what are your thoughts on the turkey population in your area? | bco review |

[@DavidGonzalez-ek3zh]

I also just met David Nebraska from Mossy Oak and he touched on your pts including chicken fertilizer for crops and is also impacting declines. Thx. We had tough season in Ohio this Spring 2022.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Yes I’m just happy more are talking about it gotta keep it going

[@gordonwagner6932]

As a long time turkey hunter I agree with you 100 percent.I highly recommend the NWTF I have been a member since it was organized.This year was my 60th year I have seen it go from very few turkeys to an abundance of turkey’s and now it’s almost back to where it was back then.The NWTF is the reason we had this good time.We now have a problem with coons and a very big problem with feral hogs which also destroy nests.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I’ve been a member a long time but it’s been hard to get them to do anything for the turkeys here

[@tannerking4130]

Hey BCO quick update from TN, we just got the new hunting regulations in for 2023 season, the turkey regulations went from 3 bearded birds to 2 bearded birds but only ONE can be a Jake. Glad to see TWRA taking action to help out the population!

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Hell yes! More states need to follow! Plus invest more into saving and promoting turkey habitat

[@davidvalentine9392]

I live and hunt in Columbia County. I feel there are healthy amounts of birds in the county, however over the years I have personally noticed a decline over the landscape. I feel this decline is a conglomeration of issues. 1) predators need to be kept in check, they are out of control. 2) wet springs and harsh winters take a toll on turkey populations. 3) loss of habitat is a huge issue in the Hudson valley. Hundreds of acres of nesting habitat are being lost to solar farms. The landscape is covered with huge black panels, its disgusting!!!! Revenue created by sportsman should go to habitat restoration instead crooked politicians give themselves raises. I'm sure everyone is seeing what the assholes are doing with gas prices!!!!! Rock on BCO Nation!!!!

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I hear that man!

[@chrismcneil5543]

I could go on all day about this, I live in CT, I have a knack for getting on turkeys & found them on at least 10 different public forests this year, but they were far and few between. The numbers of birds I found on each of were minimal spare several properties (all public) which were abundant. Long story short, I agree 100% on the bearded hens, we have a five bearded bird limit it should be put down to three and we need to encourage trapping and predator control. I believe AT LEAST 30% of marked trails on apps could be eliminated from public use. Not only public trails which used to be deer trails, but crack down on mountain bikers sneaking trails through sensitive habitat where there are not marked trails, they are blazing their own and it’s a massive growing problem in Connecticut. Lastly prescribed controlled burns and clearcuts, we lack that and we need more.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

100%!!!

[@user-by6sh6wr4k]

You said it perfect I hunt on a private farm in Carroll county Ohio 15 Years ago one fall while hunting deer I quit counting at 94 turkeys coming into the field. I think predators are the biggest problem.......

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I agree!

[@tannerking4130]

A lot of your points are spot on, but in my opinion everything from nest predators, development, and other factors all contribute to the declining population, there not just one main problem, it’s multiple problems that are affecting the population; here in my state of TN I wish they would lower the bag limit to 2 and maybe have some counties open up later during our season. As for nest predators, I would love to trap on my main hunting property, but the problem is I don’t live close to it, and i don’t have the time to check the traps. Hopefully our populations will rebound!

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Well yes it all comes into play that’s why not one thing will bring change it’s all in a balance and needs to be balanced

[@jeffd667]

Love your comment!!! “…why kill it? …it’s about conservation and not always killin ‘em…”. Well said Jake! My areas in SC, NC, and WV are all down (except pockets in western nc private land). My 2 cents…push the season back …cut the limits down to 1 per hunter…don’t kill jakes nor bearded hens. Also consider banning fanning/reaping. Keep up the great work young man! You’re channel is great.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Thanks man and you got that right! We just owe it to the turkeys they deserve our best efforts

[@jeffd667]

The future of this sport is in the conservation of the wild turkey. It is not about the killing of them. Turkey hunting is supposed to be difficult. We as hunters are supposed to be unsuccessful the majority of the time…” The key to the successful longevity of this sport will be finding that balance of hard won successes and growing the resource.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Yes exactly!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@jimp9351]

