The Missouri fall turkey season extends for the whole month of October. I got a gobbler in the 2018 spring season, but nothing this fall. Sure. I enjoyed some beautiful afternoons scouting for turkeys and sitting and watching for turkeys. I saw lots of other birds and many deer. But not one turkey.
I'm not alone. Hunter interest in fall turkey hunting and hunting success is always low. But it is still a pleasant fall activity.
I expected it to be a challenge. Before the season the Missouri Department of Conservation reported that wild turkey production had been low for three years. I didn't think much about that. All wildlife populations fluctuate. That is especially true for ground nesters. It can be too wet, too dry, too cold, or too hot for good hatching.
Then... I read an article in the Wildlife Professional entitled "Are Turkeys in Trouble?" That got my attention. Dana Kobilinsky, staff writer with The Wildlife Society, interviewed wild turkey biologist all across the Midwest and eastern U. S. Biologists in New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, Missouri and others reported declining harvest correlated with declining population indices.
Oh no!! Don't tell me we are going to lose our good turkey numbers like we did our quail populations back in the 1980's!
Why? Reproduction is dwindling. Why? Good question. Spring nest season weather has probably been a factor. After our April 29, 2017 flooding rains in the Ozarks, that is what one would expect. Hopefully, weather will cooperate to permit good nest success in the coming years.
But there could be other factors. High predation by raccoons on turkey nests has been observed in some areas. No doubt, harvest pressure on raccoons is low and raccoon numbers are high.
Habitat is almost always the bottom line answer to this kind of question. Better cover would protect nests, and broods, etc. Better habitat interspersion and conjunction reduces risky animal movements.
So, what is happening on the landscape in My Corner of the Ozarks? According to Kobilinsky, Missouri turkey biologist, Jason Isabelle reported encroachment of shade tolerant woody species into our oak-hickory forests. This change can impact oaks and acorn production, an important food for turkeys. Woodlands are also being invaded by honeysuckle and Callery (Bradford) pear.
In some areas of the eastern wild turkey range, grassland habitat is being lost. That is probably not true in the Ozarks. However, our Ozark hay and pasture lands are very heavily used and frequently disturbed, making rather poor nesting and brooding cover for turkeys.
What does the future hold? I hope better nesting season weather. And better luck for this hunter.
