Personal musings

[eggshell]

There was never enough diversity in the gene pool when they restocked transplanted turkeys.

My guess is that most of the released birds came from a single area or two. That would support the theory of a small gene pool. Those birds could mix with any residents, but many areas had no residents. I do not know of any agencies even doing any genetic modeling, they just trapped and released. They genetics issue is just another target on the dart board in reality.

[Ihuntoldschool]

There was never enough diversity in the gene pool when they restocked transplanted turkeys.

My guess is that most of the released birds came from a single area or two. That would support the theory of a small gene pool.

^ That is a fact they absolutely did.
Many died in 1st year in new area further limiting gene pool.

Im sure disease plays a role along with many other factors. Habitat loss, timber harvest big factor in Southeast,  nest predators,  weather, more avian predators than ever before.

Agriculture practices, Hunting pressure impacting nesting success, all day hunting, season timing .

State wildlife agencies have their hands full.

[eggshell]

Here's a pod cast that you all might find interesting. It's a gardening/market farming podcast but his guest today is one of the bird experts from Cornell. You'll come away thinking....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn9Gs0nmUo0

[Bill]

Here's a pod cast that you all might find interesting. It's a gardening/market farming podcast but his guest today is one of the bird experts from Cornell. You'll come away thinking....

Good stuff there, especially related to ground nesters which obviously includes wild turkeys.

On a landscape scale, I suspect the number of nests that are wrecked due to late spring and early summer haying/mowing is staggering. If a very late maturing perennial hay/forage crop were ever developed that was prime to cut in late July or early August were ever developed it could be game changing, both for birds and haying (dry weather!).  The closest thing I know of is Indian grass, and at least around here even it is overripe by then.


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[vt35mag]

I am seeing the exact opposite. Plenty of hens compared to the amount of gobblers. Hence, what seems to be an extended breeding season.

Same here, plenty of hens.
No reason VT shouldn't continue to have a one fall hen limit.
Not many fall turkey hunters here anyways. Can't recall ever seeing someone out specifically looking for a fall bird. Only a 9 day shotgun season. Think most that are taken are by bowhunters when they come under their stand.

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