Tag: turkeywoods
Turkey Hunter Courtesies, Ethics, Refresher Course 101
New York State spring turkey regular season opens in a little more than a week away. With nearly three quarters of a million turkey tags spoken for it is a large group from all walks of life, experiences, and wild turkey pursuing skill levels. It is prudent to review some of the most basic desirable courtesies, ethics and humanities towards fellow turkey hunters, land owners and the quarry we seek. My comments are from a perspective of a quarter century of fall and spring seasons, many states, many tags filled. I do not fret about harvest success as the hunt provides so much in so many ways, and manage well enough to find the most foolish and the least intelligent gobblers to be had. My friends will back me on this.
Turkey Hunter Courtesies
As a dedicated aficionado of the time honored pastime you may have spent the entire winter observing flocks, taking notes on monster gobblers. As the annual breeding ritual repeats itself as it has through the centuries, you may track with much due diligence. The miles of boot leather locating roost trees, strutting zones, travel patterns both feathered and human, have you well prepared to lay out the most well engineered strategy. Your foolproof plan has you back at the diner by 6:15 AM opening day with a tagged bird in the truck and a story to tell.
Opening day at 4:30 AM, Elmer Fudd who hunts this very spot every year carrying the oldest known working blunderbuss of questionable suitability is viewed leaving his 1985 Ranger and is 50 yards in, waltzing down the very trailhead you are set on to begin your assault. What do you do?
Do the phrases of “well it’s public land, he don’t own it, I can go wherever I wan’t,” “I have permission from the landowner, just as much as he does, I’ll park right behind him,” or “Screw him, I’ll sneak around and set up between him and the roost” come to you as plausible choices? Read on:
- An ethical and courteous hunter moves on to other hotspots to try. As a dedicated participant you have a long list of hot spots with known quantities of lusty gobblers with matching hen ratio. Pay it forward as you will benefit from the same courtesy. Your fellow brethren will have an unhindered set of circumstances to match wits with a gobbler. It is fair and reasonable to have the same for ourselves as we engage a mouthy gobbler.
- Revisit the same spot later in the morning, as the hunter may leave after a few hours. It is a productive strategy to arrive later after the gobblers are done with their hens and reviewing possibilities they heard earlier. Birds worked at first light can be very eager after being warmed up. Think of it as 1:55 AM at your favorite bar and it’s last call. If it is going to happen the gobbler will be in a hurry to get to you.
- Should you be of the persuasion that pulls up next to a truck already there and proceed to intrude on the hunter already set up you can rightfully be accused of unseemly poor behavior and lack common courtesy towards your fellow turkey hunting brethren. Over the years I have come across many exclaiming they will and can go anywhere they want to, period. On its face it is either ignorant or a form of harassment. If you find yourself at odds with this condemnation, during a much needed session of soul searching you seriously need to answer why your enjoyment of the turkeywoods should come at the expense of another.
- Accosting a hunter already in position working a gobbler or while intruding, attempting to out call, flank or simply bust the bird off of them is a deliberate act of contempt for a fellow hunter. If you find this to be judgemental, it is, no apologies
- There are times an unintended intrusion occurs from more than one way to enter a set of woods or from those that run the ridges and cover appreciable distances in a given morning. As a courteous turkey hunter when discovering you are intruding:
- Assume first that hen talk is from a hunter, pay heed and respect.
- Do not wave or issue turkey calls, assume motion or calling may be interpreted incorrectly, follow safety rules.
- Back out quietly if safe to do so and without further disturbing the hunt.
- If you cannot reasonably back out, stay your position and silently bear witness to the hunt in front of you.
Land Owner Courtesies
In a closely related topic, we as turkey hunters ought to be mindful of and respectful of the public grounds we are generously allowed to access as well as the private property of our friends, neighbors and of others with permissions to access their lands.
No signage is not a carte blanche invite with special privileges. If a posted sign or ask permission first sign reads as an invite to you, then my words are little more than annoying. Far too many land owners post their properties in response to those that disrespect their property rights. In New York you need to ask for landowner permission, whether signage is put up or not. Whether LEO’s or ECO’s will enforce the property rights laws on the books or whether a judge will toss it out, it is a breach of ethics. It may work as a loophole to get out of a fine, jail time or a difficult in your face encounter but you will leave making a bad impression on the land owner, and give us turkey hunter’s a black eye collectively. Personally, I never have enjoyed hearing someone denied permission with the land owner stating “You turkey hunters…”
- Visit prospective property owners off season, after season to gain permission, be courteous, be willing to help them out, volunteer to help with chores.
- Showing up the week of the opener may result in more no’s than yes’s and it makes a poor impression.
- Landowners want those they allow on their properties to be courteous and respectful of their lands during season and offseason. Building land owner relationships may result in a lifetime of access and opportunities that come from it. Make the effort. Taxes are very high in New York. Trust me, as a landowner, offers to help relieve any long list of chores are appreciated.
- What ever permission your 3rd, twice removed cousin or great great grandfather’s high school buddy had to a property has no relevance in law or ethical perspective of permissions to hunt. Unless you hold the title, pay the taxes, whatever anyone in your tribe may have done or had access to decades ago or over the many owners from changing hands is irrelevant, entirely moot.
- Leave gates as you find them, a farmer will more than appreciate it.
- Use common sense when using your truck, atv, utv as you’ll sour your privileges in a hurry if you tear up a clover field, or freshly planted cornfield.
- Treat others you come across (unless determine to be trespassing) as you would the landowner.
- You are being afforded access to tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of prime forests and fields. it is a generous privilege. Let that be the basis for any actions or thoughts you may entertain. On public ground it is the same, but overseen by those we elect to manage it. In New York we have access to thousands of acres of hunting lands and waterways to fish. Treat it as the great resource it is and that we all enjoy.
- If the way you treat other hunters or conduct yourself varies according to hunting private vs. public lands you may not have the best intentions. Ethics are not defined by any map program I am aware of.
