New proposed turkey season structure

[klecker]

It's Senate Bill LRB-2804/2

Summary:

1. Provides simplification of turkey hunting regulations, and seasons 2. Creates greater turkey hunting opportunity by providing more days a field 3. Allow turkey hunters more flexibility in scheduling their hunts, providing a quality hunting experience for all 4. Requires the DNR to issue over the counter turkey licenses, stamps, and a tag to each qualified resident or nonresident that applies for the license, eliminating the need for a preference system. 5. Over the counter sales will ensure that anyone applying for a turkey tag will receive one 6. Eliminates the short 5 day spring periods and replaces them with a continuous six week season just like the fall. 7. Codifies the DNR administrative rules setting the fall and spring hunting season, the seven hunting zones, the hours of the spring hunt, and the start and end season dates in the statutes. 8. Allows a valid turkey license to be used in all seven turkey hunting zones for the entire season in both the spring and fall. 9. Permits the DNR to issue additional zone specific turkey tags, at a fee, when the resource can sustain additional hunting opportunity. 10. Establishes fees for the additional tags at $9.75 for residents and $14.75 for nonresidents, as is current law. 11. Allows hunters to register their wild turkey carcasses via the telephone or Internet. 12. Permits qualified students enrolled at a public or private university in the state to be eligible for a resident turkey hunting license.

[DonBo]

I can see where this would save the DNR the funds needed to implement the drawing system now in place, but I sure do like hunters divided into their own time periods. I've hunted other states with an open season and the pressure, especially the first few weeks, is tremendous.

I can also see access to some private lands harder to come by too. If a landowner knows he can hunt the entire season he may not be as open to allowing others on his property.

I guess I could see this coming but I'm sure gonna miss the current system.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

It all sounds OK but I think there would be a chance of over harvest. It also may make some of the more popular areas in the Southeast more dangerous and people could be accidently shot.

Whoops!!! I thought this was a Minnesota proposal...

[GatorBait]

Ya, saw this coming. I don't necessarily agree with it. For everyone to get a tag and have six weeks to fill it is going to result in big numbers for harvest. I remember when I had to travel 100miles just to bag a turkey, and they've since done a great job introducing turkeys to this wonderful state, but it's gonna be overkill. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[klecker]

Wasn't to sure when i first read about this but as i thought about it for awhile. I have come to like the idea. Sure the first two weeks will be tough. But the weekdays should be all right as people will have six weekends now. How many people will actually go out for six weekends? Once fishing starts it should really quite down. Not quite sure about the over harvest since we dont even have enough hunters applying now for all the tags avaliable. WE had 70000 (or close to)left over tags last year. These birds will get smart alot faster now. Our population mimics Missouri, their pop is doing fine.

[Cooter]

Hmmmmm, have to give it some thought but my initial reaction was that I don't like it. Totally agree with DonBos point on access with landowners - plus it will be about impossible for them to know when and who is going to be on their land. When you ask permission almost always the first question they ask is what season do you have. If they or friends/relatives are not hunting then its usually ok.