Silent Saluda

[BRR]

What are people doing wrong?

Ridding their properties of biodiversity...........usually what is the best move financially is not necessarily best for wildlife.

[ziggy]

so pine trees are bad for turkeys...got it. lab was right this whole time

[turbo]

so pine trees are bad for turkeys...got it. lab was right this whole time

An entire state covered with the same relative age class of pines is bad.

Poor land management is bad.

Pines aren't bad.

[Palmetto Duck]

everyone who has fewer turkeys thinks the neighbors are baiting....

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.....

I’d venture to say you don’t know shit more than the average opinionated asshole on here, me included. I’m not everybody but I’ve killed at least one turkey for the past 7-8 years full of corn. I’ve noticed some of those places holding fewer turkeys than in past with other variables being the same. Coincidence? Maybe. Trend? Certainly. Someone is feeding them nearby. That’s all I’m saying. Baiting happens and it certainly can affect game patterns just like planting food and keeping it on your property legally can make a difference. But please share if you’ve got any other factual tidbits.

[Sportin' Woodies]

We need to outlaw chufa

[BRR]

Turkeys prefered habitat isn't a subdivision either

[BRR]

We need to outlaw chufa

Well where are people supposed to put there decoys and blinds if we outlaw chufa?

[2thDoc]

ok. never mind. someone is baiting and that is why whoever isnt baiting doesnt have turkeys.

someone talked about the beneficial effects of clover. I'd be glad to put any of you on a 500 yard gas line loaded with clover and let me know if you see a turkey.

its not a simple answer....but i'll agree chufa is the only (legal) turkey attractant I have seen....but i'll be damned if I want to become a chufa patch-ground blind sitter.

[LabLuvR]

so pine trees are bad for turkeys...got it. lab was right this whole time

Thanks dude, I'm always right it seems. But, remember I did say unmanage pine plantations, not just pines. Problem is in the upstate there is a lot of nonmanaged pines. Remember turks don't eat pine cones, nor pinestraw.

[LabLuvR]

Two years ago, I saw a flock of about 20 come through my field in late winter, when they usually appear. This year the most I have seen is 7 in a flock. Before I jump on the baiting bandwagon or predators, I have to acknowlegde there has been a lot of timbering on neighboring properties. It may be they are simply hanging out in thinned woods or clearcuts, I really have no way of knowing.

Btw, I have no idea on earth what "artifically high" numbers are. Can someone explain that to me?

[Rabbitman09]

All we need to do to turn this downward trend around is outlaw decoys, blinds, and institute a 20 gauge maximum. Suit me fine to make it .410 only.

[SCswampCAT]

An entire state covered with the same relative age class of pines is bad.

I actually asked myself the same thing this weekend. Wondering if that was good or bad.

[GobblerHntr]

Silent in the morning

[CantCareSB]

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?

Man something bust be wrong with you! I've already filled all 3 of my tags floating down the saluda in my kayak this year

[2thDoc]

Silent in the morning

greenwood?

not silent in fairfield or richland this past week?

[Ramblin Rooster]

Cycles , I think do exist.
I’ve been hunting turkeys for 40 years and have seen both good and bad times.
I’ve never before witnessed a vanishing though.
To the baiting believers...I have spoken with the local warden , and he has shut down 3 properties near my Farm.
People do bait and it does have an effect.
That being said, my habitat is what each of you would call very good, and a few piles of bait won’t remove turkeys from a decent size tract of land that has everything they need.
I’m not suggesting anything. Just stating an odd and disappointing finding

[GobblerHntr]

greenwood?

not silent in fairfield or richland this past week?

Everything's Right just hold tight.

Focus on today and you'll find a way

[Timberman22]

Thanks dude, I'm always right it seems. But, remember I did say unmanage pine plantations, not just pines. Problem is in the upstate there is a lot of nonmanaged pines. Remember turks don't eat pine cones, nor pinestraw.

How do you classify Unmanaged vs. Managed pine stands?

What criteria is needed to be met so a pine stand is considered Managed?

[Tater]

Unsustainably high. We had some really good hatches for several years in a row. We’ve had several back hatches recently and when you look at the lifespan of a turkey it’s not hard to see that back to back bad hatches is a damn near disaster.

[Ramblin Rooster]

[QUOTE=CantCareSB;2468529]Man something bust be wrong with you! I've already filled all 3 of my tags floating down the saluda in my kayak this year[/QUOTE

This thread isn’t about jakes