New Fall Regulations

[Will]

I just discovered the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is looking to extend Fall Turkey hunting into January for every county in the state. They would exclude rifles so as to not damage winter flocks that are exposed in fields. Our fall season now is in October which tends to overlap Bear and Antlerless Muzzleloader. Plus our current Fall season is restricted to three Western Maryland counties. We have good numbers of flocks on the Eastern Shore with Spring Season being the only season currently open. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Hunter numbers I think will still be low because that is when water fowling is at its prime on the shore.
I will keep this post informed once and if they pass the regulations. So far the proposed season would be for a week beginning the third Saturday in January without the use of rifles. This would also be a good time of year because the bulk of deer season and baiting associated for deer is over. Archery deer season is the only deer season open at that time.

[PA Boxcall]

Hmmm...That certainly would be interesting to chase the birds in January around the woods with a shotgun...but, filling a fall tag means one less spring tag, or at least that's how its always been.  Will that stay the same, or is the two birds per license year changing too?

[Will]

The way I understand the proposal is the bag limits would stay the same meaning two in the Spring bearded and one in the fall either sex. You would have two weeks instead of one to harvest your one Fall bird plus the second season opens up more areas with the Eastern Shore now considered. The only pressure those birds on the shore see are in the spring and from predation. Im glad they are taking into consideration the fact people bait for deer during the regulated firearm and muzzleloader seasons.
You are currently allowed 3... Two in the spring and one in the fall.

Reading it further they are also looking to bring in the first Fall season a week later so the season won't interfere with Bear.

[PA Boxcall]

The way I understand the proposal is the bag limits would stay the same meaning two in the Spring bearded and one in the fall either sex.

Way I understood it was if you took a fall bird, that counted against the spring two bird tags.  So what you are saying is you can kill one in the fall, and then two in spring totaling three on one license year?

[Will]

Yes three total. I believe that changed about four years ago in hopes of increasing hunter participation in the fall. Guys didn't want that fall tag taking their second Spring tag. Should be interesting. I have placed in the Shore that have good populations of birds.

[PA Boxcall]

Yes three total. I believe that changed about four years ago in hopes of increasing hunter participation in the fall. Guys didn't want that fall tag taking their second Spring tag. Should be interesting. I have placed in the Shore that have good populations of birds.

Well now, I missed that somewhere along the way....That certainly does change everything.  Western MD will get a pile of guys from WV and PA during that week in January if passed.  Good for the local economy.

[Will]

As it stands now you can use dogs in the fall but only in the three Western counties that have the fall season. I'm not sure if they will allow dogs in the second proposed season. I will reach out to DNR tomorrow and pass it on to someone from Turkey Dog.org.
I don't hunt much in Western Maryland because of my private property interests on the shore. Western Maryland has a lot if public land.
I will keep everyone informed the more I find out.

[K]

any extended fall / winter season is a good thing...late winter birds are the hardest to hunt..

[Will]

Update.
The proposal has to go to stakeholders throughout the state to ensure the flock is healthy enough to sustain the second season. I think it shall pass. Keep you guys posted when I hear more.

[PA Boxcall]

Update.
The proposal has to go to stakeholders throughout the state to ensure the flock is healthy enough to sustain the second season. I think it shall pass. Keep you guys posted when I hear more.