I thought I'd stick this up here where it would get more views. I wrote one of the TWRA's biologists about the habitat management on the WMA as I have seen changes in the last few years and IMO it has hurt the hunting a little bit for both deer and turkey, but mostly the turkey.
I think his response is good news for the hunters that use PP WMA and for those that have been wondering it will shed some insight as to why they have gone the direction they have over the past couple of years. I had heard the farmer got old or couldn't plant anymore (he didn't confirm that) but at least they appear to be looking for someone to plant the fields.
Also thought his comment about turkey populations overall may be of interest to some on here. E-mail body:
Good morning Mr. Benson,
I appreciate your interest in maintaining quality habitat on Percy Priest and ultimately other areas as well. Turkey numbers are declining in most counties as the artificially high population from initial stocking efforts begins to find the natural carrying capacity of the habitat. You are correct in some fields becoming way too overgrown. This is a result of several consecutive wet springs preventing us from doing any prescribed burning to reduce woody growth. We are considering placing the fields back into share cropping so we don't lose the fields.
Just want to assure you we are going to address the issue.
I assume he means over growth to the point of no return when he mentions losing the fields, not that the fields will be taken away from the WMA.
I sure hope thy find a farmer, because I can assure you turkey hunting was way better when they worked the fields. In the mean time I will have to hit up some of those Maury county WMAs. I heard, what you do is look for a small red pickup truck and then when you find it, park there, and go into the woods. When you hear a bird gobble on the limb, get to it and shoot it off, then just tell the guy that you are from AR..... :lol:
oke: oke:
I think his response is good news for the hunters that use PP WMA and for those that have been wondering it will shed some insight as to why they have gone the direction they have over the past couple of years. I had heard the farmer got old or couldn't plant anymore (he didn't confirm that) but at least they appear to be looking for someone to plant the fields.
Also thought his comment about turkey populations overall may be of interest to some on here. E-mail body:
Good morning Mr. Benson,
I appreciate your interest in maintaining quality habitat on Percy Priest and ultimately other areas as well. Turkey numbers are declining in most counties as the artificially high population from initial stocking efforts begins to find the natural carrying capacity of the habitat. You are correct in some fields becoming way too overgrown. This is a result of several consecutive wet springs preventing us from doing any prescribed burning to reduce woody growth. We are considering placing the fields back into share cropping so we don't lose the fields.
Just want to assure you we are going to address the issue.
I assume he means over growth to the point of no return when he mentions losing the fields, not that the fields will be taken away from the WMA.
I sure hope thy find a farmer, because I can assure you turkey hunting was way better when they worked the fields. In the mean time I will have to hit up some of those Maury county WMAs. I heard, what you do is look for a small red pickup truck and then when you find it, park there, and go into the woods. When you hear a bird gobble on the limb, get to it and shoot it off, then just tell the guy that you are from AR..... :lol:
oke: oke:
