Mass 2019 turkey season may have increased bag limits!

[whacko]

Mass f and g is proposing changes to the turkey regulations this spring. According to the information on the f and g site the turkey population is strong, and increasing year over year while harvest numbers the last few years are stable so.......

Some of the proposed changes include:

3 birds per year (2 bearded in spring plus a fall bird)

2 per day in spring season (currently one per day)

Bow hunters to be able to harvest a bird throughout all of archery deer season

Unfilled youth day tags able to be used in fall

Youth turkey day hours extended from half hour before sunrise to 5pm (currently closes at noon).





MassWildlife seeks feedback on potential turkey hunting changes

 

[Palladin]

How about running them over with your car?

 

[smokey-seven]

When you have turkeys in the middle of 100,000 population cities, it's time to take the hunting limits OFF! Maybe restrict it to 1 or 2 birds a day and see how many are taken.

 

[whacko]

When you have turkeys in the middle of 100,000 population cities, it's time to take the hunting limits OFF! Maybe restrict it to 1 or 2 birds a day and see how many are taken.

Maybe go the way Florida has and allow rifles for turkey. Would definitely increase the hunter success rate.

 

[smokey-seven]

Probably never happen in this state. I could see hunting with a scope and a 22LR or big birds. That would be fun but add in a whole new perspective on where you would set up for a safe shot.

 

[whacko]

Probably never happen in this state. I could see hunting with a scope and a 22LR or big birds. That would be fun but add in a whole new perspective on where you would set up for a safe shot.

Also I didn't think of the hunter orange safety concern. I would not want to be in full camo on a field edge sharing that spot with other hunters when rifles are allowed. I didn't think that one all the way through. Lol

 

[smokey-seven]

I've deer hunted in orange and if you stay still and have the scent and wind right, deer can walk within feet of you. If you stay still, I've had a few flocks of turkeys walk close as well. I don't think Orange and turkeys are a bad mix.

 

[Serapis]

I've deer hunted in orange and if you stay still and have the scent and wind right, deer can walk within feet of you. If you stay still, I've had a few flocks of turkeys walk close as well. I don't think Orange and turkeys are a bad mix.

City turkeys don’t care

 

[ThePreBanMan]

I've deer hunted in orange and if you stay still and have the scent and wind right, deer can walk within feet of you. If you stay still, I've had a few flocks of turkeys walk close as well. I don't think Orange and turkeys are a bad mix.

Deer don't see the orange well. Turkey do. They have exceptional eyesight actually.

 

[45collector]

Deer don't see the orange well. Turkey do. They have exceptional eyesight actually.

I heard or read recently that deer see blue rather well? No idea if there’s any truth to it.

 

[ThePreBanMan]

They do. Their eyes gather light on the blue side of the spectrum better than the red. But deer are technically blind by human standards. They use their eyes to pick up motion rather than identify objects.

This isn't to say they can't see at all. But if you stay still, and have some cover or camo to break up your outline, they'll walk right past you.

Turkey on the other hand.... They see very well.

 

[Dennis in MA]

How about running them over with your car?

Or smack them with a shovel because they won't leave the yard.

It's amazing what introduction. . . . 40 or so years ago did to the turkey population in New England. Bumper crops of the things. Stranger still - I haven't heard a 'yote howl in a long time behind my house. Seems with a large population of game birds, they'd be more robust packs. Unless one of you Tauntonians are taking them out.

 

[Highbrass]

rifles for turkeys?...no thanks...no desire to be a turkey sniper...

 

[rocket500]

I had a buck walk right up to me this deer season. Saw it about 100 yards off. Bee lined right at me. Looked at me several times on the way in. Stood there 15 feet away staring at me trying to figure out what I was. Orange vest & hat (otherwise camo). Didn't really pan out for him.

I've deer hunted in orange and if you stay still and have the scent and wind right, deer can walk within feet of you. If you stay still, I've had a few flocks of turkeys walk close as well. I don't think Orange and turkeys are a bad mix.

 

[one-eyed Jack]

rifles for turkeys?...no thanks...no desire to be a turkey sniper...

The turkey needs to be hit in the head and neck with birdshot. If you plan to eat the bird a body shot with a rifle will ruin meat. Jack.

 

[whacko]

The turkey needs to be hit in the head and neck with birdshot. If you plan to eat the bird a body shot with a rifle will ruin meat. Jack.

With a 22lr or 22mag?

 

[one-eyed Jack]

With a 22lr or 22mag?

You might just wound the bird due to poor shooting. My son's wife in Alaska shoots sand hill cranes in the stomach with a scoped .243. She's an excellent shot, which helps. Jack.

 

[whacko]

You might just wound the bird due to poor shooting. My son's wife in Alaska shoots sand hill cranes in the stomach with a scoped .243. She's an excellent shot, which helps. Jack.

And what if I can shoot? Lol

 

[one-eyed Jack]

And what if I can shoot? Lol

You probably can. The reason for the stomach shot with the .243 is that it puts the crane down and does not blow up the breast which is what they eat. Jack.