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Tennessee Hunting Forums
Long Beards & Spurs
March 24 TFWC Commission Meeting
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<blockquote data-quote="megalomaniac" data-source="post: 5596386" data-attributes="member: 2805"><p>So... the real question is 'why when turkeys are reintroduced to a new area does the population explode for a period of time, then collapse?' There is no such thing as 'carrying capacity' when it comes to turkeys... you can literally have 500 in a flock on 1000 acres and none will starve... because their diet is probably one of the most varied of any animal species. There is a component of 'social carrying capacity' when it comes to nesting, as the most dominant hens simply will not tolerate another hen to nest within a certain distance of her nest. But what we are seeing is that in some of those places that had turkeys 15 years ago during the population explosion are now completely devoid of turkeys (LBL is getting close). It's my opinion that in areas where turkeys are novel, they explode in population because the natural predators in that area just do not view them as a potential food source. Over time, they absolutely do.</p><p></p><p>For any chance for turkeys to hang on in an area, annual spring reproduction is THE key. Multiple studies have confirmed you need a 2.2 PPH during August brood surveys reproduction rate (in an unhunted population) just to maintain current population levels. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but by my recollection, we've only had 2 years in the past decade with reproduction rates above 2.2 PPH. The crux of the problem is WHY???. Back in the 90s and early 2000s we were running over 4PPH recruitment rates... which resulted in an absolute explosion in number of birds. I don't know why hens are no longer hatching poults as successfully as years past... but they simply aren't. Weather is THE most important factor when it comes to nesting success... but it just isn't that alone. All the other factors that influence reproduction come into play for site specific flocks.</p><p></p><p>But certainly, I've witnessed winter flocks of 300 birds being reduced to 30 birds in just 4 or 5 years.</p><p></p><p>This may very well be what is going to be 'normal' after a decade and a half after reintroduction no matter what we do. If that's the case, those areas that had a handful of birds will have NO birds. And we have seen that already in many locales.across the US. It does make one wonder if hunting pressure is the reason... as those areas that were unhunted during restoration phases had phenomenal reproduction rates, but then declined 15 years after hinting was allowed.</p><p></p><p>I know... lots of rambling thoughts...</p><p></p><p>As.far as limits on spring gobblers, I don't think it matters if toms are killed after the majority of breeding has occurred. From a selfish standpoint, I prefer a lower limit, simply because there are more toms left on the landscape to call in later in the season. I don't have to kill a bird to feel I've won, just be able to call one in. I LOVE to eat them, but it's no big deal to me if I eat 4 or 5 a year instead of 9 or 10 (hunting multiple states and multiple kids hunting). I just want to get in the game, whip them at the game, and know I beat them. But it's no fun not even being able to get in the game at all.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="megalomaniac, post: 5596386, member: 2805"] So... the real question is 'why when turkeys are reintroduced to a new area does the population explode for a period of time, then collapse?' There is no such thing as 'carrying capacity' when it comes to turkeys... you can literally have 500 in a flock on 1000 acres and none will starve... because their diet is probably one of the most varied of any animal species. There is a component of 'social carrying capacity' when it comes to nesting, as the most dominant hens simply will not tolerate another hen to nest within a certain distance of her nest. But what we are seeing is that in some of those places that had turkeys 15 years ago during the population explosion are now completely devoid of turkeys (LBL is getting close). It's my opinion that in areas where turkeys are novel, they explode in population because the natural predators in that area just do not view them as a potential food source. Over time, they absolutely do. For any chance for turkeys to hang on in an area, annual spring reproduction is THE key. Multiple studies have confirmed you need a 2.2 PPH during August brood surveys reproduction rate (in an unhunted population) just to maintain current population levels. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but by my recollection, we've only had 2 years in the past decade with reproduction rates above 2.2 PPH. The crux of the problem is WHY???. Back in the 90s and early 2000s we were running over 4PPH recruitment rates... which resulted in an absolute explosion in number of birds. I don't know why hens are no longer hatching poults as successfully as years past... but they simply aren't. Weather is THE most important factor when it comes to nesting success... but it just isn't that alone. All the other factors that influence reproduction come into play for site specific flocks. But certainly, I've witnessed winter flocks of 300 birds being reduced to 30 birds in just 4 or 5 years. This may very well be what is going to be 'normal' after a decade and a half after reintroduction no matter what we do. If that's the case, those areas that had a handful of birds will have NO birds. And we have seen that already in many locales.across the US. It does make one wonder if hunting pressure is the reason... as those areas that were unhunted during restoration phases had phenomenal reproduction rates, but then declined 15 years after hinting was allowed. I know... lots of rambling thoughts... As.far as limits on spring gobblers, I don't think it matters if toms are killed after the majority of breeding has occurred. From a selfish standpoint, I prefer a lower limit, simply because there are more toms left on the landscape to call in later in the season. I don't have to kill a bird to feel I've won, just be able to call one in. I LOVE to eat them, but it's no big deal to me if I eat 4 or 5 a year instead of 9 or 10 (hunting multiple states and multiple kids hunting). I just want to get in the game, whip them at the game, and know I beat them. But it's no fun not even being able to get in the game at all. [/QUOTE]
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March 24 TFWC Commission Meeting
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