Is it possible?

[PalsPal]

If it were a very big problem, there would be more trail cam pics of the actual predator with turkeys in their mouths. In fact, it would be obvious.

People are really grasping at straws trying to find one cause, when in fact it has to be a culmination of several variables for fewer birds in certain areas. The places I hunt has never had an over abundance of birds, and therefore I really haven't seen a decline.

I do find it odd though how I got pics (timelapse set at 5 min intervals) about 6 weeks before the season of 32 turkeys in one field, and ONLY one had a visible beard. But, since that time and their busting up, the most I have seen at once in pics is 3-4, and no gobblers. I have no idea where they went when this is one of 3-4 fields within miles, unless the neighbor is throwing out corn.

 

[@fulldraw]

Their harvest numbers are really bad this year. Georgia legalized baiting several years ago and their population has been in free fall. They've killed under 10,000 birds so far with a season that started a week before us

Ky is about 6,000 shy of its average going into the final weekend. I, for one, think weather has played more of a role in this number being low. Typically I've killed my two by the second weekend. This year it was the 26th and 29th. Have seen gobblers and jakes each time; they just are now acting like they should. Even the guys from GA that lease property around us didn't show up this year. Both weekends were either cold or pouring down rain. Most of the season kills are within this time frame. Not to mention turkeys were still grouped up at this time too. Personally, I think a lot of turkeys survived this year due to the weather. I'm willing to bet, if the weather cooperates, Ky will see an increase in total kills next spring. Just my thoughts as I'm sure some will disagree.

KY is 11,000 birds shy actually. As of this morning the total harvest is 23,000 and change

For a decade or more KY was the single best state for easterns, in 3 weeks they killed what most states do in 6 weeks with a 2 bird limit. Truly remarkable hunting. For their harvest to drop this low it is alarming

Weather sucks off and on and every year. Sure it sucked some this year, but it's also been beautiful at times. It's just spring.

The more excuses are made the less likely anything changes to return to the glory days. I understand that it may seem fine, but there's too much evidence of the opposite

My guesstimation was off just a tad. Shy 7,105. I'm a numbers guy so here are the past 10 yrs totals.

2008 - 27070
2009 - 29008
2010 - 36097
2011 - 32191
2012 - 33067
2013 - 32498
2014 - 29943
2015 - 30895
2016 - 31049
2017 - 33072
2018 (as of 5/3 kills) - 24384

10 yr avg - 31489

I don't know why the harvest is down this year like everyone else. It's all opinion. But I do use numbers accurately. :wink:

 

[Shooter77]

I pulled up the weather for Nashville from April 1 - 28 for the years of 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018. You can see this year is much colder start and more up and down spikes.

 

[Shooter77]

sorry couldn't load 2018. Look at the roller coaster for 2018 compared to the past 3 years. Also the temps were about 38 for the low and increased to about 50. Other years started about 43-50 and was in the 60's.

 

[Roost 1]

But, like we've been told in the past weather doesn't matter. :bash:
I'll take a warm March every year.

 

[Shooter77]

But, like we've been told in the past weather doesn't matter. :bash:
I'll take a warm March every year.

I totally agree!

 

[Roost 1]

Looks like KY finished up around 26,900 or so....some counties had their lowest harvest totals in 20 yrs.
I hear KDFWR has been checking the livers of some birds, does this sound familiar????