Worst Tennessee season in 11 years

[woodsman87]

Yall should know by now that I have been an advocate in the southern middle counties about the decline. Well it has seem to have gotten worse in my areas. The other two guys I know really well that hunt around here say the same thing. I do not know what you other guys have observed, and I am sure some of you do not believe me, but it is happening.
The biggest concern for me now is my best spot in Lincoln county has fallen way Down. It has steadily gone down since 2007 or 2008.
A 900 acre cattle operation with mixed hardwoods and huge pastures, has seemingly only 2 gobblers on it.

Sorry for the rant, I wish somebody that was in charge could try to tell us what was happening and what they were trying to do for fixing it.

And before any of you guys say that they just aren't gobbling is not the case for me. They are not there to gobble. I have been turkey hunting a long time, and I am starting to think deep down that there may not be a huntable population 10-15 years from now.


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[Setterman]

There aren't anywhere near the numbers of birds in the places I hunt that there were in years past. This year has been the least gobbling year I've ever experienced in 25 or more years of chasing these critters. The only shred of good news is that there are plenty of jakes, so maybe it will improve but with every one having gobs of tags the jake harvest where I hunt is ridiculous because of the lack of gobbling birds most days. I've talked to several other hunter who've killed 3 or 4 each. These aren't friends just folks I run into while I'm out.

I've killed some birds this year, but it's been as tough as I can remember to even find a bird to work most mornings.

With that said KY was insane, I honestly feel I could have killed 20 birds with little effort, the numbers of birds gobbling each morning was astounding. Keep in mind that the areas I hunt in KY are many times only a mile or two from where I hunt in TN. It's a whole different world up there.

I think we are feeling the impacts of several things. Limits that are way too high, a couple of poor production years, idiots on 4 wheelers who can access every square inch of mountain, jake killing at high levels, and a really weird spring.

It still baffles me why we have a 4 bird spring limit. And makes no biological sense.

 

[Mike Belt]

What's the limit in Ky?

 

[Setterman]

What's the limit in Ky?

3 week season and 2 bird limit.

Ours 6 week season and 4 bird limit

 

[AT Hiker]

What's the limit in Ky?

1 buck, haha!

I think KY is 2 but they have a season opener that is late and a shorter season.


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[scn]

I agree that the bag limit is way too high for the current TN flock. From input I have received, a lot of your regional biologists feel the same.

The TFWC will set the turkey seasons in May with the rest of the seasons. If you think there needs to be a bag limit reduction, let them know during the current comment period that I think goes through May 18. It is on the TWRA website, and has been linked on here a couple of places.

Lowering the bag limit will not casue ANY biological issues. If a lowered limit is what the majority of hunters want, I think the Commission will listen regardless of some TWRA staff whose philosphy seems to be to hunt them as hard as you can until you have to do another turkey restoration.

 

[Setterman]

Just another comparison.

KY has killed the same number of birds as we have statewide, their season has been open for 2 weeks and ours has been open for 4 weeks. Less hunters in KY as well.

Hunting has changed so much since we went to the 4 bird limit, back then there wasn't such a huge percentage of hunters using various tactics to kill turkeys that takes little if any skill. Therefore you had more birds surviving because they weren't being killed by people who wouldn't stand a chance due to fanning, strutters, blinds etc being new and underutilized.

Now it seems the vast majority of non killers are killing numerous birds because the sport has been dumb downed to where everyone can kill several birds with very little effort of skill.

