Traveling all over the country wholesale slaughtering turkeys and encouraging others to do the same…..then talking about “the resource” is baffling to me.

Wasn’t it Catman had that lil girl launch one off a tree?

What would be cool is for the you tubers to do a full season and not kill any birds. Get video footage of the birds and distance from the camera, etc. Basically do everything except take the animal. I think that would be a cool series showing that they could’ve taken the bird but did not.

The fact of the matter is that none of the YouTube guys are going to stop now because the videos, sponsors and brands they have built is funding their traveling hunting habit. I’m a capitalist so I can’t say I blame them but we’re not going to convince anyone to stop.

The fact of the matter is that none of the YouTube guys are going to stop now because the videos, sponsors and brands they have built is funding their traveling hunting habit. I’m a capitalist so I can’t say I blame them but we’re not going to convince anyone to stop.

The fact of the matter is that none of the YouTube guys are going to stop now because the videos, sponsors and brands they have built is funding their traveling hunting habit. I’m a capitalist so I can’t say I blame them but we’re not going to convince anyone to stop.

The fact of the matter is that none of the YouTube guys are going to stop now because the videos, sponsors and brands they have built is funding their traveling hunting habit. I’m a capitalist so I can’t say I blame them but we’re not going to convince anyone to stop.

Pot calling the kettle black from a guy that has a YouTube channel that hunts on public land

Although irreversible damage has already been done thanks to the YouTube, one the main arguments against could be somewhat mitigated by one simple action:
QUIT NAMING STATES.

If you are in it to save the culture of turkey hunting, the decision should be easy. Why does it matter what state you are in?

How I display my hunts are always under evaluation. I'm always up for suggestions for change. You've screamed this state naming jargon time and time again. I've considered it. I can't even tell you if it's completely off the table. But what I do know is that it will not cause you or your mob to cease in undermining any accomplishment anyone from YouTube achieves. You'll simply pick another insignificant facet to attack us over and continue right on down the same ole road. You're supposedly a "numbers guy" so check out the numbers on these 2 photos pulled straight from my analytics.

YouTube Search

Search Keywords

So just so you understand those numbers. That means less than 11% of my viewers get there due to a search which you insist is causing massive crowds. Then of that percentage- if anyone is searching for Mississippi turkey hunting or Alabama turkey hunting the number is so small is doesn't even show up in the analytics (granted this is from the last 28 days, I can't get full channel analytics from such specific parameters). Will I change the way I word my video titles, I can't be certain as of right now, never say never right? I can say I don't see it's significance as long as whomever is posting the video takes the effort to ensure the specific location is protected. The truth is, people across the country are excited about turkey hunting, period. So they're making their way to states like MS, AL, GA and FL because that's where they're allowed to hunt. I'll gladly take credit for some of the new enthusiasm behind turkey hunting if you wish- I will not apologize for it- but accessibility is why these states see the non-residents early. They want to hunt and that's where it happens. If we had a supply surplus to match the demand there would be no issue. And to extend that train of thought, I've hunted every state with a March opener since Pinhoti became a thing, why would my presence being in any specific state matter? I've had exceptional hunts in each state. They're all great hunting. But circling back, turkey hunting has been/ continues to be life changing for me. If I expose a single individual out there amongst the "evil interwebs" to a passion they would have otherwise died without I'm satisfied. And I suppose that means I'm willing to continue to debate senseless points with the likes of you as well. So we will carry on. . .


Although increased public land pressure doesn't fall "solely" on YouTube, it falls majorly on it. Majorly huh. . . I'm assuming you have more concrete numbers from an anonymous source to confirm the value of majorly? You don't. First off because majorly doesn't have a value and because they don't exist. There have been so many advancements and changes to the scene of hunting within the last handful of years working simultaneously it would be impossible to designate percentages. Does YouTube factor into a part of the percentage? Absolutely. I've said that, repeatedly. OnX maps and COVID doesn't cause people to hop in their vehicle and drive directly to the region or even national forest or WMA that their favorite YouTubers hunt. YouTube causes that. Nice opinion. Mine is that YouTube gives people the motivation, OnX (or huntstand or the GIS maps most state agencies offer now) give people the confidence and Covid gives those people the time. Time to create lasting, unforgettable memories much like the ones you and I tell about our turkey hunting adventures while sitting around a campfire, am I right? I reckon we should be the only ones allowed to do this? Your own former sidekick admits it in a podcast. Just an FYI, in case it needs to be said, Chubbs has no issues taking his Alabama gobblers annually despite what you may think. Was it a surprise that he has seen increased pressure? Did you think while everyone else is seeing pressure he wasn't? I laugh at the fact that people pretend hunting pressure didn't exist before 2019. You can see us deal with it on multiple occasions and actually more in AL and GA before we released the first season. It was one of the points we wanted to address in the videos- pressure- and how you were to deal with it -right or wrong- I've accomplished both in my time with the camera. Showing the necessity in avoiding crowded gates when possible and treating fellow hunters with respect. And also illustrating that public land (and hunting in general) isn't all rainbow and unicorns. In one situation we had a guy blow a gobbler out of the tree after telling us he would back out (he came up behind us). I hope that video taught some unknowing turkey hunter to "not be that guy." That being said- what Chubbs eluded to was the importance of keeping the areas we video in concealed. Can you point me toward an Alabama video on my channel where our location was exposed? Without local knowledge, its highly doubtful. As I stated before, if I screw up I'm not too proud to accept fault. But I don't think this is one of those times. Concealment has ALWAYS been of utmost importance for us. What is even more ironic is when these same turkey hunters who are following their YouTubers dress like them, wear the branded hats, and even have the stickers on their back glass. No, you can't blame OnX and COVID for that. I suppose I'm missing the "gotcha" here and perhaps we are touching on your real issue with YouTubers. You don't like seeing other people on "your" public land combined with it's not your brand they're displaying on their hats or the back windows. People purchase and display a brand they can affiliate with- folks wear a Braves hat because they like Freddie Freeman, they wear the MossyOak emblem because they live the lifestyle. I hope people wear the Pinhoti logo because they want to be affiliated with a brand that represents an absolute passion for everything turkey worn by a guy that has given up d@m+ near everything for the opportunity to chase and help them as much as he can on his trip through life. But lets circle back to the imperative nature of keeping locations disguised since we are on the topic of IRONY. Why have you refused to apologize for a lapse of your own? I have openly apologized for any screw-up I've ever made. Or do you even see a problem with it? are your actions exempt? You were quick to point out my unwillingness to quit naming states when I invited you to dinner last month but failed to mention the other conservation initiatives I was tackling this off season; so I thought it was worth mentioning your refusal to accept fault in this meme. Why is this still available for anyone's viewing pleasure?

Ironic Photo


When specific WMA applications see 40%+ rises in a single year due to YouTubers hunting there the year before and other WMAs in the state didn't see near that much of an increase, that ain't OnX and COVID.

When south zone Florida non-resident WMA quota applications see a 230% increase from 2018 to 2021, and WMAs in particular that you hunt on see the largest non-resident application increases (750%+), that ain't happenstance.

Do we really need to revisit the necessity in keeping locations concealed? And also another request for the video where I have ever mentioned applying for a quota hunt or hunting a specific WMA in Florida. One will notice also when arriving in Florida going off "into the Cypress" is the equivalent of saying "off into the hardwoods" or "into the river bottom." Cypress is a habitat type in Florida, it's everywhere- folks have the freedom to assume all they want. Without local, "I've been there before" knowledge- one would be hard pressed to find our locations. Have the amount of hunters Florida bound in March increased? Yes. Am I a contributor to those numbers? Yes. Probably more so than any other place. Have I questioned whether sharing my hunts in Florida had an overall negative effect? Sure I have. Thankfully, the demands of hunting Florida self-regulate. You yourself said hunting Florida's general access was a no-go for you and I would consider you a avid turkey hunter, willing to do what many wont. And as far as "WMAs in particular I hunt" . . . you would be hard pressed to find a public area in Florida I haven't been on the past 17 years. So "particular" will be comical for those in the know. The friends I have made in Florida see the pressure but are amused by the rhetoric. They're a special breed that hunt that place, they understand what it takes to be consistently successful in that environment and don't ever seem to run into issue with finding their turkeys. I wouldn't trade my worst day in that he!!hole for anything.

