Author: mookyj

Seven Turkey Hunters Shot in the 2nd Half of April…

Standard / by mookyj / April 28, 2020 / 2 Comments

As a general opinion, our hunting community has little tolerance for one much less seven fellow turkey hunting brethren making that awful trip to the hospital. One of them has been fatally shot. None of us want to be there… In that position… that scenario…

I feel a mighty big soapbox coming along to climb up on. It is a gut reaction, three of those shot were very young, one young hunter shot an adult, and one adult hunter was shot by an old-timer (for clarity of perspective, I am targeted by AARP these days), the 6th is not disclosed as of yet. The seventh hunter was fatally shot, a young man just 23 years old. Tragic, and heartbreaking.

The truth is, most everyone I know that chases gobblers know exactly what I would have to say. We all get it, right? I will spare the sermon as the lessons taught and preached among ourselves is a universal truth taught in every hunting safety class in every state.

Despite two and half million turkey hunters that engage in our beloved past time each year, the incident rate is so far down in the mud that you have to use negative powers of ten to express the unfortunate statistic. 0.003% in an average year is a victim of an errant shooting while afield. Not to lessen the impact of what has just taken place, the context is that 99.997% of us camo warriors manage to abide by safety rules, code of conduct, and do so without incident. That is all well and good and the actuaries and statisticians will be pleased in that. The families and friends of these three boys and four men will have far less appreciation of it.

Rather than detail each of these, I have their news stories linked below. One of the seven is very detailed by my good friend and fellow writer Ken Perrotte from Virginia. I am scheduled to interview the young man in the near future. As updates are released I will update.

Turkey Hunter Survives Being Shot in Face; Virginia Game & Inland Fisheries Investigating https://www.outdoorsrambler.com/post/turkey-hunter-survives-being-shot-in-face-virginia-game-inland-fisheries-investigating By Ken Perrotte

Hunter Killed In Wednesday Accident At Young County Line (TX) https://www.grahamleader.com/news/hunter-killed-wednesday-accident-young-county-line By Brian Smith

Kansas Boy Airlifted to Hospital After Hunting Accident https://hayspost.com/posts/5ea6ce33eb7f1705360383cd Hays Post

Hunter Lucky To Be Alive After Being Shot, Mistaken For Turkey In Shannon County, Mo. https://www.ky3.com/content/news/Hunter-lucky-to-be-alive-after-being-shot-mistaken-for-turkey-569940291.html By Michael Deene

A 14-Year-Old Boy Shot In Jones County Hunting Accident (NC) https://www.jdnews.com/news/20200421/14-year-old-boy-shot-in-jones-county-hunting-accident By Trevor Dunnell

Boy Shot In Hunting Accident Airlifted, 2nd sustained gunshot injuries (W.Va) https://wvva.com/2020/04/28/boy-shot-in-hunting-accident-airlifted/ By Bailey Pace

Some of these are titled and reported as “accidents.” It is a misuse of language and those of us in the turkey hunting community know that one hundred percent of the possibilities are preventable by following turkey hunting ethics and gun (archery implements as well) handling/safety rules.

The following tips, good practices are well advised for your safety and that of others:

Avoid wearing the bright colors of a gobbler’s head, red, white, or blue. Large areas of black may resemble the body of a turkey. These are turkey colors, and another hunter may mistake you for a bird.
Be 100% sure of your target. Check your foreground and your background. Those extra seconds of making sure can save a life!
Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Don’t rely on your gun’s safety. Treat every gun as loaded.
If you see another hunter, don’t move- any motion can be mistaken for a turkey. Instead, call out to alert the other hunter that you are there. Do not wave or attempt to get up, or use a turkey call to alert the incoming hunter.
Do not stalk turkey sounds; it could be another hunter. Find a good setup with your back to a tree, rock, or other large natural barriers wider than your shoulders. Then go about working to call the birds to you. Stalking is illegal in many states.
You may consider placing a hunter orange ribbon high on a tree to help other hunters identify your location, or wear on your person entering or leaving. It is a legal requirement by some states, do not assume orange to be an end-all for safety. Always identify your quarry and what may be in front of, behind, or to either side. You have no guarantee that others are wearing orange…
Reconsider the assumed risks of using “tail-fanning” or “reaping’ techniques (using gobbler decoys, a synthetic fan, or real tail feathers) out immediately in front of you, mounted on your gun barrel or a head/hat mounted product while crawling or stalking. A fan may be large enough to hide you from view from other hunters and you may falsely assume they will properly identify you vs. a real gobbler.
Always let someone else know where you will be and when expected to be back via text, email, or phone message. In an emergency, precious minutes can make all the difference for someone to direct first responders to your location or for someone to know when you are late returning.

