Turkey Population

[Bowhunter57]

Anyone else feel like their hunting time would be better spent wondering the woodlots killing predators?

The preservation of this year's hatch, next year's birds and not funding the ODNR's poor predator management decisions with my turkey tag are a few of my thoughts.
I know an individual in Jackson County that owns 600 acres and has trail cameras on it. He hasn't seen any turkeys since seeing bobcats, for the last 4 years. There's nothing stopping a bobcat from climbing a tree and killing roosting turkeys, killing nesting hens and poults.
I've put in my recommendations to the ODNR for a No Closed Season on coons (no bag limit), for 3 years. If after 3 years an increase in the turkey population is shown, continue the No Closed Season, until turkey populations stabilize.

Your thoughts?

 

[Jackalope]

Anyone else feel like their hunting time would be better spent wondering the woodlots killing predators?

The preservation of this year's hatch, next year's birds and not funding the ODNR's poor predator management decisions with my turkey tag are a few of my thoughts.
I know an individual in Jackson County that owns 600 acres and has trail cameras on it. He hasn't seen any turkeys since seeing bobcats, for the last 4 years. There's nothing stopping a bobcat from climbing a tree and killing roosting turkeys, killing nesting hens and poults.
I've put in my recommendations to the ODNR for a No Closed Season on coons (no bag limit), for 3 years. If after 3 years an increase in the turkey population is shown, continue the No Closed Season, until turkey populations stabilize.

Your thoughts?

I agree. Shoot every predator you see to include feral cats. Not sure a no closed season would help on coons. Nobody really targets them now when theyre in season.

 

[Bowhunter57]

I agree. Shoot every predator you see to include feral cats.

The best way to look at a cat, is through a rifle scope. No free pass!
All other predators fall under the SSS rule.

 

[Spencie]

I agree completely

 

[twireman]

I have pretty much decided I will never kill another turkey. Just not enough to go around on the private properties I hunt… the difference in population over the last five years is staggering… if I can get my son on a bird in the next 3 years it will be a success… hell I would be in favor of suspending the season for a year if it would help. The damn turkeys don’t stand a chance in todays world….

 

[tracker 6]

It's not just Ohio either.

 

[giles]

https://woodlandstewards.osu.edu/sites/woodlands/files/imce/Wiley-Managing%20Small%20Forest%20Openings%20for%20Wild%20Turkey%20and%20Other%20Wildlife_3pp.pdf

 

[Curran]

I hate to say it guys, but you might as well hunt them while you can. Unless predator management and habitat enhancement become priorities we'll eventually lose huntable populations. Go enjoy it while you can...

 

[switchhitter]

I really hate to here that Curran
I have been hunting turkey in Ohio since it was a lottery and you made sure your application was there in time if you wanted the first 2 weeks. But it seems like in my area there are less birds now than then.
even if they open the season on coons who is going to hunt them. Only a few dedicated Coon hunter’s left. And they don’t shoot the coons out anymore.
Why don’t they close the fall season or make it bearded turkey only? There is no reason to shoot a hen with the falling population.
There is an open season on coyotes but the population just continues to grow.
Bobcats have not moved into my area yet but it won’t be long.

 

[OO2]

If you want to help the turkeys start trapping predators

 

[Gern186]

My uncles and friends hunted 3 days in Richland County and never seen a Tom in 3 days. They are saying the same thing. Big drop in numbers the last 5 years. We used to all double up in less than a week on the same properties 10 to 15 years ago.

 

[ThatBuckeyeGuy]

The one spot I hunt is where I grew up next to a church camp , it's basically a wildlife refuge surrounded by neighboring farms. The amount of turkeys there growing up there was exciting. I used to go an hour before school and kill them . I can't remember how many times I'd have them gobbling their heads off coming in and id have to run down the lane when I seen the bus coming and toss the gun against the fence and head to school in my camo . I can't remember ever going and not hearing or seeing birds. I haven't heard a single gobble there in 5 years . There's the lone hen or two you see every year and maybe one strutter out in the neighboring field a season that's it. My other spot I see enough turkeys but can't stand the amount of trespassers every year so basically gave that up. I have one spot I hit 2 or 3 times a season and usually get a bird every year but it's the next county over and he let in several people this year so I'm back to hunting the original property I grew up at . I don't expect to kill one this year itll be a bonus if I do, mainly going for fun and to shoot any preds that come strolling through.

 

["J"]

Never saw turkeys in Ohio until the late 90’s early 2000’s. Even then it was a rarity. Seems it’s going full circle…

 

[Reagan]

I bought some DP traps this year to start doing something about the nest robbers. I plan to expand into foot holds for next year.
No need to wait on government to do the right thing.

 

[Stressless]

Egg/nest molesters are the biggest threat after habitat loss.

Coons
Opossums
Skunks

Neighbor Cliff and I doing our bit, but not posting... right @giles

Pop used to say, "coincidence doesn't equal causation" referring to Bobcats coming back in OH and Turkey #'s falling.

