More than likely it is purely a function of Covid 19 and people being home and not at work.

Lemme voted against the motion to reduce from 5 to 4 last time this issue came up. What's changed? What new data do they have out there? In fact, last time, the motion had a only 3 or 4 supporters, I think.

One of the problems in Alabama is lack of solid scientific data regarding population and harvest rate. Most of the people who read this board won't use Game Check to report turkeys, but then complain that the government doesn't know how many turkeys are out there. Well, if folks reported their kill, we would have a better idea. Far more people use Snapper Check than Game Check. I don't know why. Almost 50 percent of fishermen/women use Snapper Check. Last time I looked, around 10 percent used Game Check to report turkey harvest. It may be better this year. I don't know.

My point is that if we don't want what we perceive to be arbitrary decisions, then (1) we must get more involved, and (2) we must give the CAB and the good, hard-working folks at DCNR the tools and data they need to make decisions. My experience with people at DCNR is that they want to make good decisions based on science, and they want to give hunters the most opportunities they can while ensuring that we have a solid population. We need to do our part to give them the data they need and then participate in the process.

... but then complain that the government doesn't know how many turkeys are out there. Well, if folks reported their kill, we would have a better idea. ...

Now, now, don't be mentioning the statistically valid, accepted survey that worked for more than 50 years.

We can't have any thoughts about The Before Times. Only what is The Now Times, with mandatory data checking systems and compliance. You shall submit.

I'm not in the government. Never have been. Someone will have to explain to me how science is liberalism/brainwashed horsechit and then come up with a better way to manage our wildlife. last time we just left people to their own devices with no rules, we overhunted deer and turkeys and ducks till they weren't worth hunting anymore. I don't want to go back to those days.

Landowners are better stewards of the resources than government.
Of course chucky doesn't believe that because landowners don't have to purchase the king's license.

Let's see - count every turkey killed (game check), or "assume" you have a valid sample size and method (hunter survey). Which one would give you a more accurate description of how many turkeys are killed? Obviously the first one. But then again, calling people idiots and game check gestapo-style is just easier. I love how people just immediately go to name calling rather than have a rational discussion. And no, I do not favor making decisions based on feelings and ignoring facts. that would not be smart. Nor am I some bleeding-heart liberal. Discussing it here is probably pointless. Just show up at the next CAB meeting and let them know. That's the only discussion that matters.

I think these pointy headed jackasses that want to arbitrarily change rules, limits, seasons, etc. need to get their butts out of their offices and hit the woods.
Apparently, we had a excellent hatch year in my neck of the woods. I was mowing roads and food plots yesterday and saw more turkeys than I've seen in a good while.
Making changes just for the sake of change never works out well

We have had great hatches two years in a row in the northern part of the state.
The one two years ago was amazing. More hens and 2 year old gobblers than you could shake a stick at last year. I’m really looking forward to next spring. If they open it up on April 1st, I will really enjoy hunting em by myself about the last 10 days of March.

I’ll go with ya! I hate for you to be out there alone and something bad happen

If you don’t have scientific knowledge enough to understand how statistically-valid sample sizes, as utilized in the hunter surveys the state successfully used for decades, and then subsequently advocate for requiring 100% reporting of harvest data via this current gestapo game-check government waste of unnecessary dollars bullchit, then you need to just shut up. Because you sound like a good-idea fairy, decisions based on feelings instead of facts, bleeding-heart liberal idiot. It aint required to determine accurate harvest estimations and corresponding trends accordingly. Period.

This smells of follow the money

Let's see - count every turkey killed (game check), or "assume" you have a valid sample size and method (hunter survey). Which one would give you a more accurate description of how many turkeys are killed? Obviously the first one. But then again, calling people idiots and game check gestapo-style is just easier. I love how people just immediately go to name calling rather than have a rational discussion. And no, I do not favor making decisions based on feelings and ignoring facts. that would not be smart. Nor am I some bleeding-heart liberal. Discussing it here is probably pointless. Just show up at the next CAB meeting and let them know. That's the only discussion that matters.

If your ultimate goal is to cut way back on the season and limits, then you want an enforcement tool, and GC is it. We said this was the goal when it started and it all seems to be right on schedule. But it hasn't passed yet. Write your CAB member and tell him what you think.