2007 = Lowest KY total harvest in YEARS!!!!!!

[KYLimbHanger]

Here's the data

Year----Total Harvests
2001----23197
2002----28292
2003----27550
2004----26405
2005----25797
2006----28797
2007----22929

Data from KDFWR website

What do you think caused the low total harvest this year. Early season cold temps, snow, rain and wind? I guess we can look at it on a positive note: there should be a ton of 2 year olds in Spring '08!!!!

If you notice the jump from 2001 to 2002, maybe there is hope for 2008!

[Bee]

I think some parts of Ky had a disaster hatch two years ago, as did many parts of Tenn(2005 hatch was lowest poult to hen ratio in Tenn in @25 years of record keeping). I think a lot of the 2 yr old class was missing. Turkeys are quite adaptable. Hopefully the banner hatch /poult survival that was observed in some parts of Ky in 2006 will be there as 2 yr olds next year and it will right itself.

[massive horns]

It was the best year we have ever had in our neck of the woods.

[KYLimbHanger]

It was the best year we have ever had in our neck of the woods.


I know that some parts of the state had a great season. I am unsure what county you are in, but, have you researched the total harvest this year compared to the last 7 years on the KDFWR website and seen the totals? Just curious. My friends and I had a great season in South Central Ky also....Somerset area. The youth season was unbelievable.

http://fw.ky.gov/harvest/turkeyharvest.asp?lid=805&NavPath=C151C559C380

[crossfire]

I know that some parts of the state had a great season. I am unsure what county you are in, but, have you researched the total harvest this year compared to the last 7 years on the KDFWR website and seen the totals? Just curious. My friends and I had a great season in South Central Ky also....Somerset area. The youth season was unbelievable.

http://fw.ky.gov/harvest/turkeyharvest.asp?lid=805&NavPath=C151C559C380

Wouldn't surprise me. I heard more gobbling after it broke daylight during a recent night fishing trip on Lake Cumberland, than I've heard all year in the Green River Region.

[Multidigits]

If you consider that the opening weekend was a wash out statewide and several of the other days weren't worth hunting, then the harvest was fairly normal. The overall decline is due to the below normal hatch two years ago. Bad weather on the high use days doesn't help much.

[Hammer]

I saw birds, but most were not interested in hens (fake or real). I only worked 1 mature bird the whole year. Least amount of gobbling this year for me as well. Tons of jakes though, so there is a good outlook for next year.

[Tim T]

I think it was the low number of two-year-olds combined with the crazy weather that caused most of this. Plus, mother nature tends to be cyclical, she doesn't seem to follow the scedule that we would prefer LOL!

[slickhead slayer]

It was a combination of things.
1. Not just bad, but terrible weather statewide, on opening weekend.
2. Bad hatch two years ago.
3. I believe we hit the season late this year. Youth was the prime weekend, it went down from there.

I was under the impression that 06 was a bad hatch also, which means next year will also be low. Did they not report that the 06 hatch was bad?

[turkeyhntr]

It just never felt right to me this year period....killed my birds but just did not feel like spring...

[Valley Station]

Massive Horns,
Thought you were down around Adair county??
Adair harvested 78 fewer this year.
Taylor harvested 19 fewer.
Casey harvested 65 fewer.

[KYLimbHanger]

It was a combination of things.
1. Not just bad, but terrible weather statewide, on opening weekend.
2. Bad hatch two years ago.
3. I believe we hit the season late this year. Youth was the prime weekend, it went down from there.

I was under the impression that 06 was a bad hatch also, which means next year will also be low. Did they not report that the 06 hatch was bad?

How do they (KDFWR) know there is a bad hatch? Will the ton of rain we had this spring already hurt the hatch any? I do agree with your 3rd statement.....the youth weekend around here was perfect. They were gobbling strong for two weeks before the youth weekend. Then youth weekend came with bluebird skies but cold weather. Still the gobblers were doing exactly what they should be doing early season....going crazy. I do agree that the gobbling activity and overall hunting did go downhill after youth weekend.

[Chimpy]

Any idea how they ended up doing at Fort Knox? Were the totals down like the rest of the state?

