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Tennessee Hunting Forums
Long Beards & Spurs
Turkey Population Decline - The data I think we need
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<blockquote data-quote="JB1230" data-source="post: 5617700" data-attributes="member: 7608"><p>Hunting should have minimal effects on production, if production is reliable. Predators rule the roost, (no pun intended.) Raccoons (enemy #1), skunks, foxes, opossums, and armadillos are all nest raiders, and, in many areas, less habitat has created a "SINK." The broods, should they make it to the broody stage, shrink in size due to hawks, eagles, crows, owls, bobcats, foxes, and coyotes (the least of our worries, see below.) Predators are more prevalent than ever and have an easier time than ever before. It's pretty amazing that any turkey survive (11 different predators feasting on eggs, poults and mommas), lol but mother nature is fairly resilient. More hens than you imagine die on the nest protecting their eggs due to bobcats, foxes, coyotes, and occasionally hawks and owls. Both eggs and poults suffer heavy losses during the nesting season. </p><p></p><p>If you are thinking of trapping, you are best served to do it while nests are on the ground and broods are young (10 days until flight) and It must be intensive! Otherwise, if trapping in the offseason, you're making room for more predators. If you are casually trapping, probably not helping. Sounds contradictory but when one predator is taken out, 1-2 more move in or reproduction is increased to offset temporary declines in population (mother nature again<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> so your most efficient trapping time is during the production season, every season otherwise results are short-lived. All that being said, a combination of intentional trapping and managing your habitat for better egg and brood rearing opportunities are where we can all chip in. Game agencies are pulling the "hunting regs" lever, and I believe it will help, but it's only one piece to the puzzle. Personally, I'm fine with 2 as the limit and later start, and to me, it's plenty. If I want more, I could take a kid, call and videotape. </p><p></p><p>Note on coyotes and hold onto your hat. They probably aren't that impactful on turkey populations and may actually help. Coyotes HATE foxes and foxes are much worse on turkeys (and chickens, farm gamestock, etc.), especially hens and poults. Coyotes will drive foxes (and bobcats) out of an area. Yes, coyotes will occasionally kill a turkey but they aren't as adept at catching them, and they are also not good foragers (eggs.). Coyotes will also kill raccoons, armadillos, and opossums and do this much more often doing "more" for turkey populations than less. Also, coyotes are highly territorial and have a hierarchy. If you happen to kill an alpha male or alpha female, this will invite 2 more into the range (maybe this is good seeing my above statements?). Jury is out on killing coyotes and they also don't kill as many deer as you think unless population is overrun. I'd rather have an alpha female on my land, keeping the foxes and mammalian predators in check. I've let more walk in the last few years. </p><p></p><p>Good convo</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="JB1230, post: 5617700, member: 7608"] Hunting should have minimal effects on production, if production is reliable. Predators rule the roost, (no pun intended.) Raccoons (enemy #1), skunks, foxes, opossums, and armadillos are all nest raiders, and, in many areas, less habitat has created a "SINK." The broods, should they make it to the broody stage, shrink in size due to hawks, eagles, crows, owls, bobcats, foxes, and coyotes (the least of our worries, see below.) Predators are more prevalent than ever and have an easier time than ever before. It's pretty amazing that any turkey survive (11 different predators feasting on eggs, poults and mommas), lol but mother nature is fairly resilient. More hens than you imagine die on the nest protecting their eggs due to bobcats, foxes, coyotes, and occasionally hawks and owls. Both eggs and poults suffer heavy losses during the nesting season. If you are thinking of trapping, you are best served to do it while nests are on the ground and broods are young (10 days until flight) and It must be intensive! Otherwise, if trapping in the offseason, you're making room for more predators. If you are casually trapping, probably not helping. Sounds contradictory but when one predator is taken out, 1-2 more move in or reproduction is increased to offset temporary declines in population (mother nature again:) so your most efficient trapping time is during the production season, every season otherwise results are short-lived. All that being said, a combination of intentional trapping and managing your habitat for better egg and brood rearing opportunities are where we can all chip in. Game agencies are pulling the "hunting regs" lever, and I believe it will help, but it's only one piece to the puzzle. Personally, I'm fine with 2 as the limit and later start, and to me, it's plenty. If I want more, I could take a kid, call and videotape. Note on coyotes and hold onto your hat. They probably aren't that impactful on turkey populations and may actually help. Coyotes HATE foxes and foxes are much worse on turkeys (and chickens, farm gamestock, etc.), especially hens and poults. Coyotes will drive foxes (and bobcats) out of an area. Yes, coyotes will occasionally kill a turkey but they aren't as adept at catching them, and they are also not good foragers (eggs.). Coyotes will also kill raccoons, armadillos, and opossums and do this much more often doing "more" for turkey populations than less. Also, coyotes are highly territorial and have a hierarchy. If you happen to kill an alpha male or alpha female, this will invite 2 more into the range (maybe this is good seeing my above statements?). Jury is out on killing coyotes and they also don't kill as many deer as you think unless population is overrun. I'd rather have an alpha female on my land, keeping the foxes and mammalian predators in check. I've let more walk in the last few years. Good convo [/QUOTE]
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Turkey Population Decline - The data I think we need
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