Wayne, Lawrence, and Giles people

Sure...square one for us is simply trying to figure out if there actually IS a problem in those three counties. Are those counties killing less birds than they were ten years ago? Absolutely.

However, standard population trajectories for restored wildlife populations tend to show an exponential rise in population until it hits a peak at K (K = carrying capacity), then that population drops down somewhere below K and begins to stabalize. From that point forward it usually oscillates with annual peaks and valleys due to numerous factors such as weather or other factors which may affect recruitment. Believe it or not, two out of those three counties are exhibiting that standard trend where the population appears to be stabalizing. Another thing to consider is Giles and Wayne are currently sitting at #11 and #12 in the state in total harvest right now (Lawrence is at #46). So to say those counties are hurting may not be accurate.

In order to see if there is something happening, we have conducted aerial surveys to see if there's a difference in population between North and South of 64. We are also conducting a postcard survey to see where the birds are being killed in those counties. Lastly we are contracting with the University of TN to see if there are any disease issues in that area as compared to other areas of the state. All told we will be spending close to a quater million dollars in that area just to determine if there is a problem but at least it can be said we are responding to the hunter's concerns.
 
BigGameGuy said:
Sure...square one for us is simply trying to figure out if there actually IS a problem in those three counties. Are those counties killing less birds than they were ten years ago? Absolutely.

However, standard population trajectories for restored wildlife populations tend to show an exponential rise in population until it hits a peak at K (K = carrying capacity), then that population drops down somewhere below K and begins to stabalize. From that point forward it usually oscillates with annual peaks and valleys due to numerous factors such as weather or other factors which may affect recruitment. Believe it or not, two out of those three counties are exhibiting that standard trend where the population appears to be stabalizing. Another thing to consider is Giles and Wayne are currently sitting at #11 and #12 in the state in total harvest right now (Lawrence is at #46). So to say those counties are hurting may not be accurate.

In order to see if there is something happening, we have conducted aerial surveys to see if there's a difference in population between North and South of 64. We are also conducting a postcard survey to see where the birds are being killed in those counties. Lastly we are contracting with the University of TN to see if there are any disease issues in that area as compared to other areas of the state. All told we will be spending close to a quater million dollars in that area just to determine if there is a problem but at least it can be said we are responding to the hunter's concerns.
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And we really do appreciate it, with that said there is a cutoff at 64 for some reason.

What's hard for me to believe, (I'm not calling you or anyone a liar BTW) is that the fact we had so many turkeys at one point and are now to the point of what I would call near extinction, and call it stabilization. The same 10,000 ish acres I have access to now used to hold hundreds of birds, now probably holds less than 20 (honest to God)
 
The same 10,000 ish acres I have access to now used to hold hundreds of birds, now probably holds less than 20 (honest to God)

you killed them all!!
 
BigGameGuy said:
Sure...square one for us is simply trying to figure out if there actually IS a problem in those three counties. Are those counties killing less birds than they were ten years ago? Absolutely.

However, standard population trajectories for restored wildlife populations tend to show an exponential rise in population until it hits a peak at K (K = carrying capacity), then that population drops down somewhere below K and begins to stabalize. From that point forward it usually oscillates with annual peaks and valleys due to numerous factors such as weather or other factors which may affect recruitment. Believe it or not, two out of those three counties are exhibiting that standard trend where the population appears to be stabalizing. Another thing to consider is Giles and Wayne are currently sitting at #11 and #12 in the state in total harvest right now (Lawrence is at #46). So to say those counties are hurting may not be accurate.

In order to see if there is something happening, we have conducted aerial surveys to see if there's a difference in population between North and South of 64. We are also conducting a postcard survey to see where the birds are being killed in those counties. Lastly we are contracting with the University of TN to see if there are any disease issues in that area as compared to other areas of the state. All told we will be spending close to a quater million dollars in that area just to determine if there is a problem but at least it can be said we are responding to the hunter's concerns.
Click to expand...


Just wondering, is "K" the year 2006? I remember most of the state suffered poor poult production the few years after 2006. I know in my area we have not recovered the numbers we had of the late 90's and early 2000's.Its been really up and down since then, but i fully expect to never see it like the good ole days.

I'm lucky to have a huntable population of birds on the farms i hunt, is it like it use to be, HECK NO! But, i don't worry about tagging out to keep my population in check also. With that said, for those of you guys in these counties that are seeing significant drops and losses, i truly feel for ya. I love turkey hunting, and i love gobbling toms, and i know y'all do too.
 
I have noticed that the turkeys are congregating in a general area more than they used to, basically its like they are staying in their winter pattern all year. One place may be covered up in them and a mile down the road its like aliens took them.

Sounds like Lawrence County is hurting for sure and hopefully TWRA can pin point what it is.
 
pressfit said:
The same 10,000 ish acres I have access to now used to hold hundreds of birds, now probably holds less than 20 (honest to God)

you killed them all!!
Click to expand...

Ha I wasn't old enough tohave killed very many when they disappeared
 
It wouldn't bother me not yo have the 12 or 15 we used to have I would be happy to have 5 or 6 to actually hunt.

There are two things that absolutely chap me about thewhole situation,

1. The opportunity, there are no more "after work or before work hunts" for us. We have to drive an hour, sure we could go turkey hunt but we could go black panther hunting and do just as well LOL

2. You try to explain what has happened and what you are experiencing and people, some on this site, tell you your stupid and just dont know how to hunt turkeys because they are everywhere. That really pisses me off
 
Just about all the hunters I know say we have about 1/3 the birds we had 10 years ago. Something is going on other than natural fluctuations in the population. Knowing that there is a problem and proving it (scientifically) are two separate things.
 
BBG after collecting data what does the state have to compare to for these specific counties? Were the population surveys done then the same as now? Thanks
 
We have kinda went through the same thing here in Hardin County but not to yawls degree. In the fall i used to see flocks of 100s of birds. Now you are lucky to see any in the fall. In the spring I would hear 15 to 20 gobbling turkeys on or around my lease which is 900 acres. Then when the limit went up they slowly disappeared. Im not blaming it on the limit thats just how i remember when it happenned. The last 2 years things have gotten better so hopefully yawls area will also.
 

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