Dr Gulsby also brings up the apparent issue of the hens nesting right along the edge of the lowland where coons are more likely to be a factor and I agree…..If I had to guess that probably played a part in that 30-40% loss……A little coon trapping might bump those success rates up another 10-15% or what have you…..I’m also gonna guess that they don’t have baiting occurring on Ft Bragg either so that coon impact probably isnt as bad is it could be in other areas
Just to tag something onto this…….Hawks are also nesting and having chicks that need fed in April/May…..The availability of easy to catch food will be a factor on their predation of poults as well….Same concept
