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Raptors?

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Boll Weevil

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Let me say up front I am absolutely not at all suggesting TN establish a raptor season; that is a perfectly ridiculous notion. I do wonder however what impact hawks, falcons, and owls may have on gamebirds (and not just turkeys). State and Federal agencies manage nearly every other critter in the interest of various objectives including conservation and balanced wildlife diversity. As well, many of these species are at the very top of the food chain (bear, wolf, coyote, lion, wolverine, fox, gator, shark et al). Some seasons/limits seem to be more focused on sport opportunities (Ex: shark), while others certainly appear to be focused on wildlife and/or social balance (Ex: wolf and lion).

Many raptors are endangered or protected and will likely remain perpetually untouchable, and I imagine they impact rodent, insect, and reptile populations far more than game species. I wonder if any of the wildlife agencies or research bodies have considered how raptors affect other species including game animals?
 
So your saying now that the Bald Eagle has been re-established he is out to get the Turkey? Makes sense, I mean I'm sure he has a grudge on the Wild Turkey, especially since it was between them two on who would be the National emblem.

Joking aside, kinda, your likely touching on a relevant idea. Look what the wolves have done to biodiversity in Yellowstone. However, the big debate of lead poisoning and these raptors is a very hot topic. I wonder if raptor populations are steady, increasing or decreasing in areas where wild turkeys are declining?
 
Hawks are very efficient hunters and killers.

I was dove hunting a field a few years ago. I don't remember seeing the hawk before hand, but he must have been cruising the field. Anyway, I shot a dove and it dropped within a short distance of being hit.

Before I could get up off of my stool, the hawk swooped in and grabbed the dove I had just shot. He came out of nowhere, it seemed.

Anyway, I did NOT count that one against my limit :D !

We all like the pretty food plots and fields, but has been mentioned a few times, we need to leave strips of tall grass so hopefully some poults can take cover.
 
My 14yos first tom a few years ago was immediately dive bombed and brained by a redtail hawk right after she shot.

I had a cooper's hawk kill one of my 9lb show orpington hens a few years ago.

Now to what extent raptors are responsible for the overall decline, I just don't know. But they aren't helping, that's for sure
 
I have no idea overall but I found it interesting when Dr Chamberlain was on the meat eater podcast and had a story about tracking a mating pair of owls. Those 2 owls killed something like 2 turkeys (hen and Tom) right out of the tree, as well as multiple coons, fox and even a coyote.

So while they may kills some turkey they also do help some in predator control at the same time.
 
I don't think its a coincidence that the rise of raptors (especially red tail hawk) has coincided with the somewhat decline of turkeys and disappearance of BW quail.. Anyone that drives down the road can see that RT hawks are out of control... I don't see any law changes though since they are protected federally..
 
Watch this video and it's easy to realize that predatory birds will go after various sizes and species of animals when they are hunting for food and trying to survive. Apparently size is not a very intimidating deterrent, if a predatory bird is hungry.



I live in the city limits of a small Tennessee town, only a block from Tims Ford Lake and there are a couple of local hawks, as well as local ospreys, and bald eagles (yes, I'm very positive they are bald eagles) that regularly hunt the area. I've personally witnessed a hawk getting and taking away a neighbors cat. I wish I had a video of it, but this was a full grown cat and the hawk carried it away like it was nothing. Pretty sure the cat was dinner, because it did not return and was never seen again. It's amazing to watch other birds, and squirrels react when they see these predatory birds flying and hunting.
 
I have noticed a lack of turkeys using my pasture this year. I have also noticed a couple bald eagles using my area more than I'd seen in the past. I've been thinking about the possibility of eagles messing with turkeys or just their appearance was enough to change the Turkey habits. This past Sunday I was visiting with my uncle and out of the blue he asked, "do you think eagles affect turkeys?" I said "I'm not sure why?" He said "ever since an eagle has been circling my farm, the turkeys do not come in the open like before."
I'm beginning to think they might at very least affect em.
 
Ive seen hawks kill my chickens before and ive seen them kill quail and turkey.

I have some owls that nest every year but raccoons always kill them.

The increase in raptors and nest raiders has had a negative impact on many species. Man was removed from their equation by laws and the destruction of the fur trade. It could be fixed but i don't see enough people in positions to do anything with the knowledge of the situation.

We should have a season and some need to be added to the year around trapping list.
 
