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Post by genesis273 on Apr 13, 2021 20:13:53 GMT -5
I watched a juvenile eagle perch on a fence post acrossed the field behind the house. We both heard a Gobble in the woods south of my house and he flew straight into the woods and appeared to be looking for him. He then flew up into their roost tree. After a few moments, he flew along the ditch and landed in the roost tree east of my house. He sat there until night fall. IDK what to think.
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Post by deadeer on Apr 13, 2021 22:23:27 GMT -5
I watched a juvenile eagle perch on a fence post acrossed the field behind the house. We both heard a Gobble in the woods south of my house and he flew straight into the woods and appeared to be looking for him. He then flew up into their roost tree. After a few moments, he flew along the ditch and landed in the roost tree east of my house. He sat there until night fall. IDK what to think. Uh oh. That's not good. The Apex predator. My good spot in Marshall county is still strong, per my buddy. But as I have said a lot lately, ZERO sightings in NE LaPorte and NW St Joe counties in my travels. It is really hard to believe. I do think they are extremely thin this year. The harvest data will tell. |
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Post by genesis273 on Apr 14, 2021 5:20:25 GMT -5
I watched a juvenile eagle perch on a fence post acrossed the field behind the house. We both heard a Gobble in the woods south of my house and he flew straight into the woods and appeared to be looking for him. He then flew up into their roost tree. After a few moments, he flew along the ditch and landed in the roost tree east of my house. He sat there until night fall. IDK what to think. Uh oh. That's not good. The Apex predator. My good spot in Marshall county is still strong, per my buddy. But as I have said a lot lately, ZERO sightings in NE LaPorte and NW St Joe counties in my travels. It is really hard to believe. I do think they are extremely thin this year. The harvest data will tell. Yeah, I'm beginning to think so too. I haven't seen the flock on the east side of my place in a while and I haven't seen any at my place. My plan is to go out Sunday and check my cameras and tightly a few things up and hopefully see some tracks. I have to work at 6am Tuesday but, I plan on being at the edge of my hunting property at 5:30 in the morning to listen for birds. |
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Post by Woody Williams on Apr 14, 2021 8:36:05 GMT -5
I watched a juvenile eagle perch on a fence post acrossed the field behind the house. We both heard a Gobble in the woods south of my house and he flew straight into the woods and appeared to be looking for him. He then flew up into their roost tree. After a few moments, he flew along the ditch and landed in the roost tree east of my house. He sat there until night fall. IDK what to think. Uh oh. That's not good. The Apex predator. My good spot in Marshall county is still strong, per my buddy. But as I have said a lot lately, ZERO sightings in NE LaPorte and NW St Joe counties in my travels. It is really hard to believe. I do think they are extremely thin this year. The harvest data will tell. We did have a record kill last year so numbers could be down some. Then again I think we had a good hatch. |
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Post by esshup on Apr 14, 2021 18:37:10 GMT -5
Up here, I wonder how many survived the 18"+ snow we had on the ground for Feb.?
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Post by deadeer on Apr 14, 2021 22:16:49 GMT -5
Up here, I wonder how many survived the 18"+ snow we had on the ground for Feb.? My only rebuttal is, as you know I am in a serious lake effect area. We have had 2-3 feet or more MANY times on the ground over the last 2 decades. The population was strong thru all that, but just recently has waned. Lots of eagle sightings in last 2 years here. Just throwing that out there to add to the discussion. |
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Post by genesis273 on Apr 15, 2021 5:40:34 GMT -5
I had another bald eagle, this one was different as it had a white head, circling around yesterday afternoon. They've been on the rise the past few years here in Jasper County but, I've seen more the past six months or so than ever before.
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Post by greghopper on Apr 15, 2021 7:31:02 GMT -5
Eagles 🦅 should never be considered a problem... they stand for freedom and are federally protected!
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Post by jjas on Apr 15, 2021 8:17:25 GMT -5
I'm sure eagles get their share, but I would imagine that coyotes are a much larger issue in most places.
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Post by Mack Apiary Bees on Apr 15, 2021 9:30:55 GMT -5
I'm sure eagles get their share, but I would imagine that coyotes are a much larger issue in most places. Add Bobcats, it doesn't look good for the turkey population. |
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Post by greghopper on Apr 15, 2021 9:32:15 GMT -5
I'm sure eagles get their share, but I would imagine that coyotes are a much larger issue in most places. All the nest robbers are hard on them... coons probably #1 |
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Post by deadeer on Apr 15, 2021 9:32:57 GMT -5
I'm sure eagles get their share, but I would imagine that coyotes are a much larger issue in most places. Another fly in the ointment. We used to have a lot more coyotes when the population of turkeys was high. They have both declined locally, but rabbits and squirrels are plentiful. |
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Post by deadeer on Apr 15, 2021 9:34:30 GMT -5
I had another bald eagle, this one was different as it had a white head, circling around yesterday afternoon. They've been on the rise the past few years here in Jasper County but, I've seen more the past six months or so than ever before. That's a mature adult. The all brown are juveniles. |
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Post by tjshunter13 on Apr 15, 2021 10:34:13 GMT -5
I don’t doubt eagles, coyotes, and bobcats take out a few here and there, but I’ve listened to several podcasts here recently that featured Dr. Mike Chamberlain, who is considered by many a turkey expert, and Dr. Chamberlain talked about owls being a huge predator for wild turkeys. He also talks a lot about nest predators like raccoons and etc. Would highly recommend listening to any podcast that he is featured on as it is very interesting and informative.
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Post by Ahawkeye on Apr 15, 2021 10:46:27 GMT -5
Dr. Chamberlain and "The Hunting Public" discuss turkey populations in the south. This is a long but interesting video, LOTS of info here. youtu.be/o8xEHOKlBh0 |
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Post by firstwd on Apr 15, 2021 10:51:43 GMT -5
Spring weather and food availability probably have the largest impact on turkey population than anything. Cold, wet springs and lack of accessible bugs for the polts to eat are always a problem.
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Post by Ahawkeye on Apr 15, 2021 11:55:48 GMT -5
Spring weather and food availability probably have the largest impact on turkey population than anything. Cold, wet springs and lack of accessible bugs for the polts to eat are always a problem. With the cicadas emerging in most of the state this year there should be plenty for them to eat, I hope so anyway. |
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Post by deadeer on Apr 15, 2021 12:30:15 GMT -5
Oh yes, owls! We have a lot of them around our area.
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Post by genesis273 on Apr 15, 2021 12:49:15 GMT -5
I had another bald eagle, this one was different as it had a white head, circling around yesterday afternoon. They've been on the rise the past few years here in Jasper County but, I've seen more the past six months or so than ever before. That's a mature adult. The all brown are juveniles. Right. The first one was a juvenile but the one yesterday was and adult. The juvenile is back today. I did not see any turkey yesterday behind the house or today. Both eagle's are there today though. |
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Post by esshup on Apr 15, 2021 21:20:42 GMT -5
The neighbor said she saw a mature bald eagle flying away from near my pond with an adult squirrel in it's talons.
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