I understand nest predators are a huge problem to the wild Turkey and can wipe out a whole nest with no problem (10-14 possible turkeys). But is there any evidence that nest predators are killing more than fox and coyotes? Just seems in my experience they are just as bad if not worse to the Turkey population and hunting/trapping them needs wayyyy more attention. Just my thoughts.
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Been trapping for years. Just about kill them all, let a few fox live. You'd be surprised how many nest predators there are. On of the parcels I trapped was 8 acres. I pulled off over 110 raccoons in 4 years.
Every predator killed helps just a bit more. Raccoons, opposums,armadillos all gotta go. Then coyotes and foxes, kill the 1st 3 to give them a chance while still in an egg. The other 2 once they hatch
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There was a small study done in South Carolina I think. The wild turkey science podcast quoted it. The number one nest raider in that study was dogs. So the next time you see the neighbors dog running the ditch away from home he might be full of turkey eggs!!
Quote from: Paulmyr on May 15, 2023, 07:58:57 AM
There was a small study done in South Carolina I think. The wild turkey science podcast quoted it. The number one nest raider in that study was dogs. So the next time you see the neighbors dog running the ditch away from home he might be full of turkey eggs!!
Neighbors dog doesn't make it back across property line. They have been warned before.
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Coyotes eat a lot of nest raiders, not saying not to shoot them but a lot of experts see them as neutral cuz while they do catch the occasional turkey they practically live off raccoons, possums and other nest raiders.
You never here talk about crows / hawks / owls ,,, don't think they don't reek havoc also .
I catch big #s of coons / possums annually . Does it help ? I like to think so .
Quote from: Capt long beard on May 15, 2023, 08:26:32 AM
Coyotes eat a lot of nest raiders, not saying not to shoot them but a lot of experts see them as neutral cuz while they do catch the occasional turkey they practically live off raccoons, possums and other nest raiders.
That's my other thought, if we kill all nest predators and there is less of them, does that make our game animals (turkeys, deer, rabbits) more of their diet ?
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In my experience turkeys will only move away from coyotes. But a bobcat sends them running/ flying. So, according to the turkeys, bobcats pose a greater threat. I also know the airborne raptors are tough on poults. I concentrate on nest raiders as of now as that fits what I can do fairly well in my given time. Everything eats turkey and every predator taken helps.
I take them out year round. and when I say "them" I mean them all.
I am mighty tired so if I make a mistake with this I am hoping somebody will politely correct me, there was a study done and either skunk or opossum were determined to be one of if not the the worst predators of nests.
What made them so bad is unlike many nest predators that would run around and just find nests here and there whichever of the two it was would search the area they were in so systematically, almost like a grid search that they covered every square inch of it and because of how they searched if there was a nest there you could bet your bottom dollar they would find it.
Now somebody here a few years ago did a thing where they (Them and their daughter if memory suits me correctly) planted fake eggs or chicken eggs in I think it was an old turkey nest and left a trail camera behind and crows were a major predator of the nests and if I recall correctly often the first ones to find the nest or maybe it was the first airborne predator to find the nests and destroy them.
I do hope somebody will correct me.