I only saw one bird last spring on the property I was hunting - heard a couple more but that was it. Birds were very scarce.
Talked to the landowner yesterday and they've being seeing TONS of birds lately, both on game cameras and in person. Often 10-15 at a time.
So, my question is, does seeing a lot of birds in the fall typically translate to seeing a lot in the following spring? If this were you, would you be more optimistic, or is it normal to see large groups of birds in the fall only to have them "disappear" by spring?
Well, it sure doesn't hurt . . . . more birds is always a good thing.
But, in my experience, it is not always the case that fall birds means more spring birds. The farm I grew up on in central MO would be covered in summer/fall flocks, but come spring we rarely saw or even heard them. Likewise, my uncles place a few miles a way is where we had good luck spring hunting, but rarely saw fall flocks.
it really depends. If you have the fall/winter habitat but not spring/Nesting habitat, then your fall population is not a good indicator of what your spring will be like. The birds are using different things (food sources, cover, etc) during those seasons.
Quote from: HogBiologist on October 13, 2014, 12:09:49 PM
it really depends. If you have the fall/winter habitat but not spring/Nesting habitat, then your fall population is not a good indicator of what your spring will be like. The birds are using different things (food sources, cover, etc) during those seasons.
Great info!!! Love to hear from the experts. Can never have too much knowledge.
There are certain places I hunt in the fall that are loaded with birds and are found every year in the same spot. I can go to these same spots and check them in the spring...not a gobbler to be found.
If those fall flocks are full of hens and their poults, then it's a pretty sure thing that the population is about to rise. The poult per hen ratio is what states use to determine population and also a determining factor in setting harvest goals. Our area of MI has a stable population and a very good hatch this spring can only add birds for next spring and gobbling birds in 2 years.
You would think so but it doesn't always work that way. Lots of factors I would think first would be habitat. I've seen winter flocks of 200+ disappear into thin air sometime during the month of march.
Quote from: Gooserbat on October 14, 2014, 01:19:53 PM
You would think so but it doesn't always work that way. Lots of factors I would think first would be habitat. I've seen winter flocks of 200+ disappear into thin air sometime during the month of march.
Yep! Place I deer hunt is the same way. 200 in a wad from the bow stand...hearin' crickets chirp in March. Course the property I'm on is all pine and a few RED oaks. Its a zoo in the red oaks come mid to late January. Properties surrounding us is where all the ag fields and planted lanes AND TURKEYS are at. Just like the BIO said...habitat change and it's where they wanna be.
They tend to winter in different areas than where they nest and breed in the spring. At least where I hunt. Not real far, maybe a mile or even less, but they move. I don't see many when I'm deer hunting but I have been fortunate to find them pretty easy in the spring.