Turkey population

[longspur]

I've had more opportunity to hunt this year than in several years. All I've noticed before is that there are much less turkeys. Except I have noticed the hens usually only have 2 or 3 poults. Well this year I've hunted Cherokee co. S.C. Habersham Co. Ga. And Greene Co. Ga. What I've found from cameras and tracks in these areas is that the decline is mostly hens. Always many more gobblers than hens. They hardly ever gobble but they are there. This could explain the drastic decline in harvest records. Harder to kill if they don't gobble. Just wondering if anyone  has noticed this anywhere else.

[deerpoo22]

From 2009-2013 were some of the best hunting years I've ever had in NE Pennsylvania. Always got both tags filled in the spring and my fall tag as well. Last three have been abysmal. I'm lucky enough to hunt private land but even then there's just not alot of gobblers in the woods. Very sad to say the least and unfortunately this year doesn't look much better.

[Tom Foolery]

From 2009-2013 were some of the best hunting years I've ever had in NE Pennsylvania. Always got both tags filled in the spring and my fall tag as well. Last three have been abysmal. I'm lucky enough to hunt private land but even then there's just not alot of gobblers in the woods. Very sad to say the least and unfortunately this year doesn't look much better.

Same where I am in East TN

[turkaholic]

Same here in CT, also at my camp in NY.  Just not many birds anymore.

[yelpy]

From 2009-2013 were some of the best hunting years I've ever had in NE Pennsylvania. Always got both tags filled in the spring and my fall tag as well. Last three have been abysmal. I'm lucky enough to hunt private land but even then there's just not alot of gobblers in the woods. Very sad to say the least and unfortunately this year doesn't look much better.

Same here. I have the opportunity to shoot 2 birds pretty much every year but usually a good bird and a Jake or 5.  The reintroduction of the fisher and being aloud to kill 2 bearded birds plus the coyote #'s going up has a lot to do with it. I think so anyway. The weather hasn't helped either. 

[Farmboy27]

From 2009-2013 were some of the best hunting years I've ever had in NE Pennsylvania. Always got both tags filled in the spring and my fall tag as well. Last three have been abysmal. I'm lucky enough to hunt private land but even then there's just not alot of gobblers in the woods. Very sad to say the least and unfortunately this year doesn't look much better.

Same here in central PA. I'm starting to think that we will look back at the early 2000's as the glory days of turkey hunting around here. Sad. I'm not sure if there is any one factor or a combination of issues. All I know is that if the trend continues around here, the future doesn't look very bright.

[owlhoot]

Guys we have gotta get after them predators, coon and coyotes are being left unchecked and way to many egg eating varmits  getting after the turkey,quail and pheasant.

[Farmboy27]

Guys we have gotta get after them predators, coon and coyotes are being left unchecked and way to many egg eating varmits  getting after the turkey,quail and pheasant.

Definitely agree!  I'm sure that the reintroduction of fishers is seriously hurting the turkey and grouse population around here. Unfortunately, we are only allowed to trap one a year and not allowed to hunt them!  I'll never understand why people feel the need to reintroduce a predator to an area. Sure fishers may have been native to this area many years ago. A lot has changed since then. Why would anyone think that it would benefit anything by bringing them back.

[Yoder409]

Fishers....................... coyotes................ raccoons, skunks and possums run amok................... a hawk or an owl in about every other tree................. and more turkey hunters than most states have hunters TOTAL..................  it's a wonder ANY turkey can survive in Pennsylvania.

I'm in west-central PA.  WMU 2D.  There were FAR more turkeys here, locally in the late 80's through the 90's than there are now.

[turkeywhisperer935]

It's that way in west Tennessee too I think but biologist here won't admit it. Don't see half the. Birds I used to and they is no other explanation.

[turkaholic]

I have had fishers come in to the call on three different occasions. You are not allowed to kill them, but I do. They are brutal. They can take birds off roost at night. They are also expert egg suckers.

[Strick9]

The decline is now noted in the South East region by state biologist. The driver has been missed as of yet.. However I conducted a recent poll and in my area found out that about 25% have either found or killed a bird with Fowl Pox. Another disease that is spreading is LPDV.

http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/elist/eListRead/a_new_virus_is_attacking_us_wild_turkey_populations/

These diseases combined with predation, poor brooding seasons past and monoculture habitat moves are definitely decreasing our population in the SE.  It is estimated that our population is down around 40% in the last 7 years.

[pabossie255]

I was on my way to town to go for dinner for my sons birthday no sooner turned on the highway looked off the side of the road into the woods there sneaking slowly was a nice gobbler can't wait till PA opens. I have lots of birds scouted out this year.

[greencop01]

Up here in Massachusetts plenty of birds. Seen birds in driveways between houses in built up neighborhoods in strut with hens. Never seen so many birds. Have seen many hens killed on side of highways, hit by vehicles. Looks like a good year. Shows how different things can be geographically. And this state is densely populated.