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August 16, 2010
Turkey Mega Hatches - 9
 Biology tells us that a wild turkey hen will lay 10 or more eggs per clutch, then nest again if the initial attempt is unproductive. Studies show that some unhatched poults die in the egg due to predation. According to a number of sources, the probability of a poult reaching two weeks of age after hatching is just around 30 percent due to weather factors, additional predation, and so on. That's the natural cycle. The wild turkey’s high reproductive rate speaks to a short lifespan and high mortality. Still, wild turkeys are everywhere thanks to sound game management in the latter half of the 20th Century, and continued due diligence by many hunters and the powers-that-be. Here in northern New England we seem to be trending toward mega-hatches this year. A warm, dry summer seems to be one factor. Some examples . . . Just today, I saw a photo of 16 poults with just one brood hen. Just last Thursday, I saw with my own two eyes a single New Hampshire brood hen (bearded at that!), with 15 young chicken-sized birds. Several other New England buddies report seeing multiple adult hens running together with 30-plus turkeys of the year. Other sources here in the Northeast confirm similar sightings. It might just be the year of the mega-hatch in these parts. While some buddies in my expansive turkey circle have spoken of poor hatches in other parts of the country this summer, I’m wondering if things have turned around for some of you guys as scouting goes. Seeing more turkeys these days? Any mega-hatch flocks? —Steve Hickoff |
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Comments (9)
Heavy rains have continued all summer many of the valleys experienced flash floods. Unfortunately I have found many drowned poults and have been seeing lone hens in the upper fields. ;-(
Turkeys are wide ranging so I hope other flocks move in later. A lot of food is concentrated at the ends of the valleys. The cover is very thick this year so there could a lot of unseen poults.
Gobblers have been gobbling in the mornings. ;-D))
later,
charlie
A very warm dry spring in Ontario and we are seeing the results now in hay fields that have been harvested as the bird groups are huge (hen and offspring).Looking forward to the autumn as duck- deer- goose- grouse-woodcock- and turkey seasons all at the same time.
It has been a very wet and hot summer around here, and i haven't seen a ton of young ones like in the last few years.
i've seen a big broods in Tn
Here in my little patch of the world in South Alabama, I haven't seen any big hatches in the past three years. The most poults I've seen at one time is five, and that was down by one a few hours later.
I haven't had much time to scout, but I hope the Osceolas are doing so well.
I've seen around 20-25 poults with 2 hens at my hunting grounds here in Eastern KY. I consider that pretty good with all the coyotes around. I tagged out this past spring at the same area, can't wait to do it again.
here in wva we had a good hatch ive seen alot of young turkeys.this fall ought to be a blast!
That is a beautiful sight, Steve! I haven't seen much, but then again I've only been out on the road, not in the woods. Most fields are too full of corn and beans to have/see many turkeys from the road. I haven't heard from my friends here in Missouri, but I'll try and get some word from the NWTF biologist. I hope we're having a good year, it's been a lean couple of years.
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That is a beautiful sight, Steve! I haven't seen much, but then again I've only been out on the road, not in the woods. Most fields are too full of corn and beans to have/see many turkeys from the road. I haven't heard from my friends here in Missouri, but I'll try and get some word from the NWTF biologist. I hope we're having a good year, it's been a lean couple of years.
I've seen around 20-25 poults with 2 hens at my hunting grounds here in Eastern KY. I consider that pretty good with all the coyotes around. I tagged out this past spring at the same area, can't wait to do it again.
I haven't had much time to scout, but I hope the Osceolas are doing so well.
i've seen a big broods in Tn
It has been a very wet and hot summer around here, and i haven't seen a ton of young ones like in the last few years.
A very warm dry spring in Ontario and we are seeing the results now in hay fields that have been harvested as the bird groups are huge (hen and offspring).Looking forward to the autumn as duck- deer- goose- grouse-woodcock- and turkey seasons all at the same time.
Here in my little patch of the world in South Alabama, I haven't seen any big hatches in the past three years. The most poults I've seen at one time is five, and that was down by one a few hours later.
Heavy rains have continued all summer many of the valleys experienced flash floods. Unfortunately I have found many drowned poults and have been seeing lone hens in the upper fields. ;-(
Turkeys are wide ranging so I hope other flocks move in later. A lot of food is concentrated at the ends of the valleys. The cover is very thick this year so there could a lot of unseen poults.
Gobblers have been gobbling in the mornings. ;-D))
later,
charlie
here in wva we had a good hatch ive seen alot of young turkeys.this fall ought to be a blast!
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)