Opinion on top predator

[SD_smith]

NWTF released a study awhile back on 41 hen kills and confirmed my belief that owls/hawks are the top predators followed closely by bobcats. I've always figured coons and possums to be big egg eaters, but what about coyotes?

[Goodtimekiller]

So NWTF said that owls and hawks are the main hen killers? I find that hard to believe. I also think 41 kills is a pretty small number and I think that your predators will vary pretty significantly by the area you are in. Just my opinion, which basically means nothing.


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[Yoder409]

I think the nest predators must definitely be the most destructive to populations.

I have found turkeys that had been decapitated by great horned owls..............laying at the base of roost trees.

I think (not sure) it was Lovett Williams who said his studies had concluded that a coyote will almost ALWAY catch a single turkey.  But a coyote will almost NEVER catch any of them if there are more than one.

[Goodtimekiller]

I think the nest predators must definitely be the most destructive to populations.

I have found turkeys that had been decapitated by great horned owls..............laying at the base of roost trees.

I think (not sure) it was Lovett Williams who said his studies had concluded that a coyote will almost ALWAY catch a single turkey.  But a coyote will almost NEVER catch any of them if there are more than one.

A few years ago i watched a coyote sit in the middle of a flock of turkeys (20-30) while they pecked through the grass for 30 minutes. He never bothered them and the never got spooked. Then i've seen turkeys run from a coyote 100 yards away. Go figure.


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[Kylongspur88]

Imo coons possums and skunks are the number one turkey killers here becuase of nest raiding.

[mikejd]

Imo coons possums and skunks are the number one turkey killers here becuase of nest raiding.

I agree.

[guesswho]

Between the coyote and Bobcat just look at the feet.  Pretty easy to see which one is better equipped for catching critters that can take flight.   

But as mentioned, coons, skunks etc take their toll before the turkeys even get out of the egg, then your hawks are rough on them as poults.   A turkeys life isn't a walk on the park for sure.

[zelmo1]

#1 are coons and #2 are coyotes

[Kylongspur88]

I will add I did watch a bobcat stalk two gobblers once while bow hunting probably 10 + years ago. Even in dry crunchy fall leaves the cat moved silently and I have no idea how he could move so close to the ground. It was like he was just sliding through the woods. He didn't get the birds becuase they flew up to roost. One of the neatest things I've ever seen in the woods.

[DirtNap647]

Tss

[Sir-diealot]

Cats and Opossums are turkey killing machines. Oh and skunks too.

[AC HAMMER]

You're all way off... it's AC HAMMER of course. In all seriousness I think a lot of people nailed it right on about the egg eaters. That's why I became a trapper!

[High plains drifter]

Mountain lions.

[dutch@fx4]

Most people have no idea how many hawks and owls there really are.

[turkaholic]

I believe nest robbers are the biggest turkey flock wreckers. No use for any coons. Killed 3 opossums already this spring they love eggs. If the eggs can make the trip, that's half the battle. Have trail cam pics of bobcat killing a squirrel on my farm. We have way to many cats. They are deadly. I used to shoot coyotes until I shot one and then the pups came out. Almost made me want to quit hunting. Never got over that. Getting softer in my old age.