FUNDING CRITICAL RESEARCH IN TENNESSEE

[Old Gobbler]

Field research is critical in environmental issues.. if you don't know what the problem is ...how can you fix it ?

[GobbleNut]

Studies have already found predators to be the issue.  So what are these organizations doing to address the problem? NWTF and state conservation departments are not willing to address the issue. We shall see if TFT will or not.

Let's dive into the weeds a bit more on the predator issue.  First of all, I think we all agree (laymen and professionals alike) that predators are a significant issue with suppressed turkey populations.  The question then becomes..."what can be done about it?"

Private landowners can take whatever action (within legal parameters) they want to control predators on their properties.  It would be interesting to know what percentage of private landowners will take steps to limit predators with the goal of enhancing turkey numbers.  Conversely, it would also be interesting to know how many private landowners have other priorities on their properties, quite possible to include protecting the very same predators that impact wild turkeys.  Bottom line is that just because us turkey hunters want to do things to protect turkey numbers on private land doesn't mean that private landowners share the same goals.  Obviously, that is a problem,...and one that might not be able to be overcome. 

Public lands are another matter altogether,...and public perception is a major obstacle nowadays for wildlife managers.  There are a number of states (mine included) that have outlawed trapping on public lands.  As our society becomes more urbanized, that trend is likely to increase.  It doesn't matter how many wildlife research projects show turkey populations are being suppressed by predators, unless the general public gets on board with killing various species of predators to enhance a game animal sought out by a small minority of the populace, significant predator management on public lands just ain't gonna happen, folks,...unless there is a reversal of public attitudes about that kind of thing.

Wildlife managers (and researchers) are faced with that dilemma,...and I am not aware that any significant debate is taking place on how to overcome it. 

Habitat issues (mentioned previously) also come into play.  Maybe more discussion on that is in order...

[greentrout]

The way I read it is they're acknowledging predators of nests and poults are the number one issue. The extra year looks to dive in deeper into which predators specifically, what nesting habitats are more successful and which ones are least, weather impacts, etc. I think this information is what's needed for state agencies to take action. Fingers crossed anyway.

[Paulmyr]

Studies have already found predators to be the issue.  So what are these organizations doing to address the problem? NWTF and state conservation departments are not willing to address the issue. We shall see if TFT will or not.

Since it's already been decided predators are the number one issue affecting the wild turkey population, I guess nobody would interested to hear a 2017-20 Maine study showed 59% of the wild turkeys sampled tested Positive for LPDV and a New York study showed a 60% LPDV rate.

The study in Maine also showed a 75% infection rate from a disease called Mycoplasma gallisepticum that can limit reproduction and egg hatchabilty. Not sure how much is known about these pathogens. Are populations in the Northeast about to show declines in what appears to be stable numbers? Are they showing signs already? If so will predators get the blame? Nebraska seems to be interested as they are initiating a serious look into LPDV and other pathogens as well.

But seeing as we already know its predators there should be no need to fund any other studies involving wild turkeys.

[GobbleNut]

I guess nobody would interested to hear a 2017-20 Maine study showed 59% of the wild turkeys sampled tested Positive for LPDV and a New York study showed a 60% LPDV rate.

The study in Maine also showed a 75% infection rate from a disease called Mycoplasma gallisepticum that can limit reproduction and egg hatchabilty. Not sure how much is known about these pathogens. Are populations in the Northeast about to show declines in what appears to be stable numbers? Are they showing signs already? If so will predators get the blame? Nebraska seems to be interested as they are initiating a serious look into LPDV and other pathogens as well.

Just like the research that is indicating that predators are an issue in some places, it does not surprise me that the same can be said for disease/parasites in others. The question remains the same regardless of the cause:  What are the proposed actions/remedies to solve the problems, whatever they might be?

[Shiloh]

Mississippi is riding what looks to be the best hatch we've had in many years.   Nothing changed in the predator world, the habitat world, season dates, limits, etc.......

What happened???

[GobbleNut]

Mississippi is riding what looks to be the best hatch we've had in many years.   Nothing changed in the predator world, the habitat world, season dates, limits, etc.......
What happened???

