Wayne, Lawrence, and Giles people

[woodsman87]

Any of you talk to any of the biologist guys at the check stations this weekend?

I talked to a guy, he said they didn't know of any for sure problems as of yet. They were looking for problems, and looking for what they could rule out. Taking samples of every part of the bird looking for various diseases. They had heard the concern for these parts of the state.

I looked at the kill reports, and it looks like Giles had 80 checked in this weekend, Lawrence only had 35, and Wayne had 70 something. Looks like Lawrence is still the epicenter of the low numbers. I wish there was a way to tell how many where killed on the northern portions of the counties versus the southern portion of the counties.

It was also a bad weekend, especially Saturday, for them to get a big sample size. I think they are going to continue to take birds until they feel like they have enough of a sample size, so it looks like it was not limited to just this weekend.

 

[woodsman87]

Also, they stated that the next step of the process is to radio collar hens to track them to their nest. To observe the hens survival rate, nest survival, and hatching success.

I myself, believe that it is something to do with nesting and brood success rates. And that is even if something is wrong. I sometimes believe it is just the way it is right now, and the turkeys are all up and Maury, Marshall, and Lewis county and have no idea why they are living up there.

 

[Jarred525]

I saw they were taking data in Giles at Lib's Grocery in Elkton. He was busy so did not get to talk to him. I know it was scary slow on our place in South Giles. I am hoping its just early.

 

[PalsPal]

I wish there was a way to tell how many where killed on the northern portions of the counties versus the southern portion of the counties.

You can see how many were checked in at certain checking stations, if you know where they are located.

Of course, it won't help for those that were checked in online.

 

[woodsman87]

Yes I bet at least half are checked in online or with the cell phone thing.

 

[AlabamaSwamper]

Different year, same story. No doubt there are less birds. Gobbling was good yesterday, lots of it. From five turkeys. Used to hear 15-20 from that vantage point, easy.

Talked to several folks on the western end of the county where there are no doubt more birds (and probably always has been) and they saying the same.

Miss the good ole days.

At least there are still birds around though. It could be worse, I've seen worse.

 

[Jarred525]

I hit the woods from 1:00 to 4:30 yesterday. Covered about 500 acres on a bad boy buggy. Did not hear the first gobble. That has never happened to me this time of year.

 

[woodsman87]

Different year, same story. No doubt there are less birds. Gobbling was good yesterday, lots of it. From five turkeys. Used to hear 15-20 from that vantage point, easy.

Talked to several folks on the western end of the county where there are no doubt more birds (and probably always has been) and they saying the same.

Miss the good ole days.

At least there are still birds around though. It could be worse, I've seen worse.

Yep it could be worse. I still look at the bright side and understand there are still a few out there to hear.

 

[woodsman87]

I hit the woods from 1:00 to 4:30 yesterday. Covered about 500 acres on a bad boy buggy. Did not hear the first gobble. That has never happened to me this time of year.

Just keep on trying. Still very early in the season. And the turkeys still seem to be in winter mode as well. Big flocks that are few and far between. When the grasshoppers start coming out good, them hens will start breaking up to find nesting areas and the gobblers will get pissed enough at each other to no longer be friends.
I figure this week will be a big transition week. 70s everyday, them bugs will be out in the fields

 

[Jarred525]

I hit the woods from 1:00 to 4:30 yesterday. Covered about 500 acres on a bad boy buggy. Did not hear the first gobble. That has never happened to me this time of year.

Just keep on trying. Still very early in the season. And the turkeys still seem to be in winter mode as well. Big flocks that are few and far between. When the grasshoppers start coming out good, them hens will start breaking up to find nesting areas and the gobblers will get pissed enough at each other to no longer be friends.
I figure this week will be a big transition week. 70s everyday, them bugs will be out in the fields

Thanks, I agree I hope the warm weather this week will change things.

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

35 birds in Lawrence county and I bet 30 if not all of them came north of highway 64. Pitiful

 

[PickettSFHunter]

There have been more birds killed in any of the mentioned counties than in my county. I guess we are just used to low turkey numbers though.

 

[pressfit]

I had a guy tell me the state though that the turkeys were eating chicken litter from chicken houses and that was killing them..

 

[CAW]

I had a guy tell me the state though that the turkeys were eating chicken litter from chicken houses and that was killing them..

Yep. That's exactly what I heard. Some farmers were using it for fertilizer and the turkeys were vanishing from those farms.

 

[Jarred525]

I had a guy tell me the state though that the turkeys were eating chicken litter from chicken houses and that was killing them..

Yep. That's exactly what I heard. Some farmers were using it for fertilizer and the turkeys were vanishing from those farms.

Yep, I had heard this is one of the theories being batted around.

 

[woodsman87]

I had a guy tell me the state though that the turkeys were eating chicken litter from chicken houses and that was killing them..

Yep. That's exactly what I heard. Some farmers were using it for fertilizer and the turkeys were vanishing from those farms.

Yep, I had heard this is one of the theories being batted around.

I have heard this rumor. It has some merit, but I don't think I will 100% believe it until this study is finished and the biologist post their findings.

As of now, I am still on the nesting success and poult survival bandwagon. That is because I haven't seen a poult withing a 15 mile radius of my land in 10 years. Honest to God truth.

 

[rem7-08]

I won't believe the chicken litter theory until proven either cause I have family friends who have spread litter for years and they have more birds on and around there place than most around. My main observation on my farm and the farms for miles around is since the feral hogs have been here the number of birds have deminished rapidly. Used to kill a long beard on my place every year but haven't heard a bird in two years. Just my thought on it

 

[BigGameGuy]

I had a guy tell me the state though that the turkeys were eating chicken litter from chicken houses and that was killing them..

The state does NOT believe that is what is happening. However, we will be doing some disease testing in that area to try to determine If there are any disease related issues.

 

[pressfit]

thanks BGG

 

[Jarred525]

I had a guy tell me the state though that the turkeys were eating chicken litter from chicken houses and that was killing them..

The state does NOT believe that is what is happening. However, we will be doing some disease testing in that area to try to determine If there are any disease related issues.

Thanks BGG, do you guys have any theories that you are batting around that you can share with us?