- Diplomacy and good will is always warranted as you are a guest. It is essential even in the most difficult situations that arise from friends of the landowner, often times from loose definitions of family. Your ego or perceived rights are quickly refuted and revoked in a denial of permissions should you fail the wisdom in this. A landowner is not obligated to be a referee nor signed up to endure headaches over your privilege or that of others.
- On public grounds even the most difficult personalities merit diplomacy and effort to calm things down. If Illegal acts are involved an ECO can do the job required, if rude and inappropriate you may not persuade them to remorse and correction of their errant ways. You are not the Jackass whisperer, and it does you no good service if one cannot tell whom the jackass is during a dispute or altercation. Take the high road… Always.
Respect Of Your Quarry
What is sometimes very controversial is ethics of hunting methods. My intent here concerns a clean ethical kill/harvest, safety, care of table fare. Methods are varied in both ethical perceptions and legal and civil penalties by states, and regions. My negative opinion on reaping and fanning does not ring true for the massive open fields in the midwest, just as feeders in the regions of south Texas are not allowed up north. Unless you get off the keyboard, give your pro hunter rhetoric a break and lay down some boot leather in many of the places gobblers roam, you may find other perspectives to be foreign and difficult to comprehend much less understand.
As an observer of wildlife in a most inspired way, it is a respect for and in awe of all god’s creatures. As stewards of our lands, and our role in the natural order of living things I firmly assert that it is the time honored pursuit of hunting that dates further back than recorded history. It is a reverent respect that is appropriate. Our quarry perishes in that pursuit and becomes sustenance for our bodies, and in keeping with grand design as hunter gatherers. As ethical hunters we conduct ourselves in a sense of fair chase vs. filling a shopping cart at the local Piggly Wiggly, or up North at the local Wegmans or Price Chopper (no endorsements intended or implied)
Vegans claim that animals are not utilized or perish in their diets, but under a more thorough review the claim falls short when examining what wildlife habitat is altered/eliminated and what “pests” are exterminated to provide the gathering side of our diets. The equation is not so straight forward to produce consumables. The “Air Diet” has not gained that much in popularity.
As an ethical hunter and in the concepts of fair chase you owe it to the quarry you chase:
- Fully pattern your shotgun or dial in your archery tackle to produce a decisive clean kill at a known distance that you can reliably repeat.
- Expend any effort to reduce probability of equipment failure by maintenance, and routine pattern testing well before opening day.
- Acquaint yourself to become expert with distance estimation. Rangefinders are effective tools to reaffirm your estimates.
- Hail Mary or a golden BB as promoted by long shots and must kill by any means and all costs as a decision is a lack of respect and a willingness to gamble at far lesser odds that you will not maim, or mortally wound to die later. It is in many ways reprehensible and a confliction of misguided ego.
- Should you wound a gobbler which is not a desired event for any ethical hunter, you owe every effort to recover and bring a swift end to a less than decisively lethal shot if required.
- As an ethical hunter. legal hunting hours, applicable games laws, legal hunting methods, and safe weapon handling is followed and expected of others.
- A clean decisive kill requires clear sight picture of the head and neck, or commonly known as the boiler room containing vital organs of heart and lungs, Sight picture to also include a clear and safe foreground and background. You owe me that. I owe you the same.
- Sound or shadow shooting is in plain english unsafe, reckless and unethical. It is also an act of negligence.
- Take proper care of the game animal to produce the best possible table fare. as it is a precious resource.
- As a gobbler’s behavior is governed by thousands of years of honed instinct, a will to outwit all known predators, you will not win the day each time afield if measured by the kill. Over time, your reverence, your learned respect, it will be revealed the hunt itself is the reason you are there…
To hunt and fish in my home state of New York is a privilege that after all these years I am still in awe of. The perspective that I express here in reviewing some of the basics comes from many sunrises in the turkey woods. The hefty feathered carries over my shoulder while returning home, chasing turkeys in the snow over an excited weimaraner, and far too many days to count of just resting up against a towering maple, taking it all in, are all in part of being at peace with my surroundings. In that perspective, the reverence, respect and regard for the feathered monarchs of the turkeywoods and my fellow turkey hunters is a most natural thing.
-MJ
© 2018 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
. #turkeyhunting #oldturkeyhunter #wildturkey #turkeywoods #respect #ethics #courtesy
A Thankful Thanksgiving
A Thankful Thanksgiving
As the despot author of turkey-talk.com blog I take advantage of and make it a prerogative to steer nearly anything into to something about wild turkeys. Thanksgiving of course lends itself to it without any effort at all. My comments on our time honored holiday comes after a 27 hour stint working at my office.
When working thru an entire calendar day you become acquainted with the wee hours of the morning without distractions or the busy, busy of modern living. Not at all dissimilar to the quiet sanctum of the turkey woods which I so much favor. Easy to become a fan of early hours AM radio where you listen to some very bizarre and out there broadcasts as the night owls relinquish their very deep and most inner thoughts. It does give one’s self the time set aside to let your mind wander, and exercise how deep the rabbit hole goes.
In the work that pays the bills, designing image sensors, it entails long hours staring at very large screens. The discipline comes with its own technical language and deep concentration which is typical of the engineering vocations. While designing requires tasks such as DRC’s (design rule checks) and LVS (layout vs Schematic) one may have some time on their hands depending on how large a design it is.
On this thanksgiving I am thankful that in my work a task that would take not twenty years ago many man days to run on $200K-$300K worth of software in a half million dollar computer room now runs on a laptop ( a $5K-$7K CAD platform) and takes 90 seconds to a few minutes to run on $80k worth of software. To add to that that it is far more accurate, in-depth and more useful than it was just a few decades ago. It use to be you would set it up and hope to have some results the next day or maybe be a day or two later. The down side is you can stay on top of it and work far too many hours straight in one sitting. What would take several weeks to accomplish was finished off in a little more than 27 hours.
