spring turkey's

[backpacker]

I know there's not many hunters here but this article has some good data on NY's turkey population


For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Lori O’Connell
Monday, April 14, 2008 (518) 402-8000

SPRING TURKEY SEASON OPENS MAY 1
DEC Studies Suggest an Optimistic Forecast for Spring 2008

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
Commissioner Pete Grannis today reminded prospective turkey hunters that
the 2008 spring season opens for all hunters on May 1, and the special
Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend will take place April 26-27.

“Spring turkey season is one of the most popular hunting
activities in New York, and I’m certain that hunters are already
feeling a great sense of anticipation,” Grannis said. “DEC has
embarked on several new initiatives in support of sound, scientific
management of our wild turkey resource and we are pleased to report on
some of those efforts as hunters look forward to another season in
pursuit of this outstanding game bird.”

It was another exciting year for wild turkey management and
research in New York State. In 2007, DEC staff continued with the
winter flock survey and a banding study designed to assess turkey
survival and harvest rates. The spring 2007 season saw the second
straight year of increased harvest, followed by an above-average nesting
season where warm, relatively dry weather positively impacted nest
success. The good production years during summer 2005 and 2007 combined
to produce an exciting fall hunting season with an abundance of both
juvenile and adult birds in the field.

Highlights of 2007 wild turkey research and management and a
forecast for the Spring 2008 season is outlined below.

Winter Turkey Survey - In the winter of 2006, DEC started a
pilot program to assess the feasibility of a standardized winter turkey
survey. Like the spring and early summer where weather can have
significant impacts on turkey production and poult survival, winter
weather (temperature, snow conditions) can limit turkey survival,
particularly for juvenile birds. The goal of the survey is to use DEC
staff and volunteers to conduct a harvest-independent survey to help
determine long-term trends in turkey populations and to provide
information to the public regarding the prospects for the spring hunting
season.

During the first three years of this survey we have compiled
over 1,500 observations from every county in the state (with the
exception of some counties that comprise New York City). We are
currently compiling results from the winter 2007-08 survey. Over the
coming months, we plan to examine results from the first 3 years, and
see if we can design a useful and efficient long-term winter monitoring
program to begin in 2008-09.

Wild Turkey Banding Study - In January 2006, DEC began a 4-year
wild turkey banding project designed to estimate harvest and survival
rates of male wild turkeys ("gobblers") in New York. This study is
being done in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Ohio
Department of Natural Resources, researchers from Pennsylvania State
University, and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

During the first two winters of the study, DEC staff and
volunteers banded 679 gobblers and 753 hens in 43 counties and 96 towns
in DEC Regions 3 through 9. Since that time 200 gobbler bands have been
returned by hunters (about 30%). Only 21 hen bands (about 3%) have been
returned, 11 of which were hunter-killed birds. During winter 2008, DEC
staff and volunteers banded another 352 gobblers and 303 hens in 31
counties and 60 towns, including 8 counties and 52 towns not sampled
during the first two years. This brings the three-year total to 1,031
gobblers and 1,056 hens banded in 51 counties and 148 towns throughout
upstate New York. Next winter will be the final field season and a
report will be prepared by late 2009.

DEC thanks all of the volunteers and cooperating landowners for
their invaluable assistance in the field. This project would not be
possible without them.

Spring Harvest 2007 - Estimated wild turkey harvest during
spring 2007 was 35,625 birds, close to the 10-year average (about
36,000). This is an increase of 28% from spring 2006, and is the
highest harvest since spring 2003. The spring 2007 season is the second
straight year we have seen an increase in the statewide harvest after
four years of declines (2001-05).

Harvest was up from 2006 in most counties (Table 1), with the
greatest increases observed in DEC Regions 8 and 9 (western NY). The
exceptions to this were moderate declines (5-16%) observed in Regions 5
and 6 (northern NY).

As anticipated, based on excellent production during summer
2005, a relatively mild winter in 2005-06, followed by below-average
production in summer 2006, a large proportion of birds taken during the
spring 2007 season were adult gobblers (2+ years old). About 68% of the
harvest was comprised of toms (vs. 32% jakes), which was the highest
proportion of adult birds in the spring harvest since 2003.

