I can only speak for Skyline but I would go with around 2005.

I took over a state controlled property in summer of 2018. Population has increased under our management.

I only hunt my club and management. In last 2 years I’ve seen a increase

Overall, definitely on the decline since early 2000's. Obviously been some ups and downs.

I started hunting in 2007, hunt 3-4 counties and I can’t say I’ve seen a decline, some years are better than others but on average it about the same as when I started.

You just missed the golden years.

It’s as bad as I’ve seen in my lifetime and I’m not just talking about Alabama. I drove through 5 states last week and saw 2 turkeys. Hunted over 16000 acres of land saw less than 10 gobblers and less than 15 hens. I have close to 2600 acres I hunt in bama and it’s been bad for 4 years. We have one 180 acre block that always has 3 to 5 gobblers on it. There isn’t a turkey track or turd on it this year and we’ve only heard 3 birds gobble across the line. Something is wrong and I don’t know what it is , but there are probably 75% less birds than we had 3 years ago.

My experience has been a fairly drastic decline.

No decline where I hunt

Bird numbers are up where I hunt

Significant increase in birds in my area over the last 2 years.

Significant decline

My numbers are about the same on most of the properties that I hunt. The property that used to be my best I won't even waste my time on anymore. Between the timber company cutting everything they can get to and a massive increase in hogs, the turkeys have absolutely disappeared.

Place I hunt on the forest They are about non existent this year and been getting worse the last few years. House numbers are getting better but between us and a neighbor we kill probably 40-60 coons and possums a year and have for 4-5 years. Even though we have birds they dang sure ain’t acting right this year.

Any place the state manages has and will see a decline in all game species
Most of leased and private land that doesn’t have a predator management program will see a decline
The fact is predator numbers are way up due to lack of management by individuals and state G & F
The facts are the state G & F are more focused on regulation and money more than they are the conservation of our game species

Drastic decline in 06 after storm damage. It will never be like it was in 1988 when we had row crops and forest for turkeys to live in and not planted pines.

Decline , Last several years there’s been one or two gobbling birds opening weekend. They get killed within a week and then no sign of another gobbler the rest of the season.

@ 550 acres I have leased for almost 30 years - declined from outstanding “honey hole” to you couldn’t find a track around 2006. As far as I know there wasn’t a single turkey track on the place for three years. Fourth year a lone gobbler wandered through followed by two more years of nothing. Five years ago clear cut 65 acres (made me hope for a return with nesting habitat). Had three mature gobblers regularly on camera during deer season - 4 or 5 hens in ONE PHOTO ALL YEAR. The three gobblers are gone - vanished. I have seen and photographed three hens all spring. Six Jake’s and two hens are regulars in one area that used to be the best hunting on the place. The lack of hens is disturbing. This place consists of very mature hardwoods, a creek with constant flow, and 5 year old planted pines @66 acres. For years this was the best hunting I had. Abysmal at best now, but I’m still hopeful it will improve.

My scientific survey today (counting turkeys while driving). Alabama-0, MS-1 hen, TN-1 hen, my last 20 miles in missouri-12 birds with 7 gobblers.

I really thought I'd see more.

for those wondering...I-20 to birmingham, 22 to tupalo, then 45 to Jackson and up 55 in Missouri.

Sight distance does play a part but pretty disappointing all the way around

For those that hunt Skyline and other wma the decline seems to have started 2005-2007. This year I can count on one hand the gobblers I’ve seen in fields driving home.2005 is when decoys became legal.