[huntindawoods]

I do agree youth season did seem to be the prime time to hunt, my thoughts on the season and like I say just my thoughts, I feel that the cold snap we had the first part of April played a hugh role in the spring turkey season. Around my area it has been a difficult year, but I have to say at least I did get to kill at least 1 bird, I could have had a bad year like some not even killed a bird. So, lets talk about the year we've had and prepare for next season . Good luck to all those getting ready to fish, or prepare for deer season.

[Valley Station]

Chimpy,
Ft Knox harvest was down just about like out in the state.
2006 was 160sh birds.
2007 was 106.

[JDMiller]

I did'nt drop the hammer on a single bird this season but as far as numbers .... I was in birds every single time I went. Saw a bunch of hens and had gobblers just out of range on three occasions. I opted to crossbow hunt the birds for the majority of season and hunted LBL more than our farm.

Every morning in LBL I had 3-4 toms sounding off but between pressure and smart birds ...I never connected. On our farm in Christian Co. I heard at least 7 different birds roosting just on the fringes of our property but after fly down they would head to the crop fields... where we dont own or can hunt. The only birds fooling around our food plot was hens that I believe were nesting around some old dozer piles scattered along the edge. They would just pick around in the clover and move back in the brush.

I'm writing this spring season off as one of those humbling seasons when I could'nt close the deal. Could been more of my fault than anything but it was'nt because the birds were'nt there. Overall I probably seen more birds than last year.... at least hens. Weather was crappy.. I believe I wore raingear more than I ever had and as normal ... birds just not in the right phase of the breeding cycle. I'm just looking forward to fall and the 08 spring season.

[SKFOOTER]

How about the harvest at Fort Campbell?

[Valley Station]

Just read were Missouri's first week of turkey season harvest was lowest in 10 years.
Fewer 2-year old birds in the flock. Missouri biologist said records indicates 2005 poults/hen reports were the 2nd lowest in 45 years.

[turk2di]

If you consider that the opening weekend was a wash out statewide and several of the other days weren't worth hunting, then the harvest was fairly normal. The overall decline is due to the below normal hatch two years ago. Bad weather on the high use days doesn't help much.

Welp, that pretty much ends this thread;) Was surprised at the jake totals however. Should have been much higher. With the lack of 2 yr ols in a season where the rest of the male flock titelipped most people, that shoulda put jakes square in the crosshairs of many frustrated hunters. A purty low percentage considering what i just typed when u throw in the great hatch of 06. Anyone else's thoughts on the low jake numbers?

[turk2di]

It was a combination of things.
1. Not just bad, but terrible weather statewide, on opening weekend.
2. Bad hatch two years ago.
3. I believe we hit the season late this year. Youth was the prime weekend, it went down from there.

I was under the impression that 06 was a bad hatch also, which means next year will also be low. Did they not report that the 06 hatch was bad?

The 06 hatch was good most everywhere, great in places. 08 should see a decent rebound;)

[Joe Bryan]

Welp, that pretty much ends this thread;) Was surprised at the jake totals however. Should have been much higher. With the lack of 2 yr ols in a season where the rest of the male flock titelipped most people, that shoulda put jakes square in the crosshairs of many frustrated hunters. A purty low percentage considering what i just typed when u throw in the great hatch of 06. Anyone else's thoughts on the low jake numbers?
Just maybe most hunters have come to terms with not having to harvest a jake just to tag something. If you do let them walk it will pay off in the long run!

[massive horns]

Massive Horns,
Thought you were down around Adair county??
Adair harvested 78 fewer this year.
Taylor harvested 19 fewer.
Casey harvested 65 fewer.