Youth Hunt 2007 - DEC established a youth hunt for turkeys in
2004. More than 5,000 junior hunters have taken to the woods each year
with their adult companions to take advantage of this special season.
In spring 2007, we observed in increase in both participation and
harvest, with roughly 7,000 junior hunters harvesting about 1,500 birds.
Unlike spring 2006, both days of the youth hunt had excellent weather
this year likely contributing to the boost in both harvest and the
number of young hunters taking advantage of this great opportunity.

Summer Productivity 2007 - DEC conducts the Summer Wild Turkey
Sighting Survey annually during the month of August to estimate the
average number of wild turkey poults (young of the year) per hen
statewide and among major geographic regions of the State. This index
allows us to gauge reproductive success in a given year and allows us to
predict fall harvest potential. Weather, predation, and habitat
conditions during the breeding and brood-rearing seasons can all
significantly impact nest success, hen survival, and poult (juvenile)
survival.
Statewide productivity as measured by poults per hen was up 30%
from 2006 (3.5 vs. 2.7 in 2006) and was above the 10-year average
(1997-2006) of 3.2 for this index (Table 2). About 69% of the birds
observed were young of the year. This is an increase from 2006 (60%),
but is the same as 2005. An increase in the poults:hen ratio was
observed in five of the eight DEC regions in which flocks were recorded
(Table 2). The only declines were seen in Regions 3 and 9.

The spring and early summer of 2007 were warm and relatively dry
in most of the state. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service indicate that from April 1
through the end of June (the critical nesting period for turkeys)
average rainfall was about 0.63 inches below normal and average
temperature was about 3̊F above normal. These favorable weather
conditions likely contributed to the above-average nesting success in
much of the State.

Fall Harvest 2007 - Estimated wild turkey harvest during Fall
2007 was 12,654 birds. This represents an increase of 38% from 2006,
and is the highest harvest since fall 2003, but is still below the
10-year average (about 16,000) for fall harvests.

Harvest was up from 2006 in most counties (Table 3), with the
greatest increases observed in DEC Regions 4, 5, and 6 (east-central and
northern NY). The exceptions to this were declines (7-40%) observed in
Regions 8 and 9 (western NY).

Based on the above-average production observed during the summer
sighting survey, we expected an increase in both the overall harvest and
in the ratio of juvenile birds to adult hens in the fall harvest. While
we did observe an increase in the overall harvest, this was not the case
for the ratio of juvenile birds/adult hens. Since the summer survey
started in 1996, this is only the second time that the trend in
juveniles/adult hen from the fall harvest did not mirror the trend in
poults/hen from the summer survey. One reason for this may be that
there was a large proportion of 2+ year-old birds from the summer 2005
hatch and hunters actively selected these older birds. This idea may be
supported by the decline in the overall juveniles/adult harvested over
the last 3 years.

Although we observed an increase in harvest this fall, the
number of turkey hunters continued to decline with an overall decrease
of about 30% over the last five years. Despite this decline in
participation, the hunter success rate has remained relatively stable at
about 3 birds/100 days effort. Reasons for the decline in participation
are uncertain, but may include changing demographics of New York’s
hunting population and the variety of other opportunities available to
hunters in the fall.

Forecast for Spring 2008 - The fifth annual Youth Turkey Hunt
will be held on April 26-27, 2008. This is an excellent opportunity for
youths ages 12-15 to spend time afield with experienced adult hunters
gaining the necessary knowledge and skills to become safe and
responsible members of the hunting community. We look forward to the
great stories and pictures we receive from young hunters and their adult
companions and wish everyone a safe and enjoyable hunt.

Other details of the youth turkey hunting weekend are as
follows:

● Eligible hunters are youth 12-15 years of age, holding a junior
hunting license and a turkey permit;
● Youth 12-13 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal
guardian or relative over 21 years of age, with written permission from
their parent or legal guardian. Youth 14-15 years of age must be
accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or an adult over 18 years of
age, with written permission from their parent or legal guardian;
● The accompanying adult must have a current hunting license and
turkey permit. The adult may assist the youth hunter (including
calling), but may not carry a firearm or bow, or kill or attempt to kill
a wild turkey during the youth hunt;
● Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to noon each
day; and
● The bag limit for the youth weekend is one bearded bird. This
bird becomes part of the youth's regular season bag limit of 2 bearded
birds. A second bird may be taken beginning May 1.
● All other wild turkey hunting regulations are in effect during
the youth turkey hunting weekend.