 

[Spencie]

We took out 9 coons, 3 possums and 2 coyotes this winter. Every little bit helps but it’s not nearly enough.
I have only had 2 pics of poults the past 2 summers even though I know where some hens were nesting.

 

[LonewolfNopack]

I use to go on public land in Highland county and hear 10+ birds every time. There was one other turkey hunter on the parcel i hunted, and he only was there because he worked for DOW and knew about the birds. I would limit every year in 2 or 3 days. That was back before lots of folks were turkey hunting my area. Now there are a fraction of the birds, and for every bird there are 3 hunters calling at it. I know this may not be popular opinion, but we did some of this to ourselves. I havent killed 2 birds nor tried to in 5 or 6 years. Yes, predators are an issue, so is habitat loss. Glad the limit is finally only 1, but I think the DOW dragged their feet to long on that one. Allowing killing of hens while reducing male turkey harvest is also absolutely ridiculous and completely political. As hunters we need to do a much better job at self regulating. We should all know by now we can't depend on the govt to do it for us. This whole turkey situation reminds me entirely too much of the crash of the deer population in 2012 era. Im almost positive my 2 year old son will never get the same incredible hunting opportunities that I had growing up, and that makes me very sad. We have ourselves to blame for some of this, both in our hunting habits as well as not being outspoken with DNR.

 

[giles]

I use to go on public land in Highland county and hear 10+ birds every time. There was one other turkey hunter on the parcel i hunted, and he only was there because he worked for DOW and knew about the birds. I would limit every year in 2 or 3 days. That was back before lots of folks were turkey hunting my area. Now there are a fraction of the birds, and for every bird there are 3 hunters calling at it. I know this may not be popular opinion, but we did some of this to ourselves. I havent killed 2 birds nor tried to in 5 or 6 years. Yes, predators are an issue, so is habitat loss. Glad the limit is finally only 1, but I think the DOW dragged their feet to long on that one. Allowing killing of hens while reducing male turkey harvest is also absolutely ridiculous and completely political. As hunters we need to do a much better job at self regulating. We should all know by now we can't depend on the govt to do it for us. This whole turkey situation reminds me entirely too much of the crash of the deer population in 2012 era. Im almost positive my 2 year old son will never get the same incredible hunting opportunities that I had growing up, and that makes me very sad. We have ourselves to blame for some of this, both in our hunting habits as well as not being outspoken with DNR.

Do NOT get into this conversation with Ethan...

 

[Jackalope]

I use to go on public land in Highland county and hear 10+ birds every time. There was one other turkey hunter on the parcel i hunted, and he only was there because he worked for DOW and knew about the birds. I would limit every year in 2 or 3 days. That was back before lots of folks were turkey hunting my area. Now there are a fraction of the birds, and for every bird there are 3 hunters calling at it. I know this may not be popular opinion, but we did some of this to ourselves. I havent killed 2 birds nor tried to in 5 or 6 years. Yes, predators are an issue, so is habitat loss. Glad the limit is finally only 1, but I think the DOW dragged their feet to long on that one. Allowing killing of hens while reducing male turkey harvest is also absolutely ridiculous and completely political. As hunters we need to do a much better job at self regulating. We should all know by now we can't depend on the govt to do it for us. This whole turkey situation reminds me entirely too much of the crash of the deer population in 2012 era. Im almost positive my 2 year old son will never get the same incredible hunting opportunities that I had growing up, and that makes me very sad. We have ourselves to blame for some of this, both in our hunting habits as well as not being outspoken with DNR.

I don't disagree but since man invented the spear hunters haven't been capable of self-regulating as a group to any meaningful level. We pay a DNR to manage wildlife populations so that we as hunters don't have a repeat of the 1800s. We cannot expect hunters to manage statewide populations of animals with any meaningful results. If hunters have overharvested an animal the blame is 100% with the DNR whose responsibility it is to prevent that.

 

[LonewolfNopack]

I don't disagree but since man invented the spear hunters haven't been capable of self-regulating as a group to any meaningful level. We pay a DNR to manage wildlife populations so that we as hunters don't have a repeat of the 1800s. We cannot expect hunters to manage statewide populations of animals with any meaningful results. If hunters have overharvested an animal the blame is 100% with the DNR whose responsibility it is to prevent that.

Thats why I mentioned we must do better, because you are right, we have mostly failed. I absolutely blame DOW for most of our issues and they should be doing better too. But they have proven that they usually lack that capability. Tonk is still winning awards for his "management". In their hazy eyes they have created a mecca for us dumb hunters and we should be happy about it. Compared to 1960s yes, kudos to them, but its now 2022 and they are still riding that horse. DOW will never get it exactly right or will behind schedule if they do. Its politics. We have to hold ourselves and neighbors accountable. Easier said then done I know, especially when your neighbor hunters are assholes.