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.


"pine plantations" may be a thing in some areas, but for the most part they are not a part of the timber management in most of west Alabama and central Alabama. Crews just move in and cut EVERY DAMN TREE on the property.

If this happened in ONE area on a small scale it would have little to no effect on the whole areas turkey population. But that isn't the case. Bob cuts his 200 acres, Tome cuts his 400 next to Bob, and John cuts most of his 1200 acres down the road. Total effect is loss of a LOT of habitat over a short period of time.

I've spent most of the money I've made in my lifetime on hunting and fishing. The rest I just wasted.....

proud Cracker-Americaan

muslims are like coyotes, only good one is a dead one