MN turkey licenses, why the decline?

[dewey]

The Minneapolis Star Tribune had a quick article discussing the decline of spring turkey licenses from 2010 to this year and the question is why.

Here is the link.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdo ... 44935.html

In my humble opinion I think the reason is is the hangover from the 2011 is the bad spring and a lot of hunters didn't want to deal with bad weather. This year i think a lot of hunters didn't buy licenses because of the common belief that the warm March and April caused the turkeys to start breeding early and that the hunting would not be very good. I have a friend that just got done hunting and he said the toms were gobbling like crazy the last few days of his season. Thus squashing the thought that unless.you hunt the first couple seasons not to bother.

Anyway that is my thoughts any other MN hunters have an idea?

Dewey

[Gopherlongbeards]

That could certainly be part of it Dewey. I think a lot of new turkey hunters who decided to give it a try the past few years after seeing how easy it looked on TV have become disillusioned with the sport after going through a difficult season or two. Hunter numbers had been increasing almost every year until 2010, whenever something becomes popular like that it always has a bit of a decline when the more casual participants decide to move on.

[dewey]

I think a lot of new turkey hunters who decided to give it a try the past few years after seeing how easy it looked on TV have become disillusioned with the sport after going through a difficult season or two. Hunter numbers had been increasing almost every year until 2010, whenever something becomes popular like that it always has a bit of a decline when the more casual participants decide to move on.

Good theory on he declining numbers, I had had not thought of that. I wonder how turkey hunting license sales are doing in other states such as WI, IL, IA or other neighboring states.

Dewey

[Gopherlongbeards]

I know they are down in WI (Charlie will probably chime in on this), not sure about the other states.

[Brian Lovett]

Very troubling numbers. Missouri has also seen a steady decline in turkey hunter numbers. In that case, it coincides with years of poor hatches and decreasing harvests. I'm guessing you're absolutely right about the Minnesota situation. Wisconsin's turkey hunter decline is puzzling and a bit worrisome, especially considering that we offer the best Eastern turkey hunting opportunities in the country.

[charlie elk]

That sounds like the first time MN has dropped turkey hunters?
WI has had this problem for 5 years now and the loss has been increasing. If the preliminary 2012 numbers hold WI lost about 20%.
There are some private surveys of all hunters including those who drop out showing half stopped due to drawing requirements and other season complications. Stating they don't know their schedules well enough in advance in order to know when they can hunt. WI deadline is Dec 10 but the first isn't for 5 months in mid April.
I speculate another reason could be the perceived necessary equipment in order to hunt successfully, via what they see on TV, in magazines and books. Blinds, decoys, camo, calls, $7 per shell ammo, special purpose gun, turkey vest etc. Quite a financial tab for only 5 days of hunting per year. Whereas when I started I grabbed my everyday shotgun, some #5 pheasant loads, an old boat cushion and a $10 box call. All items I had on hand except the box call. Oh and those pheasant loads were $2 per box of 25.

The vast majority of hunters these days are specialists. Generalist hunters are a rare, old and dying breed.

[Gopherlongbeards]

The vast majority of hunters these days are specialists. Generalist hunters are a rare, old and dying breed.

Good point charlie. How much of this is fueled by the "gotta have the latest gear or it isn't worth going" attitude that seems to be taking hold? (I'm not just talking about hunting gear, but everything from cars and trucks to electronics like laptops, TV's and cell phones). One thing I initially liked about turkey hunting is that it CAN (despite the way its now typically done on TV) be a minimalist sport. I can carry everything I need for a hunt easily on my person. That's probably why I don't like using decoys or blinds. Sure they can be effective (and very handy at times. I can't think of a better place to be in the rain than sitting comfortably in a blind), and I have no problem using them if someone I'm hunting with wants to; but its just more stuff to CARRY. The more there is to carry, the more difficult it is to move quietly, or even move at all. I guess I've always been that way. My waterfowl hunting buddies are always bragging about their boat blinds, goose trailers, and 100 full body field spreads; when honestly I'd much rather hike into a small slough with a shotgun, a pair of chest waders, and a half dozen floater dekes.

[dewey]

WI has had this problem for 5 years now and the loss has been increasing. If the preliminary 2012 numbers hold WI lost about 20%. There are some private surveys of all hunters including those who drop out showing half stopped due to drawing requirements and other season complications. Stating they don't know their schedules well enough in advance in order to know when they can hunt. WI deadline is Dec 10 but the first isn't for 5 months in mid April.

I don't understand the argument of you if can't get one of the first few time periods it is not worth going. There are a lot hunters that do well the last 2-3 time periods. Unfortunately the popular consensus is that unless you hunt the first few time periods it is not worth it. Also the conception like others have said that you can't go hunting unless you have the newest top of the line gear. Heck my first year I borrowed a friends gun, bought a $10 call and used some of my deer hunting camoflauge. I used natural growth to make the blinds I used.

I will look into the MN numbers tomorrow when I am off of my smart phone but I think the last two years is the first decline in MN's turkey license sales. The puzzling aspect of the MN numbers is the turkey population is exploding and there are more permits every year including new hunting areas every year.

What do us hunters and the DNR in our respective states need to do in order to maintain and encourage more hunters? I myself have introduced 4 new hunters to the sport.

Thoughts?

Dewey

[Gopherlongbeards]

This falls in line with the current trends seen in most traditional "consumptive" (i.e. hunting, fishing, trapping) outdoor activities. Nationwide there has been a significant downward trend in the number of people participating in these activities over the past 10-15 years, and the median age of participants has been going up and up. There just aren't as many kids getting into it as there used to be. Look at this forum for instance. I'd bet the vast majority of the members here are over the age of 30.

[charlie elk]

I'd bet the vast majority of the members here are over the age of 30.

My bet is on 50+
Just saw a commercial last night of kids camping in a tent watching movies on their phone! This was a totally alien image to me; I do not take a phone camping or with me while hunting.