Y'all should be more pissed off that a person sitting on the Advisory Board who brought up this turkey stuff and voted on all other proposals resigned her board seat just a couple of weeks after this May meeting because she was moving to Georgia.

Y'all really believe at the time of the Board meeting that she didn't know she was going to resign and move just weeks later? Or that anyone else at DCNR or involved with the Board didn't know?

The Board has had meetings and votes in the past with a member absent for whatever reason. Her sitting in the meeting, making proposals and voting on issues but then resigning just weeks later reeks of BS.

Turkey hunting is to be done in April imo. Got no problem with the date change.

Turkey hunting is to be done in April imo. Got no problem with the date change.

Nope. Extremely short sighted comment. Every acre of AL south of Hwy 80 should start earlier than March 15, not later.

Well, you’re probably the only one. I love the first two weeks of the season.

Turkey hunting is to be done in April imo. Got no problem with the date change.

Well, you’re probably the only one. I love the first two weeks of the season.

Well, you’re probably the only one. I love the first two weeks of the season.

Nope, he's not the only one that likes April. I'll hunt all season, but April has always been my best month.

When I said, “you’re probably the only one” I was referring to ben saying he has no problem with the date change. I do favor the first two weeks of the season but I don’t want wanna I lose ANY hunting days. I can’t believe y’all are ok with losing 6 days in 2020???

I love the first two weeks of March.

I got a response from my emails:



I was forwarded several emails from you today, one of which came from the Commissioner’s office, and I have been asked to respond to your concerns. I see that they are all centered around the change in the opening day of turkey season for the upcoming year. The spring opening date change from March 15 to the 3rd Saturday in March was a recommendation proposed by the Conservation Advisory Board. To be clear, the recommendation was not proposed by ADCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) wildlife biologists. The first priority with our staff in recommending changes to season regulations is the wildlife resource in which we a deemed responsible for managing. If a later opening had been proposed by our staff, it would likely have been later than the 3rd Saturday in March based on preliminary data. Our WFF Wild Turkey Committee, in cooperation with researchers at Auburn University, has developed wild turkey prediction models using current biological data such as reproduction, survival, and harvest rates to predict future populations under various season and bag limit alternatives. Although this work is not yet complete, indications are pointing to a later opening and reduced bag limit as the optimal alternative to produce the most viable populations. We are currently updating the model and will include data gleaned from the current AU research project when it concludes next year. Besides the observed decline in population growth as evidenced by our statewide brood surveys and harvest trends, harvest intensity in the first couple weeks of the spring season may play a role in reducing the potential of hens being bred.

I am looking at the turkey season and bag limit recommendations through three pair of glasses. First as a turkey hunter with 40 years of experience here in Alabama. Secondly, as a college educated wildlife biologist with more than 25 years of on-the-ground experience of managing tens of thousands of acres in Alabama. And finally, as the Director of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries whose job is to manage, protect, conserve, and enhance the wildlife and aquatic resources of Alabama for the sustainable benefit of the people of Alabama. As a selfish turkey hunter, I want as many days afield as I can get regardless of the negative impact it could have on the resource. As a biologist, I want the season to start in April as the biological data suggests which would be best for the resource. As the Director, I have to weigh the consequences of both sides before I make recommendations.

As you said in your email, “ I’m personally not concerned about the hunter who isn’t “off work” until Saturday, when the season opens up during the week. If it mattered to that guy, he could schedule his vacation time accordingly like the rest of us do that enjoy weekday hunting. “ I’d be willing to bet that the hunter you mentioned prior is not concerned about your issues of, “My children’s spring break normally coincides with the 15th opener. I know that all school district calendars are not the same, but it matters to us. Competitive kids spring sports; baseball, softball, soccer, dance and cheer almost all involve weekend travel these days”. Although these season changes may be inconvenient for some of our hunters, our focus is maintaining sustainable populations of wild turkeys, while providing hunting opportunities for all Alabamians, now and in the future.

Thank you for your input and I hope I have adequately addressed all of your concerns.


Chuck Sykes
Director
Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division