson....

[slickhead slayer]

P.D. days started here Aug.1 for all teachers. Students started back on 4th. Already lost one Holiday due to snow. Next snow day we start losing days off our Spring break. Last year, Spring break was just a three day weekend for me. We had many snow days to make up. This year, just one so far buy many days of winter left. When I was in High School we too started back to school late Aug. Those days have been long gone for years.

I wouldn't say your "losing" holidays because of snow. I mean after all, your getting the day off for snow. They are just taking a day off one of your vacations, because of the vacation day you got for snow. Still the number of vacation days, just taken at different times.

[slickhead slayer]

I'll be the first to say that teachers don't have a right to complain about their jobs, and Teacher wasn't complaining about his job on this forum. The point is that others complain about the breaks or vacations that others receive. The grass is always greener on the other side. Ask your wife, there are things about her job that make her mad. I guess I'm saying that if you wanted to make a $100,000 dollars plus a year, go to school to be a doctor or lawyer. If you want extra time off work go to school to be a teacher. We all choose our professions. If I work on a barge, trash man, police officer. I chose my destiny. If you're upset with the benefits that others receive, I would suggest changing or preparing for another job. This is a little off from where this forum was headed, I felt a need to defend our public educators from the riddicule they receive.

Your absolutely correct. My wife stopped teaching because she wanted a job that paid more, she is now a pharmaceutical rep. As you said, you make your choices.
I happen to respect teachers as well, I just learned alot when my wife was a teacher. You here alot of complaints about what they make, but its not the whole story.
Lets say a teacher is making $40,000 a year. What you don't consider is that they don't work 1/3 of the year. If you added another 1/3 to their salary, thats like $54,000. Not saying they don't deserve to be paid more, just pointing out that per say its more than it looks like.

[KYHUNTER14]

I am a teacher. I teach in a residential treatment facility for boys. I wouldnt trade this job for any I have had. I have weekends off, holidays off, summers off. I agree with alot of points that each make so far. Sure I miss some hunting time, but that is part of the reason I am looking forward to retirement, ok so it is the biggest reason.:D

Back to the original topic, Saturday openers don't bother me, but I hunt private land. If I hunted public, I may have a different take on it.

[teacher]

I wouldn't say your "losing" holidays because of snow. I mean after all, your getting the day off for snow. They are just taking a day off one of your vacations, because of the vacation day you got for snow. Still the number of vacation days, just taken at different times.

Being snowed in isn't what I call a vacation. Like I said, I had a three day weekend last year. You said we get a week. Few more snow days last year we would have to have gone extra days in May. One year my wife's school district didn't get out until second week in June. And still go back first of Aug. You said we go back last of Aug. By the way, $40,000 for a starting out teacher?:eek: How about $27,000. Are you sure your not thinking about a principal's salary?

[slickhead slayer]

Being snowed in isn't what I call a vacation. Like I said, I had a three day weekend last year. You said we get a week. Few more snow days last year we would have to have gone extra days in May. One year my wife's school district didn't get out until second week in June. And still go back first of Aug. You said we go back last of Aug. By the way, $40,000 for a starting out teacher?:eek: How about $27,000. Are you sure your not thinking about a principal's salary?

I always considered days I didn't have to work as vacation. Sometimes its raining on the 4th of July, sometimes its snowing on Christmas, but they are still vacation days.
I didn't say $40,000 was a starting salary, just a salary. As far as $27,000 starting pay, that equates to $36,000 if you add 1/3. Not too bad for starting pay.

[WildmanWilson]

How did this get from a topic on turkey hunting to how bad teachers have it?

[teacher]

How did this get from a topic on turkey hunting to how bad teachers have it?

Because some sinner think it's OK to lie and call in sick to go turkey hunting instead of having opening day on a Saturday.

[WBBP]

What ever happened to thou shall not judge?