I am in Adair County, but I also live 10 feet from Green River WMA and they were 3rd overall in turkey harvest in the state. With Peabody second and of course Daniel Boone. Remember GR has 20,500 acres, Peabody has 60,000 and Daniel Boone has 670,000 acres to hunt. Not doubting your numbers as far as harvest numbers down. However, all I can say is where I live and hunt, we heard birds and got on them every day we hunted up until the end of season.
Here's some recent cam pictures where I live. There's more birds in the state then people realize...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/mhorns/DSC01812.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/mhorns/DSC01838.jpg

[Gobblergetter2.1]

I dont think theres less birds. Ive got a pic on my game cam of 42 birds in one field. 9 (big gobblers) were in front of the cam, and i could count at least 33 turkeys. I cant tell you how many times i went to this foodplot and saw 9-10 different gobblers. When season rolled around, most of them were gone. They usually stick around and a normal spring morning would consist of 30 gobblers gobbling their heads off. This was definatley an out of the ordinary season, but im sure we'll rebound next year. I watched 17 jakes with 4 gobblers and one hen in a field all of february and most of march.

[rarebreed]

I seen lone hens out wondering earlier this year then ever before and had 2 gobblers sounding off hard but not interested in my calling at all. Just last week I seen 6 gobblers together with no hens. I don't think I have ever seen that before this time of year

[big300mag]

Hey Massivehorns, I hunt Green River WMA alot. What part of Adair Co. are you in? I hunt quite a bit in the White Oak and Corbins Bend areas, along with some other areas I would rather keep secret. :rolleyes: As far as the jake numbers, I didn't see a single jake this year! Saw plenty of hens and some mature birds, but can't say that I saw any jakes unless some of the hens I saw were.

[WildmanWilson]

Last years was a record breaker and I didn't kill anything. This year the harvest was down and I killed two long beards...go figure. I thought it was a great year.

[Valley Station]

Turk2di,
Where did you get your "great 06 hatch" information??
There was a "terrible hatch in 2006"!
2006 Turkey Brood Report
Eastern Ky-2.6 poults/hen
Central Ky-1.7 poults/hen
Statewide average-2.2 poults/hen
Overall Turkey flock in Kentucky is in a decline.
With terrible 2006 hatch, there will be few 2-year old birds in the woods next spring, another "poor harvest" for 2008.
Let's hope there is a good hatch this season, we need it.

[Multidigits]

Post a link to the brood report if you don't mind???

Possible cause for the decline in adult gobblers "might" be the 3rd District's desire to increase the number of jakes being killed in the fall harvest????


Turk2di,
Where did you get your "great 06 hatch" information??
There was a "terrible hatch in 2006"!
2006 Turkey Brood Report
Eastern Ky-2.6 poults/hen
Central Ky-1.7 poults/hen
Statewide average-2.2 poults/hen
Overall Turkey flock in Kentucky is in a decline.
With terrible 2006 hatch, there will be few 2-year old birds in the woods next spring, another "poor harvest" for 2008.
Let's hope there is a good hatch this season, we need it.

[KYLimbHanger]

Post a link to the brood report if you don't mind???

Possible cause for the decline in adult gobblers "might" be the 3rd District's desire to increase the number of jakes being killed in the fall harvest????

I would like to read from the source about the hatch and flock also.

[Valley Station]

Anybody wanting to get a copy of Kentucky Turkey Brood Reports ( hatch success) should contact Steve Dobey, Kentucky's turkey biologist -toll free number, 800 858-1549.
Multi,
Could have been an impact , but, nobody fall hunts.
Actually there were 7 fewer jakes Telecheked in the fall of 2006, than in 2005.

[The Beagler]

I agree there was more than one factor to the low harvest. I think it was the shortage of two year olds and the weather. After assessing my season I saw almost the same amount of turkeys from last season, with an increase in hens.

I killed a three year old bird. I could have killed a jake, but decided to TRY and let my pops kill him. Keyword there -- TRY!!! Most of the birds I know about that were killed around western Ky were mostly three year old birds with fairly good spurs -- 1 1/8" and up.

I think the older three year olds had the two year olds and jakes shut down fairly well. There was no need for gobbling.

It was a frustrating and fun season.

[turk2di]

We all knew b4 hand that the season was going to present some challenges due to the poor 05 hatch, creating a lack of 2 yr old gobblers. Thats basic. Throw in lousy weather opening day along with other periods of rainy days & there u have it.

