Getting ready for my April 25th--New Jersey opener. I was out this morning in (somewhere)-Passaic County and just as I have been writing here---the wild turkey sign was everywhere! They and the squirrels are now feasting on the (red oak) acorns which are starting to split open by themselves. I do quite a bit of scouting and hunting in wetland areas. In fact my Father had me out with him before age 8. I started hunting in 1974 with him for woodcock in these tough and thick areas where BRIAR PATCHES are everywhere. Near 50 years now- I have been walking these areas!! I will be 57 in some months-time flies!
What I am seeing in the many areas that I scout and hike are high turkey numbers--but in (pockets). I am seeing more hens then in years past and a high number of jakes as well. So- I will hear an old gobbler on a wetland edge and 7-8 jakes on a field edge. They all head to the wetlands soon after flydown and are quiet about it! The reason they are quiet is a VERY HIGH population of (SCOUNDREL COYOTES)!! This is going to be my 2nd Spring that I will be hunting with my brown pheasant briar pants in these areas---but the turkeys are changing.
I usually read my copy of Kenny Morgans great book- TURKEY HUNTING- A ONE MAN GAME every other Spring. I got my signed copy in 2000. If you have it- go to page 74. A drawing of 2 coyotes standing over a dead deer--and below that---COYOTES-GAME ENEMY #1. Kenny Morgan had it right and I think that COYOTES are a big reason for any wild turkey decline!! Tresspassing ATVS would be a much smaller part. I am now enjoying his 2nd book- AMERICA, WILD TURKEYS, AND MONGREL DOGS. Can't put it down!
Maybe briar patches are the wild turkeys best friend and if you go in this thick areas with your cotton camo pants- your legs will be cut up big time! Imagine a coyote sprinted through such a area. HE MIGHT LOSE AN EYE! I have seen plenty of good pointing dogs that will not go after a pheasant in these areas -although a black lab will! I spell perfect with a pen- but forgive any mistakes here .
