NWTF released a study awhile back on 41 hen kills and confirmed my belief that owls/hawks are the top predators followed closely by bobcats. I've always figured coons and possums to be big egg eaters, but what about coyotes?
So NWTF said that owls and hawks are the main hen killers? I find that hard to believe. I also think 41 kills is a pretty small number and I think that your predators will vary pretty significantly by the area you are in. Just my opinion, which basically means nothing.
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I think the nest predators must definitely be the most destructive to populations.
I have found turkeys that had been decapitated by great horned owls..............laying at the base of roost trees.
I think (not sure) it was Lovett Williams who said his studies had concluded that a coyote will almost ALWAY catch a single turkey. But a coyote will almost NEVER catch any of them if there are more than one.
Quote from: Yoder409 on April 02, 2018, 07:46:03 PM
I think the nest predators must definitely be the most destructive to populations.
I have found turkeys that had been decapitated by great horned owls..............laying at the base of roost trees.
I think (not sure) it was Lovett Williams who said his studies had concluded that a coyote will almost ALWAY catch a single turkey. But a coyote will almost NEVER catch any of them if there are more than one.
A few years ago i watched a coyote sit in the middle of a flock of turkeys (20-30) while they pecked through the grass for 30 minutes. He never bothered them and the never got spooked. Then i've seen turkeys run from a coyote 100 yards away. Go figure.
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Imo coons possums and skunks are the number one turkey killers here becuase of nest raiding.
Quote from: Kylongspur88 on April 02, 2018, 07:50:49 PM
Imo coons possums and skunks are the number one turkey killers here becuase of nest raiding.
I agree.
Between the coyote and Bobcat just look at the feet. Pretty easy to see which one is better equipped for catching critters that can take flight.
But as mentioned, coons, skunks etc take their toll before the turkeys even get out of the egg, then your hawks are rough on them as poults. A turkeys life isn't a walk on the park for sure.
#1 are coons and #2 are coyotes
I will add I did watch a bobcat stalk two gobblers once while bow hunting probably 10 + years ago. Even in dry crunchy fall leaves the cat moved silently and I have no idea how he could move so close to the ground. It was like he was just sliding through the woods. He didn't get the birds becuase they flew up to roost. One of the neatest things I've ever seen in the woods.
Tss :z-guntootsmiley:
Cats and Opossums are turkey killing machines. Oh and skunks too.
You're all way off... it's AC HAMMER of course. In all seriousness I think a lot of people nailed it right on about the egg eaters. That's why I became a trapper! :drool:
Mountain lions.
Most people have no idea how many hawks and owls there really are.
I believe nest robbers are the biggest turkey flock wreckers. No use for any coons. Killed 3 opossums already this spring they love eggs. If the eggs can make the trip, that's half the battle. Have trail cam pics of bobcat killing a squirrel on my farm. We have way to many cats. They are deadly. I used to shoot coyotes until I shot one and then the pups came out. Almost made me want to quit hunting. Never got over that. Getting softer in my old age.
We don't see many cats here, not saying they aren't here, but coyotes are a problem. I do believe the egg snatchers are the biggest problem here. I don't have the same problem shooting coyotes since I saw them tear my buddies springer spaniel apart and carry off her corpse in less than a minute :cross2:
I know in the Hudson River valley nothing scares birds off quicker then a bald eagle
Rest robbers are tough on eggs and at least you can do something about them not like you can kill Hawks, owls, and eagles over turkey predation.
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Trick question, the number one predator to turkeys is the loss of suitable habitat at least in some of the areas I have hunted in the past.
Humans in excavators, skidders, and log trucks during March, April and May in our area destroy a ton of nests along with prescribed fire during these months.
Just ask any farmer how many turkeys and nests he destroys getting up hay.
Here in my area in Ky I would say coyotes and bobcats would be the main predators. But as mentioned the coons and skunks defentily do there part to.
Coyotes can get eggs and poults before they fly, but are not good turkey killers. As mentioned they are not made for that. Everyone wants to blame coyotes for everything, but the bobcats are turkey slayers!
Quote from: davisd9 on April 03, 2018, 11:18:43 AM
Coyotes can get eggs and poults before they fly, but are not good turkey killers. As mentioned they are not made for that. Everyone wants to blame coyotes for everything, but the bobcats are turkey slayers!
I used to be the number one coyote hater but my opinion is changing somewhat. For one thing coyotes eat nest raiders like coons and possums and snakes. Two, they take care of a lot of feral and house cats that are hard on gamebirds and rabbits. Sorry folks keep your cats inside. Now I know they do attack dogs and have an impact on deer numbers but I also don't think they should be taken completely out of the equation.
Hogs...far and away worse than all the others combined in Texas. If a hen nests in a creek bottom or field, hogs will find it.