More hunters is more money for the state. But when the majority of those turkey hunters are now hunting on public land, we run into issues that can cause reduction in opportunity. Verbatim from a Georgia DNR biologist "Because hunting pressure is greater on public lands, we opted to make that opening date closer to peak incubation, which occurs around the second week of April in Georgia". I spoke with an Alabama DNR biologist who basically said the same for Bama's new statewide regs and 1:00PM closure. Come on man, you're cherry picking words as bad as CNN. "Due to our observations of prolonged poor poult recruitment and our desires to delay harvest as a result. . . now you can insert your - because hunting pressure- piece. News flash- hunting pressure has always been higher on public land. That shouldn't come as a surprise right? While the pressure may have increased, the bigger issue is still a supply problem. It just so happens when this pressure increase happened the supply decreased. If we could focus our efforts on making more rather than passing blame around it would most certainly be a better use of our time. So again, reduced opportunity is due to decreased reproduction (long standing, proven issue) and increased pressure (new issue).

So the Georgia public land hunter just lost at least a week off his season. Possibly more since new draw hunts have been established on popular WMAs for 2022. Why are draw hunts established? We all know the answer. If a Georgia or Bama hunter relies solely on public land to hunt, does statewide poult recruitment or brood rearing habitat really mean much to them? They can't manage the habitat on their public lands. Sure, they can trap a little, but that ain't really gonna change much. One thing that has changed though is major reduction in their hunting opportunity due to overexploitation of our public lands at dimes on the dollar. There is so much wrong with your logic. How could any turkey hunter not be concerned with poult recruitment and brood rearing habitat? Why is it so automatic that they can't help with both on public lands? I find it alarming that is your message to public land hunters as a state wildlife biologist. Why aren't you looking for solutions rather than excuses? Why aren't you busy looking for ways to motivate public land users to trap more? how can you say trapping "ain't really gonna change much?" One guy running a dozen dog-proof traps, maybe (although I still say a dead coon doesn't find eggs) -I know what the science says- which is an intensive trapping effort is necessary and precisely why we should be looking to get dozens of public land hunters to run a dozen traps each (or more). If there are that many hunters available to hunt turkeys there should be that many hunters willing to save turkeys. And since you mentioned new quotas in Georgia- its a perfect example of the importance of having a "voice" as hunters. Strictly my opinion, but putting such a vast amount of acreage into a quota system in conjunction with removing the first almost 3 weeks of the season is excessive. The concern was the amount of harvest per square mile (while poult recruitment sputtered and yes I have spoke to this biologist) yet area management has opened more and more gates on those areas over the past decade (you can literally drive everywhere now). When asked about reducing harvest through gate closure I got a "we may need to consider that as an option" response. Afterall, the more gates that were opened the more the harvest rose. I'm an advocate for rewarding effort. If a guy is willing to walk 4 miles then he deserves it, at least give him the chance to do so. As one in your clan announced, "I don't think you should have to walk 10 or 11 miles to hear a turkey gobble," I respectfully disagree. I think some days we should absolutely need to put forth that amount of effort and I'm also of the class that. . . we may not hear a turkey gobble every day.

You will "possibly" lose some opportunity? You already have, bud. Your south zone Florida WMA quota hunt days are nearing an end. You will now have to be drawn to hunt early season in Mississippi. Bama, 1-2 weeks lost on public lands. Georgia, already covered. The only difference between you and everyone else is that you can just hop in your truck and drive on to next state when it opens. What about the average working man who has a family and can only hunt on weekends and can't afford to travel? He would have been a hell of a lot better off without YouTubers screwing with his hunting, even with less turkey hunting revenue coming to his state DNR. We will resort to a few more "broken record" responses here due to your reluctance to see the big picture and never waning desire to play the blame game. We have a supply issue. If we work for solutions to the decade old dwindling poult recruitment numbers, we will have enough turkeys to open generous amounts of opportunity. I'm confident in that. Without the exposure to the issues wild turkeys have been facing over the past decade (that had gone ignored), the working man may have been able to live out his days with a turkey to hunt but would his kids? If turkeys hadn't risen to the top of the list of "most concerned" would this working mans grandkids talk about wild turkeys like many old timers do about quail? Yes, losing opportunity sucks. I think many agencies are "playing it safe" as their only option because we don't have the information available to tell them otherwise at the moment. That will change. The only concrete information they have to pull from says that reduced opportunity means reduced harvest. I can only make the assumption attempts are being made to pad carryover numbers (and facilitate that simultaneous nest incubation date) to assist in the overall population reduction until we figure out why our reproduction is lack luster. But, research is underway and I pray it comes with other alternatives. While hunting opportunities may be seeing reductions in some areas, there are still opportunities for those willing to put forth the effort, Florida (which you pointed out) is an example.


