Turkey population

[kelljp]

Just returned from Nebraska, and was shocked at how the Merriam population had declined since 20 years ago.
Mentioned it earlier to a friend in Oklahoma and said they also have seen a decline in the Rios.
Here in the south east part of the country we have seen our eastern turkey population decline over the last 5 years dramatically but had no idea other locations were seeing an impact too.

 

[Roverguy]

More raptors = fewer turkeys.

 

[courtgreene]

checked the housing market lately?
Turkeys need land to nest.

 

[nick22]

I was talking to a local biologist that yesterday and he said the biggest limiting factor in turkey populations in our are are CRP availability for good nesting cover.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I’ve heard coyote and raccoon numbers are up in the SE too.

Turkey hunting has always been easy for me but I haven’t heard a single gobble all season so far.

 

[red rick]

I have been finding busted eggs all around my property almost everyday that I walk . I think it is crows . I have seen them pecking at a couple of the eggs and the hole in the shell looks like something pecked it open rather than biting into them.

 

[kelljp]

Sounds like we need to do more predator hunting and bend the ear of our state's wildlife commissioners about limits and land management issues.

 

[buck460XVR]

I’ve heard coyote and raccoon numbers are up in the SE too.

^^^ This is the bane of any ground nesting birds. Low fur prices along with waning interest in trapping has allowed 'coons, possums and 'yotes to thrive in many areas they were once controlled. When turkeys were first introduced, those predators also did not know how to actually prey on them and/or their nests. They have learned. I spoken to many turkey hunters in the last few years who have witnessed raccoons following hens after they leave the Tom.....basically to her nest. Many have told me they had raccoons come into their hen calls. I personally have watched coyotes "drive" turkeys towards other coyotes waiting in ambush.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I have had coyotes come to Turkey calls in the past as well. I was only ever able to shoot and recover one of the three I have shot at. I’m pretty sure the other two had a bad few days after a Turkey load of 5 shot peppered their head and neck.

 

[courtgreene]

While I don't doubt coyote and raccoons are taking a crippling toll, I believe it's all related. With deforestation from the increase in housing comes the relocation of predators who find new hunting grounds as they relocate. At that point, there is less nesting/hunting ground putting more ground nesting birds in closer proximity to more ground hunting predators. There are probably other reasons as well.

 

[dannyd]

Well the turkeys in my subdivision are alive and doing well; see a dozen on more most days. Over all not bad neighbors

 

[OneFreeTexan]

Turkeys are as plentiful as crows in western Michigan.

 

[kelljp]

I’ve heard coyote and raccoon numbers are up in the SE too.

Turkey hunting has always been easy for me but I haven’t heard a single gobble all season so far.

I was reading some literature the other day from "Turkeys For Tomorrow" organization, one of the things brought up was predators hanging around feeders following the hens back to their nest.
I know a lot of people put food out for wildlife, I have tried explain to some of them near me "fed is dead" when they think they're helping the wildlife.

 

[jmorris]

I don’t know about Turkey but the Bobwhite quail were knocked out at our place during the late 70’ early 80’s when the fire ants became established.

We still have Roadrunners and they are also a ground nesting bird. Read one article that said the fire ants consume the food the young quail chicks would normally feed on.

 

[kelljp]

I talked to a gentleman in Oklahoma, and he said a drought last year and the fire ants have been bad for the turkey there. I had never considered fire ants before, but I know they are painful if they bite.