April 2009 Updates page 7
14 April
John
Went into my area on the day before the opener to scout and I saw more birds in one place than I have ever seen in 20 years of turkey hunting. Birds were everywhere, both on and off the club properties. I saw one flock of a conservative 100 birds just across the section road from the property I had selected. I came in opening morning in the dark and used my locator call and at least 20 gobblers answered! All that remained was getting into a calling position from the roost tree unseen and setting up. At first light there were at least 50 birds in the tree, and gobblers sounding off in all directions. Getting a tom in range was not too difficult after that, and I took a nice 20+ lb bird with a 9" beard in short order...but the weather turned to snow and so that [second] tag went unfilled for now. Its a long season though, and I will definitely be back when the weather cooperates.
So, thanks again for having quality properties such as this, there is no way to duplicate this experience on public or walk in land in my view and I hunt public land in a half dozen states.
Jay
Congratulations Jay on your hunt. It is enjoyable your willingness to share your story and picture. Thank you.
13 April
Spring Turkey
In spite of early youth season turkey hunting success the archery season has been tough on hunters. Reports from few birds, to seen many - just out of range, have been coming in. All seem to be working for their toms this spring. The wheat gives this picture away as a Kansas flock.
Agriculture/Conservation Debate
Conservation issues are currently being argued in the House of Representatives through the Waxman-Markey Draft and with the continuing concern about budget cuts in the Farm Bill. In both cases conservation is a side show to the congress more concerned with energy independence and pollution along with the USDA more focused on farm subsidies. Each of the topics, energy and farm subsidies, have well funded strong lobby efforts. The conservation lobby effort weak as it is continues to be by environmentalists. Hunters should not be surprised if (when) hunting related conservation programs disappear.
Case in point is the USDA propping up an industry not carried by basic supply and demand.
"...$29.7 million purchase of California walnuts for the USDA school lunch program could not have come at a better time for growers. A huge production increase in 2008 coupled with falling export and domestic prices created a downward spiral for prices over the past five months...The USDA buy will take an estimated 18 million to 20 million pounds of shelled walnuts off the market...in hopes of stabilizing prices and stimulating depressed markets...Walnut acreage in California has been on the increase in recent years..."
USDA buys walnuts for schools Purchase takes pressure off growers as prices fall, Cecilia Parsons, Capital Press, 4/9/2009.
Two counter arguments.
Parents can confirm walnuts are not kid preferred and compared to other food types walnuts are of less nutritional value than what parents buy at the grocery store when spending their own money.
It appears the government works for the California Independent Handlers Coalition, a trade group for walnut brokers, rather than the tax payer.
