Just remember - ALL decoys are illegal next season according to the wording. Cause I’ve spent the last few days trying to put them in the ground without using my hands, and it ain’t happening. I guess you could set them up the night before.

I’m guessing the intent is safety. Ok - public land, no decoys period - private land, decoys legal. See how simple that is. If they are legal on private land, and I want to use a hen drone to do a flydown, so be it.

Or make them illegal statewide, no problem. I mean, what’s next, having to buy a permit to use decoys? That would be like having to buy a permit to bait deer, where baiting is technically legal

I’m not saying it’s the reason but this is about the time the population started to dwindle. I know several people that couldn’t kill a turkey if their life depended on it, those same people ride around looking for a field gobbler that they can fan. I have fanned a few in the woods so my dad could kill one. In my experience it works about 75% of the time.The state has been doing a study for years on Skyline and other WMAs trying to understand why the population has dropped. The only thing that changed up there is the decoy law and logging not followed by fire. That’s the only 2 things I can come up with. I See lots of hens without poults every year which could be a lack of gobblers or predators or a combination. I don’t think we have half as many turkey as 20 years ago.

X100

I wish TN would do the same.

the turkey population is a lot of Alabama has been going down for 40 years due to habitat loss and predators, way before fanning or decoys became popular. Decoys run off as many or more turkeys than they attract.

Some areas that had low or no turkeys 40 years ago may of had increases, but I believe the net number is a loss across the state.

I saved 2 fans from last year thinking I might give it a try if a bird hangs up. Guess I won't.

But Fred, many on here will tell you the turkey populations are as strong as ever and there is no scientific research that says anything should change with regards to the season/rules/limits b/c of population. I personally think otherwise and have the very unpopular position that the 5 bird limit should be dropped to 3. And yes, I know that there's bad asses on here that hunt whenever they want and shoot whatever they want, so in that case the regulations shouldn't concern them anyways.

But there’s honest people who know that won’t change anything and don’t have our heads up our butts asking for more govt regulation.

If your property can’t handle a 5 bird limit, don’t kill 5. Simple as that.

I know what fanning is, but what exactly is reaping? How do you go about reaping a turkey?

You’re from florida? Riddle me this....... the state you live in has a 2 bird limit, why are they experiencing the same population decline ? I’ll wait for your answer..........

This back and forth could go on forever without good data to back it up. I am not familiar with the current Auburn research going on but I hope it provides some answers. I don't think too many 5 bird guys exist anyway...which is what the game check number support. I know I'm not because by the time I kill 2 or 3 I'm trying to get my son or a friend their bird and not many can hunt 10+ days (which is realistically what it would take to kill 5).

The research I've seen has only been a snapshot (1 year survival rates) and not longitudinal in nature. It would be nice to understand the long--term effects of harvest on the population rather than just simply applying the compensatory or additive label. It is no surprise to most turkey hunters that the population survival rates will decrease by adding harvest when viewed in one-year intervals. But when adverse conditions arise (stochastic events) over longer time scales would harvest have ended up compensatory regardless of the bird limit. IDK but as an experienced hunter I would guess so on most lands.

My family has managed the same land (several thousand acres) since before the reintroduction of turkey. Turkey populations have declined since the late 1980's for several reasons, but I can tell you our year to year population has very little to do with our annual harvest. Weather is the #1 equalizer-ice in the winter, rain/flooding in the spring, and weather influenced acorn production in the fall/winter. I have no idea about pathogens but I'm sure they run their course. Habitat transitions have played a role too (earlier to later) as well as the increased level of nest predators and mesocarnivores.

Now, if you take public land or small tracts where harvest/pressure is higher (by number of hunters) it can really limit the rebound of populations after a short event exacerbating long-term decline. I don't think the 5 bird or 3 bird (or 2) limit would make too much of a difference. (when your taking animals off the "wrong" side of the growth curve it ain't good for future numbers).

Too many guys kill over 5 that I know - they are grown and can do what they please - I can only give opinion. That can’t be good for population. Go to another state or states and hunt when you get limit here. Anybody that knows what they are doing can kill limits IF they have the birds and the time - but it is breaking the law when you go over - need to be good steward and not law breaker!!

Here's a question.....if "manipulating" the fan by hand to "produce movement" is now illegal, does that mean they can write you up if you use a turkey wing to simulate a fly-down? This is starting to get absurd...

I would't think your turkey wing would be considered a decoy, since you are relying on auditory versus visual effects (but I'm not a lawyer). I know folks that also use a hat to simulate the sound of a turkey flying down and a hat wouldn't be a decoy. I wouldn't think a game warden would write you up for waving your hat at a turkey to get his attention and to entice the turkey to come into killing range, but you never know.

“Have in possession a decoy.........which can be manipulated to produce movement”

Again, that reg makes ALL decoys “unlawful”. Read it, it’s clear.

I could live with that too.

Agreed. Although I support anyone who prefers to use a decoy, you don't need them and they often cost you a turkey.
I just wish the dang state would either make em legal or illegal. Make up your damn mind.
And get rid of that arrogant asshat!