Ontario Turkey Course, Too Commercialized???

I don't mind the OFAH, my course had a freaking store there, selling merchandise during break while the instructors were using what the store had for sale to teach about turkey hunting.

Inappropriate for a required course.....
 
im sure every one #####es about the course in one way or the other..but im sure that every one who has taken it,can also say they have learned something from it..
cheers ya bunch of whinney turkey hunters:p:sniper:
 
Here is the low down. Just took it today.

IF YOUR NOT REGISTERED JUST SHOW UP. I DID. tHERE WERE ATLEAST 50 OTHER WALK INS HERE IN LONDON.
The course could be taught in half a day. but to be honest there are some real dumb ass's in the crowd.
All you need to know is:
4, 5 or 6 shot size.
Don't wera red, blue or white. (so no american flag bandana's wrapped around your head, unless you want a group of pellets in the pumpkin.
when carrying your bird away put it in a bag, dont carry it over your shoulder.
Oh yeah; mle turkeys have beards and are bigger. (unless they are greek, portugese or italian: then the women have beards as well)
ten gauge kicks.

UIt was hell but atleast it is now over!!
 
1bigrn said:
IF YOUR NOT REGISTERED JUST SHOW UP. I DID. tHERE WERE ATLEAST 50 OTHER WALK INS HERE IN LONDON.
The course could be taught in half a day. but to be honest there are some real dumb ass's in the crowd.
All you need to know is:
4, 5 or 6 shot size.
Don't wera red, blue or white. (so no american flag bandana's wrapped around your head, unless you want a group of pellets in the pumpkin.
when carrying your bird away put it in a bag, dont carry it over your shoulder.
Oh yeah; mle turkeys have beards and are bigger. (unless they are greek, portugese or italian: then the women have beards as well)
ten gauge kicks.

UIt was hell but atleast it is now over!!
Click to expand...

sit with a tree at your back.........that way if someone shoot,s you,the tree will stop the pellets from hitting someone behind you;)
 
Jay said:
Hey Guys;

I have not taken the turkey course, but a friend just took it in Cornwall Ont. He said that the course was informative, but very commercialized, and not solely about educating the first time turkey hunter... I.E., they were pushing memberships to the OFAH etc... It was the first thing he said about the course, so I go the impression that it wasn't just a small blurb.

Anyone else have a perspective? I guess the "issue" I have with it is that because the course is mandatory, I believe it should be educational and not an opportunity for an organization to fund raise etc...

Cheers
Jay
Click to expand...

I was at the Cornwall course... brutal stuff. an 8 hour course, and overpriced turkey hunting equipment. didn't really cover anything substantial... though we did cover "dont dress up like a turkey and run around in the woods" hypothetical situation about 6 times. They have the monopoly on turkey courses, they know it, and because of this they can charge us as much as they want. Brutal...

On the bright side.. i took a book and did a project while i was there :p
cheers,
P.
 
The safety aspects are definitely important but as has been said this can all be covered in 2-3 hours and should be offered as part of the hunter's ed course.

I took my course in Hamilton last year and there was a store setup in the back as well...
 
44fordy said:
I definately agree with the "comercialization BS", there is a little too much of that.

But I don't necessasarily disagree with the course, maybe just shorten it a bit.

The "safety" aspect is important. You're in full camo, you're making turkey noises, and you have a gun.

Yes, we all know target qualification, but sometimes accidents unfortunately happen, and this in itself justifies the course.

Plus the "technique" is, IMO, great info for first timers!
Click to expand...

And for everyone slamming the OFAH, just remember if it wasn't for that organization you wouldn't be worrying about having to go turkey hunting. I'd be giving them a break on this one. Modern turkey hunting in Ontario is their legacy.
 
So here's my modest perspective:
The course was waaaay too long and could easily be condensed or even delivered in an online format. There were about 4 critical pieces of information that need to be delivered for new turkey hunters and the rest was filler and reiteration. While the stories and anecdotes were entertaining, not the most productive use of a Saturday afternoon.
I just sat through the London course and can say that of the 350 hunters in that lecture hall, there were a whole pile that I hope to never have in the same woods as me. Some of the questions that were asked left you honestly wondering if or how long ago these folks took a basic hunter safety course.
For me, the best part of the day was after lunch when all 60 people who just bought their turkey calls thought it would be cool to try them in the lecture hall....:rolleyes:
No two ways about it, there are ways that I would rather spend 8 hours, but it was a small price to pay for the ability to take part in the spring (and fall now :D) turkey hunts.
My hat's off to the OFAH for taking 250 birds and 20 years and aiding the growth of that population to over 90000 and the creation of another viable game option for Ontario hunters. Like or dispise the course and the commercial nature of certain aspects, the fact remains as stated in other posts, if not for the OFAH, it would be a longer wait for deer season.
Go get those Toms!
 