As owner of my own tech company I crack my own whip. I am thankful I live in a country where I can create my own job, my own lively hood, and continue with the profession I have dedicated my life’s work to. All this back ground sets up the late night experience where I could take inventory of pluses and minuses at my leisure.
Although my time afield currently is a fraction of what it might be of any other year, what few precious hours at the base of an oak tree or in a deer stand has been as they always have- monumental, and cleansing of the soul. I have yet to aim my cross hairs on a game animal, although I worry little about it as it is time in my sanctuary and the freezer will be filled when the timing, opportunity and preparedness align at the same moment. It is an end goal, a tangible conclusion, but not the prime reason to be afield.
As I often intertwine my love of the turkey woods with my work as an engineer, as a writer, they are a small snapshot of my being whereas my most important roles as husband, father, a son, a grandfather, a friend are what makes me whole.
In my pre-dawn hours of Thanksgiving morning slaving away to the digital gods that I call earning a living. I am most thankful for Lee, my wife who tolerates my all-encompassing live style and made an awesome thanksgiving feast this afternoon. I am most thankful to our children, grandchildren. I am also thankful to make a living and despite my flirting with the devil in so many long hours I am in reasonable health although not perfect or in my best representation. I am thankful for my time in the turkey woods, in God’s amphitheater for the time spent there, and for the life lessons taught while afield. I am also thankful for my upbringing and for my parents whom have now passed on. It is a heartache that they are now gone, yet heartwarming to have had them as my rock. It is the natural order of things.
It is my warmest wishes that you had an awesome time with loved ones, with family and that you find your days in your vocation, and your days afield truly inspiring
-MJ
© 2017 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
NY Southern Tier Fall Turkey Opener
Today marks the day of the Southern Tier opener for fall turkey hunting in the great Empire State. Although the afternoon is reported to be very warm, the morning greets us with abundant sunshine and crisp temperatures. The turkey woods I have had a few occasions to step foot in so far are loaded with acorns, beechnuts. The apple and fruit trees, berry bushes have bore fruit this year, maybe not as much as some years. Most likely they’ll forego the fields for acorns, and other nuts and seeds as grasshoppers and crickets are about done for the season. The reports of sightings so far have been very mixed from jakes and Jennies nearly the size of adult hens to the size of pheasants and yet again the size of ruffed grouse, A mix of first, second and third nestings. In my neck of the woods, the seven valleys of Cortland County, the numbers are still suppressed compared to five years ago, but I would submit a bit better than the prior two years, We have a way to go with warm dry springs and reduced bag limits to bring the flocks back up. Poaching remains as an issue and a scourge among our fraternity.
The past two fall reports show the reported takes are down which is the goal of the changes in the fall seasons. I am steadfast in the opinion that recommendations of gobblers only in the fall and restriction of taking turkeys from elevated platforms would further reduce the fall take while favoring the enjoyment of those who purposely wear a turkey vest in the fall and or engages in the time honored pastime of using turkey dogs to break the flocks. As a professed bowhunter I do understand the desire of incidental opportunities from a tree stand. However the numbers of those with the single minded purpose of pursuing turkeys in the fall are dwarfed by those that bag a turkey as happenstance while on deer watch. I find it ass-backwards that the seasons were not directly influenced/changed to suit fall turkey hunters, turkey doggers rather than the sidebar interests of deer hunters. It is still a bit disconcerting as to the decision making by our folks at the NYSDEC.
Opening day is of importance as given to national holidays and religious observances. This year finds me going into work to put in a 12-14 hour day and spending a little bit of the morning working on my laptop, with my bride and our two weimaraners. Despite long days, I do need to make a guest appearance at home from time to time. Although I might view not being afield a moral offense, I appreciate having gainful work and good customers which I’m smart enough to keep as customers.
Our beloved Jake who is turkey crazy and would love nothing more than to break a flock of turkeys. Actually he tries to catch them, not break them, it works. Yesterday he had surgery to remove what is believed to be a malignant skin growth (mass tumor) and will not be chasing much of anything until after the season has ended here. It is worrisome and we await to learn the prognosis. As in your homes, our weims are essential family members and we spoil them as you do yours. Abby, our female weim loves to chase turkeys, will bark at the break, but since having surgery seven years ago to remove a 10″ abscess, encapsulating a malignant tumor on her small intestine, her stamina has been reduced and does not range far or can go for more than short excursions.
With demands of my professional life, and not being able to bring along my favored turkey chaser with me, I’ll enjoy the stories I learn from your grand days afield later as the day marches on. I expect I will catch a few hours here and there over the two weeks of our season as a few hours in the turkey woods is a welcomed reprieve in what will be long days at work. There was a planned fall hunt in Maine that I looked forward too, but with the current demands of my tech company we’ll make the trip next spring.
From all of us at Joyner Outdoor Media we wish you a grand day in the turkey woods, full of adventures and memories to be had by all!
-MJ
© 2017 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Jerry Antley- Legendary Call Maker Inducted In The Legends of the Outdoors National Hall of Fame
Some time ago, in fact, a little over a year I was contacted by Peyton Mckinnie hailing from Marion, Louisiana about possibly doing a story on a gentleman from his home state known by many turkey hunters as Jerry Antley. As I lay out a few known facts attributed to Jerry you will come to a similar conclusion as I, that he is a family man, man of faith, an outdoorsman with a firm dedication to his passions and his craft. Steadfast is a term that came to me while reviewing and researching materials to write this story worthy of a man of his stature.
As I briefly review a partial list of Jerry’s history and noteworthy accomplishments, he will be newly inducted into The Legends of the Outdoors National Hall of Fame, class of 2017.
A lifelong resident of Downsville, Louisiana Jerry continues to make calls at Cedar Hill Game Calls (which he founded) to this day. Although he does not publicly list his age, it is known he was married to Vicki Allen for nearly fifty four years until her passing in 2013. With four children now grown, along with nine grandchildren, and six great grandchildren it is a wonder when he has the time to make all these calls.