With that out of the way, we agree on 90% of issues:

You have in fact inspired some people to show a lot more respect for the wild turkey. On the other hand, you've inspired just as many to make it a numbers game. Nice pat on the back while kicking me in the groin. It's impossible for you to give a compliment huh? It must really be a drain to wake up daily surrounded with such negativity. Much effort has been given to avoid and/ or curb those now chasing death tolls. It's sickening. I have found far fewer than you considering your claim it's "just as many" but will not deny they exist. Unfortunately, there will always be a few bad apples who will lie, cheat and steal to feed their desires. It happens across the globe. We (those of us hunting 20+ years) are probably guilty as well to some degree. I believe wanting to kill kill kill is a part of the maturity of a turkey hunter. I shamefully remember a time when blood was a #1 desire (and this happened without YouTube). Turkey hunters go through phases- it's described in works such as the Old Pro Turkey Hunter which dates back to the authors beginnings in the 1920s. I'm unsure if the phase is even avoidable. We need to make certain that it is just a phase and look to expedite its completion. I've watched some appear to get stuck in that phase (especially if they're showcasing it on YouTube or the like). This mindset also rears it's ugly head in people chasing some type of "slam" regardless of which variety; it's a kill at all cost attitude. It's not productive and is spawned from greed, another undesirable trait. Stress to turkey hunters new and old that it's less to do with the "how many" and more to do with the "overall how." I'm attempting to reach as many turkey hunters as possible with that message. You have never and will never hear me speak of kill counts. I'm asked multiple times a season, "how many does that make for you" or "how many cigars is that now" and you will find those questions fall unanswered. It's not important. I'm trying my very best to show and sell the hunt not the conclusion through my content. The quicker we can rush new hunters through that kill phase the better off the resource will be, causing them to skip it would even be better.

You have helped spread light on the current issues facing wild turkey. On the contrary, many of your and THP's die-hard followers haven't been hunting very long and are part of this "The sky is following!" crowd because they came on board when turkey were doing better and they haven't hunted long enough to see the natural fluctuations in populations. This is also the same demographic that is very vocal on social media and actually aiding in reducing our turkey hunting opportunity. These new hunters got their public land bird(s) when times were better, but a bad hatch or two makes it difficult for them to #taggedout.The fact of the matter is, Mother Nature has always played a major role in turkey populations and we aren't going to change that. Gee, thanks for the compliment-ish, you're still finding that difficult it appears. I can agree with your sentiments regarding a "the sky is falling" mentality (I assume that's what you meant). I don't see it. A slight overall reduction, sure, but not a "mass decline" as put by one of your co-host. But I understand that terminology was necessary for the sell of his narrative regardless of it's implications. I digress. I see the arguments surrounding the turkey decline falling into 3 major groups- the old timers who experienced the boom of the late 90s when turkeys occupied marginal habitat because their populations peaked following the trap and transfer efforts. They expect to still hear 10 or more gobblers each morning and not sit down until they find one that cuts every single call, until then they haven't found one "that's ready." I think this is an unreal expectation unless the agencies get back into the business of trapping and transferring birds again. Even then, I'm not sure we would see those types of responses due to the degradation of habitat since the 90s and I wholly believe those measures are not necessary. The opposite end of the spectrum you have (already discussed within this post) the "instant gratification" crowd. This league of hunters expects results with little to no effort. If they devote a day to something they deserve a reward. This crowd thrives in the dawn of the methodology crutches. But if they are refused success then there is obviously a shortage of turkeys. Again, another wildly misinformed sector. In the middle we have a crowd that does just that, falls in the middle on the issues at hand. I fall there. Do I agree we have an overall decrease in turkey numbers. A dash of that opinion formulated from my own observations but the majority of the opinion falling on accounts received from worthy, trusted sources and the data provided through science (those numbers you love). I strongly agree with your opinion on much of our immediate issues being weather related. It's a contributor to this issue we simply can not fix. There will be good years and there will be bad years. This is why I question the states acceptance of rigid season guidelines for so long. My opinion, we need annual evaluations and differing seasonal frameworks to choose from- perhaps a conservative and liberal framework (jesus, please don't make this political) that will respond to the quality of reproduction and harvest. Essentially, if we made a lot of turkeys open up the opportunity; if we struggled in production restrict the opportunity for the sake of the resource. This type of evaluation already occurs in waterfowl and should be adapted for turkeys. Many issues this type of idea will encounter, starting with our ability to count turkeys, especially poults. But I do not think that is reason enough to pull it from consideration. Frankly, I've grown tired of excuses such as "that requires legislature, it'll be very difficult." Difficult questions often require difficult answers and we have difficult questions. Turkeys need a team of players that are willing to fight through difficultly to implement changes that will prove beneficial. If this means diving into the politics of the environment to battle agricultural practices or the like, sign me up. I'm for the resource and will gladly watch anything I've built go up in flames fighting for it. And as I move on from this topic, I'll mention your negative position for all things "new hunter" evident again in this passage. The "more hunters are reducing my opportunity" argument will find us selfishly standing on the ridgeline, alone much to our pleasure, without a turkey to hunt- much to our displeasure. You are still pointing fingers rather that looking for an answer to our reproductive struggles.

