Twra turkey population study.

[Carlos Viagra]

How many years before we hear the results from their turkey population study?

I can't recall when it was started, seems like it was going to be a 4 year study. I'm very interested in the results, and what we can do to help.

 

[catman529]

I don't know details but they are continuing the study past the 5 years last I heard. Also there's another study that has been started more recently. They are still trapping birds. Sorry I don't have more info

 

[PalsPal]

They are still trapping birds.

Any idea why? Are they putting trackers on them?

 

[gladesman60]

Any idea why? Are they putting trackers on them?

Yes they are putting trackers on them, adults and poults.Had a gal on my property im Giles last year tracking a hen. Most of the poults didnt survive. Last I heard was 2.

 

[cm1021]

Are they studying WHY the poults aren't surviving?? If they know they aren't making it, yet not trying to find the reason, their study is useless IMO. There's no need to study if turkeys are declining, we know they are! Figure out why they are and develop a plan to stop it!! I swear with twra sometimes it's like talking to a wall!!

 

[Iglow]

It seems like it's not predators, people haven't trapped much to matter in decades and even that wouldn't knock down the numbers that much. Killing predators could maybe help locally but this problem is happening over millions of square miles in many States. Coons and coyotes didn't live with turkeys for 15/20 years then suddenly learn to raid nests/eat poults and catch grown birds in the last 5 years. We all know how predators are, if there is an opportunity they will exploit it instantly. If it was predators the turkey comeback would have never happened cause the predators would have got them and wiped them out when the stocking populations were thin. I think it's some bug/mite or some invasive "something" that has migrated into the turkey's range in America sort of on the lines of the chestnut blight or dutch elm disease or more recently emerald ash borers. Maybe some other animal has brought something with them that effects turkeys. Just think about armadillos, they were unheard of 20 years ago around here but in the last 10 they have came north and have put down roots. Maybe something like that. It could be some virus that is spread from bird to bird that reduces their reproductive system health. If you think about ringneck phesants, they were never able to transplant them in the South because of some mite here that got on them but they could do well in colder northern/western areas where the mite wasn't present. I guess with all the studing of this downfall the researchers would have identified something like that by now. I don't know what has happened/changed but something has.

 

[megalomaniac]

It seems like it's not predators, people haven't trapped much to matter in decades and even that wouldn't knock down the numbers that much. Killing predators could maybe help locally but this problem is happening over millions of square miles in many States. Coons and coyotes didn't live with turkeys for 15/20 years then suddenly learn to raid nests/eat poults and catch grown birds in the last 5 years. We all know how predators are, if there is an opportunity they will exploit it instantly. If it was predators the turkey comeback would have never happened cause the predators would have got them and wiped them out when the stocking populations were thin. I think it's some bug/mite or some invasive "something" that has migrated into the turkey's range in America sort of on the lines of the chestnut blight or dutch elm disease or more recently emerald ash borers. Maybe some other animal has brought something with them that effects turkeys. Just think about armadillos, they were unheard of 20 years ago around here but in the last 10 they have came north and have put down roots. Maybe something like that. It could be some virus that is spread from bird to bird that reduces their reproductive system health. If you think about ringneck phesants, they were never able to transplant them in the South because of some mite here that got on them but they could do well in colder northern/western areas where the mite wasn't present. I guess with all the studing of this downfall the researchers would have identified something like that by now. I don't know what has happened/changed but something has.

Coyotes have actually completely changed their behavior on my farms since the early 90s...

Back then, a coyote would come out into a field with turkeys, the birds and the coyote would ignore each other. Coyotes just didn't view turkeys as a food source. Fast forward 20 years, and it became the norm to call up 5 or 6 Coyotes coming to my calls actively hunting the source of the call. Turkeys now scatter when they see a coyote. I find a kill site or two each year.

As far as the coons, to me it seems their population has exploded as well. At least they Coyotes eat them too.

 

[gladesman60]

Are they studying WHY the poults aren't surviving?? If they know they aren't making it, yet not trying to find the reason, their study is useless IMO. There's no need to study if turkeys are declining, we know they are! Figure out why they are and develop a plan to stop it!! I swear with twra sometimes it's like talking to a wall!!

2 of them were for sure predator kills. the transmitters were in scat piles.if i had to bet probably all of em were. This year there are 8 less coyotes, 2 fox and a bobcat on the hill. plus a lot less coons and possums. we will see if it helps.

