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Thread: Silent Saluda

  1. #1
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    Default Silent Saluda

    I’ve been fortunate to have a private place , just above Lake Greenwood on the Saluda, for many years.
    The turkey population, while historically good, has gotten worse and worse.
    Twice after a rain , I’ve walked the entire property, and no tracks.
    We have basically the same components to the land as we’ve always had...mix of pine and hardwood, food plots...etc.
    Is anyone in that area having population issues??
    Thoughts on what the problem may be?
    Board Member
    Cherokee Foothills Hunting Retriever Club

  2. #2
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    It's way down everywhere up here. Which, isn't necessarily a bad thing since it was artificially high not long ago.

  3. #3
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    I’ve experience similar situation on my land in the piedmont. I suspect a lot of baiting is happening on nearby tracts

  4. #4
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    I would be running cameras on feeders nonstop next year from Jan 2 until legal removal. That’s what the turkey poets say is how you estimate your flock size. It does make a difference I think to get birds use to hanging on your land. Property I’m bunting has 1 bird and 6 or so hens with him all the time and that seems to be it. I’ll kill his ass late season if he makes it after hens ignore him. I’ve yet to hear a gobble on the roost.
    \"We say grace and we say maam, if you ain\'t into that, we don\'t give a damn.\" HW Jr.

  5. #5
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    Oct 2015
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    Cameras on feeders is a great thought.
    Regarding the potential of neighbors baiting, it’s possible.
    The thing is, my house sits literally on the river and I used to hear many birds on my land and probably as far as a mile up or down river.
    I’ve hunted 5 mornings and haven’t heard ONE gobble. Friday , I did hear 2 shots.
    I will definitely try the cameras,
    Thanks
    Board Member
    Cherokee Foothills Hunting Retriever Club

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Palmetto Duck View Post
    I would be running cameras on feeders nonstop next year from Jan 2 until legal removal. That’s what the turkey poets say is how you estimate your flock size. It does make a difference I think to get birds use to hanging on your land. Property I’m bunting has 1 bird and 6 or so hens with him all the time and that seems to be it. I’ll kill his ass late season if he makes it after hens ignore him. I’ve yet to hear a gobble on the roost.
    I’m not saying your wrong but rarely do I ever see turkeys where I hunt during the fall or winter. In the spring they show up because we have big fields and good nesting habitat and turkeys generally bust up this time of year

  7. #7
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    everyone who has fewer turkeys thinks the neighbors are baiting....
    Ugh. Stupid people piss me off.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tater View Post
    It's way down everywhere up here. Which, isn't necessarily a bad thing since it was artificially high not long ago.
    Why do you mean by artificially high?

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rabbitman09 View Post
    Why do you mean by artificially high?
    I think what he is saying is the higher population was unsustainable.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Coastal Woodie View Post
    I think what he is saying is the higher population was unsustainable.
    I got you. I know there are lots of "factors" to consider but i had high numbers of turkeys for years before the coyotes showed up.
    Last edited by Rabbitman09; 04-03-2018 at 04:33 PM.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2thDoc View Post
    everyone who has fewer turkeys thinks the neighbors are baiting....
    What if you trespass to their side and see the bait yourself.......

  12. #12
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    I’m a few miles up 34 in 96. First time in 7 years I haven’t killed a bird off my property in the first 3 days. They are gobbling, but I just haven’t had the luck. I did build a house right where I’ve seen many birds, but I doubt that has hurt them any.
    Quote Originally Posted by JABIII View Post
    Indeed, yet I have killed no Jack Miners today, this month, or this season as our boy DHall has. I am more jealous of his awesome pig of a bird than everyone else combined.

    First Peter 5:7 "Cast all your care upon God"

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by BRR View Post
    What if you trespass to their side and see the bait yourself.......
    No shit about 500 acres of our hunting club is off limits during turkey season because the landowners nephews only turkey hunt. The owner sends out an email to our club president every year saying if anyone is caught on that 500 acres we will lose it all together. Well last year one of the boys in our club decided he didnt give a shit and started walking around over there and said there were hundreds of pounds of black oil sunflower seeds scattered in about 50 acres worth of fields that had been plowed up.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rabbitman09 View Post
    Why do you mean by artificially high?
    Cottontop, he's talking by about a different kind of high than what you're normally used to.
    Houndsmen are born, not made

    Quote Originally Posted by 2thDoc View Post
    I STAND WITH DUCK CUTTER!
    Quote Originally Posted by JABIII View Post
    I knew it wasn't real because no dogbox...

  15. #15
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    York Co
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    gobblers have been with hens 90% of the day. go check for scratching sign in the creek bottom.

  16. #16
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    i watched 3 longbeards, jakes, hens fly down together today. not a gobble, cluck, or peep

  17. #17
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    Kill as many egg eatin critters that you can
    "some men are mere hunters, others are turkey hunters"-Archibald Rutledge

  18. #18
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    its not bait and its not coyotes.

    BRR--i'm sure people put out bait for turkeys. I'm also sure bait doesnt hold EVERY turkey.

    Paranoia is rampant these days. No one has enough. They always want more.

    I would wager the OP is looking for an answer that is likely not what he wants to hear. While we can affect turkey populations over time with certain management techniques, i dont think any are a quick answer.....

    ergo, its easier to say "baiting neighbors" or "coyotes" instead of it just being a cycle...

    but what do i know.....
    Ugh. Stupid people piss me off.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2thDoc View Post
    its not bait and its not coyotes.

    BRR--i'm sure people put out bait for turkeys. I'm also sure bait doesnt hold EVERY turkey.

    Paranoia is rampant these days. No one has enough. They always want more.

    I would wager the OP is looking for an answer that is likely not what he wants to hear. While we can affect turkey populations over time with certain management techniques, i dont think any are a quick answer.....

    ergo, its easier to say "baiting neighbors" or "coyotes" instead of it just being a cycle...

    but what do i know.....
    Bait is not the major issue.........but due to my profession I get to walk around a lot of people's land all over the state and I do find bait. I get to see where turkeys are and where turkeys are not.
    Most peoples land management practices are bad for turkeys and it shows.......

  20. #20
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    Default

    What are people doing wrong?

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