Hurricane impact on Osceola turkeys

[Louisiana Longbeard]

How do you think this hurricane will impact the Osceola turkey populations where the storm is going through? I just wonder how many die from the flooding and the winds and all

[Tail Feathers]

No doubt it will have some impact.  Turkeys are pretty tough tho.  I couldn't guess what percentage may not survive it tho.

[2flyfish4]

Was wondering the same

[squidd]

IMHO, I'd say not too much as turkeys are not concerned with power outages and typically not on barrier islands.

If there is flooding, they will find higher ground. 

If it were spring time; then yes for the eggs or poults with the additional rainfall, but by now poults can take care of themselves.

Lastly, this is a matter of where one thinks the Osceola and Eastern dividing line is; with Ian being so far north, there would be less impact on the Osceola.

[WV Flopper]

 I  agree with squidd. Falling trees may get some but the water and remaining high water will do nothing. They can set in trees for weeks and look down on the feet of snow under them and survive. That water will be down in much less time than snow melts.

Now if you are able to get off the black top and hunt them in the effected areas in the spring is a different story! Looks like the storm came through just a few mile from where I typically hunt. Hopefully the deer hunters will have the roads cleaned up by spring!!!

[joey46]

I was at almost ground zero for this storm.  It was a hoot.  I live about 5 miles from a WMA but it is still closed due to the storm.  When it opens I'll try a drive through when time permits.  Betting the turkeys did ok.  I normally run a few cameras after deer season closes in this WMA.  We'll see.

[Crghss]

The track took it through prime Osceola country. Eye of the storm went over me. The wind and flooding is hard to understand till your in it. Turkeys couldn't sit in trees or stand in the flooding so not sure where they where supposed to go.

I am sure quit a few got taken out. To what extent we'll find out I guess.

[Dmc1530]

Ground zero Fort Myers FL native here,
Turkeys made it through the storm. Lost close to a hundred trees on our 3 acre property and had a hen roosting on the downed timber the next day.

[btodd00]

the wmas that I hunted during deer season looked to have plenty of turkeys. Most of these were in the center of the state where the winds weren't as high but were still in the path

[Louisiana Longbeard]

That is wonderful news, I was worried they took a huge hit.

[saltysenior]

 I don't know.....how does a large bird hang on a branch for 6 or more hrs. w/ 60-70 mph winds...maybe if it starts blowing before dark they stay on the ground......they sure can't survive 100% coming down in the dark ( voluntarily or non-voluntarily) with that much wind if they are in the woods