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Post by daydreamer on Apr 26, 2023 9:30:57 GMT -6
are you archery or gun hunting? Archery
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Post by terrifictom on Apr 26, 2023 14:26:13 GMT -6
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Post by Sandbur on May 2, 2023 12:14:46 GMT -6
I think the article I read was in Outdoor News, but it discussed turkey populations in our state. The article said most of the state is seeing an increase in numbers, but a few areas have leveled off.
One expert felt numbers would begin to decrease with time, just like when zebra mussels or other exotic species are introduced. They increase at first and then drop back to more of a sustainable number.
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Post by benmnwi on May 2, 2023 12:34:42 GMT -6
I think the article I read was in Outdoor News, but it discussed turkey populations in our state. The article said most of the state is seeing an increase in numbers, but a few areas have leveled off. One expert felt numbers would begin to decrease with time, just like when zebra mussels or other exotic species are introduced. They increase at first and then drop back to more of a sustainable number. We saw that in SE MN where I hunt. I saw my first turkey there around 1992 and 10 years later the turkey numbers were unbelievably high. They have since leveled off at a lower level, if I had to guess, I'd say they are down 30-50% off that all time high. I think it took a while for predators to learn how to hunt the birds and the nest scavengers to specifically look for turkey nests. Turkey hunting pressure is also dramatically higher since there was very little interest initially. In that same time frame, I watched our ruffed grouse numbers go from pretty good to non-existent. I haven't seen a grouse in years on the properties I grew up hunting. Now they seem to be limited to the bigger wooded river systems as they are mostly gone from the scattered smaller woodlots that they used to live.
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Post by Sandbur on May 2, 2023 13:34:17 GMT -6
I think the article I read was in Outdoor News, but it discussed turkey populations in our state. The article said most of the state is seeing an increase in numbers, but a few areas have leveled off. One expert felt numbers would begin to decrease with time, just like when zebra mussels or other exotic species are introduced. They increase at first and then drop back to more of a sustainable number. We saw that in SE MN where I hunt. I saw my first turkey there around 1992 and 10 years later the turkey numbers were unbelievably high. They have since leveled off at a lower level, if I had to guess, I'd say they are down 30-50% off that all time high. I think it took a while for predators to learn how to hunt the birds and the nest scavengers to specifically look for turkey nests. Turkey hunting pressure is also dramatically higher since there was very little interest initially. In that same time frame, I watched our ruffed grouse numbers go from pretty good to non-existent. I haven't seen a grouse in years on the properties I grew up hunting. Now they seem to be limited to the bigger wooded river systems as they are mostly gone from the scattered smaller woodlots that they used to live. I have two grouse drumming on my place this year. That is the norm.
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Post by biglakebass on May 2, 2023 16:59:34 GMT -6
I think the article I read was in Outdoor News, but it discussed turkey populations in our state. The article said most of the state is seeing an increase in numbers, but a few areas have leveled off. One expert felt numbers would begin to decrease with time, just like when zebra mussels or other exotic species are introduced. They increase at first and then drop back to more of a sustainable number. We saw that in SE MN where I hunt. I saw my first turkey there around 1992 and 10 years later the turkey numbers were unbelievably high. They have since leveled off at a lower level, if I had to guess, I'd say they are down 30-50% off that all time high. I think it took a while for predators to learn how to hunt the birds and the nest scavengers to specifically look for turkey nests. Turkey hunting pressure is also dramatically higher since there was very little interest initially. In that same time frame, I watched our ruffed grouse numbers go from pretty good to non-existent. I haven't seen a grouse in years on the properties I grew up hunting. Now they seem to be limited to the bigger wooded river systems as they are mostly gone from the scattered smaller woodlots that they used to live. Same in OTC. 10 years ago was a slam dunk every year. Its thinned down a lot. I havent hunted for a few years now. Plenty of other stuff to do after a long winter
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Post by Reagan on May 2, 2023 17:31:53 GMT -6
Got one yesterday while hunting with Dad. It was cold high winds gusting to 35 with a little mist. Not a good turkey day. Told Dad we should have slept in. New property that dad secured. He hunted it once and had a game plan. I hooted at sunrise and actually got a gobble. Dad hung back to call and I was about 50 yards ahead. Called very little. Had a few gobbles but it was a game of patience. I had a comfy chair and planned for a long wait. Ended up 4 long beards came as a group. They were hard to my right and feeding around 40 yards. I watched for probably 5-10 minutes without making a move. Finally when I thought I could do it, I turned hard to try to get a gun on them. Did I mention I started carrying a 20 gage last year since it’s light. Started to doubt my distance estimate. 35? 40? 45? Not sure. They were nearly past me. Finally dad called and all 4 hammered back at the same time. As they moved away towards him, I gave a couple clucks. They turned and started back towards me. I had a bead on a bird hoping he would come closer. Eventually decided I can kill this bird. My arm was asleep, my neck and back hurt, my body isn’t designed to be this twisted for this long. So I shoot. Paced off 33 yards with the 20 gage. Anyone who thinks I should have let them go to Dad, I would normally agree. But he has hunted every day. Ive hunted 2. He has tagged out his 2 birds in West Virginia and has a lot of Ohio time left. He definitely wanted me to pull the trigger. Ohio is now a 1 bird state so I’m tagged out. Got two tags in WV so that’s coming later this week.