When I started hunting on my farm 30 years ago turkeys were plentiful. The limit was five and 4 of us hunted the same property the entire season. At some point, about five years ago, with only two of us hunting the population clearly started declining. At the same time wild hogs showed up on the farm. I’m sure other predators are a problem but I do believe for my farm it has been the exponential population boom of wild hogs that has destroyed our turkey population almost completely. I’m sure they can smell a hens nest from a mile away and they go straight to it eat all the eggs and without eggs, guess what? Last year we called the season off before either one of us got a bird. This year we hunted most of the season. I heard one gobbler and saw a few Jake’s and my hunting buddy saw or heard no gobblers and saw a couple of Jake’s. We also both saw a couple hymns so the population has not been totally erased. We contacted the South Carolina wildlife folks and they had a program going trapping wild hogs. They started trapping on our property just after hunting season ended, the first week in May and at this point we have trapped over 150 wild hogs and there are more to go. We should’ve done this long ago and I would recommend that anyone who sees Wild hogs on their hunting property start trapping shooting doing whatever you can do to get rid of them. They will definitely have an affect on your turkey population.

[@jimp9351]

We now have a limit of 3 in the state with my buddy and I limiting ourselves to one years ago and none the last two years.

[@jimp9351]

I know know what it’s like or could be like if there were no more turkeys to hunt and it would not be good. In fact, it would be awful. One of my favorite things is to go out into the hardwoods during turkey season and just taken the view and the wildlife, birds, deer, etc. snakes not so much. Lol

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Facts! Man we have to do our part to keep ‘em going strong!

[@robbourn7379]

South Mississippi- It's a very sad state of affairs concerning turkeys. I live in the middle of Desoto National Forrest(500,000 acres) Killed my first in 1985. In the 80's & 90's at almost any stop you could hear a bird but now, you must burn LOTS of fuel to hear even one. 1) Forrest Service has all but stopped control burns that used to happen EVERY YEAR. 2) 3 bird limit needs down to 1 maybe even close season a few yrs( I KNOW- JUST SAYING- ITS THAT BAD !) 3) Sad fact is to many Toms die at corn feeders Durning deer season down here. 4) Nest Predators out of control, plus wild hog population has exploded- ( Need a bounty in place) . If changes are not made SOON there will be no reason to have turkey season here .

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

That is exactly why the conversation needs to be had!

[@BLOWN287]

I hunt Nebraska and I've seen more Turkeys this year than any other year. I tagged out on Long Beards and it was awesome.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Hell ya man!

[@DamnWelfareBums]

Western Maryland here. I seen and heard a lot of turkeys this year. I mostly hunt on public land.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

My man!

[@Chris_24]

Excellent video!! Come on, give these guys more likes!

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Appreciate that man!

[@ericbaker2023]

Great post Jake! I’d add a #5; rather than decrease the bag limit why not put the challenge back into turkey hunting. For 3-5 years do not allow blinds, decoys, fanning, etc.. To be clear I have nothing against blinds or decoys, but if you made these illegal for 5 years, and you had to kill by sitting in front of a tree and calling one up, I promise you the kill would drop. Without realizing it everyone would also become a better hunter. That’s how I grew up; no blinds, no decoys and we all managed and grew as turkey hunters. It’s not about the kill, it’s about the pursuit. Just my two cents.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I hear that I hate blinds but with filming I’ll use em if I have to but I’d much rather be on a tree, decoys in our neck of the woods often hurt more than help unless you actually know how to work birds lol

[@josephswearingen7539]

In South Mississippi the population is on the decline overall!! I hunt 98% on public land. There's many days I never hear a bird. Sometimes it's location, but in recent years not so much. We've lost 90% of farm lands(to grow trees) and the US Forest Service is in the business of "trees"!! There's more cutovers on public land than ever before!!! On top on that, the Service and even on WMA's the burn policy is getting crazier by year!!! Ex.: In the 2nd & 3rd week of May there were multiple burns of more than a 1000 acres each!!! SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI!!!!! Now you tell me! How many nest/eggs, even adult hens were "COOKED"!!!!😡🤬🤬😡 There's many more serious problems. Season length, limits just to name a few!!! I do believe though it's gonna take ALL turkey hunters to bring change. From more predator hunting to actual hands on conservation whatever that is. But most think it's "somebody else do the work, I'll reap the benefits" and that too is a problem!!! Enough of my rant. Thnx Jake for bringing up the subject!!!