K

[teacher]

I always considered days I didn't have to work as vacation. Sometimes its raining on the 4th of July, sometimes its snowing on Christmas, but they are still vacation days.
I didn't say $40,000 was a starting salary, just a salary. As far as $27,000 starting pay, that equates to $36,000 if you add 1/3. Not too bad for starting pay.

Most everybody is off for 4th of July. Most everybody is off for Christmas too. Those days are Holidays for everyone, or vacations as you put it. I don't care about the weather on those days, because the whole family is together celebrating. That is a vacation!!!! School out because of an ice storm, or the city I taught last year, Manchester OH out because the Ohio River flooded the town is not a vacation for me or anyone else. You can't get out and no one is coming. Another thing I get paid 11 months out of the year not 12 so your 1/3 theory is full of crap! Also, like I said before, I have to further my education to teach. This isn't by my choice, it's state law that I have to go back to summer school for many summers to get my masters. Look, this whole thing came from turkey season opening on a Sat. I for one am tickled. No matter what days I get off in summer, I'm not going to call in sick to go hunting if it opened on Monday. It's wrong, and I don't believe in it. It's just not the way I was raised. I can also see that you have came to the fact that school starts first week of Aug.

[teacher]

What ever happened to thou shall not judge?

K

I was being judge when I was called a non serious hunter because I thought it to be wrong calling in sick to go hunting.

[Ihuntsetters]

To me it doesnt matter when it opens, Im just glad for any day that I get to be in the Turkey woods. I work two jobs- job one monday through friday from 6 am to 2 pm. 2nd job Tuesday through Saturday from 4 pm to
midnight. So early saturday and sunday is all I get to hunt. My 2nd job doesnt close for holidays, were open 365 days a year, 7 days a week,
24 hours a day. So I really appreciate any time I get to hunt.

[Xi Bowhunter]

How did this get from a topic on turkey hunting to how bad teachers have it?

THREAD HIGHJACKING!:eek:

[slickhead slayer]

I can also see that you have came to the fact that school starts first week of Aug.

No, I just didn't want to discuss it anymore. I am familiar with private schools here in Lou, they start mid August.

[Mount-N-Man]

Getting back to the original thread; if you don't think anyone else should hunt opening day but you, then wait till Monday and go hunting. There will still be plenty of birds around. And let the kids take hens on youth weekend.

[teacher]

No, I just didn't want to discuss it anymore. I am familiar with private schools here in Lou, they start mid August.

I wished you would have mentioned you were talking about private schools earlier. We could have saved some time on this. They kind of set their own times don't they? I know of a Christian School in Morehead my mother-in-law teaches didn't start back until after Labor Day this year.

[MTNMAN]

I know I'm a loner on here but I am for the Sat opener. Granted very few people hunt in the rugged areas of eky I do. At least the people who have to work have a chance. I know most of you guys say "Thats what vacation is for" What if you don't have vacation. What if you are a temp employee can't take off and one day taking off would take food from the table and possibly get you fired. We here in eky have a limited number of employers to choose from therefore we can't chance it. I don't know about other areas but I am all for it.

[WildmanWilson]

Since everyone is chomping at the bit to hunt, everyone will be out on the Saturday opener. This makes for over crowding and the quality of the hunt will be less for most. If it opens in the week then not as many hunters will be out. Then a lot of guys will skip the weekend or will be tagged out. So this way everyone will be spread out more making for a safer and better quality hunt. This matters more on public ground than private ground also.

[MENIFEE BUCK]

Because some sinner think it's OK to lie and call in sick to go turkey hunting instead of having opening day on a Saturday.

I AGREE THAT IT IS NOT RIGHT TO CALL IN SICK TO GO HUNTING. BUT THE ANGER IN THIS REPLY IS NOT A VERY GOOD WAY TO PUT IT. I'M NOT JUDGING YOU BUT THINK OF HOW JESUS WOULD HAVE REPLIED. REMARKS LIKE THIS IS WHAT GIVES THE CHURCH A BAD NAME.