Turkeys and Beechnuts

[bigtex]

Turkeys are wearing out the Beechnuts here on my place. We had one of the best hard mast crops that I have seen in many years and the Deer and Turkeys have been having a feast.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

I hate beech trees due to the visibility issues with holding their leaves but yep the turkeys love them!

 

[DoubleRidge]

Beech tree at house was loaded as well....great year for mast in general.

 

[Boll Weevil]

I poison or girdle every younger beech I come across but do have maybe 15-20 gigantic beeches scattered across the farm I've left for this very purpose.

 

[TNlandowner]

I poison or girdle every younger beech I come across but do have maybe 15-20 gigantic beeches scattered across the farm I've left for this very purpose.

I usually do the same thing to Beech and English Holy trees. Beech trees can shade out a lot of other trees and take over an area if left unchecked.

At the same time, they provide a lot of seed.... Gotta have balance

 

[woodsman04]

I poison or girdle every younger beech I come across but do have maybe 15-20 gigantic beeches scattered across the farm I've left for this very purpose.

I like this tactic. You don't want them to overtake your woods. But they are good enough to have a few. The beech nuts are very good mast for turkeys.
I've killed and/or observed several turkeys in very early spring season and also fall eating beech nuts

 

[woodsman04]

Beech are beneficial if they ain't overcrowding. Another problem with beech is that they hollow out a lot. Which of course gives raccoons places to raise. Control of den trees is another way to control predators.

 

[Bgoodman30]

Both gobblers I have killed this season were only eating beech nuts. Catman just posted a bird with a crop full as well.

 

[ROVERBOY]

The bird I killed the other day has beech nuts and some green stuff in him.

 

[timberjack86]

Beech are beneficial if they ain't overcrowding. Another problem with beech is that they hollow out a lot. Which of course gives raccoons places to raise. Control of den trees is another way to control predators.

Coons will just den in the ground if they can't find a den in a tree

 

[Huntaholic]

I always liked Levi Garrett better, but beechnut wasnt too bad. If catman says it, it must be so though!

 

[AT Hiker]

Only way I'd shoot a turkey full of Beechnut is with my old .45….

 

[Setterman]

Both birds I've killed were packed with beech nuts. Also our birds are hanging at the top of the mountain

Which isn't normal for this time of year. It's a great fitness slash weight loss plan though

 

[spoon]

Found a big cluster of beech trees without any scratches around them

 

[Andy S.]

Hearing/seeing the same thing in my parts (craws full of beechnuts).

 

[afterdemgobblers]

I have seen huge drops of beech nuts, and that's where I found multiple scratches today, but never found the turkey's..