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Man that just is insane! That’s the definition of not giving them a chance

[@darrenbowers3267]

You are spot on I could not agree more with you. I'm from pa and I think they should go back to one gobbler. This will be the first year in 15 years I have gone turkey hunting and I am not buying a second tag. It's only a money thing for the game commission anyhow they could care less about the wildlife. The predators are out of hand and the pa game commission increases predators and wonders why there is less game!!!!! Habitat is being destroyed!!!!! Darren

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

That’s what it seems for most states anymore, I realize how poor NY does everytime I come hunt public in KY they do an amazing job here on the pieces I’ve hunted

[@winterlounge]

Over development is a big problem here in East Tennessee. Predator control is anther. You can easily see the correlation between fur trade declining and turkey population declining. You really shouldn't have an off season, at least here in TN you can you can hunt coyote year round. The coons are hard on them to. It surprises me how many "hunters" don't do any predator control.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I hear that 100%

[@Opfixes]

I love that you are having this conversation. I have always believed in being a steward of the land. It’s very refreshing to hear you talk about this. I tend to agree with the predator problem. Where I live raccoons are not native, they were brought in by hounds-men for training dogs. The raccoons have over populated and are devastating many populations like pheasant and so on. I’ve killed hundreds of raccoons. In just over one month we caught 48 raccoons without moving our trap. It’s unbelievable how many of them can live in one area.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

That is truly insane! And that is what we all should be as hunters! The game we pursue deserves our best efforts!

[@buck19]

About Jakes...Jake's.... in the population pyramid there's more Jake's than gobblers. In the world of trophy fishing you let the big prolific breeders go harvest the abundant Jake's. +1 on a 1 bird spring limit. Tons of fishers and foxes this year. Tons. Seen 5 or 6 fishers this winter. Went 10 years without seeing one.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Them fishers gotta go!

[@Thelaubster1]

Here in central Pennsylvania the population is terrible but i will say this year seems slightly up from last couple of years. That said this is first year i didn't shoot a bird in many years, my 11 year old was successful which is what matters most to me. I only hunted few days after wasn't hearing much could have killed same jake a few times but ive killed enough birds don't need to kill one. I think pa needs to totally do away with fall season for time being and open up some regulations on predators and while it maybe unpopular to say we have far to many predatory birds like owls and hawks locally i see more of both than i do game species. Flintlock season i saw a bald eagle 3 hawks and a great horned owl in the time it took me to walk 100 yards across field from truck to woods and jumped redfox soon as i entered the woods. Makes it really tough on young turkeys.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

The predators is the main thing especially nest predators

[@darrenbowers3267]

O yah I do things the harder way I hunt with a recurve and instead of my 12 gauge I got a 410 to make it more of a challenge the thing I go try to do is put the hunt back into hunting. Do I get less yes but it really means more. Darren

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

That’s even more badass right there!

[@austinphillips9966]

Where I hunt in southern Ohio bobcats have taken over. We have been seeing and hearing less and less the past couple years. I didn’t even hunt this year because of it.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Time to get after the predators!

[@timothychristian9140]

Our population in SWVA is way down. In the last 5 years, our area has gone from a honey hole to a gar hole.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I hear that man 100%

[@ridgerunner6211]

Here in Southern Indiana our turkey population is way down just like our deer population. Back 10 - 15 yes ago it was nothing to drive by and see anywhere from 25 to 150 turkey in a field now your lucky to see 4 to 5 birds out in the same fields you use to see 100eds in. And our deer are the same way also. We have a big big problem with coon's, yotes, oposs, we need an open season year round on these predators for a few years and see if this helps, but this is just my opinion.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

It would help big time!

[@onyourownoutdoors183]

SW PA on a huge decline! I hunt a 900 acre farm and in years past there was birds in each woodlot. Over the past 5 years it has dwindled fast. This year I could only find 3 gobblers. I harvested one and chose to not fill my second tag as this portion of the state could use every survivor. I will not participate in fall Turkey this year either as a result of my observation this season.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

My man! Good decision!

[@brandonjones9376]

I didn't see much during season, but now season is over they are everywhere

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Always happens ahahah

[@rustycasteele6121]

I agree. I teach hunter education for the state of Virginia, so I get to talk to alot of biologists, and they say the turkey population is down. Main reason they mention is coyotes, foxes, and predators of different types. Hunter numbers are down, not nearly as many hunters. Check out what Tennessee is doing starting next year,that would be good for every state. I've heard and seen birds every time we go, I've got my grandson into turkey hunting. I've told him if see a predator, we stitch from turkey hunting to predator killing. We saw a total of 4 squirrels this pass season, 4 is all. So yes we as hunters need to put a bug dent in the predator population.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Yessir it’s our job to preserve and protect the wildlife we pursue! They deserve our best!

[@rustycasteele6121]

@@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA yall do a great job at it. Next time I'm around one of the biologists I'll try get some numbers for you, on population here. Also what calls do you use? That's one thing I haven't seen you talk about.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I can do a vid on that! And appreciate that!

[@buck19]

Saw an entire flock of bearded hens this fall. Most were 2-4" beards, but one. She had a 9" beard. It's was haggard but a beard nonetheless. Pretty sure all the little bearded hens belonged to her. Thankfully they're in an inaccessible area (campgrounds, private, structures, swamp too thick for humans...)

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Yes 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@richardmatz6458]

Birds are down in Ohio in some places by 70%. The division of wildlife made this year a 1 bird season,. Which is a good start. They failed to remove the fall season. Research is stating poult survival is at 1.3 per hen where just several years back we're 3.7 poults per hen. If the division of wildlife is serious about our population of birds, they would of removed the Fall season, as the majority of birds taken are hens. So one shot potentially removes 4 generation of birds. How can we get young hunters interested in Turkey hunting, when they can't hear a gobble day in and day out? It's just sad that conservation loose out to greed of tag sales. IMHO.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I agree!

[@stevensapp8521]

The population around here depends on the areas. Alot coyotes around here

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Hammer em!

[@kevinburnett3862]

Do you think the evolution of TSS has increased the kill rates for those taking birds 40, 50, 60 plus yards yards and beyond vs lead shot 40 yard and closer ?? The VA dept of Game recently released the spring Turkey harvest numbers and was 👀opening to me. Nest predators are also a concern as seems no one traps are coon hunts any more. Most land owners do not allow people on their land to control predators. Also thousands of acres of timber is being harvested across the nation and I feel is a big issue with the population here which creates more and more pressure on public land.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I’d rather have them shooting tss than lead because those willing to shoot that far would do so with lead and just wound or kill the bird after from wounds sustained without ever getting the bird

[@ryangambrel1162]

I hunt private farms in southwest Ohio and southeast Indiana. One farm I've hunted my entire life (20 years) and my dad another 15 years always had 3 longbeards and about 7 hens. But the last 2 years there have never been longbeards just jakes. This year there were 4 jakes and 2 bearded hens and one normal hen. So I passed on all of them because like you said if I kill one of those bearded hens, I might as well go stomp on the eggs. One thing that chaps my ass is able bodied men hunting from a pop up blind, that takes everything away from actually turkey hunting, I think a pop up blind should be allowed only for youth season and disabled people.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

It helps with filming when it’s raining other than that I hate blinds I wanna get on birds not stay stationary

[@Wertyingf]

I hunt in southern Indiana when I started hunting Turkey's in the late 90's their were Turkey's every where now not so much we still have birds but not near as many especially on state property I wish the DNR would address this problem for the sake of the Turkey's

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

We have to keep the conversation going about the issues at hand! The more that are talking the better chance we have at change!

[@Wertyingf]

We are a one bird limit but not many predator hunters anymore raccoons are everywhere in abundance

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

That’s a big time problem!

[@christianfrank3975]

No bearded hens, extend predator trapping and hunting season, 1 bird limit but hunt all day for 3 years or more. Maybe move our season up a bit. bigger NWTF presence in WNY??

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I wouldn’t move our season up that would directly effect breeding our season start is solid just the other factors need adjusted

[@gregb.6682]

Well done! Thank you for sharing your observation and conservation concerns. I'm retired and Hunting Alabama public and management areas with greater frequency. I've noticed change also.The most obvious problem I'm seeing is coyote pressure. I've seen them interfere with gobbling birds and on one occasion offering me a shot after he bumped the bird I was working. Turkey have lots of things working against them as you mentioned. Wild turkey habitat management could be better and I'm hopeful it will improve.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Got that right Mann

[@darrellraser6732]

I hunt north central PA, 8 years ago I saw a flock of 25 Jake's scouting. Now if I see 5 or 10 turkeys, any sex together that's saying something. Predators are through the roof, hunters are more efficient than ever, good habitat is dwindling. PA "could" be 1 bird per year spring or fall, and I like fall Turkey. Bearded birds only. Till it comes back. Conserve the resources dont exploit them for liscense revenue.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I hear that!