It is stated that he began hunting in 1963 for whitetails, and added turkey hunting to his pursuits in 1972. Nearing a hundred wild turkeys carried back home over his shoulder it is reported that the local bachelor groups of longbeards are plotting/planning for his early retirement from the sport. As you begin to notice, a pattern emerges as to his dedication to matters at hand. Jerry extended his passions for the forests of his home state, the pursuit of whitetails, wild turkeys and turned it to vibrant and healthy game call business. This would be the beginning of Cedar Hill Game Calls, LLC which he founded in 1981, He would later expand his company with the acquisition of CamoCord, LLC in 2003.
The most well known call that Jerry produces was also the first entry into the market. The Legendary “Little Scratch Box!”. They have sold over 50,000 all of which are hand-made here in the U.S.A.. Being constructed of cedar which is well known among turkey hunters and call makers alike to produce clucks, purrs, and yelps that not only please our calling sensibilities but more importantly fools a gobbler to take one step too many in your direction. With a little bit of instruction even I could have you clucking and purring before you left the room, yelping with a little bit of practice. The clucks are done the best on this cedar scratch box, more convincing than by use of other styles of calls in my opinion. You could close your eyes and swear you could hear the hen’s beak snapping shut as she clucked. Yes, it is that good in the turkey woods. The company also offers deer calls, duck calls, elk calls, predator calls. a variety of other turkey calls, and a host of hunter accessories that would be ‘must have’ for your trips afield.
Joining the NWTF in 1977, Jerry would become a charter member and served as president of the North Central Louisiana NWTF Chapter. He would later become a charter member of his local chapter , the Union Long Spurs, served as President for the first three years. Currently serving on the Board of Directors. His volunteer service has spanned so far an impressive thirty seven consecutive years. In that time Jerry would also serve as Louisiana State Chapter President, and VP, serving Louisiana State NWTF Board of Directors. for twelve years. Jerry was elected to the National Board of Directors for the NWTF in 1984 serving for six years,
Other notable history with the NWTF:
• Silver Life Member of NWTF •Runner-Up 1983 Louisiana State Turkey Calling Championship. •“Grand Champion” 1984 Louisiana State Turkey Calling Championship.
• Grand National Calling Contest Judge for NWTF the past 20 years.
Along with his call making business, and what has to be a busy time with family, Jerry is a Southern Baptist by faith, serving as a Deacon at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Downsville, La. Since 1978. In addition to his role as Deacon, he has also served as Chairman of the Deacon Board for the past twenty years.
We congratulate Jerry on a stellar career, dedicated volunteer service, and a well deserved award of recognitions for all that you have done and contributed for our natural resources and to our greater benefit.
http://www.cedarhillgamecalls.com
-MJ
© 2017 Joyner Outdoor Media
Trespass In NY- Turkey Hunter? Deer Hunter? Fisherman?
For those of you that are not familiar with the great Empire State, it is a very short drive from one of the largest cities in the world, even shorter drive from the lesser known cities to find yourself amongst the great farmlands, forests, mountains and fisheries of New York where I call home. Despite bizarre politics, stifling regulations, punitive taxation (#1, highest in the Nation) that has driven out industry and the prosperity that goes with it, it is one of the most resource diverse states when you come to appreciate the four million-plus acres of public lands, nearly another million more acres under conservation easements, the raw natural beauty, and recreational opportunities we have here. I reside with my bride in one of the seven valleys of Cortland County which I am more than fond of. The topic at hand actually applies across our great nation and not solely unique to New York. As I truly love what I have here as my little piece of paradise, I’ll refer to my beloved state as my frame of reference.
With such highly coveted resources, much of which is available to everyone as public lands and public waterways, the subject of trespass, destruction of property, theft and other criminal behavior appears to be more common even in the off seasons, despite numerous large tracts of state and federal lands for all to share. My comments are aimed specifically towards sportsmen and sportswomen. Criminals, common thieves, polluters are not likely to be moved or swayed by any opinions you, or I may have or convey. As a landowner and as a member on a hunting lease from time to time I have that set of perspectives. I also hunt and fish on a mix of state game lands, waterways, and a fair amount of private holdings that have granted me the right to spend time on and enjoy. I’ll break down my thoughts in lists for each viewpoint.
As a hunter:
- Do we show ourselves as being fortunate and privileged to be granted access to private lands that another pay taxes on, farms, maintain for their business or homestead, manages for wildlife? Do we show respect for them and their property? Do we fundamentally understand that landowner rights take priority over any right or desire we may feel to hunt or fish?
- On lands that are commonly known for open access do we make it a point to learn of the owner’s name as a courtesy to thank them or to learn of any concerns they may have? It helps to avoid future problems. Do we take for granted these lands and treat them as a free for all, our personal playgrounds?
- On state lands do we treat it as if we own it? In a roundabout reasoning we do via the income taxes that are paid. Being respectful, having regard for our resources should not be a conditional thought or action.
- Challenging a landowner or another hunter, in general, is not the smartest idea, nor a step in improving hunter/landowner relations. The exception is the arrogant slob hunter who is not authorized to patrol a property or trespassing themselves and falsely claiming a spot. Too many stories of others trying to throw people off that have permission including landowners off their own property.
- Items we may come across while hunting without regard to who owns the land, do we leave undisturbed, unmolested unless clearly lost (such as a jacket, wallet, personal camera, game call). Stealing or destroying treestands, game cameras, blinds, traps, etc. is a despicable, lowly act to inflict on a fellow hunter. Even when we find such items on our own places that are not supposed to be there, do we attempt to find out whom they belong to first and get the word out? If that fails to produce a result in instances I have come across, I bring it back to the house and attempt to find the owner while notifying the county Sheriff’s/ NYSDEC ECO, and they can retrieve their items after an intimate chat with law enforcement. Charges may apply if egregious, or not your first time trespassing. In principle do we take another’s property while not knowing fully the circumstances.?
