How many of you, that are seeing an increase in numbers, trap nest predators? I'm just curious. We have seen an increase on our property, as well, this year and we trap nest predators pretty hard from Jan-March. I think Mother Nature has the ultimate say-so on the success of hatches each year, but curious who has seen a rise on trapped properties.

Started trapping last year and saw more poults this summer.

My wife says we are not married in the months of March and April. I only camp out at her house and bum food.
Good thing I’m self employed

Looking real good in Lamar and Jefferson .

My comments about observations here (deer, turkey, timber, etc. - on the forum) are in reference to what I see on about 300k acres across 10 or so counties. I usually don’t know if there’s active trapping taking place or not.

And, clearly, I’m seeing a sample size of that property across different times of the year. But I do have the opportunity to observe more than most folks in regards to wildlife, timber, etc.

IMO - guys like myself - and others in the outdoor industry with an opportunity to observe widespread areas - would be the best tool the state could have for wildlife management. Our knowledge is probably under utilized, but a resource if they wanted to use it.

I’ve got 4 jakes and 6 long beards on camera around the house which is awesome for us.

We had a great spring for turkeys mild weather and little rain at the front end. Great for the hatch.

I saw more this summer than ever before. Not seeing many at all now. They go higher on the mountain in the winter for some reason. Theyll be back around march if they do what theyve been doing.

I have a similar position, working from Calhoun County all the way down to north Covington and west to Wilcox and Marengo. I have driven past the same pastures, fields and timber tracts for over 10 years and feel like our turkey population is better now than it has been for several years. I have good turkey populations now on the properties I hunt ( and I do trap coons/possums after deer season) but I am also seeing good numbers across many of the areas that I work. Even locally around my house in Auburn, my friends and I are seeing groups of turkeys where we haven't in the past 4-5 years.
There may be parts of the state that still have declining populations, but in the many counties I work in east and central AL the population seems to be on the rise. I think there needs to be more research done in our state before they start messing with the bag limits and season dates. I love turkeys and turkey hunting and want the population to be strong.

I have seen more mature Toms during deer season than ever before. Our property is covered with them. Great number of hens also. Coosa County. We don't need to change rules this year. Wait at least one more year to see if this year is reproduced. Again, more turkeys than I have seen in 11 yrs.

Write or call your CAB rep and tell him that, or what we have in Alabama is gonna be lost forever. Everyone who agrees with this needs to do it now. I've been told that they don't get many letters, and the few they do get can make a difference.

One of the ironies of this great hatch is that the 2 primary Facebook biologists sent out a letter early in last turkey season warning that due to Covid there were so many turkeys being killed that it was going to have disastrous effects on turkey reproduction. Instead, it appears to me that we had the best hatch of my lifetime. Despite that, I believe that they are still planning to push through the draconian restrictions, because, science and all.

I know a lot of folks don't like the idea of the CAB having authority, but right now they are our only hope of preserving turkey hunting. And ultimately, turkey hunting is the only hope of preserving turkeys.

Rationing turkeys to try and sell more licenses. All about the $$$ for Chuckie!!