Hunting pressure

[arkrem870]

Just remember.... When you consume. Like. And subscribe to those pimping the wild turkey you are also a part of the problem. Hunt for yourself. Keep it secret. Keep it safe.

[Fullfan]

Been hunting SE Mo for the past 32 years, more guys this year than all the others. Arkansas, Miss, Fla, and Ill were some of the vehicle plates I saw.  Camps in places there have never been camps, one had 5 vehicles parked.

[silvestris]

Hang on there Mr. Silvestris.......didn't that turkey hunting buddy of yours write a turkey hunting book that sold quite a few copies and likely inspired many young hunters to try to add turkeys to their specialty??  That hardly seems like he was keeping it quiet??

Kenny would be sick had he had foreseen what the "sport" would morph into. 

[Old Swamper]

Hang on there Mr. Silvestris.......didn't that turkey hunting buddy of yours write a turkey hunting book that sold quite a few copies and likely inspired many young hunters to try to add turkeys to their specialty??  That hardly seems like he was keeping it quiet??  I love the old ways of not telling anyone anything, but those days are over.  It will get worse and many of the Johnny Come Lately's will drop off when their bride drops their first child, and they will take up crappie fishing.  Y'all just hang tight and don't get the scowers over it.  I can't wait for DH88 to have 3 kids;)

I agree with this. Almost all of the slammer/tuber types I meet hunt turkeys for all the wrong reasons. As pressure and turkey numbers continue to drop, it will weed out most all of them in short order. 98% of them ain't that good anyway. Even without seeing their tags, north mountain leafy jackets, gaitors, and over priced,  western "goat hunting" camo are dead giveaways of what you are dealing with. I enjoy laughing at them, especially in their face, and then just walking away. Not very friendly, I know, but I dont have much respect for any of them. That is how I have "adapted".

[Shiloh]

I started working on killing one in all 49 states many years ago.  I have a business and a family that doesn't allow me to take more than a week or two a year.  I could care less at this point whether I finish the "slam".  I just wanna take my boys and teach them the right way. 

[Paulmyr]

I would imagine many of the younger turkey hunters you see today were introduced to it by fathers who's tarted turkey hunting in the 90's and early 2000's and now they've reached an age where they can go off on their own and just like DH88 started chasing the slam. Seems DH88 might have more in common with them than he thinks. Is it possible he see's what it has become and is trying to distance himself from it by blaming YouTube and social media?

[arkrem870]

I would imagine many of the younger turkey hunters you see today were introduced to it by fathers who's tarted turkey hunting in the 90's and early 2000's and now they've reached an age where they can go off on their own and just like DH88 started chasing the slam. Seems DH88 might have more in common with them than he thinks. Is it possible he see's what it has become and is trying to distance himself from it by blaming YouTube and social media?

I dont believe this to be correct for one minute. The majority of young turkey hunters were taught by friends and the internet.

Not all turkey hunters are after fame and attention. And you will see more anonymity in the future. As hunters lose opportunity to quotas, season changes, non resident restrictions it will be come necessity. While the chest beaters pound away the silent majority will be doing what they can to stay in the spring woods.

We've already seen people wising up over the last couple years and more are coming around to the idea of hunting silently. It's making a circle.

[Tail Feathers]

I know two guys who finished their US slam, one just this year.  I know they had a lot of fun along the way but one of them mentioned it will be nice to just hunt and enjoy the places.  He has a bunch that he would like to re-visit and hunt slower and learn more about.  The best part they all mentioned, was the people they met along the way.  Every one of them had some great encounters and  met some really good people in their journeys.

[WV Flopper]

I won't drink your Kool aid.

Maybe, try TV evangelist, they get to pound their chest, have people circle them and make piles of money spewing their crap.

Nobody really sees it, until the photos of the prostitutes. Then half will still ignore the prostitutes.

[arkrem870]

I won't drink your Kool aid.

Maybe, try TV evangelist, they get to pound their chest, have people circle them and make piles of money spewing their crap.

Nobody really sees it, until the photos of the prostitutes. Then half will still ignore the prostitutes.

Exactly.....and the tv evangelist are the social media / YouTubers pimping out wild turkeys. Perfect analogy!

[WV Flopper]

Exactly the problem, your 180 degrees off.

Its people trying to stop hunter involvement and recruitment. It's people with their sky is fallen and You Tube put the whole in the atmosphere. It's "State" tourism departments poning up money to show case their state. Is State DNR yearly showing their kills.

With all the sky is falling, alot of states are seeing above 5 years average harvests and some record harvest numbers for this year.

Many states are crying and complaining about license sales declining and having been in decline. How do these DNR's operate.... You don't think their promotions aren't seen?

Keep pounding your chest, less are hearing it.

States themselves are to blame more than any. Some states are figuring that out and back peddling.

[arkrem870]

Naw....you nailed the social media types.

Glad I never worked for state DNR or turkey hunted for 30 + years....still trying to get a handle

[3bailey3]

Kinda surprised to see some of you guys bashing DH88 for what he has accomplished. I have known him since he was a kid starting out only through forum,PM's and text. Him and his dad started traveling and hunting and doing really well! I have never heard him post or talk much about his quest. He now works for our game and fish to help with our turkeys and I think he has grown into a really fine youg man! I feel blessed to have received a text and pics from his last two birds! Congrats to you as I always called you on our old site, Turkeyhunt1988!

[Hook hanger]

I seen alot of people out enjoying the early spring we had this year. I would say overall i seen more pressure on public and private this year than in the past (except 2020). I don't know the fix for the crowding except it will eventually work itself out. If it turns to big money and leases the public will be so crowded that it would have to go to a lottery draw for safety reasons and harvest management.

[WV Flopper]

Naw....you nailed the social media types.

Glad I never worked for state DNR or turkey hunted for 30 + years....still trying to get a handle

After 30 years of being an electrician I learn things daily. I evolve in my job, I adapt in my job. I am not always right. But! I learn from my short comings.

You Sir, are stuck on your agenda and too blind to see it! Possibly don't want to admit to the sinking ships and 30 years in the department?