There are a ton of research questions that need to be addressed before we go to slashing away opportunities. There are other avenues to save as many (if not more) gobblers from death other than season/bag limit reductions. This is easily agreed upon, but much more difficult to get action. And for all of our sake, I sincerely hope you, TFT, or ANYONE can get movement on it. We can agree on this subject. I too believe there are other options that should be put on the table. Difficulty in action circles back around to getting into agency politics like before mentioned. Let's use the research to get hard numbers to face these opponents, gather a willing number of volunteers to go to war using those numbers and do something productive here while we have an environment filled with concerned turkey hunters. And just an FYI, it's already underway. Many folks (instead of whining on hunting forums) are working tirelessly at searching for answers and proposing changes that will no doubt be beneficial for wild turkeys. Anyone else cut a $35k check to single handedly initiate research? THP has. Also, look for big announcements from TFT in the next week or so (as soon as the paperwork is finalized).




So to wrap this all up, why can't ya'll spare future reductions in public land opportunity by just quitting naming states? It'd be a valid compromise for all. I think you can refer to the above on my explanations for the flaw in this logic and it's insignificance. When this doesn't work as well as you imagine (and it won't), you'll then be demanding we not hunt in March or not release turkey content until July. The harsh reality is you will never cease in attempting to derail turkey content because it adds difficultly to your endeavors. You are incapable to accepting failure on your part and instead vigorously search for another place to pass the blame. Because of course, it must be someone else's fault. You'll continue to seethe while smashing the thumbs down on every one of my videos. I understand that, I've accepted that. I realize I can not win over everyone regardless of how intensively I try. It's become apparent some are unable (or unwilling) to step back and see the big picture.