 

[Plateau Hunter]

Something seems to be killing poults and adults…I would say some sort of parasite, virus, fungus, or bacteria…and of course no adults = no poults…

 

[gladesman60]

It seems like it's not predators, people haven't trapped much to matter in decades and even that wouldn't knock down the numbers that much. Killing predators could maybe help locally but this problem is happening over millions of square miles in many States. Coons and coyotes didn't live with turkeys for 15/20 years then suddenly learn to raid nests/eat poults and catch grown birds in the last 5 years. We all know how predators are, if there is an opportunity they will exploit it instantly. If it was predators the turkey comeback would have never happened cause the predators would have got them and wiped them out when the stocking populations were thin. I think it's some bug/mite or some invasive "something" that has migrated into the turkey's range in America sort of on the lines of the chestnut blight or dutch elm disease or more recently emerald ash borers. Maybe some other animal has brought something with them that effects turkeys. Just think about armadillos, they were unheard of 20 years ago around here but in the last 10 they have came north and have put down roots. Maybe something like that. It could be some virus that is spread from bird to bird that reduces their reproductive system health. If you think about ringneck phesants, they were never able to transplant them in the South because of some mite here that got on them but they could do well in colder northern/western areas where the mite wasn't present. I guess with all the studing of this downfall the researchers would have identified something like that by now. I don't know what has happened/changed but something has.

It seems like it's not predators, people haven't trapped much to matter in decades and even that wouldn't knock down the numbers that much. Killing predators could maybe help locally but this problem is happening over millions of square miles in many States. Coons and coyotes didn't live with turkeys for 15/20 years then suddenly learn to raid nests/eat poults and catch grown birds in the last 5 years. We all know how predators are, if there is an opportunity they will exploit it instantly. If it was predators the turkey comeback would have never happened cause the predators would have got them and wiped them out when the stocking populations were thin. I think it's some bug/mite or some invasive "something" that has migrated into the turkey's range in America sort of on the lines of the chestnut blight or dutch elm disease or more recently emerald ash borers. Maybe some other animal has brought something with them that effects turkeys. Just think about armadillos, they were unheard of 20 years ago around here but in the last 10 they have came north and have put down roots. Maybe something like that. It could be some virus that is spread from bird to bird that reduces their reproductive system health. If you think about ringneck phesants, they were never able to transplant them in the South because of some mite here that got on them but they could do well in colder northern/western areas where the mite wasn't present. I guess with all the studing of this downfall the researchers would have identified something like that by now. I don't know what has happened/changed but something has.

Predators are definitely in the equation. If there is something else going on it might be out of an individuals control but everyone can help by thinning out predators. You dont have to be an expert trapper to catch raccoons. Get a couple coon cuffs and get to trapping.

 

[gladesman60]

Something seems to be killing poults and adults…I would say some sort of parasite, virus, fungus, or bacteria…and of course no adults = no poults…

That may be, but if it is that problem has run its course around my place in Giles. Lots of turkeys again the last 3 years after having hardly any the 3 or 4 years before that. Problem is keeping some of them on 70 acres.

 

[cm1021]

2 of them were for sure predator kills. the transmitters were in scat piles.if i had to bet probably all of em were. This year there are 8 less coyotes, 2 fox and a bobcat on the hill. plus a lot less coons and possums. we will see if it helps.

I trap one farm pretty hard every year since we leased it. The turkey are abundant on that farm. I average probably 10 coyote, 30+ Raccoon, a bobcat or two, and countless possums with a few skunks mixed in.

Does it help? I'm sure it does, but the thing I have found more substantiating than anything is I have three covey of quail on the property. There wasn't one that I could find 4 years ago. 2 years ago had two covey. This past year I personally jumped three. If quail find it a good habitat, I KNOW turkey should survive there.

 

[bloodtrailing]

The study will be completed and determine all is good normal population fluctuations.

 

[paboom]

Where I grew up in Virginia, I didn't see the first coyote until 1999. Now, you see them frequently and in larger packs. I find it hard to believe they aren't having an impact.

On my place in TN, I can't remember the last time I put out a dog proof trap that I DIDN'T catch a racoon.

I'm not saying it's THE reason, but it sure has to be a role in the decline.

 

[TheLBLman]

2 of them were for sure predator kills. the transmitters were in scat piles.

Those 2 could have died of disease, or even a non-predatory wound, then were found & eaten by predators?

 

[Coker]

One thing that is not mentioned is the loss of nesting habitat. Between cities growing and woods being turned into fields for crops/livestock, there is less and less nesting habitat. This alone is not the problem but it sure doesn't help.
Predators do play a big factor. Again, with less and less habitat, it forces wildlife to live in closer proximity than ever before. What once could cross paths with no incident is now eating each other for survival.

 

[catman529]

Are they studying WHY the poults aren't surviving?? If they know they aren't making it, yet not trying to find the reason, their study is useless IMO. There's no need to study if turkeys are declining, we know they are! Figure out why they are and develop a plan to stop it!! I swear with twra sometimes it's like talking to a wall!!

Way to jump to conclusions without knowing much info....

 

[gladesman60]

Those 2 could have died of disease, or even a non-predatory wound, then were found & eaten by predators?

Yes it is possible that within 24 hours on different days they could have died and then a critter found them and consumed them on a 70 acre tract.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

One thing that is not mentioned is the loss of nesting habitat. Between cities growing and woods being turned into fields for crops/livestock, there is less and less nesting habitat. This alone is not the problem but it sure doesn't help.
Predators do play a big factor. Again, with less and less habitat, it forces wildlife to live in closer proximity than ever before. What once could cross paths with no incident is now eating each other for survival.

Yep….improve nesting/brooding habitat and trap like hell. The two best solutions

 

[cm1021]

Way to jump to conclusions without knowing much info....

I'm not jumping to conclusions. I stand by the fact that if they aren't trying to figure out why poults aren't surviving at an alarming rate, the study is useless! If they're just doing the study to see if the turkey population is declining, it's a waste! There's multiple reports of the population declining!!!

 

[Buzzard Breath]

I'm not jumping to conclusions. I stand by the fact that if they aren't trying to figure out why poults aren't surviving at an alarming rate, the study is useless! If they're just doing the study to see if the turkey population is declining, it's a waste! There's multiple reports of the population declining!!!

You may want to read the turkey study to see what it's about.

"More severe population declines have been observed in other areas of the state, particularly in south-central Tennessee, causing local residents, hunters and managers concern that additional population-level factors are impacting these populations (Buehler et al. 2016). In response, TWRA, the University of Tennessee and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) partnered on a six-year research project to determine what factors are driving turkey population fluctuation in southern middle Tennessee and develop strategies to address issues that are identified" - Page 2 in the "Current Status" title

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/twra/documents/birds/turkey_management_plan.pdf

 

[Carlos Viagra]

I imagine there's not much of a way to determine whether the bird died of natural causes, or if it was taken by a predator.
Unless their tracking is advanced enough to show history, that way it could be studied, and confirmed by movement.

 

[deerfever]

I am glad they are doing the study to see exactly what happened in certain areas of TN. I hope this study not only helps TN but other states to make and base decisions off of the research being done. It's strange as I see turkeys now in places I never dreamed but others watched their population drop. I will be anxious to see what all is learned from this when it wraps up and is over.

 

[Carlos Viagra]

I am glad they are doing the study to see exactly what happened in certain areas of TN. I hope this study not only helps TN but other states to make and base decisions off of the research being done. It's strange as I see turkeys now in places I never dreamed but others watched their population drop. I will be anxious to see what all is learned from this when it wraps up and is over.

As everyone can see by the replies, there's plenty of theories on the subject. From predation, to atofloxin, habitat loss, diseases from poultry manure used for fertilizer, even over-harvest, and season setting.
(Nobody mentioned TSS or poor sportsman who attempt those 50 yards shots, yet.)

With so many variables, I agree, we'll all be thrilled to find out what's going on.

 

[deerhunter10]

I heard a podcast the other day with the drurys and a biologist. And the biologists are doing studies about corn and soybean seed from Monsanto. Something about the insecticide coating on the seeds. He said they have studied song birds and they have died from it but the turkey study is new and most likely won't have any good data for several years. Haven't heard that theory or anyone talking about it seemed interesting. Glad they are doing studies but I just hope it's not to little to late we have it good for so long and it's hard to play catch up imo.

 

[muddyboots]

Look around songbird are virtually non existent. When I grew up songbirds by the 1000s.

 

[Bone Collector]

Coyotes have actually completely changed their behavior on my farms since the early 90s...

Back then, a coyote would come out into a field with turkeys, the birds and the coyote would ignore each other. Coyotes just didn't view turkeys as a food source. Fast forward 20 years, and it became the norm to call up 5 or 6 Coyotes coming to my calls actively hunting the source of the call. Turkeys now scatter when they see a coyote. I find a kill site or two each year.

As far as the coons, to me it seems their population has exploded as well. At least they Coyotes eat them too.

I too have called up coyotes but usually they are within 75-80 yds when they realize there is no bird. Otherwise I would waste a shell on there sorry butts.

I believe the coon population has exploded as well and that it is a direct result of corn being put out.

Armadillos are also new and I am pretty sure they are nest raiders.

couple all that with land development and new and improved, turkey hunting accessories and guns/ammo and you have a recipe for disaster.

 

[Bone Collector]

Look around songbird are virtually non existent. When I grew up songbirds by the 1000s.

where have the bobwhite quail gone? Just another bird to add to the list of "the disappeared"...

 

[TheLBLman]

As go the quail, so go the turkeys?

 

[catman529]

Look around songbird are virtually non existent. When I grew up songbirds by the 1000s.

Where are you at again? Songbirds are everywhere here. One of my favorite sounds in the spring is listening to songbirds and turkeys as the sun comes up