That has to have an impact

 

[Roost 1]

From a management standpoint KY makes sure most of the hens are bred before the season opens, which is why some call it a late season. I think it is sound management myself.....Like I have said before middle TN has more birds than any place I can think of except TX. The problem with a 4 bird limit is the guys that kill 8-10. Those same guys will kill 4-5 in KY because the limit is only 2...No telling how many times I have heard someone say, " A good turkey hunter always has an unfilled tag." Well I think some are seeing fruits of their labor........Now before the flaming begins this is just my opinion from a guy that only hunts turkey in TN 5-7 days per year..Its just my opinion, nothing more.
Also let me add, and this has been talked about on here before, but it is way easier to kill birds today with the technology available fans, decoys, blinds, etc.... So I really believe less birds are being carried over from season to season. Now someone might come back and say well the harvest numbers don't reflect this, to this I'll fall back on the fact the birds are NOT being checked in...TWRA made critical error in their tagging system by not mandating that harvest log be filled out before the animal is moved........Once again just one man's opinion and a non-resident at that.

 

[Roost 1]

I guess Setterman and myself think a little alike.....

 

[TheRealSpurhunter]

Just another comparison.

KY has killed the same number of birds as we have statewide, their season has been open for 2 weeks and ours has been open for 4 weeks. Less hunters in KY as well.

Hunting has changed so much since we went to the 4 bird limit, back then there wasn't such a huge percentage of hunters using various tactics to kill turkeys that takes little if any skill. Therefore you had more birds surviving because they weren't being killed by people who wouldn't stand a chance due to fanning, strutters, blinds etc being new and underutilized.

Now it seems the vast majority of non killers are killing numerous birds because the sport has been dumb downed to where everyone can kill several birds with very little effort of skill.

That has to have an impact

Good grief man, you have some good points, then you start it up again with all these derogatory ASSumptions about the general populace. Give it a rest. :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

 

[woodsman87]

I still do not believe that bag limits have a huge effect on population. Yes it does hurt some carry over from year to year, but as long as all hens are bred it doesn't matter.

The bag limit at four is ok the way hunting used to be done. Now everybody can kill turkeys because of strutter decoys takes all skill out of it.

Yes Tennessee I believe made a mistake changing the tag system. Yes it is easier and I do it from my smart phone like most people but I am honest, and I did not mind having to take an animal to a check station.

Alabama I believe has done the wrong thing by legalizing decoys some 10 years ago or so. Just like Tennessee, Alabama hunters can now kill their limit easy with no skill using strutter decoys.

The Alabama limit of five and Tennessee limit of 4 maybe have been ok before the surge of decoys and duck/deer hunters started invading.

I usually limit out or come close every year. I realize technically I can still kill another bird or two, but I will not because there aren't any to kill.

Thank God that I get to go though, and that I killed four in Alabama and one in Florida.

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[BILLBENDER]

I have the same sentiments as many here about this season and the tactics that are being used to kill turkeys. This season has been a real eye opener for not just me but many of what I consider proven turkey killers. Between the numbers and rise in the number of hunters something needs to be done whether it be adjusting seasons, bag limits, tactics legally used, etc. I complete agree with the check in system comment. Even though it's convenient it's not used by many hunters properly and honestly I miss the days of going to the check in station even if I didn't kill anything just to see what how everyone did and hear stories. I'm not against decoys and used them in my early days of hunting but I hated lugging the stupid things around and can say without question they hurt more hunts for me than they helped

 

[Setterman]

From a management standpoint KY makes sure most of the hens are bred before the season opens, which is why some call it a late season. I think it is sound management myself.....Like I have said before middle TN has more birds than any place I can think of except TX. The problem with a 4 bird limit is the guys that kill 8-10. Those same guys will kill 4-5 in KY because the limit is only 2...No telling how many times I have heard someone say, " A good turkey hunter always has an unfilled tag." Well I think some are seeing fruits of their labor........Now before the flaming begins this is just my opinion from a guy that only hunts turkey in TN 5-7 days per year..Its just my opinion, nothing more.
Also let me add, and this has been talked about on here before, but it is way easier to kill birds today with the technology available fans, decoys, blinds, etc.... So I really believe less birds are being carried over from season to season. Now someone might come back and say well the harvest numbers don't reflect this, to this I'll fall back on the fact the birds are NOT being checked in...TWRA made critical error in their tagging system by not mandating that harvest log be filled out before the animal is moved........Once again just one man's opinion and a non-resident at that.

