Originally Posted by Squeaky
Marsh sounds like your properties decline was due to habitat loss. Would it be safe to say that is your opinion of what happened? I know with you being OOS it makes trapping nest predators difficult, but have y'all done any trapping?

I do believe big part of the decline is habitat loss around us, however I think our property has lots of diversity that turkeys like. Big creek bottoms scattered throughout the property, clearcuts, 2nd thinned pines. Select cut pines. Large greenfields. Extensive road system through the plantation pines. Large power line with large blocks of big timber around it. Clearcuts surrounded by big timber. Lots of newly planted pines that should be excellent nesting habitat. This is what makes me scratch my head as to why the population is almost non existent.
I’ve inquired to the landowner about letting us get someone to trap but he didn’t want strangers running all over his family property, which I could understand. I wish I had the time to be able to trap enough to make a difference. We are noticing an increase in bobcats. We killed 4 this past deer season. We try to kill everyone we see. We see very few coyote tracks or droppings on our place. I know they are there but see very little sign. We are also starting to have a hog problem. Lots of things against the turkeys in our area.

It's hard to kiss the lips at night that chews your a$$ all day long.