Fall Turkey Changes
Until 1991, fall turkey permits were issued over the counter, but declining turkey populations resulted in the issuance of fall permits through the draw. The department developed a protocol for adjusting permits that reflects the habitat quality and population status. Each turkey unit is evaluated annually during the hunt recommendation process, with the best turkey units ranking a score of A or B.

Yet turkeys are one of the big game species (like javelina) that the Commission has chosen to target for juniors opportunities. In 2007, there were 179 first-choice applicants for juniors-only seasons, and 806 juniors applied for fall turkey hunts in total (including non-juniors hunts). By offering this hunting experience, the department is optimistic that we will see an increase in the number of juniors participating in turkey hunts. Fall turkey hunts are open to either gobblers or hens, so these juniors hunts are scheduled for the most robust populations — the units that scored an A. These over-the-counter tags will be available from department offices only. A similar change was implemented for the spring hunt, with a wider variety of units from which juniors hunters may choose.

The legal method of take has been changed for the fall from a general season to a limited weapon shotgun shooting shot. There are many reasons for this change, but shotguns are probably the most effective firearm for taking a bird. Rifles encourage hunters to shoot at long ranges and many turkeys are shot in the body, which can be very damaging to your subsequent turkey dinner. Shotguns are effective at ranges to 50 yards with the right loads, and the best shot placement is the head. Finally, although hunter safety is very high (statistically it is safer to hunt than to play Ping-Pong), shotguns reduce the severity of hunting accidents tremendously.