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Post by jj103 on Sept 12, 2019 20:52:11 GMT -5
What’s everyone seeing for turkey populations? We hadn’t seen many but saw a nice sized flock out today. Can’t wait to take my grandsons after them
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Post by turkeykiller on Sept 13, 2019 4:40:06 GMT -5
There's a few nice flocks runnin here in my area. Lookin good for the fall season.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2019 6:39:14 GMT -5
Very few turkeys in the area of Camp Rip-N-Tear this year. Feed is everywhere, and the deer and bears are fat. We even have a fair number of squirrels.
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Post by whitefalcon on Sept 13, 2019 8:50:30 GMT -5
More meat on a Bear  |
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Post by timberdoodle on Sept 13, 2019 13:22:10 GMT -5
on a hike today pulled into parking lot on Park Hill and 8 hens in the lot... nary a poult among them
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Post by Dutch on Sept 14, 2019 6:08:26 GMT -5
on a hike today pulled into parking lot on Park Hill and 8 hens in the lot... nary a poult among them I had 8 hens on a trail cam, no poults. Had by by a number of geese at camp this summer, like to always, barely any gosling's, maybe 3 or 4? If we look closer at various species, there is a lack of reproduction, across the board. |
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Post by dennyf on Sept 14, 2019 6:54:53 GMT -5
Seems to be a fair number of 'em up around camp, but I've seen no poults this year. Nor have I seen any at our sportsmen's club. Spotted a big hen dusting herself the other morning on my way into the club and two hens yesterday, while moving more limestone for another drainage project out in the woods.
Last few years we've had a nice flock hanging around the club, but I haven't seen that so far this year. Only a few birds at a time.
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Post by timberdoodle on Sept 14, 2019 8:07:38 GMT -5
Pat week saw 4 hens/0 poults coming into my woods. Did see one hen with one poult in tow much earlier in the summer.
on a brite note … saw flickers flockin..getting to be that time
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Post by turkeykiller on Sept 14, 2019 9:20:18 GMT -5
A flock passes thru my yard about once a week or so. There are 4 adult hens and 16 poults.
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Post by 3212 on Oct 3, 2019 8:13:50 GMT -5
I used to enjoy Fall turkey hunting.One time I was high on the mountain sitting above a small rockslide with trees on both sides.Something disturbed a hen who ran across the rocks.I shot her and she disappeared over the edge of the bench.I went down there and couldn't find her.I went farther down and still no turkey.I turned around and climbed back up.On the way up I saw the tip of a tail feather in an opening between rocks.There she was.
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Post by CoureurDeBois on Oct 3, 2019 8:55:49 GMT -5
Been seeing a few along Beech Creek Mountain Road on way to and from camp. Most are along the road adjacent to private property, camps probably feeding there, very few poults.
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Post by acorn20 on Oct 6, 2019 20:33:40 GMT -5
The largest flock I've seen this year was a month ago. My 4 year old grandson spotted them on the way to a family reunion. Counted 34 and then stopped to count the poults. About 14 poults in the lot.
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Post by dougell on Oct 7, 2019 14:12:58 GMT -5
I WOULD DESCRIBE IT AS BLEAK.
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Post by Dutch on Oct 8, 2019 5:03:45 GMT -5
If it isn't West Nile, it's something else that's killing them.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2019 5:34:07 GMT -5
Over the past summer I have seen less than ten turkeys. Perhaps the worst ever. There are hardly any in the area near camp. Grouse are also near zero. Are the two related? Perhaps west nile virus?
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Post by dennyf on Oct 8, 2019 8:01:28 GMT -5
Heading north later today. Some decent flocks near camp, but nothing like it had been for quite a few years up there.
Doesn't matter when I go up in fall season. They're always someplace else. I've kicked out one grouse all this year at camp.
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Post by CoureurDeBois on Oct 8, 2019 17:35:18 GMT -5
Saw 5 today near a housing area, in central centre county, all adults, no poults.
