Originally Posted by turkey247
Originally Posted by BhamFred
Hevi, I would think there are things that can be done to mitigate some of the factors causing a decline in numbers. Trapping has been shown to reduce predation, esp on nests. I don't know if reducing the annual kill by whatever means will turn the tide.

But I do know there is no viable fix to the mass destruction of habitat by clearcutting. No one is going to quit cutting trees for money.


You are greatly exaggerating the effect timber harvest will have in the south moving forward. Maybe not the past - but from about 20 years ago and moving forward - most “conversion” has taken place. Pine plantation have been established and rotated for years. Some on their 2nd and 3rd rotations. The patchwork nature most timberland functions today is not having a huge impact on a large scale level. My average CC size is 90 acres.

Turkey adapted pretty well to it actually - better than expected. It’s pretty much water under the bridge at this point.

IMO - the state could use more timberland - it would be better for turkey. They don’t like concrete jungles, a new house and yard with kids playing in the backyard, a 10 acre horse farm where they once roosted or maybe a hen could nest. And those encumbrances are permanent. Timberland is rotational and always changing. We need more, not less.


I agree, we clear-cut 260 acres on our place and the turkey are loving the clear-cut for nesting. We did leave very wide/generous SMZ's so they still have a good bit of hardwood bottoms to utilize. If you cut every single tree on a piece of property it may be different but diversity and having nesting, brood rearing and winter habitat are all important.

To Hogwild, everybody loves to bitch about Chamberlain and his theories and you are one of the first that I have seen to explain why you believe the state's are running with it. I agree with you because the answer is almost always related to money. The more folks they can capitalize on getting hooked on turkey hunting the more money they can make off licenses as well as tax revenue on everything related to turkey hunting from guns/shells to gas.

"I'd rather go down the river with seven studs than with a hundred ****heads"
- Colonel Charlie Beckwith
Founder Delta Force