Turkey 2022

[Okie4570]

So I've been traveling all across the state on Fridays and most Saturdays for my son's/daughter's track meets. First meet was at the end of March. I've yet to see a turkey from the road, anywhere. Not a lone hen, a tom on the wander, a group of jakes, nothing. Nothing on my own places either but a single hen. Have not seen any roosted birds, haven't even heard a gobble this year. First time since I started turkey hunting as a kid in the late 70's.

 

[dennishoddy]

I have some toms visit our yard daily, but with the shortage of birds in our area, they are safe.
It’s not hunters killing our Turkey’s. Zero turkey hunting is allowed on any of our neighbors yet the numbers keep falling.
Something else is going on.

 

[Hangfire]

Dennis it might be that their eggs are being eaten in the nest by an over abundance of coons, possums etc in the area or that they are being shot illegally at night on the roost........either way not good for the turkey population.

 

[Dorkus]

Dennis it might be that their eggs are being eaten in the nest by an over abundance of coons, possums etc in the area or that they are being shot illegally at night on the roost........either way not good for the turkey population.

I think the hogs are destroying a lot of nests too.

 

[dennishoddy]

Dennis it might be that their eggs are being eaten in the nest by an over abundance of coons, possums etc in the area or that they are being shot illegally at night on the roost........either way not good for the turkey population.

It’s definitely nest predators. I see where the hens are nesting. Not long after laying, we will find broken egg shells in the area.
I’ve trapped our area unmercifully for years, but in past years it could only be done during trapping season or if they were attacking livestock/pets.
Now we can trap coons year around and get them thinned out before they breed and produce a new crop.

 

[birdhunter1980]

Went out Monday afternoon after the storms and the birds were drying out. I bumped a couple walking in, so I set up on the edge of the field and about 2 hours later a hen came out of the woods and fed in front of me. I heard a distant gobble and saw him strutting around 300 yards, took him about 30 minutes to come in. Got him right before the storms started again.

 

[retrieverman]

That’s a dang nice bird! Congrats!!!

 

[Dorkus]

Went out Monday afternoon after the storms and the birds were drying out. I bumped a couple walking in, so I set up on the edge of the field and about 2 hours later a hen came out of the woods and fed in front of me. I heard a distant gobble and saw him strutting around 300 yards, took him about 30 minutes to come in. Got him right before the storms started again. View attachment 270390

How long of a beard? It sure looks like a nice thick one. Congratulations!

 

[hunter966]

Really nice tom, good job.

 

[birdhunter1980]

Thanks guys. His beard was a little over 9" and the spurs were just under 1".
I'm thinking a 2 year old but maybe 3.
What do you guys think?