[@wisconsinhunterwhitetail5040]

I agree with you 100 % about having to kill for egos!!!! Here in Wisconsin in some areas you are able to purchase several tags, as in 1 per day till their sold out. That's BULLSHIT! I live in one of those areas, I limit myself to 2 toms and when I shoot the second bird, I'm done, that's it no matter how much I love to hunt them. I'll go out and watch birds but no more shooting! There is another KZbin channel I'm New York, I won't name the channel but this guy hunts every day of the season, absolutely has to kill em! And when he's tagged out he finds people to take out if he knows where there's a bird and keeps going like that till the last day and people will comment about how great of a hunter he is. It's not hard to shoot turkeys, I wouldn't have a hard time killing several more toms every spring but I personally want to be able to have a great hunt year after year and I want to be able to take my grandson out in a few years and show him a gobbling turkey and watch his eyes light up! I better stop now cuz I feel my blood pressure rising. But I want to thank you for bringing this up and having this conversation cuz I think it's important we start to look at turkey numbers.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I hear that man 100% it just comes down to checking the egos ad looking long time it’s our job to do what’s best for the game we pursue

[@heathalford4721]

No reason to kill hens any part of the year, if you have that many trap some with nets and relocate for population increase in other places. I think that years ago we had more no doubt. Lack of farming, trapping, habitat and hurricanes here have effected things. Katrina took out several places I hunted in 05.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I could see that for sure!

[@garysprinkle5829]

Our turkeys here in western NC have been declining for at least 10 yrs the bobcats and other predators are hard on them on the nest we have a high population of cats here.i have also wondered if they have a virus I know the grouse disappeared fast also.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I’ve heard of a virus in Montana I believe I’ll have to check again

[@allenthomas5297]

I hunt public lands within 30 miles of the NWTF headquarters in South Carolina and the population is unbelievably low compared to how good it was in the past. All of these banquets just use good people to raise money for this organization. All I see are a few signs that say NWTF sponsors the land behind the sign. Land that has been logged and replanted in worthless, fast growing pine trees. Just my opinion.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

You would expect the NWTF to be on the ball on this issue with all the money raised from us members but it just doesn’t seem so

[@allenthomas5297]

@@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA you hit the nail on the head Jake. It’s about conservation and the wonderful people you meet while attempting to hunt these birds.

[@abowhand]

I think the bearded hen rule assumes most hunters are too stupid to determine the sex of turkeys. True or not, this would likely have to be a voluntary restriction. Raccoons are a major factor in turkey nesting success. I elk hunted with a guy that manages a mid-west farm for pheasant and quail, he tries to take 400 'coon per year. There are probably many factors working against the turkey population. Several times in recent years I have quit hunting after one bird because of low turkey populations. I would support a one-bird limit.

[@davidpoppo5369]

We had one of the best years by me in NY in about 6 years. Hunted about 20 days and worked birds about 18 of them. But we didn’t see a single Jake. I do believe they are on the down slide of the population. I agree about the 1 bird limit and I think they need to move birds from areas where you can’t hunt them like near NYC to areas that need the population restored. I think Ohio went to a 1 bird limit this year and they have way more birds than us. I think the bearded hen deal is to protect the hunter if he shoots on by mistake. A few years ago I was working a bird that was strutting that had a full fan. As it turned I could see the beard and would have shot it but then see it was a hen and let it go. Someone else at that pint would have absolutely mistaken it for a tom. Keep up the great work. Love watching your videos.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I appreciate that man and yessir it is a big issue at hand!

[@darnellwatkins4031]

They never show up when I go hunting. I’m guessing we have none…. 🤣

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Not always the case ahaha

[@jerrylawson761]

