Lovett,
What factors would you say most effect a turkey hatch in a given year. Our population is way down here in AR based on harvest results. 20,000 harvested in 2001 to just over 6,000 harvested in 2011.
The biologists for our state game and fish claim it is the run of wet and cold springs we have gone through lately leading to poor reproductions. They say that prolonged periods of wet and cold conditions can kill newly hatched poults.
Is there any evidence that suggests what is the controlling factor of the strength of a hatch? Predation? Weather? Habitat?
Do you have any thoughts as to why our population could change so drastically over 10 years?
Thanks
