Originally Posted by BhamFred
most of ya'll are way overthinking the problem. I have been chasing gobblers for 53 years across most of south and west Alabama, private and public land. A lot of different properties, some premium turkey properties.

I agree that predator numbers are up due to decrease in trapping and loss of small game opps due to deer hunters not wanting their woods disturbed. Hunter numbers are up, esp on public land. Lots of turkeys being killed.

to me none of this matters in the face of habitat destruction due to timber cutting, esp clear cutting. Turkeys won't LIVE in a damn clearcut. When I was in Hale Co I'd wager there were half the hardwoods between Hwy 14 and Moundville clearcut. Where do the turkeys go when all around them is clearcut???? The land I had in Jefferson Co was as good a turkey hunting place as any I ever hunted...till they heavily select cut it. Turkey population plunged to 1/3 of what it had been in one season.

I don't have an answer to this part of the problem, but I do know it is a major player in the declining populations across south and west Alabama.


I agree with you Troy, BUT, how do you differentiate which one is worse (nest predation or habitat loss)? I think they are very close to being equally bad and equally as frequent. But let’s be honest and face reality. None of this matters in the least. No one is listening to us. No one cares. The fix is in. Just like the election.