Sharpshooter

Does anyone have an initial sense of what the turkey numbers are like this year, either from scouting or from the youth weekend? I am out of state but will be coming back for the first weekend for my annual turkey hunting week in Northern New York (St. Lawrence County). Started turkey hunting in 2001 when the turkey numbers were crazy, so the last few years have seemed to be really down. I was thinking that the mild winter should have helped this year. Thanks.

Thanks for all the replies. In our situation, it is not so much informing people where the lines are or that they aren't allowed, it is that the trespassers simply do not care, so we would like tickets issued to these people. The DEC, both the officer and his supervisor, told us that if property is not posted (and properly) in NY, then they cannot/will not issue a trespassing violation. It just seems to conflict with what the website says in Law Enforcement FAQ: "Question: If a property is not posted, does that mean I can hunt there? Answer: All property is owned by somebody. The lack of posted signs, fences or other man made objects does not imply that you may enter to hunt, fish or trap. It is your responsibility to obtain permission to enter private lands or waters. Public lands and waters may or may not have restrictions that can be found by contacting the municipality owning the lands." But according to the DEC, both officer and supervisor, if there are no posted signs (and you didn't get a certified letter), then you can go on without fearing a trespassing ticket - so it is implied you may enter. So essentially it is a default no-trespassing system and a landowner must take the extra steps in order to protect their property. Sort of a moot point, as the property will be properly posted in a few days time, but it seems that the DEC's approach conflicts with their own website and the approach of other law enforcement (as we have had tickets issued by the sheriff).

Has any landowner (or trespasser for that matter) had a ticket issued for trespassing on non-posted or improperly posted property? I am aware of the posting requirements (660ft, corners, etc.), but it seems that enforcement of trespassing is inconsistent depending on who/which department is called. We have talked to a couple DEC officials and seem to get conflicting answers regarding how the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) and the Penal Code interact and which one applies in a given situation. Further, the DEC website, specifically the "LAW ENFORCEMENT FAQ" section seems to be really misleading.

Yea, I am not 100% sure on all of Nebraska's specialty regulations, but I do know for a fact that their statewide rifle season runs for 9 days in the middle of November, and outside of that (again, as a statewide matter), you aren't permitted to use a rifle (except in late muzzy). I think a survey of states with the best deer hunting, including NE, will show that a shorter gun season is pretty common. http://outdoornebraska.gov/huntingseasons/ As for your statements regarding bow season and bow hunters. Yes, I realize you were trying to use past statements made to come to the conclusion that it is easier to kill a deer during bow season. I just disagree with that conclusion. Yes, deer move more naturally during the bow season and are generally less pressured. I don't believe this fact alone makes it easier to kill a deer with a weapon with an effective range of about 30 yards v. one that can shoot over 200 yards. It is this difference in weapon that makes bow hunting a challenge, regardless of deer behavior. I could have nice deer walking by me at 50 yards all day long during bow, but wont kill them. During gun, any person, without practice or skill whatsoever could kill that deer no problem. So while you may see less deer during gun, you ability to kill them is much higher. But I would agree that someone looking for the ultimate challenge would bow hunt during gun (something I have done before). However, considering how limited a bow is in its range, without a special bow season, very few bow hunters would be successful. That being said, the topic was with regard to whether to shorten a season. My point was that, despite the fact that deer are more pressured and move less during gun season, shortening the gun season would still have the greater impact on deer harvest than shortening the bow season (which you argue is a time when it is easier to kill a deer). More people gun hunt, and it is easier to kill a deer you do see with a gun, so even if fewer deer are seen, more are killed on aggregate. Also, I'll agree that herd management includes taking a certain number of doe. I don't believe that there is a herd management benefit to taking young bucks, especially considering how people, at least where I hunt, shoot everything they see with the gun (so plenty of young deer get killed).

To the person claiming that Nebraska has a 4 month long rifle season (or any weapon season), that is just inaccurate. Perhaps your brother lives in a special region or something, but their statewide rifle season is 9 days. I have hunted there many times. The states with the best deer hunting have shorter gun seasons. Additionally, the argument that if any season should be shorter, it should be bow season, is illogical. I know Stubby is trying to point out a contradiction in bowhunters' claims - Deer in bow season move more, so it is easier to kill them, and since deer go nocturnal after opening of gun, then it is harder in late gun season, therefore a greater benefit would be to shorten the bow season (when it is easier to kill deer). This argument completely ignores a few basic realities. First, it is obviously considerably easier to kill a deer with a gun compared to a bow. Second, far more hunters participate in gun season. Because of these two things, way more hunters with a far more lethal weapon, even if deer tend to move less, more deer will be killed in a gun season. Additionally, if you are an advocate for a more balanced deer herd and letting young bucks grow, as I am, a shorter gun season is obviously one way to go about that. Some deer do go nocturnal after the gun opener, but young bucks and fawns continue to move, so those are the ones to get shot. Also, at least where I hunt, people shoot at deer without the faintest idea of what they are shooting at. That is no way to manage a deer herd.