Moose Droppings

Birds on the Rebound

Apr 29, 2007 @ 07:33 am by Moose

The Greensboro News and Record has an article from Dan Kibler about the history of the restoration of the wild turkey in North Carolina. As we approach the second half of the spring turkey season we who chase the wild turkey certainly have a lot to be thankful for as the turkey population is expanding along with the number of hunters.

Last year was record setting breaking the 11,000 mark will this year be another record setting year? I think with the hatch being off in many areas last spring the numbers will be less but that could be off set with turkeys in more areas and more hunters as well. So far this year my experience has been a very non normal year with gobbling being reduced and lots of day’s non existent. I’m seeing a lot of hens and that maybe part of the problem. In the article Marshall Collette offers this comment;

Collette hopes that the natural reproductive cycle of the wild turkey turns the corner this week and puts more gobblers out on the prowl, looking for hens to breed. The season opened April 14, the latest date possible under current regulations, and Collette thinks hen turkeys are only now beginning to go to the nest to care for clutches of eggs that can number anywhere from six to 15.

While they’re actively breeding, hen turkeys will track down gobblers and often prevent hunters from getting good chances at taking the birds.

With a great majority of hens nesting, gobblers will spend a week to 10 days cruising the countryside, looking for the small percentage of hens still willing to breed. That could lead to some exciting hunting, Collette said.

“We’ve had an early spring, weather-wise,” he said. “That may be part of what’s going on, but the hens are starting to sit. I think the second peak of gobbling is about to start.”

I hope he is right.
As far as the record I won’t be surprised either way I’m sure the harvest will be around the 10,000 mark. I’ve heard from a lot of folks killing their first birds this year and that’s great as more join the sport. With the number of hens I’m seeing and hearing from other hunters a decent spring hatch and the turkey population will really expand across the state and that will be some thing to gobble about.