Jake heres my oppinion on the situation,I've lived and hunted Ky my whole life,their has been some of the best hunting in the country in my are in recent years,In my main 4 to 5 spots it was nothing to hear 10 diffent toms withing a mile of riding down the holler,I mean great hunting and their is alot more then just me hunting these areas,But like I heard you say in the beginning of this video,in the past couple of years its been getting spotty,like in some places the hunting is still great,and in others you see and hear half the birds as say 3 yrs ago,this year I did see some Jake's less then usual but it gave me some hope that maybe it ain't hitting here that hard yet,in the patchy areas I didn't try to tag out in I killed one early season then went and hunted places that I rarely hunt to not put damage on. The places I felt was on the downclineive noticed a big affect in my area of guys with yo much ego wanting to wipe out turkeys in every holler that has a bunch,to video the hunt and for Facebook likes and bragging rights,for example a few of the guys I went to school with,when season opens,they go shoot tag out in a good holler that's got plenty of birds like I talk about in my area,Say they tag out and they've located ten birds other then the two they both killed,They go gather up their ole ladys,their neighbors their brothers and uncles,their friends and friends friends, and the one good hunter that killed opening day takes them all in that one good holler and calls them all in own his own,dies all the work while theirs to to six people who have set their as nothing but trigger men and women,their taking the challenge of the hunt away from those people,their taking the birds chances away of beating the hunters now and then,and getting to survive and breed more,and maybe live to another season,I see in all the spots these guys have hunted or learned they was birds from seeing others bring birds out,They go in and decimate the turkeys with a crew of people who really don't even like turkey hunting or even desire to go,their their cause there couple guys that tagged out opening week,still wanna hunt and kill and film,and they can't,so they gather the people up and make them trigger men and women,And taking every bird they hear gobble in one holler and rifle then move to the next,and start over,when if they wasn't doing that,every other day,in the same hollows over and over,the could have only killed the two bird and the rest could have made it,But know the took and assassinated every bird in the hollers we all hunt,for ten people and taking from the birds chances to beat the hunters,none of those ten people had to call,or locate a bird,or buy gear and shells and other items,witch puts money back to the hunting Industy and Conservation,They ruin the populations and make it spotty for years not leaving enough brood toms,All for what lack of respect and ego,too know they can call in 20 toms in a 5 mile radius and get them all killed even tho they ain't pulling the trigger but on the two they tagged,It just pisses me off that they do that,and don't make everyone have to earn the birds we all love to kill,they don't have to learn woodsmanship,or calling,or any strategy,and are always successful regardless cause of the doings of kill happy idiots,I mean I don't blame the people that are going to kill them that are drug along so somone can call a bird into kill for a video or just because they want watch one die,I blame the grown men taking the hunt out of hunting,and robbing the people their taking from the task of learning and putting in the work to get it done,And most of all from taking away from the toms chances to beat the hunter now and then,cause of skill level and etc,Onor two guys shouldn't be the death of 20 birds a year cause they call and locate and gather trigger menand women,is just my oppinion sorry for such along comment but this topic really bothers me

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Let it out man!

[@jaygolliday8152]

Wish more states would either not allow the harvest of jakes and bearded hens or limit the tags to one Jake. There’s really no point to shoot an immature bird.

[@richardclaypoole354]

I have never hunted in New York, but in my area of PA we do have birds, turkey birds. No grouse, but we have turkey. Every day I hunted this year, and I hunted a lot being retired, I was into birds. I agree with you on the beared hens, they should not be hunted. As far as jakes, this year I saw a lot of jakes. In fact I shot 2 jakes because I didn't want to shoot a longbeard. The week before the youth hunt here I saw at one time in one of my food plots 17 jakes, 6 longbeards and over 20 hens. I like to eat the turkey and jakes taste better. I let the longbeards go for the youngsters hunting my property. This year there were 2 longbeards killed abd 4 jakes killed. Every day I still see longbeards and jakes from my house. I do agree with you on the nest preditors. Too damn many racoons. There is no money in trapping them, they just need killed. Too many on my trail camera pics every night. Keep the great videos coming.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Congrats on the season! And dig the mindset!

[@danielmastin3606]

I live and hunt mostly Livingston County NY. I see more Turkeys this last year and this spring than in many years. I was mowing trails today and I seen 1 Tom and 2 hen's, also seen 2 Different Tom's and a couple of Hen's. Bearded Hens do breed, I seen one with poults a couple years ago. I agree with Not shooting Bearded Hen's 👍

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Yessir and I love hearing that man!

[@stevensapp8521]

Some idiots don't know the difference from a bearded hen and tom. Sometimes it happens quick and accidents happen mostly its not knowing

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I hear that

[@michaelberry8091]

The two places in ohio that i hunt, i noticed less birds than years past. I know Ohio DNR is closely monitoring the situation. They sent me a turkey questionnaire. I think all hens should be off limits both spring and fall. Also suggested that jakes only be allowed for a youth hunter and opening day for spring season should be moved back to a weekday like it used to be. Just my opinion.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I like all those options!