[schuyler olt]

Turk,

we also knew the numbers of 2 yr. olds would be down, so we made a hard and fast rule not to kill any jakes. We saw a bunch of those rascals, too, because our area had a decent but not great hatch last year.

But the birds acted a little differently this year, and I think it had to do with that extreme cold snap we had after all that unseasonably warm weather. Sure, we get cold snaps every year--"redbud winter" is known to us all. But a week of extremely cold temperatures that killed most of the green-up is a new one on me. Even at the end, there weren't many bugs in the fields, the pastures were far shorter than normal and there were large areas that were still wide open in the woods. On April 1 I was expecting the greenest season ever and by the 15th it was the least green I've seen.

Even in mid morning the birds seemed fairly low key, but maybe it was just the days I hunted. They were definitely there, but they never seemed to really want to get after it.

[turk2di]

The turnaround in the greenup was unbelievable! On March 31st, main street in Henderson looked like mid May. I was freakin. I prayed for a cold front to slow things down. Ooops!! Guess i squinted to hard on the praying bit, cause we got Janurary weather for 4 days!!!!! By April 14th, it looked like mid March at Peabody! Who knows the effects this will have on the hard mast trees?

[sirgiovanni]

Haha! I did the same thing. Oops. Then who would have guessed I never saw a single tick turkey hunting this year. Very strange weather indeed.

[ANTHONY BROWN]

Multi, why do you think that the third district wanted to increase the number of jakes harvested in the fall? I've been out of town a lot but I sure don't remember hearing any of this. As far as the number of jakes, I've seen groups of 5 to 10 jakes on several of our farms, and the only one harvested was taken by my buddy's 11 year old son, it was his first turkey, and his dad's first trip to the turkey woods. Made great video, you'd have thought he just won the lottery! Not trying to start anything, just wanted to know where this info came from.

[Multidigits]

Multi, why do you think that the third district wanted to increase the number of jakes harvested in the fall? I've been out of town a lot but I sure don't remember hearing any of this. As far as the number of jakes, I've seen groups of 5 to 10 jakes on several of our farms, and the only one harvested was taken by my buddy's 11 year old son, it was his first turkey, and his dad's first trip to the turkey woods. Made great video, you'd have thought he just won the lottery! Not trying to start anything, just wanted to know where this info came from.

Old news....the 3rd District campaigned to change the fall limit on long beards to one, but left oprn the option of killing 3 jakes or hens. Doesn't really matter, but it didn't need changed to start with.

[schuyler olt]

In the fall, a jake is almost impossible to tell from a hen. The jakes we see in the spring are longbeards come fall.

I was present at the 3rd District meeting where the one tom suggestion came up. In fact, I brought it up. The 6" beard limitation came about following discussions with KDFWR personnel present at the meeting, which included Col. Casey.

[Multidigits]

That's funny....not sure what Col. Casey has to do with turkey management. When you made the suggestion, the thought was the flock numbers were doctored and the numbers inflated. You all wanted to save the longbeard for the spring so you could hear some gobbling. The change you made is counter productive to both counts. The very bird that should have been killed was the fall long beard, and you cut that limit down to one. Good thing is, like VS says, not too many are hunting them in the fall anyway since the first year so it doesn't matter. The change didn't need to be made either.

[schuyler olt]

The reason David was involved in the discussion was from the enforcement side. Over the years, and long before you ever showed up at a KDFWR meeting, the enforcement angle of proposed changes has always been considered--can the officers enforce it and will it put an unwitting hunter in a trickbox?

A male turkey born this spring looks almost like a hen, even to head shape and coloration, come fall.

I'm not following your "logic" as to anyone's motives. Killing them in the fall or spring makes no difference because the mortality studies showed that mature gobblers winter over very well. We were looking at the overall, YEAR-ROUND total of potentially 6 gobblers, which is the most liberal in the United States except for Texas.

Two in the spring is not too many. Most people don't tag out, so it gives hunters the opportunity to keep going out. In most years, almost every one of us on this site would be over the first weekend with a one-bird limit. With two, we keep buying gas, food, sometimes lodging, and other incidentals after we've taken the first bird, which helps people at almost no cost to the resource.

I don't care if you make it no gobblers in the fall. I'm AOK with that. The only downside is that because of the fall flocking, a guy may not have any legal birds on his property and therefore no opportunity. That's not good, but if that's what it takes to keep the resource I'm for it.

[slickhead slayer]

Turk2di,
Where did you get your "great 06 hatch" information??
There was a "terrible hatch in 2006"!
2006 Turkey Brood Report
Eastern Ky-2.6 poults/hen
Central Ky-1.7 poults/hen
Statewide average-2.2 poults/hen
Overall Turkey flock in Kentucky is in a decline.
With terrible 2006 hatch, there will be few 2-year old birds in the woods next spring, another "poor harvest" for 2008.
Let's hope there is a good hatch this season, we need it.

I was under the impression that the poult report was very poor also for 06. Not sure where the reports of a great 06 hatch are coming from.

[Hammer]

I was under the impression that the poult report was very poor also for 06. Not sure where the reports of a great 06 hatch are coming from.

I guess guys are surmising the hatch was great because they have seen so many jakes.

[turk2di]

I don't know quite how they get thier surveys. My overall impression during the hatching period in May/June 06 was based on great weather during the entire period. The mast crop of 05 was a dandy, so hens were in great shape to have a healthy clutch. All the requirements for a good/great hatch in 06 therefore, were there. Bird sightings during fall hunting in 06 by both archers & actual fall turkey hunters were sterling. Turkeys were showing up in places this winter where they have never been sighted. Perhaps the good/great hatch was only a western Ky thing, cause alot of jakes were seen this past season. Granted, im not a biologist, but i am observant, talk to alot of people. I know of the report you refer too in regards to the hatch figures of 06, i wasn't alone in my surprise at thier findings. I know you share with me my hopes that i am right in being optimistic regarding next seasons prospects.

[Feedman]

It is those blamed _____ bows.;) :cool: That is what is destroying our turkey flock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[vabirddog]

Spring time weather is locally and regionally very hit or miss (especially rain) thus hatching success locally is similarly affected.

[Multidigits]

It is those blamed _____ bows.;) :cool: That is what is destroying our turkey flock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Sky won't admit it, but that's why they wanted the fall limited changed. Problem is, there hardly anyone that ever took 6 longbeards a season, and still hardly anyone taking a limit in the fall.

[ANTHONY BROWN]

Multi, not sure what you mean when you say that the gobblers are the birds that need to be killed in the fall. They're not a danger to the rest of the flock as far as I know. Like Schuyler said, Jakes can be hard to tell from hens in the fall, and I don't have a problem with someone harvesting one during any season as long as they're happy with the hunt. Every day that I was in KY during season was spent in the field and I saw plenty of jakes on some farms, and very few on others so I agree with vabirddog about hatching success being regional. I still don't have a problem with one longbeard limits in the fall, because I'd much rather save them to hunt in the spring. I just don't understand why the 3rd district is taking the blame for the number of jakes, but maybe someone can enlighten me.

[Multidigits]

Tony, you have to know the reason that this came up to start with.

First, it was because Sky and several others from the 3rd(mostly) said the flock was in decline, and that the Depts. estimates of 200,000 to 225,000 birds was wrong. so, if you want more turkeys, you surely wouldn't want to kill more hens out of the flock.

Second, if you kill a gobbler in the fall, he sure won't gobble the next Spring but chances are he won't gobble much anyway because he's going to be a 3 or 4 year old. The bird that will gobble is the jake.

So if the objective is to have more birds in the flock and to have more gobbling in the Spring, you don't want to kill hens and jakes in the Fall.

But as mentioned, this whole change was directed at the proposed crossbow expansion, because it was going to deciamate the flock. Most knowledgable folks knew that it wouln't have much effect on either Spring or Fall.

As for one longbeard fall limit, it's not an issue the way it was, because of the very low take in the fall. You can count on your hands and feet the number of guys statewide that fill all 6 tags with longbeard turkeys.

Trying to make an enforcement issue out of it doesn't fly either. Makes no difference and it's easy to tell which is which when they're in the bag.