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Post by bowbum on Oct 8, 2019 18:11:06 GMT -5
We have not seen one poult this year. Saw several flocks of 8 - 15 hens but no younguns and no real big flocks like we expect to see.
Also we have not seen any long beards in a while but we did see good numbers of them in the spring.
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Post by Dutch on Oct 8, 2019 19:48:11 GMT -5
Over the past summer I have seen less than ten turkeys. Perhaps the worst ever. There are hardly any in the area near camp. Grouse are also near zero. Are the two related? Perhaps west nile virus? PGC is studying the West Nile possibility. I was told a few years back by a person working for the PGC that there could be no connection. I accepted it. Not sure tho. Our numbers peaked 2003-2005, been downhill since |
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Post by cspot on Oct 8, 2019 20:41:36 GMT -5
The early results from the eggs collected this year looks like no WNV effects. Of course the study is not done yet as they still have a couple more phases.
Here's an update on the eggs that were incubated, then the poults were inoculated and so far "No WNV Effects"
Research
• Susceptibility of North American game birds to West Nile virus (wild turkeys, northern bobwhite quail)
a. Determine if wild turkey poults and bobwhite quail chicks are susceptible to WNV.
b. Determine potential of WNV to affect their productivity & future populations.
c. Phase I, Challenge Study Update:
• Initial WNV inoculations @ 6-weeks-old (July 8): Inoculated: 12 turkeys, 10 quail + controls: 12 turkeys, 4 quail – 2-week trial - no WNV effects.
• Second inoculation group @ 16-17 weeks old (Sept. 11): Inoculated: 12 turkeys, 10 quail + controls: 12 turkeys, 4 quail – 2-week trial ongoing.
d. Phase II, test for WNV antibodies in PA fall 2019 hunter-harvested wild turkeys:
• PANWTF/NWTF funding data collection, spreading the word, contacting potential hunters.
e. Phase III – Fall 2020, multi-state blood samples of hunter harvested fall wild turkeys.
Also info on turkey 2019 harvest and populations. Plenty of interesting facts showing how the turkey population is declining across Pa.
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Post by Dutch on Oct 9, 2019 5:01:20 GMT -5
There have been serious declines in so many species, when you look at it. It's disheartening. When I used to sit on stand in archery season, you'd see little voles or mice running around, I don't see that anymore. Barely see Chipmunks anymore. Look at muskrat populations over the last 40 years, went from over abundance to very few. Oh, and the other day a report was released about how bird populations have declined over the last 50 years.
Something is out of whack and the environment is telling us that, if we listen.
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whip
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Post by whip on Oct 9, 2019 5:09:18 GMT -5
The predators have fewer predators (hunters and trappers) and it's a roller coaster ride of population density for much of our wildlife.
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Post by bud16057 on Oct 9, 2019 5:09:36 GMT -5
There have been serious declines in so many species, when you look at it. It's disheartening. When I used to sit on stand in archery season, you'd see little voles or mice running around, I don't see that anymore. Barely see Chipmunks anymore. Look at muskrat populations over the last 40 years, went from over abundance to very few. Oh, and the other day a report was released about how bird populations have declined over the last 50 years. Something is out of whack and the environment is telling us that, if we listen. If you need mice,moles,voles, or chipmunks- PM me where you would like them sent to. Plenty here around my place. According to Penn State, more than 10 chipmunks per acre is considered an "infestation". I typically have at least double that, a few years ago I estimated at least 40-50 per acre. Still have plenty of birds at the feeder, I thought for the longest time we didn't have many around. Once I put a few feeders out, my mind changed pretty quick. Turkey and deer populations are about the same as they have been for the past 10 years or so. The bears are slowly but surely becoming a stronger presence in the area. |
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Post by fleroo on Oct 9, 2019 7:24:53 GMT -5
jj103, jj103, jj103..... hmmmmm….. rings a bell.
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Post by fleroo on Oct 9, 2019 7:27:48 GMT -5
Good Lord ! Can't you give the flickers some privacy, and let them flock without prying eyes ?
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