We owe it to ourselves and to each other to act and hunt in a safe manner and promote the best practices to ensure we all get to come back the next season to spend time in the great turkey woods and all of God’s creations.

As mentioned I will update as more details are published. We pray for those injured, that have succumbed to their injuries and for their families. May they heal well Godspeed.

-MJ

Hunting & Fishing Seasons COVID-19 4/28 Update, Improving

Standard / by mookyj / April 28, 2020 / No Comments

Update of currently impacted state turkey hunting and fishing seasons. Some states are now easing up restrictions, hopefully more will be sooner than later. I will continue to update as states ease and or rescind restrictions entirely.

Alaska– current 14-day mandatory quarantine order is extended to May 19, 2020 link added 4/28 Gov. Mike Dunleavy rescinded the cancellation of all spring bear hunts in Alaska Thursday, saying that spring bear hunts will be open to Alaskan hunters, but not available to those non-residents and anyone from outside the state. link

Arkansas– Buffalo National River closure includes angling, turkey hunting. link added 4/18

California– Hunting, fishing on base is suspended until further notice. link Edwards Air Force Base – restricted to mission-essential personnel only. link Fort Hunter Liggett- All 2020 Fishing and 2019-20 Hunting permits sales have been suspended. link

Arizona– San Carlos Apache Reservation turkey hunts canceled link

Colorado– all playgrounds, campgrounds, dispersed camping and camping facilities (including yurts and cabins) at Colorado’s state parks as well as camping at State Wildlife Areas are closed. Spring turkey hunters now are able to return their license for a refund at any time before the opening day of turkey season. link San Juan County-all public lands closed Fort Carson- hunting is NOT available on Fort Carson or Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, USAF Academy “official business only”. Fishing the 5 lakes closed link Yuma County delaying spring turkey season to 5/2/20, Gunnison county banning any visitors until further notice. link

Delaware– All out-of-state residents traveling into Delaware to immediately self-quarantine for 14 days link

Florida– 30-day stay-at-home order. those who fly or drive into Florida from states with substantial community spread to self-isolate in Florida for 14 days or the duration of their trip, whichever is shorter. Some resources are closed link

Georgia– Fort Benning- Restricted to Authorized personnel only link Fort Gordon- close 1 Apr 2020 – 6 June 2020 link The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is temporarily shutting down all dispersed camping corridors, day-use areas, trailhead facilities and other recreation sites on the Blue Ridge Ranger District link

Hawaii– All arriving residents and visitors will immediately go into a 14-day quarantines upon entering the state link Lana‘i Axis Deer Hunt Canceled link

Idaho– The purchase of non-resident black bear, fishing and turkey tags is no longer available link If you already had an agreement with an outfitter for a spring black bear hunt before the April 4th suspension, you may still obtain your tags and go on the hunt.

Illinois– ~~all state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas and historic sites closed, hunting and fishing prohibited on public areas link~~ DNR to Reopen Select Sites for Limited Activities May 1 link added 4/28

Kansas – travel quarantine from the following: International– China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran States- California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York and Washington link Kansas has an “explicit ” call out of quarantine of 14 days before you can hunt link

Kentucky– All Fort Campbell iSportsman activities including hunting, fishing and general outdoor recreation are closed. link People traveling to Kentucky from out-of-state will now be placed under quarantine for 14 days due to an executive order link suspending sale of non-resident turkey-hunting permits- 2020 spring turkey season link