- While being respectful of the lands hunted, it is good practice to extend that to fellow hunters. Having someone purposely interfering with your time in the woods is greatly unappreciated. A common occurrence with the mentality of having to get your gobbler or buck before the other hunter does. As sportsmen, sportswomen we are better than that.
- Access to hunting properties has dropped while the behavior of some fellow hunters deters hunter recruitment or makes the hunting experience on state lands or private lands less desirable for the recreational hunter, fisherman. The same foolishness, monkey business that is assumed all too common on public grounds in known to be just as much a problem on private holdings. Private land is not immune to breaches in ethical or sportsmanlike conduct. There is no legitimate excuse for treating fellow hunters and fishermen in a poor manner that occurs. Trespass shows disrespect for the landowners and fellow hunters alike
- Of our sport, the passions we so dearly love. are we humbled and appreciative of the great forests and waterways? Are we humbled and appreciative of our fellow hunters and fishermen that we share these great resources with?
As a landowner or lease/club member:
- Vast amounts of money are involved to purchase, pay county & school taxes, or fees to lease. Land taxes have risen well ahead of inflation to the tune of 2X-3X over other states in the union. It can be viewed as legalized theft in some lines of thought. As a landowner, it is a thought process quickly learned and a reality. Leases have risen due to taxes, and the popularity of outdoor-focused leasing /realty companies. The continual loss of farms and the increase in development further increase the cost and demand for recreational properties. Maintaining a property for wildlife involves plenty of funds and sweat equity.
- Because your past three generations of family hunted there, it does not trump or replace courtesy, respect, or asking permission. Your ignorant boasting of entitlement to hunt wherever you want is a false premise. It is all too common a complaint about local hunters. Your family or those that passed on are not maintaining, nor paying taxes on the property. You can easily change that, be a great neighbor.
- Fishermen do not get a pass on self-granted rights to trespass as access to private honey holes is not an entitled right of way. In New York, navigable waters have a separate set of laws that apply.
- Poor behavior, trespass, destruction of property, theft, infighting between hunting parties, poaching, ignoring specific instructions, or requests are all legitimate reasons why landowners say no or rescind your permissions. As a landowner saying no is their right that may or may not come with an explanation.
- It is a major irritation to expend time and money to thwart, report and or prosecute trespassers only to see them given a slap on the wrist or a minor fine. $50 to$250 fines are not enough to deter the disrespect, the ignorance that exists in the hunting community.
- How many of you visit to help a landowner in the offseason or in season, send thank you’s or visit to thank in person? Do you invite them for a home-cooked meal, or in general conduct yourself as a good neighbor, an ethical hunter that appreciates the privilege?
With the acceptance of game cams as scouting tools, it has become an additional season of installing and checking in the summer months. With the competitive nature of some in our ranks, the quest for boon’r buck or record setting long beard or the best fishing hole in the county causes some to steal memory cards, game cams, or destroy them and any stands or blinds they come across. In the past few years, the frequency of this type of criminal activity is increasing if judged by posts on social media. Whether there is increased trespass or that we now have better tools to capture it is made far worst that it is being done in many occurrences by fellow hunters. Clicking through the various hunting groups on social media it is astounding the number of reports of tree stands stolen or rendered unusable, deer cams broke or stolen, SD memory cards stolen.
In the following list are links to NYS sites that deal specifically with trespass, regulations, posting info, etc. I have included other useful links as well as one to a prior blog on game cam strategies.
- Public Fishing Rights and the Landowner -NYSDEC
- Posting Information for Landowners, Boaters, Fishermen and Hunters -NYSDEC
- Avoiding Conflicts Between Waterfowl Hunters and Waterfront Property Owners -NYSDEC
- ASK -NYSDEC
- Dealing with Trespassers -Cornell Univ
- Recreational access and owner liability -Cornell Univ
- Post Deer Season- Time to Implement a New Game Camera Strategy
As a landowner, I can tell you first hand you will quickly expand your fan base in a less than desirable way by wanting to control your property in any configuration. Some folks feel or even insist they have a right to your place. You and I may have an adverse response to such arrogant entitlement thinking. Trust me it is out there as many are not shy about it, in fact boastful.
Diligence and willingness to press charges does pay off as it eventually reduces trespass once they learn you have a spine and will do what is needed to fully enjoy your place as the owner of the property. I can tell you that sending a certified notice against trespass or having the local sheriff deliver it in person is an effective way to get your point across. Posting, maintaining signs, the expense of cameras, batteries,and other items just to secure your place takes away from time and money otherwise spent enjoying it.
Poor behavior is not a one-way street, as we all know that one special landowner that tries to claim rights to other properties, accosts anyone that comes near their boundary or travels an adjacent road along their place. It makes for hostile or worse interactions. I have been privy to one property owner near me that claimed to own the county road that dissected her place. Unnecessary conflict and bad relations for all involved.
It is my well-learned opinion that we New Yorkers have easy access to thousands upon thousands of the best public hunting grounds to be found in our great nation. Our waterways are world-renowned and something to cherish. As ethical sportsmen and sportswomen, criminal trespass is an abhorrent act towards each other and especially landowners. As hunters, as fishermen, as landowners, there is much room to improve relationships with only a little effort and a large dose of mutual respect. We all deserve this from each other.
-MJ
© 2017 Joyner Outdoor Media
Joyner Outdoor Media, State of the Union, Book Projects
Now that spring turkey season is officially over in the northern hemisphere, I thought it was high time to update the mega fan base, facebook followers, and especial those awaiting a few titles that are long overdue. Joyner Outdoor Media (named for the obvious origins of heritage) in short form is the business umbrella that is used to publish and promote my books, blogs, writings, and occasionally other like minded authors that wish to join us.Many projects on the back burner since the winter of 2012-2013 At the tender young age of 52, I found myself out on the street the 18th of December, making a worrisome Christmas. The company I was a founding partner in, later acquired and later sold to our VP of Sales. After a fourteen year stint, given the politics with the new owner, It was an impossibility to work together. Fate, Karma is a cruel master at times and there is a tragic story that follows. I’ll not divulge further. Only days after being put out to pasture I formed Town Line Technologies, LLC on what was a very quiet Sunday morning looking at office spaces. I had an offer for contract work for the US Navy through the old company, cashed in my 401K, no safety net, no benefits. Five years of working hard and still going. It is the primary reason why projects slowed, put on hold and accelerated my aging.