Harold Money jr said:
I have noticed a lack of turkeys using my pasture this year. I have also noticed a couple bald eagles using my area more than I'd seen in the past. I've been thinking about the possibility of eagles messing with turkeys or just their appearance was enough to change the Turkey habits. This past Sunday I was visiting with my uncle and out of the blue he asked, "do you think eagles affect turkeys?" I said "I'm not sure why?" He said "ever since an eagle has been circling my farm, the turkeys do not come in the open like before."
I'm beginning to think they might at very least affect em.
Click to expand...

8BD50941-8B34-40D6-ACC1-291BE06BB5C4.jpeg


This is Sunday. It's blurry but if you look close above my boys hand you can see the eagles nest with eagles in it…. Turkeys don't seem bothered by ?
 
Bgoodman30 said:
This is Sunday. It's blurry but if you look close above my boys hand you can see the eagles nest with eagles in it…. Turkeys don't seem bothered by ?
Click to expand...
I notice the same thing around here (Maury County). There's a field I regularly drive by that'll have a flock of turkeys in it with an eagle in its nest just above them. On the other side of the road is a farm pond that almost always have ducks on it. They must not prey on them regularly enough for them to be concerned.
 
I was listening to a Meateater podcast yesterday that had a segment about ducks. They were talking about nest predators and what different groups are doing to address it. Apparently Delta Waterfowl has an intense/specific trapping program where they hire professional trappers to remove nest predators from the face of the earth. I can see how some programs similar to this could be implemented for turkeys. It would be nice if NWTF or TFT could start something, instead of relying on TWRA to use license dollars to do something about it.

www.themeateater.com

Ep. 320: Rut, The Dating App | MeatEater Podcasts

Steven Rinella talks with Janis Putelis, Kevin Gillespie, Sean Weaver, Maggie Hudlow, Phil Taylor, and Corinne Schneider.Topics discussed: MeatEater's dating app idea called "Rut"; bison as livestock or wild game; when critters know damn well that hunting season is on and go hide; how Steve...
www.themeateater.com www.themeateater.com

They also brought up how there's been a 600% increase of crows and ravens over the past 30 years and how detrimental they are to nests.
 
Buzzard Breath said:
I was listening to a Meateater podcast yesterday that had a segment about ducks. They were talking about nest predators and what different groups are doing to address it. Apparently Delta Waterfowl has an intense/specific trapping program where they hire professional trappers to remove nest predators from the face of the earth. I can see how some programs similar to this could be implemented for turkeys. It would be nice if NWTF or TFT could start something, instead of relying on TWRA to use license dollars to do something about it.

www.themeateater.com

Ep. 320: Rut, The Dating App | MeatEater Podcasts

Steven Rinella talks with Janis Putelis, Kevin Gillespie, Sean Weaver, Maggie Hudlow, Phil Taylor, and Corinne Schneider.Topics discussed: MeatEater's dating app idea called "Rut"; bison as livestock or wild game; when critters know damn well that hunting season is on and go hide; how Steve...
www.themeateater.com www.themeateater.com

They also brought up how there's been a 600% increase of crows and ravens over the past 30 years and how detrimental they are to nests.
Click to expand...
"However, the researchers found the American crow was the most significant nest predator."

www.mymcr.net

MONROE OUTDOORS: Wild turkey nest face huge threats from predators

The wild turkey is one of a group of birds biologists refer to as ground nesters. As the name implies, it lays its eggs on the ground as opposed to
www.mymcr.net www.mymcr.net

I know more research is being conducted on poult production but if it validates that crows are still numero uno and they have indeed increased by 600%, then its time to start eating crow...
 
AT Hiker said:
"However, the researchers found the American crow was the most significant nest predator."

I know more research is being conducted on poult production but if it validates that crows are still numero uno and they have indeed increased by 600%, then its time to start eating crow...
Click to expand...

I find it very plausible that crows could be the single-most significant nest predator.
There are definitely more crows now than in times past as well.

Noteworthy, that about the only "birds" with significantly increased populations are "crows" and raptors?
And during the same time horizons, decreasing populations of most other "birds", particularly the ground-nesting ones like grouse, quail, and turkey?

Yes, time to re-visit the old traditional sport of crow hunting! 👍🙂👍
Used to enjoy it in my youth, but probably haven't killed a crow since was a teenager.
 

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