Potential Changes?

[mattadam]

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Not sure if anyone has posted anything about this yet.

What is your opinion?

[topher]

Will i still have to do a turkey course i havent done mine... or will it be included in my license now?

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[MikePal]

Here's the link to the MNR's EBR for the proposed changes;

The following regulatory changes are being proposed for implementation in 2017:


1) Remove the requirement for a separate wild turkey education course (course content will be incorporated into the broader Ontario Hunter Education Program). Existing accredited hunters who have not yet completed wild turkey hunter education training would be allowed to hunt wild turkeys without any further training. Note: the ministry is exploring options to share and distribute turkey hunting information to existing accredited hunters (e.g. making information available online).

2) Introduce a spring wild turkey hunting season in WMU 36 and introduce a fall wild turkey hunting season in Wildlife Management Unit 94. These two WMUs meet criteria outlined in the Wild Turkey Management Plan (2007) for opening of new seasons.

3) Introduce a fall bows-only season from October 1-31 in all WMUs that have a fall wild turkey hunting season. The regular firearm wild turkey hunting season would remain the same, opening the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and running until the second following Sunday.

4) Standardize the opening of the spring wild turkey hunting season to be April 25th of each year, even when the 25th falls on a weekend.

5) Allow shot size number 7 to be used for wild turkey hunting in addition to shot size numbers 4, 5 and 6.

6) Clarify through regulation minimum bow requirements for hunting wild turkey (e.g. minimum draw weight and length) according to the current guidelines found in the Hunting Regulation Summary for wild turkey hunting with a bow.


https://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-Ex...Yx&language=en

[kickingfrog]

First thoughts are no real issues although #7 seem awful small for turkey. Would the idea be it is part of a combo load? And Saturday trout opener might mean a busy morning in the woods/waters.

[MikePal]

I think it's becasue of the proliferation of the Turkey Ammo in the states that use #7 in the Tri-mix (#5-#6-#7)

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/76...toxic-box-of-5

[pbonura]

Bow season in the fall is dumb. Turkeys flock up and end up at bait sites and will get killed. Opening up a can of worms for guys baiting deer.

[JUDGE]

Bow season in the fall is dumb. Turkeys flock up and end up at bait sites and will get killed. Opening up a can of worms for guys baiting deer.

I agree.

[skypilot]

I agree that turkey hunting should be included in the license without an extra course. It was simply a money grab IMO, however most of us down South were raised up turkey hunting and it's always been that way for us so it seemed ridiculous to me to have to take a course.

Never seen an issue with conflict when turkey hunting in the fall in States, those that allowed it anyway, so I'm not expecting anything different here plus a wild turkey for Thanksgiving is nice.

I don't hunt turkey with #7 but it shouldn't be an issue in the context of a spring hunt. Can't see it's effectiveness in the fall context as most of our harvests stateside were incidental and not necessarily close up like a called in spring gobbler.

[Fox]

Bow season in the fall is dumb. Turkeys flock up and end up at bait sites and will get killed. Opening up a can of worms for guys baiting deer.

You cannot legally hunt a turkey over bait so if you are baiting deer then don't shoot a turkey or you are a poacher.

How is this opening a can of worms?

You can legally hunt turkey with a bow from Oct 11th to Oct 23rd right now if there is a fall season, you can use a shotgun or a bow, how is it any different?

I guess you are just against fall turkey hunting.

If someone wants to poach a turkey they will, I have seen many flocks in the spring and they would come to bait then too, in no way does baiting deer and shooting a turkey with a bow have any sort of connection unless you are a poacher.


To the OP, I always thought it was dumb that you could not hunt turkey before Thanksgiving, I think this is great.

I think what we need to do is allow Spring licenses to be used in the fall but then they will get less taxes so I doubt I will see that happen.

[paultracy]

I personally would love to see a single tag being good for spring and or fall season!