Ultimately, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if this combination of perfect storms causes us to lose turkey hunters. When folks get tired of overcrowded public lands, rising lease prices (due to turkey hunters having to have access to private to hunt their state's entire season), opportunity reductions and more restrictions.....Some will in fact gave it up! And I hate to say this, but I'm already looking forward to that day. I'd rather have less turkeys and a lot less turkey hunters than the crap show public lands/traveling turkey hunting has turned into since the YouTube/social media "hunting influencer" era came about. I'll address this comment in 2 parts. Part 1: The possibility of some to become disgruntled due to decreased opportunity and restrictions. I agree, its a possibility. It's unfortunate. I will merely add that individuals whom are likely to quit in that fashion were not motivated from the beginning. They were adding little to the pot with exception of their license. Turkeys were not important enough to them. While I do not wish to see their contributions disappear, regardless of how small, I'm confident the amount of hunters willing to buy their license, become a partner with TFT, purchase an NWTF membership, partake in an agency raffle, volunteer time at their nearest WMA and listen intently to new research findings to help mold seasons and opportunities with their voice far outnumber those willing to give up the trade so quickly. I personally would be willing to move Mount Everest with a teaspoon for the opportunity to sit down on one gobbling in March. I think this ideology can further be doubted when you see the success of organization like RMEF. Their membership is larger than NWTF (if memory serves me correctly) and has a game animal at their core that takes incredible effort in order to get an opportunity (Jesus, please don't let our opportunities to hunt wild turkeys mirror that of elk. Amen.) Part 2: Your opinion has it that YouTube has turned public land hunting and specifically traveling turkey hunting into a crap show. We have finally come to the root of your entire hatred of the matter. No one should be allowed to travel turkey hunt but Nathan because he was doing it before YouTube. It's become more difficult for Nathan to travel out of state and find turkeys to hunt because it's popular. Be d@m^'d any positivity that comes from it, let's incite war against YouTube because I must work harder. That's my view. As much as you and your small crowd taunt "Dave's only out for himself, he's got a 'he's gonna get his attitude- he!! with everyone else'" I find it amusing at your unwillingness to look in the mirror and accept the truths. I can only hope you guys are devoting as much time looking for answers to our turkey issues as you are attempting to tie the blame to YouTubers. Has the popularity of turkey hunting made public land hunting more difficult in some areas, absolutely, I'm affected as much as anyone. But, I refuse to let small negativities cast shade on an overall positive movement. Turkeys need the eyes and recognition. And lastly, I find it disgusting as a MS state wildlife biologist you would make comments like "I'm looking forward to the day turkey hunters quit. I'd rather have less turkeys and less hunters. . ." when you of all people should be acutely aware of how important hunters are to conservation. The mission of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is to conserve and enhance Mississippi’s wildlife, fisheries, and parks, provide quality outdoor recreation, and engage the public in natural resource conservation. That sentence copied straight from your agencies "about us." Let me ask you how you plan to "conserve and enhance" when you are advocating for less funding for the agency? How are you "engaging the public in resource conservation" if you frown on every new face that may visit your areas with the potential to become a volunteer? I am not without fault. I carry my share of flaws. I can't undo what's been done. I examine myself routinely to ensure I'm serving as the best example possible given my platform. I strongly suggest you do the same.

Here's a novel idea, if it's within the regs, why don't the social media guys buy a trapping license and hit the WMA's etc during furbearer season and run a line for nest predators ? Then promote that idea, publish it. Maybe some followers will take it up and do the same. Combine it into a scouting/trapping trip to add personal value. A side benefit, is that increased license sales and trapping equipment sales leads to increased P-R funds available to the states.

I'm seeing more private lands guys wanting to learn trapping and start setting steel. You're not going to make any money doing it, but every brood that is successfully hatched gives at least a small chance that there's one or two gobbling birds make it. As recruitment expands so does hunting opportunity.

I’m not gonna write a book though I could. I fell in love with Dave’s videos way before the Pinhoti Project because he chased turkeys “right” and inspired me to work to be a better caller. I haven’t been doing it as long as many on here, but I am a self-proclaimed “Lord’s annointed” as Mr. Kelly would say. I have a very deep admiration for God’s creation of the wild turkey, I killed em every way possible when I started, and it didnt take me too long to dive headlong into adding ethics-only based rules to myself on how I was gonna pursue them. I bet my mentor would testify that when he and I had a short-lived dabbling in fanning up turkeys for the first time and killed a few that I called us out on what a shortcut/lessening/instant gratification/cheating way of killing such a majestic creature that it was. I only use that as a single example to say that I humbly believe that I “get it”as a whole.

With all that said, I honestly believe that you have tossed the pearls of what we do to the swine Dave and they have trampled and crapped all over them. I do believe you had the best of intentions when you started Pinhoti, with a worthy goal of overshadowing the aforementioned methods and cheapening of turkey hunting. Unfortunately, in the sorta necessary evil of promoting yourself (social media etc.) in order to be able to do it, the pigs care not about how you killed him. But this self-worshipping culture that we live in LOVES to get behind his dead arse, smoke a cigar or put one out right by his beautifully colored head, hold them spurs up to the sky background (even if they shot him out of the damn truck or from behind a fan), and rush to post it on social media. WAY more about the attention they seek than what it is really about. IE they have attached to the worst part of what you do instead of the good. And you are doing WAY more damage than good IMHO.