Turkey preditors

[stevemiller]

In years past turkeys were very good up in the Wenas area of Oak Creek,This year Going to all my regular hot spots I have not seen any tracks or scat.Usually its all over the place.3 of the roost that I knew about and carried turkey for years is now empty no scat no feathers no tracks at all.I am thinking the bobcat,coyote,HAWKS are putting a hurting on the turkey in this area.Anyone seen any turkey in this area this year please chime in.Other than the birds of prey anyone wanting to get bobcat or coyote they are all over the place up there.

[270Shooter]

Yeah big decline in numbers in all of that area in my opinion. I had to look for greener pastures.

[jdb]

I know of three that were killed opening weekend

[stevemiller]

I know of three that were killed opening weekend

Ok.  Just not in the Wenas or was this in the Wenas? Never mind.Did you get a turkey this year yet?

[kevinlisa06]

Last tear we hit the Wenas area for the last time it has payed off fairly good for us in years past. Always got on birds in there then it was fewer and feet then last season we heard 1 gobble then nothing. Hunter pressure and predators I'm thinking really took its toll on the birds. With the way the fuel prices have been the last few years lots of hunters haven't been traveling very far so more hunters in central Wa.

[turkeydancer]

Predators usually will only get the sick and infirm or the poults in the first couple of weeks.  Predator and hunting pressure can move them to an area they are less harassed.  Also changes in the habitat or food supply can move them also.  They are probably still around, but have just moved off a ways.
 

[kirkl]

Wenas is getting quite a bit of pressure last few years. I had a spot that had birds in it for 5-6 years straight, now there hasnt been a bird last last 3 of 4 years. It really got screwed up when they gave the turkey tags away so all the elk hunters who saw turkeys during elk season came over and kinda screwed the area up, my area i mean. If I didnt live here I wouldnt be hunting this area, id be up NE corner. I just got my bird this morning.

[seth30]

On this turkey hunt a cougar came into my setup.  At first I saw the tan and thought a coyote and was about to pull the trigger.  Luckily he showed his face and I didn't shoot a out of season animal.  Still pretty cool to see a cougar