New Jersey just cancelled fall turkey hunting

[Will]

Why not a fall season where gobblers can only be taken. If numbers are that low then the fall gobbler tag would count against your spring tag. You'd still have fall hunters who like fall turkey hunting

[Bowguy]

There's absolutely no need to shoot hens

X10, in this particular moment in time when we All see declines in populations in our country.

Agreed!

[Ihuntoldschool]

Politics won't allow that. The guys that push these knee jerk reactions certainly don't want FALL turkey hunters killing " their" gobblers....

Why not a fall season where gobblers can only be taken. If numbers are that low then the fall gobbler tag would count against your spring tag. You'd still have fall hunters who like fall turkey hunting

[TrackeySauresRex]

Res and non the same. One per day for end of April, full month May.  You can get one every permit you buy and lots of areas have permits leftover. Certain zones they could cut the number in half and come no where reaching season permit quota. 
I know guys take 15-20 birds springtime alone.
No reason for anyone to take more than 1-2 at the current population levels. They're anemic in the northern part of state

I'm in a few southern zones and the population isn't what it is for certain. I'm in the spring wood approx 20 times in a spring season between hunting and scouting. You can't get another permit in the same week in a good zone, they sell out. I've also been denied as a resident in the lottery before in certain zones.
  I'm usually a 3 state hunter. My home state is on all public. Nj is definitely declining in my areas.
This one definitely raises a flag (respectfully) 15/20 permits and your license is close to 5 hundo. Holy crow! That percentage rate is amazing in a 36 day season. They would qualify for the turkey hunting hall of fame.  Im no Lt. ColombO, but I'd know where I'd be sniffing around. 
 

[Bowguy]

Res and non the same. One per day for end of April, full month May.  You can get one every permit you buy and lots of areas have permits leftover. Certain zones they could cut the number in half and come no where reaching season permit quota. 
I know guys take 15-20 birds springtime alone.
No reason for anyone to take more than 1-2 at the current population levels. They're anemic in the northern part of state

I'm in a few southern zones and the population isn't what it is for certain. I'm in the spring wood approx 20 times in a spring season between hunting and scouting. You can't get another permit in the same week in a good zone, they sell out. I've also been denied as a resident in the lottery before in certain zones.
  I'm usually a 3 state hunter. My home state is on all public. Nj is definitely declining in my areas.
This one definitely raises a flag (respectfully) 15/20 permits and your license is close to 5 hundo. Holy crow! That percentage rate is amazing in a 36 day season. They would qualify for the turkey hunting hall of fame.  Im no Lt. ColombO, but I'd know where I'd be sniffing around. 
 

South Jersey is dif than north Jersey. Gotta be honest comment bout the numbers showed you're  drawing conclusions you know nothing about.
First I never said they were all shot legally. Secondly I'm not some dramatic kid making stories up to prove a point. Some guys don't know what they don't know. Nothing I said is incorrect. Just because you find it incredulous doesn't mean it's not true.
The point about legality does not pertain to outside the season or time limits hunting. Shooting too many, multiple at once. Trespassing where hunting is off limits, etc but only when they bought multiple permits a week to show ability to be in the woods w a gun.
Look n see how many permits are available in north Jersey still. How come? No one wants em. There are almost no birds.

[Bowguy]

Why not a fall season where gobblers can only be taken. If numbers are that low then the fall gobbler tag would count against your spring tag. You'd still have fall hunters who like fall turkey hunting

The tags are spring or fall tags. The spring tags are only good 4-10 days dependent. Most 5 days and only good at that timeframe but I agree with your idea. Make it a 2 bird limit statewide spring/fall and give the turkey hunter 2 tags total to use at will keeping a fall gobbler season. The only prob would be the "hunt" culture in NJ is basically all baiters. Not sure some guys could take em without a camera and corn but turkey would gang rush corn piles and now you have other issues

[Ol Timer]

Let me set this thing straight for those that don't live in NJ. The state agencies are run by the political party (Bear Hunting was canceled because of a political promise in a campaign) running the show.The F@W management has failed in so many ways to control the wildlife and habitat in NJ, it been a money grab for decades with money that should go back WMA but doesn't, the entire hunting and fishing regulations need to be changed to prevent a collapse of the hunter heritage in the state with no one buying licenses for anything. If you can get biologist that understand the environment we need for a better wildlife management program and not let the politicians and insurance companies control it.

