So Cicadas should make things better for turkey numbers? We can only hope.
https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/cicadas-turkey-hatch/ (https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/cicadas-turkey-hatch/)
Haven't seen the swarm we were promised in SE Tennessee. So the turkeys around here might not be benefitting as much as the article promises. I remember 2011 we were swarmed by a 13-year brood, so 2024 will be a good offseason for turkeys, Lord-willing.
But for Brood X, I hear cicadas are more numerous further north, closer to Knoxville.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
They are spotty here where I live in the eastern panhandle of WV. Have heard reports of deafening swarms just a tad west of here. But all extra bugs I would think would help.
They are covering every square inch of my 5 acres. They're up and down the length of all my trees on my property. Piles of them everywhere. They're buzzing all day long in every direction.
Heard them for the first time today. Should be plenty of food for the poults this summer
WVFlopper, I also live in the EP near Martinsburg and the cicadas aren't that bad at all on the farm I hunt here. I hunted on the Blue Ridge East of Charles Town and not many there either and not many birds were talking in either of those places.
had a bumper crop of them here in southern WV last year but so far none here this year. I know every time they show up just about whatever has a mouth eats them.
It's well documented that brood survival rates are better in cicada years. Here's one article I found and there are is research that backs it up:
https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/billions-of-cicadas-are-coming-this-spring-what-does-that-mean-for-wildlife/
There heavy in my part of Ky.
protein
Nowhere to be found one day and the next they are everywhere. (Southern In.) Saving me lots of money on dog food! All 3 shepherds are filling up on them. If they are, I know they Turkeys are. We should have 30 lb turkeys next season.lol