EXCELLANT VIDEO-- Why Hunters Are Seeing Fewer Wild Turkeys + What To Do About It!

[Fred Flintstone]

Going out for a Long Hike today and also on the Lookout for Turkey Poults. Hopefully, I  can get some pictures.

 Going to also check out an area where Gobblers have been known to Roost - Summer and into the Fall. 

  For my Part- in NY + NJ-- HENS will get passed in the Fall.

[Fred Flintstone]

So far- not good. 3 Hens and 1 Jake at 6.45pm on 6/19/2021.

 No Poult Sightings yet...

[Fred Flintstone]

On 6/12/2021 at 8:35 PM, nickmarch said:

The info in the video could be the problem elsewhere but not in NJ.

In NJ when baiting for deer became legal FW also changed the beginning dates of turkey season.  Turkey season started later.  Both were 98 or 99?  

It takes a mean brood size of 4 poult to maintain the turkey population.  The mean brood size was consistently above 4 prior to baiting and turkey season date changes.  It's only hit 4 maybe 2 or 3 times since then. (20+ years)

Predator numbers skyrocketed after baiting was allowed.  They eat like pigs fall thru January then little to no bait.  Shortly after its turkey time!  

The State's turkey population numbers are total BS!  Their study said a mean brood size of 4 is needed to maintain numbers.  Their brood size number are mostly 2.5 to 3 for the past 20 years and their estimated population has been the same 22,000 to 23,000 for the past 20 years.  

Baiting is increasing predator numbers.

Very informative  post in answer above.

   And Predator  numbers are definitely  increasing  as all here are well aware of.