[predator]

It is those blamed _____ bows.;) :cool: That is what is destroying our turkey flock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I believe you are right!! Add in the feeding band and our turkeys don't stand a chance. I saw a bunch of them crossing the state line just before season came in!:rolleyes:

[Willie]

..........I saw a bunch of them crossing the state line just before season came in!:rolleyes:

They didn't come North... ;)



.

[hoosierwilk]

Guys here's my take on the season. I think is was pretty typical like years past. Granted, I didn't here as much gobbling as I usually do but I heard enough to chase birds. I hunted for a week in Mennifee county and worked at leat one bird every day. Because these birds are much smarter than me it took me the whole week to fill my tags. I don't know about the rest of you but the biggest problem I had was it was so dry in the woods I couldn't move on them like I would have liked. If I was patient enough, eventually I would get on a gobbler. hw

[KY HNTR]

1. DU spends too much money up north
2. Ethanol is in too high demand, they are plowing up the turkey nesting grounds to grow corn.
3. The cold weather made them fly past us to LA, and MS.
4. Pretty Boy and B-Mobile look too real, we should ban them, as well as semi-auto shotguns, and leafy camo suits.

Lighten up fellas. It was the most frustrating season I ever had from "working the birds", but I saw 5 hit the ground dead, only pulled the trigger on one. I got to hunt @12 days total this season, and each day was a learning experience.

Go catch some fish, and get your dove gun and bow ready for the month of Sept.

:D

[Xi Bowhunter]

It was a combination of things.
1. Not just bad, but terrible weather statewide, on opening weekend.
2. Bad hatch two years ago.
3. I believe we hit the season late this year. Youth was the prime weekend, it went down from there.

I was under the impression that 06 was a bad hatch also, which means next year will also be low. Did they not report that the 06 hatch was bad?
Right on the money about the terrible weather. I can't remember a season with weather all over the place like this one was.

[130orBust]

I would say that it was because of the lack of gobbling. Most people are use to running and gunning, and having bird hammer back at them. When that doesnt work like this year you have to hunt them like deer and wait them out. Not everyone has that kind of patience to get a turkey.

[cornbread]

I would say that 130orbust is right on the money. The birds gobbled less and did not responded to calling very well. Also, the entire season, I witnessed more hens going to toms than ever before. Several times I would be working a bird just to have a hen come running past me to him. This happened at all times of the day including the last day of the season. I love to run and gun but I purchased a Double Bull Matrix just in case next year is the same. I will be ready to wait them out.

[KYLimbHanger]

I love to run and gun but I purchased a Double Bull Matrix just in case next year is the same. I will be ready to wait them out.

That was our tactic this year, we got three gobblers that way. Sometimes you gotta deer hunt turkeys.

[NEVENUFFHP]

Guys, I too have switched my hunting strategy to using a blind, I have 2 birds this year because of it!, It seems like the places i hunt are getting harder to hunt the traditional way!

[Pinwheel8]

I'll never switch from run and gun. Blind hunting is fine for some folk, and nothing against it, just not for me. I called in 13 mature birds this year, including 3 off of the roost. Last year i struggled while it seemed everyone else was having a great year. That is why I love turkey hunting, never know what to expect.

[Willie]

Not sure about KY, but I atlked to the Indiana turkey biologist and he placed that low number harvest blame squarely on the poor 2005 hatch. He said that hatch was the worst ever recorded.

He also said that the Indiana 2006 hatch wasn't much better.

For me longbeard sightings and gobbling in KY and Indiana was few and far between. The bird I ended up killing was an old bird.

In both states I watched jakes (usually in gangs of 3 to 6) bully longbeards on several occasions. That had to show that the pecking order was out of whack..

[schuyler olt]

I understand going to the blinds, even though it's not the way I want or like to hunt them. But it's a valid technique.

I'm concerned though, that while we go through this down cycle, which got complicated by the weather we had, the temptation to resort to the "yellow yelper" is going to increase. I'm not saying that guys who use blinds use bait. All I'm saying that the desire to see birds, work birds and kill birds will increase baiting. There's a lot going on already--several years ago they issued 86 citations during the spring alone. I'm concerned that we'll see more of it.

