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Turkeys and Cow pastures...

catman529

catman529

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what's up with turkeys magnetizing toward cattle farms? Is it just because the WMA I hunt is surrounded by cow fields and turkeys seek refuge there? I can think of 4 different places where turkeys spend all day on cattle farms right up against WMA land. Most of the time, they roost on or very close to the WMA and then fly down onto private land. Happened this morning while deer hunting, I knew it was going to happen because of the lay of the land, but it was cool to watch em all fly down in front of me. If I had remembered to bring a call, maybe I could have steered the flock a bit. These birds preferred a cow field over a fresh cut corn field.

Just wondering if anyone else notices this or if it's more specific to the place I hunt. Are cow farms usually a turkey magnet?
 
Bullsh!t literally :) Turkey are attracted to cow pastures because of cow crap, cows that eat grain do not totally digest the grain and turkeys eat that. Cow crap also attracts bugs and worms which in tow feeds them that much more. They have a variety of insects, grains and grass to feed ob
 
Rockhound said:
Bullsh!t literally :) Turkey are attracted to cow pastures because of cow crap, cows that eat grain do not totally digest the grain and turkeys eat that. Cow crap also attracts bugs and worms which in tow feeds them that much more. They have a variety of insects, grains and grass to feed ob
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yep, what he said.
 
well dang, I guessed right then. That was the theory working inside my brain, was that the cow pies attract the turkeys because of bugs and possibly grains.

They need to lease some of the WMA out to a cattle farmer... well, I do know of one section of WMA where the fence is out and cows come onto the WMA all the time, but of course the turkeys still prefer the private pasture to the wooded section of public land. If it weren't for the fact that I carried a detailed satellite image map of the entire WMA, I would have crossed into private land thinking it was still part of the WMA. some guys do not post their land or even keep up the fences! Makes me think they don't mind hunters coming on their land, but then I still wouldn't want to be caught hunting there without permission... I really really need to get my act together and knock on a couple of doors, because I know of some cow places that would be absolutely killer to hunt spring turkey season for gobblers.
 
I picked up a new place a few weekes ago, its a mixture of cow pastures and hardwoods and over ran with turkeys, actually gives me hope for this spring
 
Several reasons turkeys love cow pastures. Like already said, the love the bugs and grains that are in the cow piles.
Turkeys also like to be in open areas I think because they love using thier eyes so they get to where they can see along ways. Also, easier for them to catch grasshoppers in that shorter grass. I think gobblers like to get out there and strut too so that hens can see them easier.
the best SPRING turkey hunting spots usually have cow pastures. If not at least some type of hay or green fields.
 
easy45 said:
I picked up a new place a few weekes ago, its a mixture of cow pastures and hardwoods and over ran with turkeys, actually gives me hope for this spring
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you might just tag out there. good luck
 

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