I actually just stumbled upon this thread after meeting Chilly Willy in person yesterday (no...not while I was trespassing on his property) and he had mentioned all the issues he had during this turkey season. I've run into far too many two legged, non-feathered turkeys this year and to this point, it has completely screwed up my season.
I don't have permission on any properties close by because my wife and I only moved to the Waterloo area last September and I haven't really had the chance to get around much, but where I do have permission has been a 'gong show'. I went out to Salford last week to maintain some mineral plots for deer season and as I was walking down the machinery access path between two of the fields, I saw three guys pick up their stuff and sprint out the back way. I figure they were hunting turkeys even though I've never seen any turkeys in the area. Last year during deer season, I found a few hulls below my stands that didn't come from my gun, nor my father-in-law's, nor my wife's uncle's (who owns the property) and we're the only three with permission who hunt there. So, we have had to take the time to put up 'No Tresspassing' signs as well, but, do we think it will really keep the trespassers off the property? Probably not.
I went up to Sutton, Ontario for the opener of turkey season where a friend of mine had permission on a property full of birds and the green light to bring up to two other hunters with him. We ran into at least 20 other hunters on the same property opening morning, so the morning was completely spoiled. One other hunter from Toronto had brought 10 of his friends with him to hunt. The landowner shut things down completely and only now has my friend been able to regain his permission, in writing.
Out in Huron County, where my in-law's live, landowners are having the same problems. I've had two occasions this year where I've had birds coming in. The first time, I had a bird at 20 yards on a Sunday and he spooked when I drew the bowstring back...and the second time I had birds coming in, but a friggin' road hunter decided to sneak into the field and stalk them from behind, which of course spooked them when he hit every damn branch and stepped on every twig. When I got up he just ran back to his car.
I can completely understand why so many landowners these days are unwilling to allow any hunters on their land if there are so many idiots like the ones CW has described and others have commented on around. I went 0 for 26 on asking permission around the Waterloo area before the season (when I had time to get around) and heard many comments regarding bad experiences with hunters that has ruined it for everyone in future.
I've never had that negative an experience while seeking permission.