[@-B_G-]

In middle GA the turkey population is definitely on the decline. Main problems around here are large acreage clear cuts and predators. Loss of habitat that also is conducive to predation along with an explosion of Turkey hunters in the woods. I strongly agree with what you said about the bearded hen , I think it’s absolutely obsurd/foolish for anybody to shoot a hen, whether it’s legal , bearded, fall season etc. Also a hen turkey living for say 5 yrs will nest 5 times so when you shoot her you have in turn killed possible generations/flocks of turkeys. I also think jakes should be illegal if your an adult, that’s like shooting a spike.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I can hear the argument against jakes but I also can see and understand why it’s not illegal in my state it can swing both ways for me Bearded hens and a bounty program for nest predators in 3-5 years the population will bounce up big time

[@leland2h144]

Last year our season was youth April 3-4 an regular April 6th - May 6th. The boy tagged one April 8th an me the 18th. We seen several an called several just out of distance. We only kill one each since my part of the woods in Oklahoma don't have an abundance but a good huntable population. This year we didn't hunt as hard an season was april 16th to May 16th. We seen maybe 10 total an both got big goose eggs. We also had to compete with couple guys illegally night hunting hogs but a dead hog is a good hog an the hogs will eat up a turkey nest with varmints. So with all that said numbers went from approaching low to super low

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I hear ya hogs is something we don’t have but that’s be the same issue as best predators from my understanding

[@waynemayle865]

It's been really bad here in southeastern ohio for the last three yrs. I haven't seen any chick's for yrs.on the back 40 I do believe ohio season needs to be shut down for a couple yrs. I've hunted turkey since the early 80s. 12 thousand birds tagged in ohio last time I looked that's not good

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

No it’s not but also will be down as it was cut in half tag wise

[@mikekitchen1984]

turkey populations are down across the country. it's not disease, weather, or habitat. they is one common denominator . low fur prices. Trappers aren't trapping or doing only a fraction of what they normally do. as a trapper, I can tell you the number one reason I am denied permission to trap is because the hunters don't want me on the property and disturbing their deer or their hunting. Let the trappers trap and the turkeys will come back.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I agree 100%

[@Chris_24]

Pretty lousy this year in ohio for me. No hens should be killed, only one turkey per hunter on years of declining populations. Need to kill more predators!

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I agree!

[@CrossbowHillbilly]

The population is way down here in Arkansas. Game and fish says it’s from raccoon and opossum predation

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

That’s exactly what I think the issue is

[@Higginbottom_2]

Predation and I’d say with the amount of rain we get every spring now a lot of the poults simply just get too wet and cold and die. That’s causing big problems as well. I mean I’ve been in this state for 42yrs now and every year we seem to get more and more rainfall during spring season. We also have too many people coming here to hunt birds that we simply don’t have anymore. I’ve quit hunting Arkansas because of all the people. It’s like trying to hunt in bayou meto for ducks. It’s not fun anymore. It’s too damn frustrating and another thing people don’t talk about is birds that don’t get tagged. With all the people hunting I know damn well the kill count should be way higher than what is counted each season. Aaron with The Hunting Public even caught a guy trying to get away without tagging an illegal Jake he shot that “he thought” was a Tom. Hell how many eggs and poults do the snakes eat? I’m just saying there are multiple reasons that our bird numbers are declining.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I remember that video, we as turkey hunters need to really check the ego and focus on what’s best for the turkeys That’s why I did this video we need to have this conversation more and more

[@CrossbowHillbilly]

Out of all those hens in my front yard I might see 3-4 poults that make it.

[@dwaynelinkous7765]

I hunt Virginia. In the last 5 years we all have seen changes that we are having a hard time understanding in the Turkey populations. At least the places I hunt there is a decline in numbers. 10 years ago it was nothing to hear 5 birds within hunting distance. Now there are some days we hear nothing. There are a few of us who stay in contact and talk about what we think is happening. One Virginia is more concerned with license sells than conservation. Our limit on Turkeys is 3. That is to many, it needs to cut back for a few years. Jakes, I am on the fence with this, me personally I think they should be killed only on the first weekend of what we call jake days. That is when the kids get to hunt and not adults, this is a good thing only when the adults let the kids kill the turkey. Killing less Jakes ( in my opinion ) allows for more two year old birds and that will improve the hunting and breading. Virginia needs to outlaw hunting with high powered rifles, no place for them in my opinion. Trapping needs to be more lucrative and encouraged. Preditors are running our grouse, rabbits, and quail to extension in our area. We did not have this problem 10 years ago, now we do and nobody is sure why. Our game commission needs to worry more about conservation and less about revenues. I tried to fight this but I soon learned that politics even gets into turkey hunting. I am close to West Virginia and Tennessee and both of those states are going strong with there conservation efforts and it is paying off. West Virginia is a prime example that conservation works.

