Something else to consider here when looking at the +- map…..Dont take the fire theory and try to find a correlation for it in every single county…..You are absolutely right in the fact that there are some counties where “fire” is just not a big variable in the equation……However, those counties are still going to show a plus or minus change on the map….its just being influenced in some way by other factors. I think you have to judge these areas a little apples to oranges from one another. If you'll notice, many of the counties where fire is less of a factor and maybe not even a factor at all....they are showing much smaller variations in change
Ask yourself this question.....If the answer is simply fire then why does the Macon, Bullock, and Russell Co areas look so bad in comparison when they likely burn more acres than any other area of the state???......Shouldnt those counties be top tier with all the fire used??......They should be and probably are at times....but I think drip torch timing may be causing the good to bad cycles and weather may be the culprit influencing that.........just a theory.......I would be curious to see what would happen if we did all of this same burning Oct-Jan
If something as small as a slight temperature variation can influence the turkeys breeding cycle and timing and move it forward……Then how influential do you suppose major fire could be as far as “impact” on that process and its success?? Most folks don’t really give two thoughts to whether or not we send it through there Feb 1 or March 15 as long as we get it burned “this spring”……That’s putting the vegetation through a swing of the pendulum that’s a whole lot greater than just a slight temp change though. I think we would probably be better off burning outside of the turkey’s reproductive period from Oct-Jan.