londongunguy said:
So here's my modest perspective:
The course was waaaay too long and could easily be condensed or even delivered in an online format. There were about 4 critical pieces of information that need to be delivered for new turkey hunters and the rest was filler and reiteration. While the stories and anecdotes were entertaining, not the most productive use of a Saturday afternoon.
I just sat through the London course and can say that of the 350 hunters in that lecture hall, there were a whole pile that I hope to never have in the same woods as me. Some of the questions that were asked left you honestly wondering if or how long ago these folks took a basic hunter safety course.
For me, the best part of the day was after lunch when all 60 people who just bought their turkey calls thought it would be cool to try them in the lecture hall....:rolleyes:
No two ways about it, there are ways that I would rather spend 8 hours, but it was a small price to pay for the ability to take part in the spring (and fall now :D) turkey hunts.
My hat's off to the OFAH for taking 250 birds and 20 years and aiding the growth of that population to over 90000 and the creation of another viable game option for Ontario hunters. Like or dispise the course and the commercial nature of certain aspects, the fact remains as stated in other posts, if not for the OFAH, it would be a longer wait for deer season.
Go get those Toms!
Click to expand...

Certainly true.

I don't think my course was too commercialized. TBH, I don't think they ever even pulled a product off the bench to display it. They demonstrated different calls, what they were good for. I found it very informative.

I didn't know you could use an owl call to shock gobble a turkey. Nor did I know that you should sit with your left shoulder (if your a righty) facing where you think the Tom will be coming.

Took my course on a Sunday in Ottawa. I'm just wondering because they spent so long covering a few key subjects, if thats why the test was easy? Hard to not get perfect on it.
 
londongunguy said:
So here's my modest perspective:
The course was waaaay too long and could easily be condensed or even delivered in an online format. There were about 4 critical pieces of information that need to be delivered for new turkey hunters and the rest was filler and reiteration. While the stories and anecdotes were entertaining, not the most productive use of a Saturday afternoon.
I just sat through the London course and can say that of the 350 hunters in that lecture hall, there were a whole pile that I hope to never have in the same woods as me. Some of the questions that were asked left you honestly wondering if or how long ago these folks took a basic hunter safety course.
For me, the best part of the day was after lunch when all 60 people who just bought their turkey calls thought it would be cool to try them in the lecture hall....:rolleyes:
No two ways about it, there are ways that I would rather spend 8 hours, but it was a small price to pay for the ability to take part in the spring (and fall now :D) turkey hunts.
My hat's off to the OFAH for taking 250 birds and 20 years and aiding the growth of that population to over 90000 and the creation of another viable game option for Ontario hunters. Like or dispise the course and the commercial nature of certain aspects, the fact remains as stated in other posts, if not for the OFAH, it would be a longer wait for deer season.
Go get those Toms!
Click to expand...

EXACTLY!!!!!

I took the course many years ago, but have never participated in the hunt. I did help the OFHA back in the early 80's to release birds. The 40 dollars and the mandatory course are small payment for todays turkey hunting.

Would anyone not want to take a mandatory course at some future point (and dollar amount) to hunt an elk in Ontario? I would gladly pay.
 
My friend and I attended the course during the Hunting Show this year in Toronto, and it was a bit too long.

The stories and jokes were fun, but at times it became hard to concentrate on some speakers in a dim light for 8 hours :yingyang:

But like some of you stated, the questions were ridiculous, I was actually starting to worry to meet one of those "hunters" in the field :eek:

ps. Commercialized = it wasn't, I was at the Hunting Show seminar and the guys didn't mention any particular calls or equipment to purchase, just summary, and actually few speakers Warned of "some" retailers to try to sell you unnecessary calls and products.

Hats off to OFAH, I'll join :wave:
 
dont wear white
dont wear blue
dont wear red
dont use a gobble call
lean up against a tree at least as fat as you
dont stalk a 'gobble'

There, screw the course and just challenge the exam.
 
gth said:
dont wear white
dont wear blue
dont wear red
dont use a gobble call
lean up against a tree at least as fat as you
dont stalk a 'gobble'

There, screw the course and just challenge the exam.
Click to expand...

that mostly summs it up
Plus:
Safe backstop
Know of you target and beyong
Bearded turkey
 
I finally broke down and took the course this year. If I knew I could of challanged it I would of. Sitting in a room with 250 other people ( fire hazard ) was not that fun for a day. Well at least its out of the way untill the OFHA has a Squirel course or one for Jack Rabbits. The Walmart flyer was a sell out but so are some aspects of how the OFHA does business.

I did the course here in Waterloo. It was good of them to have Shooter Choice there to show off their wares, the lesser of two evils.
 
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