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better turkey habitat

Started by jim67, May 15, 2012, 07:42:46 PM

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jim67

I wanted to run this by.My land is only 19ish ac and pretty thick in areas. The turkeys like to roost in a certain area or two on my property,but I dont think they hang out as its too thick? I have called and killed a few birds but. What would be the option of clearing some areas or removing small junk trees and dead fall in a couple of places,maybe food plots later? Would it help for maybe a strutting zone? Has anyone tried this?                    Thanks, Jim

Skeeterbait

#1
19 acres isn't much to work with and any turkeys spending time on your property are also spending a lot of time on other's property also.  With that said, one of the quickest ways to improve turkey habitat is a controlled burn.  Turkeys flock into a burn practically before it stops smoking.  They first come in for the parched insects and seed.  Later as fresh new growth starts it promotes insect life and keeps the turkeys around.  It opens the undergrowth and makes the area more attractive to them.  Afterward consider some plantings for turkeys.  Small grains like millet and sorgum are excellent food sources and easy and cheap to grow.  Clovers and chufa are also good but take a larger investment in preparation and time.

However right now is not the time to burn.  Your hens are likely nesting or have young poults that can't escape the fire right now.

I recommend you contact and talk to your local state biologist, forester and county extension agent.  They likely will pay you a visit and give you good specific advise about your property.

Spring_Woods

Prescribed Burn and dozer work. Get a road system on your place and seed the roads with good turkey grasses.

Put the roads in first, then burn. The burn will fertilize the soil.

I'm a forester but without seeing it first, it's hard to give specifics and come up with a management plan.

Good luck
"Was that a gobble?":gobble:

jim67

Thanks for the replies. I did a little research and found that logging is very expensive unless I can sell all my trees which isnt going to happen. I will hire a guy to come out with a mulcher and have at it. I can open some good spots,then later I can plant something. The burning part would be good too but dont know anything about it.I dont want to be "that"guy that burned down the forest. LOL.

South Alabama

Not sure where you are located ... but contract with a reputable forester and investigate control burning.

Spring_Woods

Quote from: jim67 on May 16, 2012, 09:45:08 AM
Thanks for the replies. I did a little research and found that logging is very expensive unless I can sell all my trees which isnt going to happen. I will hire a guy to come out with a mulcher and have at it. I can open some good spots,then later I can plant something. The burning part would be good too but dont know anything about it.I dont want to be "that"guy that burned down the forest. LOL.

We did a couple burns in school. If I were you I'd contact the local college that has a forestry school. They might come do it for free (educational).

It's pretty safe, it's mostly about timing. 

And yes, if you log it you'll have to sell your trees. :D
"Was that a gobble?":gobble: