Ontario turkey hunters - Turkey hunting changes confirmed for 2017
- Thread starter Arclight
- Start date
Trimmer 905
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Has anyone noticed that we still need to buy separate Turkey licenses,one each for spring AND fall? I'm pretty sure they didn't change that AFAIK. So,here we have Deer and Black Bear bow hunters and Turkey hunters and Upland hunters all camod up ,all in the woods at the same time. Hunters will need to exercise a much higher level of care as to shot placement and back drop. Somehow,I don't think this will end well.
Trimmer 905
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
That's about the dumbest post I've ever seen. FFS,THINK,man.
I have to completely disagree with #7 shot.
But, it's great that they are integrating the turkey into the regular hunters ed.
The early date might benefit hunters as the weather seems to heat up earlier than 10-15 years ago.
Wondering how current hunters card holders will add turkey?
But, it's great that they are integrating the turkey into the regular hunters ed.
The early date might benefit hunters as the weather seems to heat up earlier than 10-15 years ago.
Wondering how current hunters card holders will add turkey?
Trimmer 905
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
U-m-m-m.....what's a fudd?
Santoneski
Regular
- Location
- Hamilton, On
I wish theyd let you carry over your unfilled spring tag to fall.
I'm good with all the changes, it's nice to see some regulation changes that are mostly positive. The only thing I question is the 7 shot. I feel it is underpowered for 35 yard plus shots. Hopefully it does not lead to injured birds. The bigger experienced gobbler many times won't venture in. I would hate to miss an opportunity on a big older bird. In my area there are lots of coyotes too, better to have heavier shot at the ready. But anyway nice to have more options hunters can take advantage of if it suits them.
I really like the change for the earlier bow season.
I really like the change for the earlier bow season.
Last edited:
All testing has proven that pellet count kills gobblers cleaner than large shot... that is why they made the change. Most US states moved to #7 shot a couple decades ago. I will probably stay with #6's as I still have a flat of 3.5" #6 turkey loads. I will probably switch to #7 when these are gone.
verminaard
CGN Regular
- Location
- SW Bantario
If you need to exercise a much higher level of care for shot placement and backdrop, then you are doing something wrong to start with.
Awesome news. Bought the "course", watched the DVD, but never got around to doing the exam with the invigilator. So this change won't save me any $, butt it will save some time.
Pumped about the bows only season. Got some Magnus Bullheads ready to fly!
Pumped about the bows only season. Got some Magnus Bullheads ready to fly!
I agree that #7 is very lethal inside 35 yards it's the longer shots. I think my calling is nowhere as good as yours Hoytcannon. Quite a few hung up on me past 45 yards, but I was confident number 5 and 6 will reach. I don't think personally I would go for a 40+ yard with number 7. Pellet count will be there, but maybe not the knock down.
Looking forward to spring...
Last edited:
Hevi-shot Magnum Blend and Federal Premium 3rd Degree both contain #5, 6, & 7 shot. In both cases, the #7 shot is made with a heavier-than-lead material. I doubt there will be an issue with killing power. Frankly, I have had the best patterns with cheap Kent and Federal loads. I won't be switching anytime soon as I have a small stock pile of the stuff kicking around.
If you are interested in the heavier-than-lead hand loads check out the Gobbler Nation forums.
If you are interested in the heavier-than-lead hand loads check out the Gobbler Nation forums.
I did not know about the heavier than lead material #7 shot. This would make a difference in killing power than regular lead for sure. I have had good experience with my setup using #5 and 6 and have a little stock pile as welI. I won't be switching anytime soon. But good to know.
Runningfool
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Hehe. Looks like most of us who have been hunting turkeys for a while have the same little "stockpile" of our favourite 4, 5, or 6 so allowing 7s is kinda of like meh....
I'm a bit disappointed that they did not make the change to allow us to use uncut spring tags in the fall but now that I sit back and consider things, maybe there is more to that decision than a simple money grab. Clearly the woods will see an increase in turkey hunters this spring and a lot of those new to turkey hunting will be in for a bit of a surprise at how difficult it can be to bag a bird in the spring....so when fall rolls around and these same hunters are hunting deer, having an unused and paid-for turkey tag in their pocket is going to mean a hell of a lot more fall birds taken.
Having to shell out an extra $32 to legally harvest a fall bird keeps those harvest numbers very low (ratio of spring to fall harvest is about 30:1) so maybe the MNRF wants to see how this new influx of turkey hunters impacts populations before opening the floodgates in the fall as well. I'm guessing the new harvest numbers are not going to put much of a dent in our populations and hopefully they consider allowing spring tag use in the fall in the not too distant future. Just a thought.
I'm a bit disappointed that they did not make the change to allow us to use uncut spring tags in the fall but now that I sit back and consider things, maybe there is more to that decision than a simple money grab. Clearly the woods will see an increase in turkey hunters this spring and a lot of those new to turkey hunting will be in for a bit of a surprise at how difficult it can be to bag a bird in the spring....so when fall rolls around and these same hunters are hunting deer, having an unused and paid-for turkey tag in their pocket is going to mean a hell of a lot more fall birds taken.
Having to shell out an extra $32 to legally harvest a fall bird keeps those harvest numbers very low (ratio of spring to fall harvest is about 30:1) so maybe the MNRF wants to see how this new influx of turkey hunters impacts populations before opening the floodgates in the fall as well. I'm guessing the new harvest numbers are not going to put much of a dent in our populations and hopefully they consider allowing spring tag use in the fall in the not too distant future. Just a thought.
