Have any of you noticed a decline in turkey numbers the past couple of years? I used to see flocks of 20-35 birds regularly in the fall and would see turkeys almost every time in the stand. This year the most I've seen is 5 birds at once and only see birds about 25% of the time. The numbers seem to be down significantly where I live in South Central Iowa. I've also bow hunted more this year than in the past 5 years. Has anyone else noticed a decline in bird numbers?
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undecided
Guest
Getting overrun by turkeys here too. Have trouble walking into a few of my stands as they seem to like to roost right where I'm wanting to hunt. Would love to see a decline in there numbers here.
Daver
PMA Member
I am seeing even more turkeys than in previous years and I saw plenty in years past. I think a 5 acre winter wheat field surrounded by timber is not hurting the cause!
I almost always see and hear multiple turkeys on my farm in the Fall. They are there in the Spring too, but I really think there are a lot more prevalent in the Fall for some reason. I had one flock of 14 longbeards making their way towards me last week when I am convinced one of them saw my orange/white fletching and spooked just a bit. I then didn't shoot, but I did get a clear shot off at a longbeard last Saturday AM, but whistled one too high over his back.
I am in SE Iowa.
I almost always see and hear multiple turkeys on my farm in the Fall. They are there in the Spring too, but I really think there are a lot more prevalent in the Fall for some reason. I had one flock of 14 longbeards making their way towards me last week when I am convinced one of them saw my orange/white fletching and spooked just a bit. I then didn't shoot, but I did get a clear shot off at a longbeard last Saturday AM, but whistled one too high over his back.
I am in SE Iowa.
ReinertsonTaxidermy
Well-Known Member
In Johnson and Tama county I have seen a lot less this year. Figures since it's the last tag I have left!
