Post by ridgecommander on Jan 28, 2013 7:45:26 GMT -5
Well, with many of our seasons winding down, thoughts turn towards our spring turkey season which I really enjoy.
Don H and I have gone round and round on this but I really wish our season woud start earlier, or at least have a spilt start to the season as our geographical areas are vastly different.
I know the SW and SE parts of the state experience a much earlier greenup that other areas. This past opening day found me trying to find a area in my turkey woods where the weeds were not over my thighs and my visibility was more than 20 yards. Gobbling was nil this last season and I saw gobblers in bachelor groups by the second week. Hens with poults the first week.
I have read the management reports and the reasons why we start our season when we do. Alot of talk about photoperiodism being the main influence. I firmly believe, based on observations over the years that with birds, weather is the main influence of nesting and breeding behavior. We see it with turkeys, cardinals and house finches. Early spring, early breeding and nesting.
We have fall turkey season with differing lengths to them based on WMU. Why not the spring seasons and start dates and end dates. The youth season is a consideration, I understand.
I wonder at times why in many states with exploding turkey populations their spring seasons often start with snow still on the ground and way before the time periods that our plan says that we must not disturb the turkeys. Are their plans different than ours or do they perceive the hunting pressure as not influential on turkey breeding behavior. Maybe it is because of less hunters?
The past ten years, our green up has been earlier and earlier in these parts. I miss the days when I would hit our woods on the opening and see the trees just beginning to bud out, the gobblers thundering from the roost on every point and agressive breeding behavior throughout the season. That was what used to greet us. Not any longer.
Don H and I have gone round and round on this but I really wish our season woud start earlier, or at least have a spilt start to the season as our geographical areas are vastly different.
I know the SW and SE parts of the state experience a much earlier greenup that other areas. This past opening day found me trying to find a area in my turkey woods where the weeds were not over my thighs and my visibility was more than 20 yards. Gobbling was nil this last season and I saw gobblers in bachelor groups by the second week. Hens with poults the first week.
I have read the management reports and the reasons why we start our season when we do. Alot of talk about photoperiodism being the main influence. I firmly believe, based on observations over the years that with birds, weather is the main influence of nesting and breeding behavior. We see it with turkeys, cardinals and house finches. Early spring, early breeding and nesting.
We have fall turkey season with differing lengths to them based on WMU. Why not the spring seasons and start dates and end dates. The youth season is a consideration, I understand.
I wonder at times why in many states with exploding turkey populations their spring seasons often start with snow still on the ground and way before the time periods that our plan says that we must not disturb the turkeys. Are their plans different than ours or do they perceive the hunting pressure as not influential on turkey breeding behavior. Maybe it is because of less hunters?
The past ten years, our green up has been earlier and earlier in these parts. I miss the days when I would hit our woods on the opening and see the trees just beginning to bud out, the gobblers thundering from the roost on every point and agressive breeding behavior throughout the season. That was what used to greet us. Not any longer.