Massachusetts – All travelers arriving in the Commonwealth are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days, link Joint Base Cape Cod/Camp Edwards controlled turkey hunt canceled link

Maine– all travelers coming to Maine quarantine for 14 days link Maine regular turkey season open two days early, on May 2. The youth season has also changed from May 2 to April 25 and adding a additional day, April 27. Turkey hunters will not be required to register their birds at tagging stations. Changes are temporary for 2020 only. link

Maryland– strict w/penalty stay at home directive. recreational boating is banned. Subsistence hunting and fishing — limited hunting and limited recreational fishing and crabbing for sustenance only. No permits for fishing tournaments, Commercial fishing deemed essential link

Michigan– charter fishing and guide operations are not permitted link travel between two residences is not permitted, the use of a motorboat, or similar watercraft (includes gas and electric motors) is not permitted State harbors and marinas closed link

Missouri– Fort Leonard Wood – Restricted to Authorized personnel only link

Montana– travelers arriving from another state or country to Montana for non-work-related purposes undergo a 14-day self-quarantine. The Directive follows the governor’s prior travel advisory and last week’s Stay at Home Directive link FWP has suspended all spring turkey and spring black bear seasons through at least April 24th for non-resident

Nebraska– suspended the sale of nonresident spring turkey hunting permits immediately. link

New Hamshire– no longer issuing kid’s fishing derby permits or any bass tournament permits. Online sales only for licenses and permits link link

New York– West Point, Outdoor Recreation CLOSED or CANCELLED (until further notice) All reservations cancelled through 30 Apr 2020 link Boat launches, marinas allowed to open

North Carolina– multiple boat access, camping, public land closures see: link Dare County- Resident only travel. link

North Dakota– All travelers arriving to North Dakota from international locations and states with widespread coronavirus outbreaks must quarantine immediately for 14 days link

Ohio– stay-at-home order until May 1. People traveling into Ohio to self-quarantine for 14 days. link non-resident hunting and fishing licenses suspended link

Oklahoma– order requiring travelers from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Louisiana and Washington to undergo a 14-day quarantine. link

Oregon– recreational fishing for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River closed link hunting and fishing to non-residents closed link

Pennsylvania- will reopen marinas and allow guided fishing trips again. Private campgrounds will also reopen. State parks and public campgrounds remain closed. link added 4/28

Rhode Island– all out-of-state travelers will be stopped at the border and told to quarantine for 14 days if they intend to stay in the state. Order extended to all states because of the rate of infection in other areas, mentioning New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and New Hampshire by name link Fishing system in place-staggers the days when licensed anglers can fish. Those with last names beginning with A through M can only fish on even numbered calendar days, and those with last names beginning with N through Z can only fish on odd numbered calendar days. link

South Carolina– travelers from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and the city of New Orleans will be ordered to isolate or self-quarantine for 14-days or the duration of their trip. The order does not apply to people employed by airlines, performing or assisting with the military, health care or emergency response. link All dates all SCDNR Lottery hunts on WMA properties have been canceled. Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge hunts remain open unless a “Stay Home” order is declared. link Fishing events link

Texas– Joint Base San Antonio – Hunting closed until further notice link 14 Day travel quarantine from the following: flying into Texas from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the city of New Orleans, driving from the cities of Miami, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta. Also included in the order are the states of Washington and California. link Texas Attorney General Says Gunnison County’s Temporary Nonresident Ban Is Unconstitutional link

Utah– All recreational travel by non–residents of San Juan County is prohibited link

Vermont– 14 Day travel quarantine from any state link

Virginia– Langly AFB outdoor recreation canceled link Marine Corps Base Quantico- outdoor recreation canceled link

Washington– link All state lands closed til 5/4 link Spring bear and turkey seasons are postponed until at least May 4. link Local hunting for turkey and spring bear will open on May 5. Spring turkey season will end on May 31, as originally scheduled. Spring bear special permit seasons will be extended until June 30. Spring bear hunters who would normally travel outside their local areas to hunt may wait to see how travel guidance evolves, or seek a permit refund link added 4/28

West Virginia– 14 Day travel quarantine from the following: Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Italy, and China link

Wisconsin– No Motors in Michigan Boundary Waters link

Wyoming– all travelers coming to Wyoming quarantine for 14 days link nonresident fishing licenses has been suspended until April 30 link

Canada– inaugural New Brunswick spring turkey season canceled link US Border currently closed to all non-essential travel

Not listed, check your state of interest as many have their park buildings and camping and restroom facilities either closed altogether or not taking reservations until later this summer. Also noted that some states are banning overnight camping on public lands or designated primitive sites.