[Bowguy]

Let me set this thing straight for those that don't live in NJ. The state agencies are run by the political party (Bear Hunting was canceled because of a political promise in a campaign) running the show.The F@W management has failed in so many ways to control the wildlife and habitat in NJ, it been a money grab for decades with money that should go back WMA but doesn't, the entire hunting and fishing regulations need to be changed to prevent a collapse of the hunter heritage in the state with no one buying licenses for anything. If you can get biologist that understand the environment we need for a better wildlife management program and not let the politicians and insurance companies control it.

If I had a like button I'd push it

[joey46]

I do have a like button and pushed it.  Maybe a reason some don't have one.  LOL.

[Tom007]

I was a hunter education instructor for over 15 years in NJ. I saw the early days of turkey hunting through the present. It definitely is down, at least in the Northern part of the state obviously due to declining populations. The Southern part of the state is getting pounded now, hopefully this won't lead to population declines there too. We all know this is definitely a possible outcome. Unfortunately hunting permits in NJ are a huge source of income to the division. The Fall season cancellation is the lesser of two evils regarding this revenue, as Fall permit sales have seriously declined in recent years. Unfortunately it seems that money is more important than the resource here which is sad. Hopefully the turkeys will rebound for us all, only time will tell.

[TrackeySauresRex]

Res and non the same. One per day for end of April, full month May.  You can get one every permit you buy and lots of areas have permits leftover. Certain zones they could cut the number in half and come no where reaching season permit quota. 
I know guys take 15-20 birds springtime alone.
No reason for anyone to take more than 1-2 at the current population levels. They're anemic in the northern part of state

I'm in a few southern zones and the population isn't what it is for certain. I'm in the spring wood approx 20 times in a spring season between hunting and scouting. You can't get another permit in the same week in a good zone, they sell out. I've also been denied as a resident in the lottery before in certain zones.
  I'm usually a 3 state hunter. My home state is on all public. Nj is definitely declining in my areas.
This one definitely raises a flag (respectfully) 15/20 permits and your license is close to 5 hundo. Holy crow! That percentage rate is amazing in a 36 day season. They would qualify for the turkey hunting hall of fame.  Im no Lt. ColombO, but I'd know where I'd be sniffing around. 
 

South Jersey is dif than north Jersey. Gotta be honest comment bout the numbers showed you're  drawing conclusions you know nothing about.
First I never said they were all shot legally. Secondly I'm not some dramatic kid making stories up to prove a point. Some guys don't know what they don't know. Nothing I said is incorrect. Just because you find it incredulous doesn't mean it's not true.
The point about legality does not pertain to outside the season or time limits hunting. Shooting too many, multiple at once. Trespassing where hunting is off limits, etc but only when they bought multiple permits a week to show ability to be in the woods w a gun.
Look n see how many permits are available in north Jersey still. How come? No one wants em. There are almost no birds.

    Less then 1% on the Nj population hunts. I'd have to guess what ever that number is it would be smaller for turkey hunters. As a 40 year all around sportsman license holder, I'm very aware of our permit availability and the system and how it works. I remember when Rockaway was the turkey capital of Nj, a LONG time ago. I've hunted all over the state. One thing I did learn, I don't hunt where the turkeys aren't. That's why I'm down south.  I'm not purchasing a permit for zone 10 to hunt in Newark where there's no birds, if ya catch my drift. If I'm lucky enough to tag out on opening day, I may consider hunting up north in another zone because of the availability. If I shoot one it's a great year. If I shoot 2 or 3 it's an exceptionally great year and I put the time in. Again a 3 state hunter.
I would think, taking 15/20 birds in a zone where they're struggling shouldn't sit well with anyone. Especially if they're cheating.
I don't have any confidence in my state agencies.
   

Let me set this thing straight for those that don't live in NJ. The state agencies are run by the political party (Bear Hunting was canceled because of a political promise in a campaign) running the show.The F@W management has failed in so many ways to control the wildlife and habitat in NJ, it been a money grab for decades with money that should go back WMA but doesn't, the entire hunting and fishing regulations need to be changed to prevent a collapse of the hunter heritage in the state with no one buying licenses for anything. If you can get biologist that understand the environment we need for a better wildlife management program and not let the politicians and insurance companies control it.