With some things freeing up, I am bringing to the fore front the existing on-going projects that I am all too happy to get back to. ‘Grand Days in the Turkey Woods’ was a bit of an unexpected event in my timeline as an author. As it is common for me to write up or at least outline memorable stories as they occur each season, I found back in 2014 that I have more than enough memories/stories stored off in a future projects file that I was able to quickly publish as a story book which is in keeping with ‘Hills of Truxton: Stories & Travels of a Turkey Hunter’, and ‘Tales from the Turkey Woods: Mornings of My Better Days’
I will update in order- books currently available, current projects, and intentions of future works which will not march full steam ahead until my current projects are out in print.
Books in print:
Hills of Truxton: Stories & Travels of a Turkey Hunter Currently available online at Amazon and other online book stores in paperback, hardcover, and kindle format. Hills Of Truxton Paperbacks and hardcovers are also available from me, signed with bookmarks and post cards tipped in. Author’s Online Store
A 2.0 version is coming with a new cover, a few updated pictures and the typical text corrections and small edits in the effort to follow in some semblance of the Queen’s English. A hardcover w/ dust cover will also follow in the 2.0 version and will mark the end of the laminated hardcover edition. Release of 2.0 will be announced later this summer
Tales from the Turkey Woods: Mornings of My Better Days Currently available online at Amazon and other online book stores in paperback, hardcover, and kindle format. Tales From The Turkey Woods Paperbacks and hardcovers are also available from me, signed with bookmarks and post cards tipped in. Author’s Online Store
A 2.0 version is also coming with a new cover, a few updated pictures and the typical text corrections and small edits as with my first title. A hardcover w/ dust cover will also follow in the 2.0 version Release of 2.0 will be announced later this fall.
Grand Days in the Turkey Woods: Currently available online at Amazon and other online book stores in paperback, hardcover, and kindle format. Grand Days In The Turkey Woods Paperbacks and hardcovers are also available from me, signed with bookmarks and post cards tipped in. Author’s Online Store
Current Book Projects:
D.D. Adams, Evolutionary Turkey Call Pioneer: For those that I have contacted or attempted to contact at the beginning of the project: I will complete interviews this summer. I have just a few very key interviews to complete so time is short as I need to commit to a writing schedule.
If you knew DD personally and have insights or a great story to share I would love to interview you for the project. I have a lot of pictures, more than enough to show a comprehensive view of his call creations.
Empire State Limb Hangers- New York Wild Turkey Records: For those that I have contacted or attempted to contact at the beginning of the project: Your stories will be available to review as I complete them.
If you haven’t been interviewed and would like to be included, please contact me, I would love to include as many as possible that met the original score criteria. The placings have shifted some, however I am still going by my original list as what was unique and noteworthy then still is of course. There will be future editions as records are broken and those I attempted to include, catch up with the project. The more hunters that come on board that I originally sought to interview, the better.
Any record book gobblers bagged in NY during the 2016-2017 spring/fall seasons? or years prior? If your bird meets the following scoring criteria, I would love to talk to you about being included in the book!
Typical score > 75.0000 (weight x1 + beard x 2 + spur(s) x 10)
Non-Typical score > 105.0000 (weight x1 + beard(s) x 2 + spur(s) x 10)
Weight > 26.5000 lbs. (verified certified weight)
Beard > 12.0000″ (verified length)
Spurs> 1.6250″ (verified length)
Future Projects: Other than some very preliminary housekeeping, outlines etc, future projects are on low priority until completion of the current Que. In all fairness to the hunters I interviewed some time ago, my efforts are focused on completing these anticipated works. There are several ideas for a scifi novel and a hunting themed novel. Very far out there, but possibility’s for a time not as hectic at the moment.
Roost ‘n Time Tales: Will be a continuation of stories as told around camp, the local diners and the back of pickup trucks parked at the gate. It is expected to take any number of years, dependent on travel plans, funds, and a 55 gallon drum of good-luck and fortune to capture another memorable collection of experiences in the great turkey woods.
Old Turkey Tree: A collection of my favorite stories from current titles and future ones. Expect additional perspectives, additional photo’s and other surprises to those following my previous works. May include other unpublished stories worthy of inclusion with such grand memories.
Forever Roost: An introspective view of why I hunt, deeper meanings and how it is much more significant in modern times as well as my later years if a full and meaningful life.
I would be remiss if I neglected to appeal to those contemplating your own works as self published or assisted publishing. If interested in engaging Joyner Outdoor Media to help your project get off the ground or hire us to work up graphics, covers for your book give me a shout at: mjoyner@joyneroutdoormedia.com
I would also encourage you to check out the New York Outdoor Writer Association or on facebook as a writing professional or inspired up and coming author.
-MJ
© 2017 Joyner Outdoor Media
Fat Lady Sings…. Hard Spring Turkey Season In New York
It all came down to the final days to get it done in New York. With a change in plans, I hunted solo the last few days of the season. The last Saturday of the season I called in a full fan Jake on public game land that would coarse yelp and strut at the calling but declined to gobble. Coming no closer than several hundred yards across a hay field, I re-positioned and twenty minutes later he decided to stop feeding long enough to walk within gun range. After hunting in the pouring rain on a morning that was predicted to be 5% chance of rain, it was a consolation to tote a turkey back to the truck. I have little faith in the weatherman or climate change experts as they cannot get it straight as to the weather on any opening day or any other day during turkey season. Not much better for deer season either.