Baiting turkeys is just about the worst thing we can do for the size of the flock. Hunt the way you want to hunt, and if you eat tag soup like I did this year, that's not bad in the long run. The birds need a breather until the cycle comes around.

[Willie]

No doubt that desperation can lead to taking illegal shortcuts for some. Too bad that some will resort to that just so they can get a bird.

Is it peer pressure that some succumb to?


I do believe that blind hunting will become more and more prevelant as hunters are squeezed more and more on the properties that they can hunt.

I have 40 acres to hunt in Indiana all to myself and that is not enough to run and gun. So I use a blind on the edge of a field. I use decoys and call every 15 minutes or so.

It does take a lot of patience, but it can be nice.

Read a book, drink coffee, eat a snack, take a short nap, listen to the radio, whiz whenever you have to, etc, etc, etc..

[mossyhorns]

Sky, I think you are right about the weather messing things up. We had birds patterned pretty good until the cold snap. Then they changed patterns altogether. They lost whatever green forbs had popped out early plus the bugs. Right after the cold spell, cornfields in our area looked like a barnyard lot from all the turkey tracks. I found birds out in the fields more from early morning on this year than ever before.

Also, since 2 yr old birds make up the bulk of the harvest, fluctuations in the hatch will show up in the second year.

[KYLimbHanger]

Lighten up fellas. It was the most frustrating season I ever had from "working the birds", but I saw 5 hit the ground dead, only pulled the trigger on one. I got to hunt @12 days total this season, and each day was a learning experience.

Go catch some fish, and get your dove gun and bow ready for the month of Sept.

:D

We had 6 big ones hit the ground....and yes it was frustrating. From what I can gather, those that did tag gobblers this year, tagged big gobblers. Be it the lack of 2 year olds or the dominant gobblers were "too dominant" this year. And yes, we are already getting the food plots ready, buliding stands, and looking forward to dove season.

[Multidigits]

I understand going to the blinds, even though it's not the way I want or like to hunt them. But it's a valid technique.

I'm concerned though, that while we go through this down cycle, which got complicated by the weather we had, the temptation to resort to the "yellow yelper" is going to increase. I'm not saying that guys who use blinds use bait. All I'm saying that the desire to see birds, work birds and kill birds will increase baiting. There's a lot going on already--several years ago they issued 86 citations during the spring alone. I'm concerned that we'll see more of it.

Baiting turkeys is just about the worst thing we can do for the size of the flock. Hunt the way you want to hunt, and if you eat tag soup like I did this year, that's not bad in the long run. The birds need a breather until the cycle comes around.


I doubt that anyone that would bait for turkeys has any desire to conserve the flock in any way. Just like Telechek, the ones that baited last year, and didn't get caught at it, are probably still doing it.

Blinds are helping kill more turkeys than crossbows ever thought about adding. Wonder why we're not as concerned about using them as some were with the X-bow expansion???? Blinds are especially deadly in the fall, taking even more of those longbeards and a lot more jakes than before away from the Spring hunter.

As for fluctuations in harvest, we only dropped down a few thousand birds statewide. In the past, some states like Ga. have seen prior harvests as much as a half of the good years.

[Bee]

Ky still has the best spring gobbler hunting out there if you ask me. I base this on my personal observations from having hunted six states this spring and killed birds in all of them and tagged out in several. Not a brag, not meant to start a rucus, just saying it is really good in ky , and i have hunted some exceptinally good places in other states too, and I would not change a thing if I were running Ky program except maybe limit kill to one jake a year out of the two bird spring male limit.

[ptbrauch]

It was me. I accidentally flipped on the opposite switch. You see, in years past, coming and going to the farm I hunt, I would only see 1 or 2 turkeys, and hear about 20 gobbling on the farm.

But this year, I only heard 2 gobbling on the farm and would see about 20 on the way home.

Also in years past, I would never see them out in the fields struttin' or showing off on the farm. This year, they were out there in other people's fields in full glory, struttin' with all they had.

So guys, I'm sorry.

[turk2di]

Sorry for what?