Bunkerhead Face Mask System Review

Standard / by mookyj / April 27, 2020 / No Comments

If you happen to be like me, you may desire more from your face masks. Today we’ll review a face concealment system From Bunkerhead, LLC that may be just what you are looking for. You may have a drawer full of face masks as I do, but for one reason or another they never seem to be “just right.” Read on further as to how this is an upgrade from what you may currently use.

As essential gear for the turkey woods, ideally it needs to be comfortable over a wide temperature range, adjustable and stay in place. I find that I am not all that keen with camo paints, and especial face mask solutions that are hot during use, leaving you sweating in the warmer temperatures you encounter during the spring turkey season.. If you wear glasses as I do, face masks in general are an exercise of tiresome wiping and cleaning as they fog over eye glasses far too often on those crisp cool mornings.

The manufacturer offers two configurations, both of which utilize a “Bunker Clips” device that works with any favorite hunting cap you might own. The face mask configuration includes the clip system and a full frontal mask. The Bunker system includes the face mask, bunkerclips and a hoodie that offers front and back concealment, and comfort. The novel design was granted Patent # 9839249 in 2017

In the photo gallery below, you will see the product as packaged-

In the next photo gallery you will see yours truly showing the system as worn and a few views of the featured components, you provide your own favorite hunting cap to complete the system.

The elastic band for the Bunker Clips is handy for adding leafy matter to spruce up to the concealment presentation, or mouth calls, lures, and you can keep them handy and within easy reach.

Each of the systems is offered in the following materials

Net (Bug Mesh) – good for hot weather hunting and insect conditions.
Cotton – good for warm to cool weather hunting conditions.
3D (Leafy) on Net – good for warm to cool weather hunting conditions.
Fleece – good for cold weather hunting conditions.

Along with the users preference in materials section 10 different camo patterns are offered.

Go to https://www.bunkerhead.com/ for their full website and to purchase directly from the manufacturer.

They also offer a dedicated page for “how to use” and they include several videos you may find very helpful https://www.bunkerhead.com/how-to

It is a product that solves common issues with other solutions and as an eyeglass wearer it allows you to form as needed with plenty of clearance that other masks do not offer. As the two configurations are suspended from your cap, they remain in place as by design gravity works in your favor rather than constantly sliding down. You can drop the front mask down when not hunting, form it to be in front of your nose bridge rather than on it. For fog free glass use, changing mouth calls, this system is ideal. The hoodie also attaches or removed with ease. Both systems are designed for ease of use, well made, and nicely packaged. It gets a two thumbs up from this ol’ turkey hunter!

Visit them at https://www.bunkerhead.com/

-MJ

Hunting & Fishing Seasons COVID-19 4/18 UPDATE

Standard / by mookyj / April 20, 2020 / No Comments

Update of currently impacted state turkey hunting and fishing seasons. Non of the states have eased restrictions at this time Corrected: NY opens up Marina’s and boat launches. I will continue to update as states ease and or rescind restrictions entirely.

Alaska– current 14-day mandatory quarantine order in place until April 21st. Hunters should not plan to travel to or arrive in Alaska before this date. link Gov. Mike Dunleavy rescinded the cancellation of all spring bear hunts in Alaska Thursday, saying that spring bear hunts will be open to Alaskan hunters, but not available to those non-residents and anyone from outside the state. link

Arkansas– Buffalo National River closure includes angling, turkey hunting. link added 4/18

Arizona– San Carlos Apache Reservation turkey hunts canceled link

Delaware– All out-of-state residents traveling into Delaware to immediately self-quarantine for 14 days link

