I see this year opening day is on March 16th. In the past, hasn't Alabama opened on the 15th of March? I do recall opening on the 14th one year due to the 14th falling on a Saturday.

Hmmmm, what?

Misprint.... don’t worry about technicalities

I think I now recall them changing it to open on the 3rd Saturday of march instead of 3/15.

the regulations say opening day is 3/16 to confirm

Still the 15th here as far I know. I’ve been starting on that date for years and don’t care much for change.

If you hunt on the 15th, you'd better do it with a bow, ol green jeans hears a shot, he might come looking for you

Link to all area season dates

www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/seasons-and-bag-limits

Not a big deal this year, (1 day), next year will cost us 6 days! I believe the 3rd Saturday (new law) falls on the 21st

We always get started as soon as they start responding to the calls, some years it’s the 15th and some years it’s not

Someone needs to be beaten for that.....

“It’s a day that just about everybody has off,” Harders said. “If it comes in on a Thursday and you’re in a hunting club where you’re the only person who can get off on Thursday, it gives you a big advantage over everybody else.”

So...... NO biological reason for making the change. Just taking days away so Fred and his buddies can hunt opening day. Anyway, I’m going to send these clowns an email every day until I get a response back from them. Here is Fred’s contact info:

Fred Harders, Assistant Director
(334) 242-3465
dcnr.wffdirector@dcnr.alabama.gov

And here is the response I got from Chuck....


Mr. Cockrell,

I was forwarded several emails from you today, one of which came from the Commissioner’s office, and I have been asked to respond to your concerns. I see that they are all centered around the change in the opening day of turkey season for the upcoming season. This quote was taken from your email addressed to specifically to me, “I realize that the CAB makes this recommendations but can’t you, as the director over rule them?” As you stated, the recommendation was not proposed by ADCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) wildlife biologists. However, we do not make the regulations. We can make recommendations to the Commissioner and the Board, but we can’t over rule them. So, ultimately, it is their decision.



Here’s another quote from you in an email simply addressed to whom it may concern, “ I wish we had leadership in the DCNR that wouldn’t allow major changes like this to seasons without a concrete biological reason.” Be careful what you wish for, you may just get it. The first priority with our staff in recommending changes to season regulations is the wildlife resource in which we are deemed responsible for managing. If a later opening had been proposed by our staff, it would likely have been later than the 3rd Saturday in March based on preliminary data. Our WFF Wild Turkey Committee, in cooperation with researchers at Auburn University, has developed wild turkey prediction models using current biological data such as reproduction, survival, and harvest rates to predict future populations under various season and bag limit alternatives. Although this work is not yet complete, indications are pointing to a later opening and reduced bag limit as the optimal alternative to produce the most viable populations. We are currently updating the model and will include data gleaned from the current AU research project when it concludes next year. Besides the observed decline in population growth as evidenced by our statewide brood surveys and harvest trends, harvest intensity in the first couple weeks of the spring season may play a role in reducing the potential of hens being bred.



The final quote of yours I’d like to respond to came specifically to me, “I am just very disappointed that we would allow a change like this based on someone’s agenda rather than abound biological reason.” I am looking at the turkey season and bag limit recommendations through three pair of glasses. First as a turkey hunter with 40 years of experience here in Alabama. Secondly, as a college educated wildlife biologist with more than 25 years of on-the-ground experience of managing tens of thousands of acres in Alabama. And finally, as the Director of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries whose job is to manage, protect, conserve, and enhance the wildlife and aquatic resources of Alabama for the sustainable benefit of the people of Alabama. As a selfish turkey hunter, I want as many days afield as I can get regardless of the negative impact it could have on the resource. As a biologist, I want the season to start in April as the biological data suggests which would be best for the resource. As the Director, I have to weigh the consequences of both sides before I make recommendations. Although these season changes may be inconvenient for our hunters, me included, our focus is maintaining sustainable populations of wild turkeys, while providing hunting opportunities for all Alabamians, now and in the future.

Thank you for your input and I hope I have adequately addressed all of your concerns.



Chuck Sykes

Director

Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division

Arrogant bastard.

Always a threat with Chuck.
Basically he’s saying “Until morale improves; the beatings will continue”

At least not a canned response. He actually read and responded to concerns

Still doesn’t make the decision any better

Matt, you should respond and ask him if the last 50 years of population stability and growth under our current regs, is not a better sample than some study done by auburn.

I just wish they would stop prescribed fire for the month of April. March through May would be even better but I'd settle for April.

And regulate the spread of chicken liter until after it's aged or gone through a heat cycle to reduce the threat of disease.

A bounty on nest predators would be cool too.

Might as well request the stopping of clear cutting hardwood timber while you’re at it

Limit it to a basal area of 60? At what point does epicormic branching become a problem?

Austin you and I know that the study is going to say what they want it to say. We should all prepare ourselves for a shorter season and a 4 bird limit next year.