I've been hunting Illinois the last 6 years and there aren't as many birds as the first year. I've heard a couple different locals blame it on the buffalo gnats. One fella said he thinks they get into the poults nostrils and suffocate them. I always credit cold wet springs to low poultry recruitment. But where I live( Pa) we don't have those gnats. What do you guys think?
That's an interesting concept and it's worth doing some research. Thx for the update and good luck.
Im from central Illinois and I can absolutely confirm that these little SOBs are what nearly wiped out our flock about 7 years ago. The year they first showed up it was nearly unbearable to hunt in. They were like black clouds and the turkeys suffered terribly. Your friend is right, they get in turkeys nostrils and suffocate them. But they also bother the hens so bad they actually ran off the nest and the eggs spoiled. The following 2 years on our farm were unhuntable. We never heard turkeys after they showed up. The last few years have been very minimal gnat activity thank god. I think we lost everybit of 90-95% of the flock in some areas. Im honestly amazed theyve comeback like they have. We are finally able to hunt our place solidly for the first time in years and actually at this moment ive counted at least 8 different gobblers on our place. I pray we never loose our flock like that again.
Interesting, those things can be unbearable... bug uns I believe its called works very well...got it at Menards
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Definately something that needs to be looked into.
A guy on my local fly fishing board (Louisiana) said four of his buddy's laying hens died from the gnats as mentioned by the OP. Definitely plausible.
Did I mention that I HATE gnats? >:(
The gnats don't follow me into the woods and I believe turkeys would figure that out as well. Now walking down an open road or sitting on a pasture they can be a nightmare, but they don't like the shady woods for some reason.
I was turkey hunting in Southern Illinois within 50 yards of backwater this morning and only saw a few buffalo gnats. I didn't even bother to get out my head net or spray. Tomorrow? They may be thick! I'll be glad when they leave and hope they never come back.