Wild turkey habitat

[Davy Crockett]

Question for you turkey hunters. I've read a bit about turkey habitat and the habitat we have here seems excellent but no turkeys hang around. One mile south, I've saw flocks of 50+ in the same habitat and they stick around that area. I wouldn't mind having a spring turkey hunt weekend for our grandkids but turkeys don't stick around. The only turkey I've ever seen on the farm was back in the mid 60s and I chased it away . My wife got a pic of these ones moving through on April 2 this year . The only difference in habitat is that we have more creeks and ponds . Wondering if anyone has a clue what would be a good food plot or whatever would make them stick around.

 

[Davy Crockett]

One thing I notice is that area is cow pasture , maybe they like scratching through cow crap ? But down on the prairie where I see them there is no pasture.

 

[bucksnbears]

They need big trees to roost in.

 

[Davy Crockett]

That was a good clue that makes sense. We have mostly mature oak trees that are huge and tall here . There the oaks are spindly and small. Either because its the edge of the foothills or previous fires .

 

[Davy Crockett]

The smaller and twisted oaks are lower to the ground.

 

[LBrandt]

Stop killing them. LB

 

[Davy Crockett]

Never tasted wild ones , all I have heard is that they are dry. Butter , olive oil and bacon grease can fix that.

 

[tikkalover]

Careful what you wish for.........with a lot of turkeys you get a lot of turkey shit.

 

[Davy Crockett]

That's what the farmers I asked told me too . And then see them in towns being pests . The old timers talked about the "turkey bar" on a tractor . That was part of the steering mechanism that stuck out away from the old tractors that the turkeys roosted on at night.

tame turkeys back then

 

[Trip McNeely]

That was my first thought too is do you have big cottonwoods or ponderosas for roosting? From what I gather area they frequent now is mostly praire and provides a good strut zone for the Tom’s and nesting cover for the hens. They seem to like certain areas and trees and will use the same ones year after year so long as they aren’t bothered. Also good food sources is key in spring as the hens disburse for nesting and they’ll be near food sources which in turn brings the Toms with. Ive heard they like clover and chicory but Ive never tried it. They get after corn pretty heavy we put out for deer. If you are only getting them sporadically youre missing one or all of those components…. IMHO….. dont slap me 🫣

 

[Davy Crockett]

What makes you think I would I ever want to slap you for that? This is a totally different topic from the last one.

 

[Davy Crockett]

I see deer and turkey eating together out of the same food plot online. That's what makes me wonder why they don't stick around.

 

[Trip McNeely]

What makes you think I would I ever want to slap you for that? This is a totally different topic from the last one.

lol messing with you

 

[Davy Crockett]

All good.

 

[Trip McNeely]

I see deer and turkey eating together out of the same food plot online. That's what makes me wonder why they don't stick around.

They should have no problem in big oak trees for roosting either if you have them so it’s probably not that. It possible they prefer different cover for spring nesting/ strutting. And it also sounds like they have another wintering area established. If it were me I’d try to get them to start wintering and see if any stick if you’re close to anyone with cattle, good luck, they go hand and hand with feed yards

 

[Rut2much]

Look at you two love birds.... this is how you do it, Duke it out and then go back inside the bar afterwards and buy each other a drink/shot...carry on

 

[Trip McNeely]

Yea but he slapped me!!!!

 

[Rut2much]

Never tasted wild ones , all I have heard is that they are dry. Butter , olive oil and bacon grease can fix that.

You're missing out BTW... Smoked or deep fried wild turkey is absolutely amazing.. (Wild turkey whiskey on the other hand, ) not a whiskey drinker either tho..

 

[savage270]

Two things I will add for you. 1. Turkeys love oats, so if you can plant some nearby or put out some oat bales, it should attract them. 2. Turkeys do not like barking dogs, so if you have a protective dog around, it will likely keep the turkeys away. Good luck!

 

[KDM]

It might not be a habitat deficiency at all. Here in the Sheyenne river valley, the thunder chickens spend the winters with the cows cleaning up the leftover food and scratching in the bales. If you don't have overwintering cow yards close by, that could be why the turkeys keep it moving.