Other factors along with predators that are part of our declining turkey population are . Poor nesting habitat, herbicides used on farm fields reducing the bug population which is a major food source for turkeys, removing roosting trees for timber sales. Turkeys prefer to roost in 30 to 40 year old oaks with horizonal limb 40 feet or more in height. This is their safety precautions from predators, they can easily see everything around them from a great distance and fly to another location for safety when threatened. Unfortunately the new buzz is to remove big timber for better deer habitat, these large trees are valuable for their size and the amount of board feet per tree. Turkeys are losing their safe place to roost at night making them an easy meal for tree climbing predators . The easiest was to loose a species is to eliminate its food source and destroy their nesting capabilities. Want to help turkey poults survive, take up hunting at night remove some egg stealers, possums and raccoons. Shorter seasons and smaller harvest number will bring turkeys back from the decline.
That's some good info. Here in SC you have to consider hawks are a big predator of baby turkeys also.
I rarely ever see Turkeys while out hiking in Pennsylvania. I did see one the other week in Tobyhanna state park.
They are really cool bird, I miss hearing the gobblers in the spring.
Actually found a raided nest a few days ago while turkey hunting.
Thanks for info concerning this issue. It's been a big concern of mine for yrs now. Tks " the turkey whisperer " here on Massachusetts
Other factors along with predators that are part of our declining turkey population are . Poor nesting habitat, herbicides used on farm fields reducing the bug population which is a major food source for turkeys, removing roosting trees for timber sales. Turkeys prefer to roost in 30 to 40 year old oaks with horizonal limb 40 feet or more in height. This is their safety precautions from predators, they can easily see everything around them from a great distance and fly to another location for safety when threatened. Unfortunately the new buzz is to remove big timber for better deer habitat, these large trees are valuable for their size and the amount of board feet per tree. Turkeys are losing their safe place to roost at night making them an easy meal for tree climbing predators . The easiest was to loose a species is to eliminate its food source and destroy their nesting capabilities. Want to help turkey poults survive, take up hunting at night remove some egg stealers, possums and raccoons. Shorter seasons and smaller harvest number will bring turkeys back from the decline.
Crow season was changed last yr. Now opens in august and runs Thursdays to Sundays. Check regs b4 u go
Pa knows. Fishers. Martens.