Ontario Turkey Course, Too Commercialized???

Jay

Jay

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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
 
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coltfan said:
If they cut out the hunting stories, sales pitches for Quaker Boy and OFAH , the course could be taught in one day.
Click to expand...
True, but it would likely cost more. By the way, it IS only one day.
They do usually have some pretty good prices of calls and stuff after the show. I really didn't mind it, a chance to sleep in a big hall full of other hunters. :) The snoring can get annoying. :)
Seriously, it's worthwhile going, they may even show you some stuff you didn't already know from the guys on here.
 
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I just took the course in Tillsonburg, On and it was only 8 hours long. Talk about stuffing sardines in a can! Must have been 200 something guys there packed into one tight little hall. All i could smell was the nasty BO! Aside from all that, the sleep was needed but the sales pitches weren't.
 
What is a beard?
Does your turkey have one?
Did you know if has to have one to shoot it?

Make sure you know about the beard for the test :rolleyes:
 
*ttp://www.ofah.org/Hunting/index.cfm?ID=12

O.F.A.H. Wild Turkey Seminars

Attendance at a seminar is mandatory for anyone wishing to hunt wild turkeys in Ontario for the first time. However, these seminars are also open to nonhunters interested in the wild turkey.
What will I learn at an O.F.A.H. Wild Turkey Seminar?

The seminar will provide information on the natural history of wild turkeys, hunting safety and ethics, hunting regulations, hunting techniques, equipment and calling. All seminars are taught by experienced wild turkey hunters.
How do I qualify for a turkey hunting licence?

At the end of the seminar day, the Ministry of Natural Resources gives a written, multiple-choice test. Everyone who passes the test will receive the certificate necessary to purchase a turkey hunting licence.
What else should I know?

If there are no seats left in the seminar you have chosen, you will be called at your daytime phone number and asked to select another date. Your seminar information will be mailed to you a week and a half before the seminar date, you should receive your information package on or around the Wednesday prior to the seminar.
The O.F.A.H. reserves the right to cancel any seminar due to insufficient pre-registration. A minimum of 75 people are needed to hold a seminar.
Seminar fees are $35 and are non-refundable and may not be transferred to another party. Refunds are only available if the seminar is cancelled. If you are unable to attend your selected date you can transfer to another seminar if space remains. Your registration can not be processed without payment. Seminar registration will close at 11:00 am on the Tuesday before the scheduled seminar date.

Turkey Seminar Listings


( To register, click on the seminar location you would like to attend. )


South West Ontario

Attention St. Catharines' participants!
Seminar location has been changed. Click here for details

​
Reg # Location Date
10 London ( Seminar Full ) [ Details ] Saturday April 12

11 London ( Seminar Full ) [ Details ] Sunday April 13

12 St. Catharines ( Seminar Full ) [ Details ] Saturday April 19

13 Hamilton ( Seminar Full ) [ Details ] Sunday April 20


South East Ontario

NEW SEMINAR ADDED
New seminar added in Vernon, Ontario
( 30 km NE of Kemptville )

​
Reg # Location Date
33 Bancroft ( Seminar Full ) [ Details ] Saturday April 12

34 Belleville ( Seminar Full ) [ Details ] Sunday April 20

43 Vernon [ Details ] Saturday April 19
Print Seminar 43 Form
Northern Ontario

Attention Sudbury participants!
Seminar location has been changed. Click here for details

​
Reg # Location Date
37 North Bay ( Seminar Full ) [ Details ] Saturday April 12

38 Sudbury ( Seminar Full ) [ Details ] Sunday April 13


Central Ontario

Reg # Location Date
22 Oshawa ( Seminar Full ) [ Details ] Saturday April 12

23 Oshawa ( Seminar Full ) [ Details ] Sunday April 13

24 Lindsay ( Seminar Full ) [ Details ] Saturday April 19

25 Lindsay ( Seminar Full ) [ Details ] Sunday April 20


After Season Opens

Reg # Location Date
39 Toronto [ Details ] Saturday May 3
Print Seminar 39 Form 40 Belleville [ Details ] Sunday May 4
Print Seminar 40 Form 44 Orillia [ Details ] Saturday May 10
Print Seminar 44 Form
​

How Do I Register?
  • By phone with a credit card number to the O.F.A.H. - 705-748-OFAH (6324) ( please have your credit card ready )
  • By FAX (Click on the Print Form link beside the seminar you would like to attend. Fax number: 705-748-9577 )
  • By Online Registration (Click on the seminar location to register)
  • By Mail with a credit card #, cheque or money order to:
Wild Turkey Seminars c/o
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
P.O. Box 2800
Peterborough ON
K9J 8L5
​
Questions may be directed to seminars@ofah.org
 
terrible cash grab for the ofah..... the course should be taken out and taught with the hunting course.....
 
I agree with Loogie. The damn commercials for the OFAH make the course 2-3 hours longer than it needs to be. Like most things in life, common sense rules. That course could be tought in 4 hours AND there should be a way to only challenge the exam. I took my course 5 years ago. Wasted a day listening to thet junk.

-Jason
 
I wanted to take the course this spring but the one here in Owen Sound was full so I emailed them asking if there would be another course added at any time. I was told to just show up at the course and for $40. I may get in because they keep 10 seats vacant for any who just show up at the door.

I think that stinks because I could not reserve a spot and would have to pay $5. more to take my chances on a seat "reserved" for late comers.
I know it's only 5 bucks but the principle of the whole thing isn't right.
What do you think??
 
Yeah the OFAH pushing was unreal when I took it last year...unbelievably about 12 people "failed" the written quiz at the end of the day...presumably these people have firearms licenses...scary stuff
 
I TOOK COURSE 2 YEARS BACK, It can certainly be a part of Hunting Course and shall never take more than 2 to 3 hours if done individually.
Even the Certificates were already made ready for all of us in Toronto and I dont remember seeing any out of more than 200 fail. ALL PASS.
wow.
What a Course.
 
loogie33 said:
i think the course should be abolished..... 5 more bux in the ofah coffers
Click to expand...

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!
 
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...
I agree. I took the course and safety is important.
 
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