You're spot on with the tagged birds stuff, I've known a few over the years that played by those rules. The eventually realized the risks weren't worth it and began to take others to shoot who were struggling or kids.

 

[Setterman]

Just another comparison.

KY has killed the same number of birds as we have statewide, their season has been open for 2 weeks and ours has been open for 4 weeks. Less hunters in KY as well.

Hunting has changed so much since we went to the 4 bird limit, back then there wasn't such a huge percentage of hunters using various tactics to kill turkeys that takes little if any skill. Therefore you had more birds surviving because they weren't being killed by people who wouldn't stand a chance due to fanning, strutters, blinds etc being new and underutilized.

Now it seems the vast majority of non killers are killing numerous birds because the sport has been dumb downed to where everyone can kill several birds with very little effort of skill.

That has to have an impact

Good grief man, you have some good points, then you start it up again with all these derogatory ASSumptions about the general populace. Give it a rest. :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

I'm not the only one who feels this way...

And it's not derogatory, it's a fact. Sorry you don't like the truth.

 

[darn2ten]

The decline is definitely real in southern middle. There are places that I hunted just 3-4 years ago that I won't even go now. If there even is a gobbler or two on those places, they don't need killing. One thing that has caught my attention this year is a huge lack of jake sightings. I've seen 3 total, 2 on 1 place and 1 on another. Hens the same way, there just declining at a very concerning rate. I also believe what Roost1 said happens a lot. I don't believe limit numbers mean anything to some people, just way to easy to get away with. Don't really know what the true problem is or the answer, it's all just speculation. Really feel like it's a combination of factors. Spring storms and tornadoes/ bad hatches, increase in predators, over harvest, possible disease.... One things for sure, something has got to be done or we're in serious jeopardy of not having a huntable population in my area within the next 5 years if the trend continues.

 

[Boll Weevil]

I'd be interested to know what the HUNTER population is these days and what the trend looks like. We spend a lot of time talking about number of hens, jakes, toms, poults, skunks, possums, and armodillos but I'm of the opinion that the number of hunters is far more than in the past. Even if these hunters only killed a bird or 2 each year, if the recruitment rate doesn't keep up it can become an issue. I wonder if TWRA tracks this data?

 

[catman529]

I think the bag limits may be more of an issue than decoys on public land...birds don't like dekes on WMAs as much as a private farm full of turkeys.


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[catman529]

I'd be interested to know what the HUNTER population is these days and what the trend looks like. We spend a lot of time talking about number of hens, jakes, toms, poults, skunks, possums, and armodillos but I'm of the opinion that the number of hunters is far more than in the past. Even if these hunters only killed a bird or 2 each year, if the recruitment rate doesn't keep up it can become an issue. I wonder if TWRA tracks this data?

sure TWRA does track it, but I'm not sure if the public has access to that info.

Public land around here has seen a huge increase in out of state hunters


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[callemquacktn]

I know of a father/ son team that 2 yrs ago killed 24 turkeys between the 2 of them in Marshall and maury county. They are big time farmers and had tons of land. They were the first in our area to start the fanning deal. 20 something of those 24 were killed that way. I turned their names into twra and never heard more about it.
Last yr they killed like 12. This yr they haven't even gotten 4 apiece. That in my opinion is what is wrong with the turkey population

 

[woodsman87]

Tndeer.com turkey forum will be the demise of yanahli.

I remember growing up you wouldn't even tell your brother where a turkey was unless you wanted to arrive with three other trucks there.

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[AT Hiker]

Tndeer.com turkey forum will be the demise of yanahli.

I remember growing up you wouldn't even tell your brother where a turkey was unless you wanted to arrive with three other trucks there.

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Yep and deer hunters have flocked there as well. Was just told about a group that hunted it (or some middle TN public land) and they basically tagged out.