[@joshuaeck2712]

I feel it's a little low. But I had birds down on my cabin every weekend i when out.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

NY is spotty at best y’all have a ton of birds your way compared to here and we’re only a touch over an hour away I’ve seen high bird counts and non existent bird counts just across what I hunt here

[@joshuaeck2712]

@@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA crazy how that works for not even being that far away. You will have to come to the cabin for a turkey hunt next spring. I didn't go out hunting the Las weekend but was down there and saw 3 didn't long beards that weekend.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Hell ya man!

[@joshuaeck2712]

@@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA will have to plan it for sure!

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

I’m always down 🦃

[@littlejohnny210]

❤

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

🦃🦃🦃

[@-B_G-]

People feeding deer corn year round has got the raccoons 🦝 flourishing. They need to study no bait property vs baited property. I don’t agree with sitting on feeders anyway so they could make it illegal again for all I care.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Well we can’t bait here and the raccoons are still insane

[@-B_G-]

@@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA- They def need to come up with a raccoon/predator bounty. People regularly put out a couple hundred pounds of corn here and 80% of trail cam pics are gangs of fat raccoons looting the feeders night and day.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Got that right! We’re gonna hammer down on em them jokers gonna learn! 🤣

[@glennrowe7560]

They r not many here in ky i think it's we're spaying the fields with pesticides were they planting there corn u no if it kills the grass u no what it doing to the chicks when go out inn it

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

That’s a first take I’ve heard of that angle!

[@shawneaston8896]

I’ve been following all these “conversations” and finally someone other than myself is using their head! My dad and I are big time into turkey hunting and about the time I turned 12 (old enough to hunt in nys) I was entering the spike in the turkey numbers. When no till really hit big in ny 12-15 years ago, so did pesticides. Like the guy above said it’s killing the plants and the bugs the turkeys are eating. That’s when our turkey numbers started to decline. Dr grant woods has a video out on neo toxins on the seed coating as well that is eye opening and every hunter needs to watch. The biggest impact that would help our nesting hens is make it so these alfalfa fields can not be cut till June 15th. Think about it, peek breading in ny is mid- end of April but there’s no nesting cover on the forest floor and all these nest predators have not much for food yet so these eggs are top priority. So your smart hens take to the winter wheat and hay fields cause there tall enough to hide in and I believe your nest robbers arnt going to get soaking wet if they don’t have to. I hear so many guys say they chopped up 3 hens in a field hear, and one in this field, and 6 hen/ nests in another. I will bet everything our numbers would triple in less than 5 years if the right person reads this and could enforce this. Reducing tag numbers isn’t going to help. I am 100% for no hens and no jakes and just get rid of the fall season all together. It’s pointless, everyone wants to duck or deer hunt anyway. Also Everyone needs to trap 365 24/7. All these other states that don’t have seasons on predators have good turkey numbers so why should we? And these fishers are big trouble, there gonna kill more fawns than an coyote will. Leave it to ny to introduce a predator to places it isn’t native to, that just as stupid as all these solar farms that won’t benefit anyone that’s near them. So if I offended anyone I’m sorry, but nys isn’t going to change. State could careless about its wildlife. Just like you said Jake they log their forests. The release of the fisher is probably another plan for gun regulations. If they introduce a killing machine and all the animals are gone why do ny’ers need to own guns is what their intentions are.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

You got some solid points!

[@rickpangallo1693]

Absolutely horrible

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

Whatdya mean?

[@joshsinglefooter]

1st. MS turkey population is drastically declining. Its real. Fur prices need to rise dramatically.

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

That’s the benefit of introducing a bounty program for best predators to get more interest into trapping then

[@joshsinglefooter]

@@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA agreed

[@BlueCollarOutdoorsUSA]

It’d be the biggest help I think