Hawaii– All arriving residents and visitors will immediately go into a 14-day quarantines upon entering the state link Lana‘i Axis Deer Hunt Canceled link

Illinois– all state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas and historic sites closed, hunting and fishing prohibited on public areas link

Massachusetts – MassWildlife canceled all 2020 Youth Turkey Hunt Seminars. Only those who have completed Basic Hunter Education and the Youth Turkey Hunting Seminar allowed to participate in the Youth Turkey Hunt on April 25. link All travelers arriving in the Commonwealth are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days, link Joint Base Cape Cod/Camp Edwards controlled turkey hunt canceled link

Missouri– Fort Leonard Wood – Restricted to Authorized personnel only link

Nebraska– suspended the sale of nonresident spring turkey hunting permits immediately. link

New Hamshire– no longer issuing kid’s fishing derby permits or any bass tournament permits. Online sales only for licenses and permits link link

New York– West Point, Outdoor Recreation CLOSED or CANCELLED (until further notice) All reservations cancelled through 30 Apr 2020 link ~~All marinas and boat launches ordered closed link~~ Boat launches, marinas allowed to open added 4/20

North Carolina– multiple boat access, camping, public land closures see: link Dare County- Resident only travel. link

North Dakota– All travelers arriving to North Dakota from international locations and states with widespread coronavirus outbreaks must quarantine immediately for 14 days link

Ohio– stay-at-home order until May 1. People traveling into Ohio to self-quarantine for 14 days. link non-resident hunting and fishing licenses suspended link

Oklahoma– order requiring travelers from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Louisiana and Washington to undergo a 14-day quarantine. link

Oregon– recreational fishing for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River closed link hunting and fishing to non-residents closed link

Utah– All recreational travel by non–residents of San Juan County is prohibited link

Virginia– Langly AFB outdoor recreation canceled link Marine Corps Base Quantico- outdoor recreation canceled link

Washington– Fishing closed, youth turkey hunt canceled. Six game management units that were scheduled to open on April 1 for spring bear hunting closed pending further evaluation. Nearly 90 percent of spring bear permit holders traveling from outside the area. A decision on regular spring turkey may come by 4/6 link All state lands closed til 5/4 link Spring bear and turkey seasons are postponed until at least May 4. link

West Virginia– 14 Day travel quarantine from the following: Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Italy, and China link

Wisconsin– No Motors in Michigan Boundary Waters link added 4/18

Wyoming– all travelers coming to Wyoming quarantine for 14 days link nonresident fishing licenses has been suspended until April 30 link added 4/18

Vermont– 14 Day travel quarantine from any state link

Canada– inaugural New Brunswick spring turkey season canceled link US Border currently closed to all non-essential travel

Hunting & Fishing Seasons COVID-19 4/10 UPDATE

Standard / by mookyj / April 10, 2020 / No Comments

Update of currently impacted state turkey hunting and fishing seasons that are now an unfortunate reality. I will continue to update this as more states follow suit and when states ease and or rescind restrictions entirely.

Arizona– San Carlos Apache Reservation turkey hunts canceled link

Delaware– All out-of-state residents traveling into Delaware to immediately self-quarantine for 14 days link

Hawaii– All arriving residents and visitors will immediately go into a 14-day quarantines upon entering the state link Lana‘i Axis Deer Hunt Canceled link

Illinois– all state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas and historic sites closed, hunting and fishing prohibited on public areas link

Maine– all travelers coming to Maine quarantine for 14 days link

Michigan– charter fishing and guide operations are not permitted link added 4/11

Missouri– Fort Leonard Wood – Restricted to Authorized personnel only link

Nebraska– suspended the sale of nonresident spring turkey hunting permits immediately. link

New Hamshire– no longer issuing kid’s fishing derby permits or any bass tournament permits. Online sales only for licenses and permits link link

New York– West Point, Outdoor Recreation CLOSED or CANCELLED (until further notice) All reservations cancelled through 30 Apr 2020 link All marinas and boat launches ordered closed link added 4/10

North Carolina– multiple boat access, camping, public land closures see: link Dare County- Resident only travel. link