The regular spring season opens on Tuesday, May 1 and continues
through Thursday, May 31, as it has for more than a decade. Other
details of the 2008 spring turkey hunting season are as follows:

● Hunting is permitted in most areas of the State, except for New
York City and Long Island;
● Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their
small game hunting or sportsman license;
● Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to noon each
day;
● Hunters may take 2 bearded turkeys during the spring season, but
only 1 bird per day;
● Hunters may not use rifles or handguns. Hunters may hunt only
with a shotgun and shot sizes no larger than # 2 or smaller than # 8, or
with a bow and arrow;
● Successful hunters must fill out the tag which comes with their
turkey permit and immediately attach it to any turkey shot; and

● Successful hunters must call 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT)
within 48 hours to report any turkey shot.
● Hunters who take a bird with a leg band, in addition to
reporting the bird via DECALS, are encouraged to call the “800" number
listed on the band. The information you provide helps DEC staff better
manage the wild turkey resource.

During spring 2007, due to excellent production during summer
2005 and a relatively mild winter, we observed a larger proportion of 2+
year old birds in the harvest than the previous year. This year, the
above average nesting season during summer 2007 and another relatively
mild winter throughout much of the state will likely result in good
turkey numbers, but with a larger proportion of juvenile birds available
to hunters than last year. Based on good productivity and winter
survival, we anticipate that turkey harvest will be similar to last
year.

Turkey Hunter Safety - New York has an extremely
safety-conscious generation of hunters, largely due to the annual
efforts of over 3,000 dedicated volunteer Sportsman Education
instructors. While hunter numbers have declined in New York over the
past decade, the decline in hunting-related shooting incidents is
primarily attributable to improved hunter safety. The rate of hunting
incidents (incidents per 100,000 hunters) is declining much faster than
the number of hunters. During the 1960s, the incident rate was 19
incidents per 100,000 hunters. Since 2000, the incident rate is
one-third of that, averaging 6.3 incidents per 100,000 hunters.

With 37 hunting-related shooting incidents, 2007 was the 5th
safest year since such records have been maintained. Of this total, 5
were related to turkey hunting (2 during the spring season, 3 during the
fall season). This is below the ten-year average for turkey
hunting-related shooting incidents, and is the lowest number of
incidents on record for spring turkey hunting. However, it is a
reminder that even one accident is too many, so be sure to identify your
target and beyond, and have a safe and enjoyable season.

For more information about turkey hunting in New York, see the
2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or go to the DEC website
at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/29461.html .

[Brenda]

I've been watching them out in the back field daily for several weeks now. They come down from the woods every morning and evening. We have great numbers this spring! I've been trying to get a decent photo but nothing worth posting yet. I never get tired of watching their antics--the toms displaying and trying to control their harems. Of course, we know that they will disappear on April 30th.

[Matt]

These are always interesting to read. I wonder why hunting is down.

[Brenda]

I think that part of the reason is lack of opportunities. Unless you own land or have friends with land it's tough to find places to hunt these days. I'm always surprised at how under utilized the national forest is during spring turkey season. Also, "we" hunters are getting old and there aren't enough youth taking up the sport.

[Matt]

I guess it would a good time to remind those who will be out hiking in May to dress in high visibility clothing and not crawl around going " gobble gobble"

[Brenda]

You're safe after noon...well, you should be.

[backpacker]

DIDO on all of Brend's comments.

There is no younger generation's interested in hunting anymore even my Hunter Ed and Bow Ed classes are down.

The sad part is mother nature will handle the over population, and it won't be pretty.

[Brenda]

You're absolutely right. Mike said that he read an article recently however, that indicated that more women are taking up the sport. I know that more and more women are featured in Field and Stream. I'll post the "Becoming an Outdoors Woman" events. I attended one a number of years ago, downstate, and I had the best time. I took Beginning Fly Fishing, Beginning Bow Hunting, Beginning Shotgun and Shotgun Shooting. It was a weekend event. The food was amazing and the cost was low. There are a ton of other courses available that don't involve "harvesting" animals, such as canoeing, wild edibles, boat trailering...I will say that it only reinforced the fact that I'm not meant to shoot a gun, but with all of those turkeys out back right now and knowing how tasty they are...