megalomaniac":34glir8s said:
I would think it certainly IS possible that the population can be negatively affected by supplemental feeding for the exact reasons already listed. Increased predation around feed sites, potential for aflatoxin, increased nest predators, etc.
But I really think more birds are killed by those hunting over bait. The pic I posted earlier this year of my lease here in MS comes to mind...
I've been saying this for years, lots of turkeys are being killed by hunters over bait. What hunters don't understand is that the hens are nesting near this bait, which draws the predators. Now the hunters are killing the gobblers and the predators are getting the nests and maybe perhaps a hen on occasion.
Same thing happens in KY, and by the way our population is way down as well. I'm not going what I hear, but if turkeys are around they leave sign. No sign along with no sightings equals no turkeys.
I know a lot of good turkey hunters that haven't killed one yet and most likely won't.
However these issues are not limited to KY and TN, to my understanding it's all across the country. I honestly believe several factors are the cause. Loss of habitat, farming practices, poor hatches, baiting, too many being killed in most areas, predators, and strutting decoys (or fanning).
I know guys that mop turkeys and don't own a turkey call. Just carry a shotgun, tail fan, and a little scratch here and there for the times they want to sit and pretend they are hunting. :bash: :bash: