OFAH Announces Expansion of Turkey Hunting WMU's

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rpaulpen

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I just received an email from OFAH announcing new WMU's (42, 47, 49 and 50 ) for the spring turkey hunt in Ontario. I looked at the MNR's site and didn't see anything. Has anyone been able to find confirmation from the MNR?

Article from OFAH below...

Ontario's spring turkey hunt is around the corner
Sustainable wild turkey populations lead to expanded hunting opportunities

Nothing says springtime like the sound of a distant gobble in the turkey woods. The spring turkey hunting season starts Friday, April 25 and runs to Saturday, May 31 and this season offers more opportunities for Ontario hunters than ever before.

Sustainable wild turkey populations in Ontario have allowed for additional spring and fall hunting opportunities in 2014. For the first time, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has introduced new spring turkey hunting seasons in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 42 (Sudbury district) and WMUs 47, 49 and 50 (North Bay and Parry Sound districts). A new fall hunting season will take place in WMU 59 (Pembroke district).

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), along with other advocates, began working with the MNR more than 25 years ago to restore wild turkeys in the province.

"The reintroduction of the eastern wild turkey to Ontario is one of the province's most successful wildlife recovery stories," OFAH biologist Dawn Sucee says. "With more than 70,000 birds estimated in Ontario, populations seem to have stabilized in many areas. In other areas of the province, the range continues to expand naturally."

This is great news for Ontario turkey hunters who may not have had a turkey hunting season in their WMU previously, or for those who are interested in travelling to new hunting grounds. These additional turkey hunting opportunities were established in part using information submitted by Ontario hunters. Mandatory turkey harvest reporting enables MNR biologists to analyze populations and make recommendations on management. Successful turkey hunters must report their harvested bird by no later than noon the day after it was harvested.
 
I appreciate that the OFAH played a huge part in the re-introduction of the wild turkey in Ontario...

But I've always taken issue with the turkey course ONLY offered by them... Essentially writing themselves a source of income forever...

AND, now I take issue with this announcement coming from OFAH and not the Ministry of Natural Resources!

Cheers
Jay
 
Jay said:
I appreciate that the OFAH played a huge part in the re-introduction of the wild turkey in Ontario...

But I've always taken issue with the turkey course ONLY offered by them... Essentially writing themselves a source of income forever...

AND, now I take issue with this announcement coming from OFAH and not the Ministry of Natural Resources!

Cheers
Jay
Click to expand...

You have no idea how pissed I was at having to hand them $35 for the turkey dvd.
 
Who sees many turkeys in WMU 49??


Myself I have seen maybe one or two while driving the roads. I have never seen birds while hunting and I do quite a bit. Never any tracks or droppings either. We own 600 acres and hunt lots of crown land
 
OFAH does more for Ontario hunters than any other organization... if you don't want to pay, its simple... don't hunt turkeys... if you want to hunt, pay the user fee, smile and be happy that you have the opportunity.
 
Haven't been updated yet. Can't say about all the $35 thing that they keep it or send it to Gov't but that's a heck of a money grab, even though they send 10 bucks back to instructors. We can teach same thing in regular hunting class but I'm not decision maker.
 
hoytcanon said:
OFAH does more for Ontario hunters than any other organization... if you don't want to pay, its simple... don't hunt turkeys... if you want to hunt, pay the user fee, smile and be happy that you have the opportunity.
Click to expand...

Chuckle!

Sounds like... "The current Government has done more for gun owners than any other government... If you don't want to pay for the gun license, it's simple... don't have guns... if you want to have guns, pay the user fee, smile and be happy that you have the priviledge."

I'll expand on my comment by saying, IT'S WRONG that the OFAH has written itself a FOREVER paycheque REGARDLESS of what it has done wrt re-establishing the wild turkey!

Regards
Jay
 
Jay said:
Chuckle!

Sounds like... "The current Government has done more for gun owners than any other government... If you don't want to pay for the gun license, it's simple... don't have guns... if you want to have guns, pay the user fee, smile and be happy that you have the priviledge."

I'll expand on my comment by saying, IT'S WRONG that the OFAH has written itself a FOREVER paycheque REGARDLESS of what it has done wrt re-establishing the wild turkey!

Regards
Jay
Click to expand...


Sorry, I gotta disagree..... If an org wants to step up and reintroduce/manage elk in my area on the condition that I pay them 35 bucks, I'll do so with a smile on my face.
 
The only problem I have with the turkey course is simple. I just paid $35 for an instructional DVD and have to write a test to be allowed the privelage to shoot a really stupid bird. But I can go and spend $27ish bucks (I can't remember the exact amount right now) to hunt a bear. A bear can kill me, a turkey can't. I'd be more interested in paying $35 for a bear hunting course.
 
DVXDUDE said:
Who sees many turkeys in WMU 49??


Myself I have seen maybe one or two while driving the roads. I have never seen birds while hunting and I do quite a bit. Never any tracks or droppings either. We own 600 acres and hunt lots of crown land
Click to expand...

600 acres...I can only dream of owning a plot like that...
We have quite a few in the southern end of 50, and a very short distance away in the north end of 53A (where I live) we have LOTS. Maybe they are making their way NW to you in 49?
 
crash277 said:
The only problem I have with the turkey course is simple. I just paid $35 for an instructional DVD and have to write a test to be allowed the privelage to shoot a really stupid bird. But I can go and spend $27ish bucks (I can't remember the exact amount right now) to hunt a bear. A bear can kill me, a turkey can't. I'd be more interested in paying $35 for a bear hunting course.
Click to expand...

You missed the point... they aren't worried about the turkey/bear killing you... they are worried about you killing another hunter or vice versa...

I can't believe the whining over a few bucks, by a few on this thread... I'm happy to support IN ANY WAY an organization at the fore front of my hunting rights and those of my kids and grandkids... heck, I paid an $80 annual fee for the right to hunt CROWN land in some WMU's because it is managed by a conservation authority... I didn't whine about that either... even though my tax dollars already paid for that land... grow up people... you spend thousands on this sport every year, a few bucks to help insure that you get to do it next year and five/ten/fifteen years from now is worthy insurance.
 
Your missing my point. I didn't miss yours. I have no problem paying. But what is the license fee for? All I'm saying is there is a required course for turkeys but no other animal. I fail to see where I'm whining. I'm merely offering my opinion. I inderstand that at cgn only a person with thousands of post can offer their opinion. Where do I donate to your soap box fund so you can stand a bit higher?

Turkey is the most expense per lb animal to hunt where I live. I keep them well stocked and feed them all winter. Not just because they are delicious but because my children get to see them. Same as the deer, I feed them and any other animal that happens to want something I've put out.

From my research the original idea for the course was to teach people and provide funds to sustain the turkeys. Is that still required?
 
Gear to go turkey hunting: $500 - $1500, depending on how serious you go at it.
Training DVD to keep hunters safe: $35.
Have to say, I do not have a problem with the current turkey hunting system. The MNR would not be able to run this system on its own for less, no way.
 
DVXDUDE said:
Who sees many turkeys in WMU 49??


Myself I have seen maybe one or two while driving the roads. I have never seen birds while hunting and I do quite a bit. Never any tracks or droppings either. We own 600 acres and hunt lots of crown land
Click to expand...

My camp is on the border of 47/49 and I've saw at least 10-15 on my 63 acres. Can't count how many on the roads around the area. They are definitely around and I'm looking forward to the hunt.
 
crash277 said:
The only problem I have with the turkey course is simple. I just paid $35 for an instructional DVD and have to write a test to be allowed the privelage to shoot a really stupid bird. But I can go and spend $27ish bucks (I can't remember the exact amount right now) to hunt a bear. A bear can kill me, a turkey can't. I'd be more interested in paying $35 for a bear hunting course.
Click to expand...

It's about hunter to hunter safety. They basically teach you to sit in a field wearing camo and not a semblence of hunter orange. There are some basic tips in the course that are well worth the fee, especially for the rookie hunter.
 
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