100% I have zero confidence in our system at all. Out of all the WMA's here in the southern section, probably 25% is actually huntable. It is the ugliest, nastiest, Hairy, Shtuff you can imagine. Controlled burns are a must and there definitely isn't enough of em. Absolutely horrible turkey habitat.

The bear hunt was a battle and will always be most likely. Hopefully we can keep it.

[TrackeySauresRex]

I was a hunter education instructor for over 15 years in NJ. I saw the early days of turkey hunting through the present. It definitely is down, at least in the Northern part of the state obviously due to declining populations. The Southern part of the state is getting pounded now, hopefully this won't lead to population declines there too. We all know this is definitely a possible outcome. Unfortunately hunting permits in NJ are a huge source of income to the division. The Fall season cancellation is the lesser of two evils regarding this revenue, as Fall permit sales have seriously declined in recent years. Unfortunately it seems that money is more important than the resource here which is sad. Hopefully the turkeys will rebound for us all, only time will tell.

Thank you for paving the way for our future hunters Sir. Your 15 years of service is greatly appreciated.

  Yes, I've been saying this for a good bit now. It's all about the revenue. At least they admitted there is a problem now. I would hope the next step is to reduced permit sales and go to a two bird limit. 

[Tom007]

I was a hunter education instructor for over 15 years in NJ. I saw the early days of turkey hunting through the present. It definitely is down, at least in the Northern part of the state obviously due to declining populations. The Southern part of the state is getting pounded now, hopefully this won't lead to population declines there too. We all know this is definitely a possible outcome. Unfortunately hunting permits in NJ are a huge source of income to the division. The Fall season cancellation is the lesser of two evils regarding this revenue, as Fall permit sales have seriously declined in recent years. Unfortunately it seems that money is more important than the resource here which is sad. Hopefully the turkeys will rebound for us all, only time will tell.

Thank you for paving the way for our future hunters Sir. Your 15 years of service is greatly appreciated.

  Yes, I've been saying this for a good bit now. It's all about the revenue. At least they admitted there is a problem now. I would hope the next step is to reduced permit sales and go to a two bird limit.

Thank you very much, I did enjoy pitching in for our future hunters. A few fairly mild winters in a row coupled with the right wet conditions in springs should hopefully bring us back. We can only hope my friend....

[Bowguy]

I was a hunter education instructor for over 15 years in NJ. I saw the early days of turkey hunting through the present. It definitely is down, at least in the Northern part of the state obviously due to declining populations. The Southern part of the state is getting pounded now, hopefully this won't lead to population declines there too. We all know this is definitely a possible outcome. Unfortunately hunting permits in NJ are a huge source of income to the division. The Fall season cancellation is the lesser of two evils regarding this revenue, as Fall permit sales have seriously declined in recent years. Unfortunately it seems that money is more important than the resource here which is sad. Hopefully the turkeys will rebound for us all, only time will tell.

Thank you for paving the way for our future hunters Sir. Your 15 years of service is greatly appreciated.

  Yes, I've been saying this for a good bit now. It's all about the revenue. At least they admitted there is a problem now. I would hope the next step is to reduced permit sales and go to a two bird limit.

In the north they could cut permit sales in half and never come close to selling out. I remember waiting years to get a permit or waiting in line sleeping overnight on a sidewalk at Pequest to get a leftover

[Ol Timer]

Since all you folks remember what it's been like hunting turkey since it open back in 1982, if you look at the harvest data that's available you can clearly see when the problem started. The biggest mistake they did was allowing baiting deer and the length of the season then the trappers got hit with new regulations and less interest to go, I'm sorry but no good winters or light rain springs are going to help until you change the system. It's not going to fix its self by natures way, that's a bridge we cross long ago. Get rid of the EPA first off they have no business running a wildlife agency. Get new regulations get back to leg hold traps and stop the yellow brick road buffet and the predators will be in check. I'm done  ranting on this subject its fallen on deaf ears for way too long.