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Post by terrifictom on May 3, 2023 4:40:13 GMT -6
I think the article I read was in Outdoor News, but it discussed turkey populations in our state. The article said most of the state is seeing an increase in numbers, but a few areas have leveled off. One expert felt numbers would begin to decrease with time, just like when zebra mussels or other exotic species are introduced. They increase at first and then drop back to more of a sustainable number. We saw that in SE MN where I hunt. I saw my first turkey there around 1992 and 10 years later the turkey numbers were unbelievably high. They have since leveled off at a lower level, if I had to guess, I'd say they are down 30-50% off that all time high. I think it took a while for predators to learn how to hunt the birds and the nest scavengers to specifically look for turkey nests. Turkey hunting pressure is also dramatically higher since there was very little interest initially. In that same time frame, I watched our ruffed grouse numbers go from pretty good to non-existent. I haven't seen a grouse in years on the properties I grew up hunting. Now they seem to be limited to the bigger wooded river systems as they are mostly gone from the scattered smaller woodlots that they used to live. I believe the reason turkey numbers has dropped is due to lack of trapping. Hardly any one traps raccoon any more due to low pelt price. Along with trapping coon came the occasional skunk and possum. All of these critters are nest raiders.
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Post by daydreamer on May 3, 2023 9:41:59 GMT -6
We saw that in SE MN where I hunt. I saw my first turkey there around 1992 and 10 years later the turkey numbers were unbelievably high. They have since leveled off at a lower level, if I had to guess, I'd say they are down 30-50% off that all time high. I think it took a while for predators to learn how to hunt the birds and the nest scavengers to specifically look for turkey nests. Turkey hunting pressure is also dramatically higher since there was very little interest initially. In that same time frame, I watched our ruffed grouse numbers go from pretty good to non-existent. I haven't seen a grouse in years on the properties I grew up hunting. Now they seem to be limited to the bigger wooded river systems as they are mostly gone from the scattered smaller woodlots that they used to live. I believe the reason turkey numbers has dropped is due to lack of trapping. Hardly any one traps raccoon any more due to low pelt price. Along with trapping coon came the occasional skunk and possum. All of these critters are nest raiders. I have had a ton of coons on my camera this spring, way more than any other year. Reason…neighbor hung up his traps over a year ago.
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Post by terrifictom on May 3, 2023 16:17:18 GMT -6
I believe the reason turkey numbers has dropped is due to lack of trapping. Hardly any one traps raccoon any more due to low pelt price. Along with trapping coon came the occasional skunk and possum. All of these critters are nest raiders. I have had a ton of coons on my camera this spring, way more than any other year. Reason…neighbor hung up his traps over a year ago. When I was trapping on our land I would take 10 to 15coons a year off it. In the fall it was nothing to see a flock of 90 to 100 turkeys. I haven't trapped it in a few years now, I am lucky to see 10 to 20 turkeys in a flock in the fall.
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Post by Sandbur on May 3, 2023 18:42:16 GMT -6
I have had a ton of coons on my camera this spring, way more than any other year. Reason…neighbor hung up his traps over a year ago. When I was trapping on our land I would take 10 to 15coons a year off it. In the fall it was nothing to see a flock of 90 to 100 turkeys. I haven't trapped it in a few years now, I am lucky to see 10 to 20 turkeys in a flock in the fall. My neighbors take out coon all summer long as they run three sweet corn stands and supply several stores. That might account for the turkey numbers. They planted the first sweet corn today.
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Post by benmnwi on May 3, 2023 21:45:26 GMT -6
My oldest son is pretty interested in trapping, so I hope he thins out the varmints eventually.
I set traps most of the year to keep the raccoons out of my garden and pig food, but the last couple years the numbers seem to be down. Coyotes seem to be plentiful, so I think the turkeys and pheasants saved from raccoons are eaten by coyotes.
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Post by daydreamer on May 4, 2023 19:42:04 GMT -6
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Post by biglakebass on May 4, 2023 20:51:25 GMT -6
Thats the bomb from people I know that use them. I have one that I need to put out at home....... havent tried it yet.
I have 2 live traps, and I cannot believe how many times the food is gone and nothing in the traps..... Whats double puzzling is that sometimes its tripped and the food is gone. I put a camera on one, so anxious to see WTF is going on. But the dog proof is next. Sick of feeders empty and sick of bringing them all in the house so they dont get emptied.
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Post by Sandbur on May 5, 2023 7:06:33 GMT -6
That is what I see near the sweet corn.
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