Down to the last day, I woke up early to find it raining again and went back to bed. Without any birds roosted (which had been the story of the season,) I woke up in time for breakfast, then headed out to hunt the few remaining hours left in the season. It was bright and sunny out when I headed out the door. Not my usual “O-Dark Thirty” start on a spring turkey hunt
On such days that I enjoy an extended time afield, it has to be balanced with customer concerns, and results with me in the office until 9PM-10PM at night or working at home on the laptop. My wife and our two Weimaraner’s have their preferences of quality time together as well. On the days that I did manage to get out, it was something more akin to “Time Displacement” rather than time off. It is typical for those that own a business.
Back to the last day… I “ear and eye checked” a number of spots before heading to a secret, favorite state game land spot I’ll not disclose other than being located in Cortland County. With an hour and a half left in the season, I settled in. At 11AM sharp came three distinct “where are you clucks” somewhere very close in the pine woods. The turkey (unsure which variety) never appeared within my line of sight despite my prompt responses. Being very calm, and the bird very close made the clucks seem all the louder. Good fun as at least I was talking to a turkey. Twenty minutes later a series of yelps produced a gobble from across an old hay field. The bird gobbled one time, one time only. To my extreme pleasure, I saw the top of a fan pop up a hundred and fifty yards out. The gobbler wasted little time coming as once I saw the fan, he made steady progress towards my position. Without issuing another call, he came across and off the field into the pinewoods where I would finalize our chance encounter. 11:28AM I was done with a half hour to spare.
As with last spring season in New York where I had a much more bizarre circumstance with a last day, last hour gobbler, both gobblers had sustained serious injuries. Last day gobbler of Spring 2016 had been body shot, had many spur punctures to both breast areas leaving unhealed wounds, the bird was in advanced stages of gangrene, leaving the meat unfit to eat. It was surmised that the bird was ganged up on after the errant shooting and my deed put an end to the story at 11:02AM. Fast forward to yesterday, my late hour gobbler had broken tail feathers, a broken spur with one 1-1/4″ good spur remaining, and a beard that looked to have been subjected to a power tool. several strands remained attached stretching to 11″ Although not in the advanced stages of infection as the prior spring bird, this tough fellow had five spur puncture wounds to the breasts that appeared to be from recent encounters with a significant foe. I’d like to meet up with that gobbler. As before the meat had a foul smell and would defeat in part my plans for venison backstraps and wild turkey speedies/kabobs for the summer. It is not likely the gobbler would survive his injuries. A bittersweet end to the season.
June 1st, the fat lady has sung… Whatever grand schemes you may have had, master plans to win the game will have to wait until the fall season if you are like me, or if not, you have a longer wait until the next spring season.
My observations are that of Cortland and Madison Counties with a brief excursion to Cooperstown. Over the past twenty-five seasons like many of the enthusiastic turkey hunters out there, I have a bunch of hot spots and backup spots for finding gobblers to chase. It changes year to year sometimes. I have lost some prime spots due to changes in land owners, sales of farms, hunting partners, lease members dropping out, and so on. With a nearly even mix of private land vs state game lands, there are literally too many places to cover in a given season.
I’ll prefix my experiences this spring by saying that it comes down to location and timing. Right place, right time. My good friend Randy Russell Of Auburn NY was tagged out on day two. He had a hot gobbler the first day, a silent bird the second. I know of a few others that tagged out early. On a blue moon with a rare alignment of the stars, I have tagged out early in past seasons. Reports of hot gobbling birds were scattered, and the difficulty I experienced was shared by many.
With the exception of a very enthusiastic Jake running from place to place with sneakers on opening day, it was the only hot gobbling interlude of the season. To be fair my days afield were limited due to our family cancer scares, and work obligations. I got out a dozen mornings, most were until 7AM-9AM and off to the office or doctor visits.
A few of my fellow outdoor writers, Dan Ladd, Leo Maloney, Ed Noonan, my wife (Lee) and I got together at Leather Stocking Guide Service in Milford, NY for a weekend of turkey chasing, camaraderie and to attend to some business matters and meetings for the NYSOWA (New York State Outdoor Writers Assoc.). Leon Archer joined us for meetings on Friday after we came in from hunting. Bob Partridge and his crew made for a great weekend and set us out to our own devices on some of the nicest properties I have ever hunted in. We were in great turkey hunting territory, as good or arguably better than back home. With a possible future Spring Safari in Cooperstown, I’ll look forward to spending time there again. If you are a baseball fan it is a great destination stop. As you would expect it is easy to eat well there, and if you are a fan of craft beer, NY wines, or NY distilled spirits, there are several great stops to make all within short drives of each other. The gobbling activity was like we had going on back home, and despite the great weather, despite calling in one hen after another, no gobblers took the truck express back to camp.
Our season here in CNY started out with an early lull, followed by a mid-season lull, and cashed out with a late-season lull. Serious… Again, I know some hunters were right on top of gobbling birds. I was not one of them. The season started out cool and wet and it is thought the first nesting may have been affected. I personally found five different nests that were destroyed. Yet, my wife saw a hen with six poults in tow crossing the road onto our property last evening which is a welcomed sighting. More sightings will be even better.
Every season is a bit different in one way or another, for me it was nearly nonexistent for the traditional: “Bird gobbles, and you work him to the gun, gobbling on the way in.” I’ll gladly take what luck I did have with eventually filling both tags, and will enjoy the great memories of most excellent mornings in the Turkey Woods. The time to take in all that the turkey woods offers, to relax and collect one’s thoughts are all good times afield. Toting out a big gobbler after an epic battle is a grand time we all seek.
