Good Population of Gobblers

[blake]

From the IDNR:


NEWS: DNR Predicts Strong Population of Adult Gobblers

by Lowell Washburn
Posted: April 7, 2009

The first segment of this year's five part, spring turkey hunting season begins Friday, April 10 with a special three-day, adult mentored youth hunt. The first segment of the regular gun/bow season begins April 13. Although wild turkey populations may vary between regions, hunters can expect to encounter good to excellent numbers of spring gobblers statewide.

"Western Iowa's Loess Hills have absolutely great turkey numbers right now, and populations are also strong in the Northeastern Region," reports DNR Forest Wildlife [Turkey] Biologist, Todd Gosselink. "Central Iowa also has good turkey numbers and populations there are currently above the 10-year average."

Gosselink noted, however, that last year's record flooding did have a negative impact on turkey poult production across much of Iowa. Although the number of adult gobblers remains high in nearly all regions, hunters can expect to see fewer jakes during this year's round of spring seasons.

"Our late summer [2008] brood surveys showed that turkey recruitment was down last year --- especially across the eastern half of the state," says Gosselink. "In extreme Southern Iowa, turkey production has suffered for three consecutive years now, and total populations [for all age groups] are definitely below the 10-year average.

"In many ways, it all comes down to a matter of perspective," says Gosselink. "Although total turkey numbers are down in some places from what they were, populations are still very strong. Iowa's mix of agriculture and timber produce some truly great turkey densities. In Iowa, even the 'down' years are really good when compared to other regions of the country."

Year in and year out, Iowa turkey hunters enjoy a success rate of around 25 percent, which compares favorably to other Midwestern states. In other parts of the U.S., average hunter success rates are lower.

Around 10,000 wild turkeys are bagged in Iowa each spring. A slightly above average total of 12,000 gobblers were bagged during the 2008 spring season. Around 40,000 turkey hunting enthusiasts are expected to take to the field during the 2009 season.

"A lot of people ask me which segment of the season is best," says Gosselink. "I really push for people to take a kid hunting during the youth season. It's a great opportunity and getting young people started is so important.

"For adults, I'd have to say that the third season is certainly the most underutilized. Only 12 percent of turkey hunters go third season, while 44 percent hunt during the fourth season."

PM
Ron Wyllie
Southwest Iowa IBA Area Representative
rwyllie@iowawhitetail.com

 

[Daver]

Turkey numbers

In my area, extreme NE Davis County, the turkey numbers are way off of what they were 2-5 years ago. I know the winters haven't helped and the very wet springs are probably worse, but I am now suspecting actual adult turkey predation as an issue too. We have found two fresh carcasses this winter/late spring while shed hunting on our farm and my closest neighbor found three fresh dead ones one day and one more another day.

It appears to us that a bobcat(s) is the culprit. I am curious to hear if others are encountering similar situations or not. I know even driving around the general area nowadays results in far, far fewer sightings than just a couple of years ago too. It was nothing to drive around the section, or a neighboring section, and see anywhere from 5-50 birds out and about. (Always more with a light rain!)

But now we can make the same "run" 2 or 3 times in a day and maybe see one, or even none, total. There is dramatically less sign present too, so I don't think I am just missing them on the neighborhood drives.

Does anyone else have any insight or opinions on the possibility of a bobcat(s) whittling them down noticeably?

 

[Liv4Rut]

I am heading down south next week and am hearing the same thing. Bobcats are slaughtering them. I believe it too, last year I had a bobcat sneak within 10 yards of 3 strutting toms. The birds were directly behind my blind, and the bobcat was coming at the blind from the side. The bobcat was so focused on the birds he didn't even see my dbl bull. He layed down on his belly about 7 yards away from me just staring at the birds. I couldn't take it anymore so I spooked him out of there and naturally when he ran the gobblers saw him and took off.

 

[J_Barton]

Daver,

Exactly the same situation we've been seeing..... way down in the last several years...probably 50% or more. Groups of 20-30 birds no longer exist, you see individual hens with their 2-5 young. Only see one gobbler group now- about 8 birds.

Have found 4 bobcat kills in the last year. Definitely bobcat- under roosting trees, clean kill with feathers chewed off. Do some research, bobcats are known to clean out entire areas by taking them from the roost at night.

 

[sureshot]

I was talking to a landowner in the area I hunt yesterday about turkey numbers being lower now. It's something we have been noticing the last 3-4 years. I'm not sure if its the weather, or predators, or both, but something has caused a decline in the amount of birds in the areas I hunt in SC Iowa, and I can rule out hunting pressure because there is little to no pressure in many of these areas. There is one alfalfa field that every year it would be common to hear 10+ longbeards sounding off around it, last year the most I heard was 4 in this particular location and yesterday morning I went to listen and didn't hear a single one around the field

 

[THA4]

Bobcats are not he culprit. Last time I talked to Gosselink, he told me that after looking at stomach contents of 150 bobcats, only 1 had traces of turkey in it. the lower numbers we are seeing are due to several years back to back of poor recruitment rates. Wet springs and flooding are to be blamed.
If bobcats were the reason, the numbers would be WAY lower. a slight decline in overall population can be attributed to lack of quality reproduction. Mark my words, if we have two springs that are semi dry and warm, the lower numbers some of you complain of, will bounce back substantially.
same applies to pheasants.
lets hope for a nice spring!

 

[Daver]

Turkey numbers - bobcats

Thomas - if bobcats are not killing turkeys, what would you attribute the freshly killed carcasses that my neighbor and I have found to then? The six or seven dead birds I referenced were all found in a roughly 1/2 mile square area within about 2-3 weeks of each other.

I know the wet springs aren't helping recruitment, but I also know I have seen with my own eyes freshly killed adult turkeys recently. If it isn't bobcats then something is for sure killing them and I do not suspect weather since most of these were found in late winter/early spring when snow/ice cover would not really be a factor. Food was available at the time. Perhaps they could have been in a weakened state and then succumbed to the elements, but they should not have been starving by any means.

Also, what I am reporting, as well as all of my local neighbors, ARE way lower numbers. I drove all around down there yesterday and saw 3 birds. The same drive a few years ago would have been 30-50+.

 

[THA4]

Daver, i did not say bobcats are not killing turks, clearly.......... however they are not responsible for the decline in population.

Of course some turkeys are getting snagged by bobcats, but very few and healthy turkeys are far less likely to get chomped by a cat..... if you are seeing a bunch of dead turk carcasses, id venture to say you have something else going on.

recritment rates are the primary reason