Fall Creek Falls archery hunt was packed too, times must be getting tough when 50 plus people show up to hunt plateau turkeys with a bow on the second week of TN state wide season.


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[Setterman]

Tndeer.com turkey forum will be the demise of yanahli.

I remember growing up you wouldn't even tell your brother where a turkey was unless you wanted to arrive with three other trucks there.

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There's only one person other then me who knows exactly where I hunt. We share our spots and do not tell a soul. I'd sell a child into a labor camp before I gave out turkey Intel anywhere I hunt

 

[JKC]

They are some on here that if the limit was 10 they will kill 9 and raise hell because there is no turkeys to kill. Just because the limit is 4 doesn't mean that you have to kill 4 and just because you can kill hens in the fall doesn't mean you have to kill them.

 

[catman529]

Tndeer.com turkey forum will be the demise of yanahli.

it already is

I was a part of it a while back, posted too much info, but now have seen so many more vehicles and boot tracks this year than in the past 5. And it was even hunted heavily 5 years ago.

There never was a turkey behind every tree, but the hunting was decent. Now whatever turkeys are left are behind every boundary marker, on other farms.

Might look elsewhere for my thanksgiving turkey this fall...


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[Setterman]

They are some on here that if the limit was 10 they will kill 9 and raise hell because there is no turkeys to kill. Just because the limit is 4 doesn't mean that you have to kill 4 and just because you can kill hens in the fall doesn't mean you have to kill them.

If things are so peachy then why are harvest totals declining? Why are states with lower limits, less hunters, and shorter seasons killing the same amount of birds as we do with the above variables?

 

[ImThere]

Tndeer.com turkey forum will be the demise of yanahli.

I remember growing up you wouldn't even tell your brother where a turkey was unless you wanted to arrive with three other trucks there.

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Especially when people aren't smart enough to to quit using the name of the wma in there posts
Sorry if that offends you but dang why bich about it then name it? SMH

 

[muddyboots]

It got bad here 2 years after the limit went up. That's just how I remember when it happened. I used to think the limit was the problem but the limit is still 4 and our hunting has improved but not back where it was. I see more gobblers than hens. So for some reason hen numbers are declining.

Also on the spots. I have 2 leases and which I kill on is a toss up to people who aren't really close. No one knows where I kill unless they witness. Lol. People watch Facebook nowadays and unsuccessful hunters will figure out where u are at. I don't Facebook but my wife does. There are lots and I mean lots of turkey hunters and most are not very good at it.

 

[JKC]

They are some on here that if the limit was 10 they will kill 9 and raise hell because there is no turkeys to kill. Just because the limit is 4 doesn't mean that you have to kill 4 and just because you can kill hens in the fall doesn't mean you have to kill them.

If things are so peachy then why are harvest totals declining? Why are states with lower limits, less hunters, and shorter seasons killing the same amount of birds as we do with the above variables?

I hear what you are saying, but it can't hurt not to kill the limit and it can't hurt not to kill hens.

 

[Setterman]

They are some on here that if the limit was 10 they will kill 9 and raise hell because there is no turkeys to kill. Just because the limit is 4 doesn't mean that you have to kill 4 and just because you can kill hens in the fall doesn't mean you have to kill them.

If things are so peachy then why are harvest totals declining? Why are states with lower limits, less hunters, and shorter seasons killing the same amount of birds as we do with the above variables?

I hear what you are saying, but it can't hurt not to kill the limit and it can't hurt not to kill hens.

Agreed on both

 

[woodsman87]

Tndeer.com turkey forum will be the demise of yanahli.

I remember growing up you wouldn't even tell your brother where a turkey was unless you wanted to arrive with three other trucks there.

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Especially when people aren't smart enough to to quit using the name of the wma in there posts
Sorry if that offends you but dang why bich about it then name it? SMH

I do not hunt yanahli. In fact, you and catman are the main two I am referring to that got on tndeer.com talking about yanahli.





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