-MJ
© 2017 Joyner Outdoor Media
Mother’s Day hunt
Some years I get out for a quick hunt before activities commence on this special day, some years mamma has plans. Today I got out for a few hours despite other plans and work commitments. With my work responsibilities and currently family health issues I hadn’t put many miles on my boots that I might normally do. With what few times I had gone out for the New York Spring season, it has been little to no action on our property and in our favored haunts in and around Cortland County. It is an odd and unusual start of the season, can’t buy a gobble. Yet I hear much more promising reports not 30 to 50 miles from here.With the very wet and cool weather it is not surprising in some respects and there are concerns on the success of first nesting’s this spring. I am hopeful that warmer and drier conditions lay ahead in Central New York and with that the gobbling to improve along with it.
We started out the morning on state lands located in Cortland County (I’ll not name the forest, but there are more than several to choose from.) We were greeted with moderate temperatures and no wind. You could hear for a country mile and then some. We were also greeted by patches of heavy fog and have experienced that in the past to go either way with turkeys. With only a few “I think it might be a gobble” that were far beyond our ability to judge miles in distance, we had no up front and blowing your hair back gobbling… anywhere.
In our travels this morning we passed by properties I have guided many years on for the annual ladies hunt in the fall as there are always birds to be found. I do love spotting them although I don’t hunt these places other than the annual hunt. Today’s travels produced plenty of strutting gobblers and hens that should be good news come the fall. A bit of eye candy is always good for the soul while chasing gobblers. We hunt public land nearly as much as private properties, some years even more. Within relatively short driving distances there are tens of thousands of acres near my home and surrounding Maddison and Thompkins Counties. As always we have a good time harassing gobblers or in the efforts to do so.
Our last stop of the day we found a trio of stutters and a single hen to pursue. After a very long walk we came up on three hens (only knew of the one) that did not appreciate our pleas for company and marched off (along with the gobblers) and more importantly away across the rolling terrain. We got close, but no free rides back to the truck for our feathered friends.
On a day that I intensely mourn my mother’s passing a year ago, an easy going hunt with an old friend was what was needed to ease my soul, come to grips with this day and enjoy/honor the very special women that I am so grateful to have as family.
-MJ
© 2017 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
The Turkey Woods- A Special Place
Early yet in the first week of New York’s spring turkey season. It is an annual pilgrimage each year at our household like so many others. As mentioned in an earlier blog post, family health issues has taken center stage and supersedes even the most ingrained rituals one might have. With myself and one of our daughters cleared from a cancer scare, we are batting at good odds, one more family member to go. None of us will rest easy nor sleep well until such time as we get the all clear news…Opening day was a late start with Lee, my bride of nearly 17 years. It has been a couples date every season with only a few exceptions. with all the non-hunting related issues going on, and the both of us recovering from pneumonia, it wasn’t much of a surprise. We slowly hunted our way in, and the late start was not much of a detriment as with all the countryside we could hear you could not buy a gobble much less lather up a lusty gobbler. Owls and crows were no more successful at pulling out a gobble as we found out quick enough. We did set up at the strategic spot we like on our property and settled in for any strong but silent type gobblers that might be out for a morning search party. We did hear one single shotgun blast early but that would be all we heard until a distant blast an hour later. After several hours we decided to hunt back to the house and managed to raise a rather large Jake. He gobbled on top of any calls I made and was covering lots of ground. He, in fact, showed up in range but behind us, and in one hell of a hurry as he scurried away as fast as he showed up. He headed up the hill away from us and in a few short minutes I called him back just as quickly as he left, except this time he was in a more open area. I had clear target lock on him, but no significant beard to be seen. Looked to be every bit of sixteen pounds, a big jake for sure, maybe a two-year-old with his beard hugging his body as they sometimes do. As before, the jake left nearly as fast as he approached. Apparently, he was racing around from spot to spot much like Rio Grand Turkeys like to do. Lee nearly got an opportunity, but the bird moved on before she could get her gun lined up on him. No third time is a charm calling him back. All in all made for a very nice morning excursion with some action and a live participant to boot.
This morning I went solo for just a brief hunt as work demands I be in the office early. Much cooler and with a slight drizzle of rain, I decided to see what I might make happen in the turkey woods. I headed over across from our property to that of our good friends Jeff and Missy. Many fond memories there as it’s where I took my first gobbler in 1993. Lots of gobblers carried back to the truck since that time. I headed to their back twenty acres as I knew it would be protected from the wind, and I would be able to hear anything resembling a wild turkey. Being located in a large horseshoe-shaped bowl I could hear a lot of territory including properties I could not hunt and some that would require getting the truck to drive over to. Fly down time from the roost came and went, and not a wing flap, a yelp or a gobble to be heard anywhere. That would be a consistent story, set of facts to be entered into the records up until I left for work. With the all the quiet, the tranquil surroundings I would close my eyes and could hear the chickadees from far enough away I could not accurately tell you how far. As much as my quest was to have an epic battle with a monarch of these woods, I found leaning back just enough to watch the clouds roll on by to be just as enjoyable. As I would remember as a little boy, I have not forgotten some of these most simple pleasures. The rebirth of all things in the spring is ever more so in the turkey woods. Today I relaxed long enough to take it all in, and enjoy it for what it is, in its most simple forms.
With all the happenings going on in my family, myself, work obligations, and the list of things that dampen my well being my soul, situations I cannot change nor have yet found a way to accept, I find peace in the turkey woods. Whether it be non-stop action, a hot gobbler marching in looking a for a ride in the truck or in this case, my case, needed food for the soul, it remains as a favored sanctuary wherever I spend time in the turkey woods. My brief time this morning in a place that I have spent a good share of during the past twenty-five seasons was as uplifting and satisfying as any of the grand days I have had the good fortune to experience. The only downside or regret while walking back was that I could not enjoy a bit more time there. There will be other days in this special place or others I have deemed to be, and I look forward to more times in each of them. It is my sincere wish that each of you have such places to enjoy or come to know well enough as the seasons’ pass.
With most of the season yet ahead of us I wish you all much success in as many ways as you may enjoy. May all your days in the turkey woods be grand days…
-MJ
© 2017 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
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