Ohio/Pa birds

[iron buck]

I read over at www.huntingPA.com that teh harsh winters & low recrietment rate (hatched eggs) due to wet springs is to blame for population decline.

All that said........I do not see a lack of turkeys at all here in SW PA. We have as many as ever. But then we do not get with as much snow & ice as you guys north of I-80 get which I am sure is part of teh problem

[Strut10]

Re: Ohio/Pa birds

Yep. We've had two crappy years in a row (2003 & 2004) for hatching and brooding young turkeys........too stinkin' wet.

I am starting to believe, too, that coyotes are having more than just a little effect on our birds. Turkeys have been on the slow decline on the Strut10 Ranch for the past 10 years or so. That's about when the 'yotes started showing up. Doesn't help that nobody traps anymore, either. Raccoons, 'possums and skunks, collectively, are the #1 predator on turkeys. They clean up the nests before they ever hatch.

[NiteRunner]

Re: Ohio/Pa birds

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Doesn't help that nobody traps anymore, either.

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That's because you don't get anything for the hides.

[buckbuster11]

Re: Ohio/Pa birds

I agree with Strut. This is the first year that there seems to be a decline in the population. It is very noticable around this neck of the woods. Like you said, I think a big part of it is the last few winters we have had. Hopefully they are able to rebound.

[CamoGuy]

Re: Ohio/Pa birds

I used to live about 20 miles south of Erie, PA and there was always alot of birds. There was some of the best bird hunting I ever had right there in Erie county.

I hate to hear that they are getting scarce.