Turkey hunting season was slated to start next week, but Arkansas turkey hunters won't be hearing the familiar gobble this season.

Thursday the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission voted to close the fall turkey hunting season.

"Honestly, I think it's a decision that had to be made.  The turkey population is going down.  There's just not enough gobblers out there to have a fall and spring season," said Bryan Partee.

Partee owns Escape Outdoors in Mountain Home and blames an increase in predators on the decreasing turkey population.

"You've got bobcats, you've got hogs, coyotes, just too many things right now going against the turkey," said Partee.

The Game and Fish Commission says that's thanks to a decrease in fur values leading to less predatory hunting.

It also notes that flooding and heavy rainfall over the last couple of years aided in the reduction of gobblers.

One of the biggest issues with closing the fall turkey season is that many already bought their license, and included in that is several stickers for the fall turkey hunt.

Phillip Seely of Clark Ridge is one hunter who says he got short changed.

He bought his deer and turkey hunting license Thursday, just hours before the season was closed.

"I just spent the money and got my turkey tags too.  So, now they tell me it's closed.  I wasn't too happy," said Seely.

He says he just wishes he would have known a little sooner--considering turkey hunting season was slated to start next week.

"If I had known, I would have told him to leave it off, and just got the deer tags because really that's all I'm after anyways.  I just figured if I see one, I'll shoot it, but now I can't," said Seely.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says the fall turkey season is much smaller than the spring season.

Currently, there are several options on the board for how to handle the shortage come spring.

Story ideas or comments?  Email me at wcarter@kspr.com