No....Again over your head....I never said you wouldn't complete it and I never said you were lazy or not responsible enough. But there are many who are. I’ll break it down for you with a history lesson...skip passed the numbered bullets to get to the point
1) Turkeys exterminated in Ontario due to habitat loss, but primarily UNREGULATED HUNTING. Last native wild turkey was recorded more than 100 years ago in 1902
2) Turkeys were unsuccessfully re-introduced in Ontario multiple times, most recently in the 1960’s
3) An effort to reintroduce them in 1984 was deemed to be successful. A total of 274 birds were released. A subsequent release of a couple dozen birds was made in 1997 in eastern Ontario.
4) Ontario’s first regulated wild turkey hunting occurred in the spring of 1987 In WMU 68 and 71 and hunters were required to purchase a MANDATORY game seal. Seasons consisted of two 1 week sessions
5) Today there are 48 WMU’s that support a spring season and 22 that also support a fall season
6) Initially hunters wishing to hunt wild turkeys were required to complete a MANDATORY in person course and pass a wild turkey hunter exam in order to purchase a seal.
7) Hunting hours were limited from half hour before sunrise up to 12:00 noon and it was MANDATORY to bring harvested birds to a reporting check station prior to 5:00 pm the day the bird was harvested
8) As populations increased, regulations became less restrictive. A regular hunt commenced in 1991
9) The use of decoys was permitted in 1997 and the one bird limit was increased to two birds in 1998.
10) In 2000, the spring season was expanded
11) In 2005, hunting hours were extended to 7:00pm
12) In 2007, check stations were replaced by MANDATORY reporting by telephone.
13) In 2012, the MANDATORY wild turkey course and testing was starting to be offered online
14) In 2013, MANDATORY harvest reporting was offered online
15) In 2016, the MANDATORY course was eliminated but the MANDATORY harvest reports were maintained
16) In 2019, for the convenience of hunters, a new online system was expanded to purchase, print and report. MANDATORY REPORTING also extended until June 14th
Im getting old and my memory has been lost somewhere between here and who knows where, so many details listed may be off or left out, but I hope the general point is understood. If it isn’t, I cant help you.....but the general point is that we are where we are because of many MANDATORY issues that were required during Ontario’s 32 year wild turkey hunting history. Those MANDATORY requirements have been continuously updated and upgraded. Today, we find ourselves with the most convenient and lenient wild turkey hunting season(s) we have ever had. Yes, there are still some MANDATORY requirements, but those requirements have been made so convenient and simple that for hunters that have been enjoying this great pass time over the last 32 years really appreciate.
Everyone who has purchased a tag has the duty to report their activities so that we can continue to expand on our great wild turkey hunt and program for the thousands of hunters that will follow in generations to come. Note the use of the word DUTY.
Im of the opinion that when advancements make things too convenient for the masses, the sacrifices made in the past to get to that point are lost and we are left with the entitled and victim culture we readily see in today’s society where a 3 minute MANDATORY survey becomes a source of stress and butt hurt. The survey is made MANDATORY for the very reason that people have the attitude that they shouldn't be mandated to do anything because apparently the world owes them something. Get over it, stop feeling offended and complete the 3 minute survey....
