Mowing typically promotes dense thatch that suppresses desirable forbs. That thatch is also obstructive to young poults. Fire consumes that mass and stimulates the seed bank and promotes many native forbs beneficial to turkeys and young poults. So, fire is preferable over mowing, particularly for brood-rearing cover. However, if mowing is the only option for disturbance, it is better than allowing it to succeed into dense shrubs and forest.
Where does the bottomland end and the upland begin? My property is right along one of the Suwannee River's tributaries. 4 acres are pretty low with cypress and blackgum. The rest is a small sandhill. I've thinned out areas on the high ground that are dominated by live, willow, and water oaks and NOT in a flood zone. Well, a year later, those areas have a ton of redbay popping up. Would that mean it would be considered bottomland as well? I'm curious to know if I should be burning
There's not much direct research on the topic, but it stands to reason that other similar species probably would react similarly. If research comes out on the topic, we will cover it. Stay tuned!
Don’t count out predation. Most pigs eat whatever they can catch, ground nesting birds? lots of snacks, chicks and poults? same, baby rabbits, lambs, fawns? all food. I currently have a pig that I’ve never seen eat a bird or mammal, dead or alive. She lives with sheep, chickens, and domestic turkeys, all out on large pasture. Old English Black.
What is the difference of brush hogging vs burning when it comes to turkey habitat.? Which is better.?
Mowing typically promotes dense thatch that suppresses desirable forbs. That thatch is also obstructive to young poults. Fire consumes that mass and stimulates the seed bank and promotes many native forbs beneficial to turkeys and young poults. So, fire is preferable over mowing, particularly for brood-rearing cover. However, if mowing is the only option for disturbance, it is better than allowing it to succeed into dense shrubs and forest.
Where does the bottomland end and the upland begin? My property is right along one of the Suwannee River's tributaries. 4 acres are pretty low with cypress and blackgum. The rest is a small sandhill.
I've thinned out areas on the high ground that are dominated by live, willow, and water oaks and NOT in a flood zone. Well, a year later, those areas have a ton of redbay popping up. Would that mean it would be considered bottomland as well? I'm curious to know if I should be burning
If pig reduction influences turkey movement, does it also affect other upland birds ?
There's not much direct research on the topic, but it stands to reason that other similar species probably would react similarly. If research comes out on the topic, we will cover it. Stay tuned!
Don’t count out predation.
Most pigs eat whatever they can catch, ground nesting birds? lots of snacks, chicks and poults? same, baby rabbits, lambs, fawns? all food.
I currently have a pig that I’ve never seen eat a bird or mammal, dead or alive. She lives with sheep, chickens, and domestic turkeys, all out on large pasture. Old English Black.
Team Turkey!!
"Proud hunters"
Guess I'm taking my 4.0 GPA to a different school lol.
Bye!