It will be interesting to see what the opinions are on this.  I am just a casual observer from another part of the country, but it seems to me that the reports of spring flooding that we had been hearing about over the last several years was not as big an issue.  Maybe an association there?...

[Shiloh]

The spring flooding in our area would have to be confused with summer flooding.  Our springs have been fairly mild while we have had some really wet summers.  Especially this past August.  At least in central MS where I am. 
I guess what I am coming up with is this.  Do all that you can where you are, but ma nature has a lot to do with it and it's very difficult to incite noticeable change in her attitude. 

[Paulmyr]

I guess nobody would interested to hear a 2017-20 Maine study showed 59% of the wild turkeys sampled tested Positive for LPDV and a New York study showed a 60% LPDV rate.

The study in Maine also showed a 75% infection rate from a disease called Mycoplasma gallisepticum that can limit reproduction and egg hatchabilty. Not sure how much is known about these pathogens. Are populations in the Northeast about to show declines in what appears to be stable numbers? Are they showing signs already? If so will predators get the blame? Nebraska seems to be interested as they are initiating a serious look into LPDV and other pathogens as well.

Just like the research that is indicating that predators are an issue in some places, it does not surprise me that the same can be said for disease/parasites in others. The question remains the same regardless of the cause:  What are the proposed actions/remedies to solve the problems, whatever they might be?

I get it that everybody wants answers. It's my opinion that more research needs to be done, if not to identify problems affecting but also ways to possibly solve the problems in question.

Turkeys rebounded so dramatically after reintroduction in many areas not much emphasis was put on state agencies to learn much about them as such not much is know. I think implementing solutions without fully understanding issues could be quite the problem.

CWD deer management comes to mind. How would you guys feel if your state implemented regs similar to cdw management for turkeys that had lpdv or some other pathogens. Seems the govt solution to managing any pathogens in wild or domestic stock is the irradication of the whole herd/flock  and not just the infected ones.  I could see it happening. Not sure how the mass implementation of over harvesting in an attempt to devastate turkey numbers in order control a pathogen would be accepted.

Are we ready for management solutions such as this? If I had my drothers, I'd prefer more research in the hopes of finding a solution other than the mass execution of populations in a  CDW like containment effort.

What I'm pretty sure  the answer isn't, is the way some members here were more than willing to drag a fledgling organization through the mud about wasting money on research they feel is not needed.

[GobbleNut]

Good discussion.  I don't disagree at all with what you are saying, Paul.  Identifying problems through research and investigation is absolutely necessary.  ...But, as I have stated before, there needs to be an "end game" in mind,...and I do not fault those who question research asking for an explanation "up front" as to what the speculated solutions might be.

At one time, I chaired a committee that funded wild-turkey-related research and associated projects.  Part of that funding involved vetting the researchers as to what practical value was envisioned in their proposal?  Specifically, I wanted them to offer not only what their research was meant to identify, but also what the solutions might be if their research resulted in identifiable problems.  In short, I don't think is it unrealistic for folks to ask the question,..."If your research ends up showing that "A" is a problem, what do you foresee as being the course(s) of action to resolve that problem?"

Now, granted, there is always the possibility that research will end up identifying problems which realistically have no viable solutions. Regardless of that possibility, in my opinion, any worthwhile research project should at least initially begin with postulated solutions to the problems that the research might identify.

[TurkeysForTomorrow]

University of Tennessee research students, led by Dr. Craig Harper are close to reaching a target of 120 hens radio-tagged prior to Tennessee's statewide turkey opener this spring. Listed below is a real-time update for those who support TFT and helped us fund this ongoing project:

- 99 hens radio-tagged at present

- Successfully trapped and radio-tagged the needed sample size at 5 of 10 study sites

-Students just recaptured a hen in Lawrence county that has been previously trapped as an adult in 2017; so she is at least 8 years old, and the team placed a third transmitter on her;  from this single hen we have nesting and brooding data from 5 of the 6 years of our study so far (2017-2021)

- The team just radio-tagged our second smoky-gray phase hen at one site in Bedford county (one in 2021 and one in 2023)

- University of Tennessee has now trapped >1,000 birds (males and females) throughout the project!

[Wigsplitter]

Great work guys !!! Keep it up!!!