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re: Turkey Popul. Decline Explained
Posted on 3/18/23 at 4:51 pm to EF Hutton
Posted on 3/18/23 at 4:51 pm to EF Hutton
Disease, increased predators, and worsening habit quality is a tough circumstance to thrive in.
About 25 years ago, I saw almost 150 turkeys in one day from the tree stand during late muzzleloader season. Multiple flocks of 30-50 turkeys moved through a field that had just gotten covered in cow manure. Today on that farm, most flocks we see only have 10-15 birds in it. In that 25 years, less corn has been grown there and more coyotes have started showing up. Then factor in any diseases in the area. It’s all made a huge difference.
On my trail cams, I’ll see groups of hens with 20 or so chicks in May. By June and early July, those same groups on have 1 or 2 chicks left. Chicks need thick, tall grass to hide in, and we just don’t have enough around there. Makes them easier for predators to find.
About 25 years ago, I saw almost 150 turkeys in one day from the tree stand during late muzzleloader season. Multiple flocks of 30-50 turkeys moved through a field that had just gotten covered in cow manure. Today on that farm, most flocks we see only have 10-15 birds in it. In that 25 years, less corn has been grown there and more coyotes have started showing up. Then factor in any diseases in the area. It’s all made a huge difference.
On my trail cams, I’ll see groups of hens with 20 or so chicks in May. By June and early July, those same groups on have 1 or 2 chicks left. Chicks need thick, tall grass to hide in, and we just don’t have enough around there. Makes them easier for predators to find.
2
Posted on 3/18/23 at 5:36 pm to WarCamEagle88
I'll go against the grain a little.
In a part of North Georgia in the mountains, there used to be turkeys gobbling in every hollow, 20+ years ago. In these areas, there has been zero habitat change, well maybe not zero but very very little. Rabun county specifically. It's now one of the lowest rated Turkey counties in the state, per state turkey tag stats.
Meanwhile, sections of Georgia where habitat has been changed significantly over the last 20 years, turkey numbers are much better.
I think "habitat" is sort of a default answer that doesn't really fully explain what's really going on.
In a part of North Georgia in the mountains, there used to be turkeys gobbling in every hollow, 20+ years ago. In these areas, there has been zero habitat change, well maybe not zero but very very little. Rabun county specifically. It's now one of the lowest rated Turkey counties in the state, per state turkey tag stats.
Meanwhile, sections of Georgia where habitat has been changed significantly over the last 20 years, turkey numbers are much better.
I think "habitat" is sort of a default answer that doesn't really fully explain what's really going on.
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