Ontario - proposed changes to turkey hunting for 2017

Re:
Call said:
I was told that, because it was a reintroduced species, it mandated a separate course to introduce hunters to the hunting methodology and biology of the animal. Except I don't think they did that for elk when it was reintroduced.

Also, money grab, as mentioned above.
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I agree with the "new species" aspect of the separate course initially due to the totally different methods and safety knowledge of hunting Wild Turkey (no red, blue, white etc). It was not a cash grab but hunter safety driven. This amalgamated Hunter Ed course proposal is great! If we are going to be trained as hunters in Ontario then the whole shebang should be included in one shot. Bravo!

Quote from news release: "Other proposed changes include the merging of the wild turkey hunter education course into the curriculum for the Ontario Hunter Education Program (OHEP). Adding wild turkey content to the OHEP course eliminates the need for a separate wild turkey course, though many questions remain regarding exactly how this will be implemented."

And furthermore, no one should be grandfathered unless they previously took the Wild Turkey course. So keep the T's on the qualified Outdoor Cards and add a new code for the newbies that take the combined course when it comes out! Heck a retake of the new course is not a bad thing for the old-timers who want to turkey hunt. The darn turkey course has been around for 29 years now since the very first one in Trenton in 1987. It's about time the courses were amalgamated!
 
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Here is a quote from the actual proposal from Ontario's Environmental Registry (012-8597):

MNR EBR Registry Number 012-8597 said:
The following regulatory changes are being proposed for implementation in 2017:

1) Remove the requirement for a separate wild turkey education course (course content will be incorporated into the broader Ontario Hunter Education Program). Existing accredited hunters who have not yet completed wild turkey hunter education training would be allowed to hunt wild turkeys without any further training. Note: the ministry is exploring options to share and distribute turkey hunting information to existing accredited hunters (e.g. making information available online).

2) Introduce a spring wild turkey hunting season in WMU 36 and introduce a fall wild turkey hunting season in Wildlife Management Unit 94. These two WMUs meet criteria outlined in the Wild Turkey Management Plan (2007) for opening of new seasons.

3) Introduce a fall bows-only season from October 1-31 in all WMUs that have a fall wild turkey hunting season. The regular firearm wild turkey hunting season would remain the same, opening the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and running until the second following Sunday.

4) Standardize the opening of the spring wild turkey hunting season to be April 25th of each year, even when the 25th falls on a weekend.

5) Allow shot size number 7 to be used for wild turkey hunting in addition to shot size numbers 4, 5 and 6.

6) Clarify through regulation minimum bow requirements for hunting wild turkey (e.g. minimum draw weight and length) according to the current guidelines found in the Hunting Regulation Summary for wild turkey hunting with a bow.
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There are 2 aspects to the proposal regarding turkey hunter education. Firstly, they are proposing to integrate the turkey education into the Ontario Hunter Education Program that new hunters must pass. I think this part is a great idea.

Secondly, they are proposing to allow 'existing accredited hunters...to hunt wild turkeys without any further training'. This I don't like. I thought the turkey seminar that I attended was well worth the small fee and 1 day of my time. The materials presented focused on potential safety issues, legal bird ID, and hunting techniques. The proposal states that these materials will be available online but how many will take advantage of this if they can just go out and buy a license? IMO, this could lead to accidents and/or increased number of hens shot in the spring hunt.

Furthermore, I don't believe that the mandatory turkey seminar is a money grab as many have put it, because unless I am mistaken the money goes to the course organizers (eg. OFAH) and not to the provincial government. I believe that the opposite is true and that allowing existing outdoors card holders who have not attended and passed a turkey seminar is a cash grab by the government. They would expect to sell more turkey licenses if they drop the mandatory seminar requirement.
 
birdinator said:
Here is a quote from the actual proposal from Ontario's Environmental Registry (012-8597):


There are 2 aspects to the proposal regarding turkey hunter education. Firstly, they are proposing to integrate the turkey education into the Ontario Hunter Education Program that new hunters must pass. I think this part is a great idea.

Secondly, they are proposing to allow 'existing accredited hunters...to hunt wild turkeys without any further training'. This I don't like. I thought the turkey seminar that I attended was well worth the small fee and 1 day of my time. The materials presented focused on potential safety issues, legal bird ID, and hunting techniques. The proposal states that these materials will be available online but how many will take advantage of this if they can just go out and buy a license? IMO, this could lead to accidents and/or increased number of hens shot in the spring hunt.

Furthermore, I don't believe that the mandatory turkey seminar is a money grab as many have put it, because unless I am mistaken the money goes to the course organizers (eg. OFAH) and not to the provincial government. I believe that the opposite is true and that allowing existing outdoors card holders who have not attended and passed a turkey seminar is a cash grab by the government. They would expect to sell more turkey licenses if they drop the mandatory seminar requirement.
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I went online, paid with CC, they sent me a DVD to watch. Then I had to find someone to administer the test. No 1 day course.
 
Bow only is retarded, I can legally hunt small game all fall long with a gun why the eff not a turkey. I also was one of the 1300 to comment on the Ofah survey and also botched about the lack of ability for the $30 money grab license fee that can't be used in the fall.

$30 bucks for one bird that is a few pounds bigger than a goose that I can shoot 10 of in one day for $19.50 for a whole season is also retarded.

Ill buy 1 spring license because in southern area it's the only thing we can hunt other than yotes and coons.
 
crash277 said:
I went online, paid with CC, they sent me a DVD to watch. Then I had to find someone to administer the test. No 1 day course.
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The DVD thing might be new since I took the course, maybe I just wasn't aware of it, or maybe I just wanted to be sure I would be able to buy a turkey license before the season started. It was several years ago and I don't remember which was the case. When it comes right down to it it doesn't make that much difference. Both approaches provide educational material and require a test to get a T card. The course had the added benefit of being able to ask questions and try out a bunch of different turkey calls to see which ones I might like the best without buying them. I ended up buying several anyway. :)

The way the proposal is currently worded, they are proposing that existing licensed hunters will be able to hunt turkeys without doing any of that.

BTW, assuming that you watched your DVD, did it have the very entertaining DON'T clip of the camo-clad guy crawling through the bush holding his tom decoy in front and stopping every now and then to make a gobble call? :)
 
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