North Dakota– All travelers arriving to North Dakota from international locations and states with widespread coronavirus outbreaks must quarantine immediately for 14 days link

Ohio– stay-at-home order until May 1. People traveling into Ohio to self-quarantine for 14 days. link non-resident hunting and fishing licenses suspended link

Oklahoma– order requiring travelers from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Louisiana and Washington to undergo a 14-day quarantine. link

Oregon– recreational fishing for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River closed link hunting and fishing to non-residents closed link added 4/10

Utah– All recreational travel by non–residents of San Juan County is prohibited link added 4/10

Virginia– Langly AFB outdoor recreation canceled link Marine Corps Base Quantico- outdoor recreation canceled link

West Virginia– 14 Day travel quarantine from the following: Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Italy, and China link

Wyoming– all travelers coming to Wyoming quarantine for 14 days link

Vermont– 14 Day travel quarantine from any state link

Canada– inaugural New Brunswick spring turkey season canceled link US Border currently closed to all non-essential travel

Hunting & Fishing Seasons COVID19 Non-Resident Hunting Shut down 4/6 Update

Standard / by mookyj / April 6, 2020 / 1 Comment

Arizona– San Carlos Apache Reservation turkey hunts canceled link

Delaware– All out-of-state residents traveling into Delaware to immediately self-quarantine for 14 days link

Hawaii– All arriving residents and visitors will immediately go into a 14-day quarantines upon entering the state link Lana‘i Axis Deer Hunt Canceled link

Idaho– The purchase of non-resident black bear, fishing and turkey tags is no longer available link added 4/4 If you already had an agreement with an outfitter for a spring black bear hunt before the April 4th suspension, you may still obtain your tags and go on the hunt. added 4/8

Illinois– all state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas and historic sites closed, hunting and fishing prohibited on public areas link

Maine– all travelers coming to Maine quarantine for 14 days link

Missouri– Fort Leonard Wood – Restricted to Authorized personnel only link

Nebraska– suspended the sale of nonresident spring turkey hunting permits immediately. link

New Hamshire– no longer issuing kid’s fishing derby permits or any bass tournament permits. Online sales only for licenses and permits link link

New York– West Point, Outdoor Recreation CLOSED or CANCELLED (until further notice) All reservations cancelled through 30 Apr 2020 link

North Carolina– multiple boat access, camping, public land closures see: link Dare County- Resident only travel. link

North Dakota– All travelers arriving to North Dakota from international locations and states with widespread coronavirus outbreaks must quarantine immediately for 14 days link

Ohio– stay-at-home order until May 1. People traveling into Ohio to self-quarantine for 14 days. link non-resident hunting and fishing licenses suspended link added 4/6

Oklahoma– order requiring travelers from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Louisiana and Washington to undergo a 14-day quarantine. link

Oregon– recreational fishing for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River closed link

Virginia– Langly AFB outdoor recreation canceled link Marine Corps Base Quantico- outdoor recreation canceled link

Washington– Fishing closed, youth turkey hunt canceled. Six game management units that were scheduled to open on April 1 for spring bear hunting closed pending further evaluation. Nearly 90 percent of spring bear permit holders traveling from outside the area. A decision on regular spring turkey may come by 4/6 link All state lands closed til 5/4 link added 4/6 Spring bear and turkey seasons are postponed until at least May 4. link added 4/6

West Virginia– 14 Day travel quarantine from the following: Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Italy, and China link

Wyoming– all travelers coming to Wyoming quarantine for 14 days link

Vermont– 14 Day travel quarantine from any state link

Canada– inaugural New Brunswick spring turkey season canceled link US Border currently closed to all non-essential travel

Hunting & Fishing Seasons COVID19 State Closures & Restrictions 4/3 Update

Standard / by mookyj / April 4, 2020 / No Comments

Arizona– San Carlos Apache Reservation turkey hunts canceled link

Delaware– All out-of-state residents traveling into Delaware to immediately self-quarantine for 14 days link

Hawaii– All arriving residents and visitors will immediately go into a 14-day quarantines upon entering the state link Lana‘i Axis Deer Hunt Canceled link added 4/3