Wild Turkey population is tanking across most of its range

[rocksnstumps]

Once had a hen explode out of the brush right in front of me. Was trying to spray invasive crap in the spring. Found her nest nearby with 18 eggs. After that gave the area a rest for a month

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

Had a decent morning considering the weather wasn’t text book. Heard three and had one at 80. Called in 3 more Jakes which I love to see. Saw 6 hens too.

 

[356]

With 47127 turkey harvested last spring and 3238 in the fall season, what Iowa is for whitetails, Missouri is for turkey. I have participated in the annual turkey survey for 10 years. The numbers I have counted are down roughly 50%, which is about the same as the state reports. Recruitment of poults in the first two weeks seems to be our greatest challenge, with habitat and predator issues at the top of the priority list for correcting the decline.

I personally know several land owners who are seeing strong turkey populations. On our property, numbers are very low.

 

[Brian662]

30 yards from the house this morning. Sometimes they seem so smart and sometimes they are incredibly stupid.

 

[Brian662]

With 47127 turkey harvested last spring and 3238 in the fall season, what Iowa is for whitetails, Missouri is for turkey. I have participated in the annual turkey survey for 10 years. The numbers I have counted are down roughly 50%, which is about the same as the state reports. Recruitment of poults in the first two weeks seems to be our greatest challenge, with habitat and predator issues at the top of the priority list for correcting the decline.

I personally know several land owners who are seeing strong turkey populations. On our property, numbers are very low.

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That's disappointing, especially knowing how much time you spend trapping nest predators. Hope they rebound for you guys next year.

 

[omicron1792]

With 47127 turkey harvested last spring and 3238 in the fall season, what Iowa is for whitetails, Missouri is for turkey. I have participated in the annual turkey survey for 10 years. The numbers I have counted are down roughly 50%, which is about the same as the state reports. Recruitment of poults in the first two weeks seems to be our greatest challenge, with habitat and predator issues at the top of the priority list for correcting the decline.

I personally know several land owners who are seeing strong turkey populations. On our property, numbers are very low.

View attachment 76459

Hopefully your war on the raccoons will start paying dividends.