tennessee_hunting
Well-Known Member
What is the best habitat management I can do for turkey? Such as making plots, clearing trees etc? Pretty new to this. Thanks
Turkey Management
- Thread starter tennessee_hunting
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Deerbuster1996
Well-Known Member
If you can do a controlled burn then I would try that and plant some clover.
String Music
Well-Known Member
Forest habitat is very important. Turkeys need roost trees, nesting areas and brood rearing habitat. Trees need to be thinned and a controlled burn needs to be conducted every 3-4 years. Early successional growth is vital for turkeys. Turkeys need openings, whether food plots or woodland openings. Clover is excellent for food plots.
Woodland habitat is often overlooked. Food plots are usually what people spend the most time on. If you have dense forests with little undergrowth, spend some time researching herbicide treatments for non-desirable trees.
Woodland habitat is often overlooked. Food plots are usually what people spend the most time on. If you have dense forests with little undergrowth, spend some time researching herbicide treatments for non-desirable trees.
String Music
Well-Known Member
Predator control is also a key ingredient. Bobcats, raccoons, opossums and skunks need to be removed as much as possible.
catman529
Well-Known Member
I would think it depends what your land looks like. I do like the control burns, killed my first bird in a field that had been burned. He smelled charred.
Boll Weevil
Well-Known Member
In addition to what's mentioned above, focus on poult production sooner rather than later. I you don't maximize the likelihood that hens can nest, hatch, and raise poults to a point they can escape ground predators everything else may be moot.
MickThompson
Well-Known Member
What these guys said- build your habitat around producing turkeys, not just attracting them 45 days out of the year. Nesting and brooding cover are often the most overlooked aspect of it, but consider this- hens start scouting for potential nest sites in February and March. The gobblers you are after won't be far away. Active timber management, old field management, burns, and food plots all have their place. You really need to assess your property, and the surrounding land (2500 acres or so) to see what's missing. Turkeys do not depend on woods- in the plains, they will roost on telephone poles when they can't find a tree. maximize the quality of what you have to work with.
It is impossible to say what the #1 thing you need to do is, however, because each property is different.
It is impossible to say what the #1 thing you need to do is, however, because each property is different.
