Post by: Whitenuckles on March 28, 2010, 01:26:44 PM
Im wondering how this is going to effect the birds? Or even the eggs they have already started to lay? I know of one nesting site, and last week she already had 7 eggs laid. Hopefully it doesnt effect our hunting or the birds!
Post by: Tom Tamer on March 28, 2010, 03:46:23 PM
Post by: HoofsandWings on March 28, 2010, 04:02:12 PM
Also, Haller Creek and Arden had the highest turkey counts. If you are in those areas, you will have lots of company.
Post by: yelp on March 28, 2010, 04:03:58 PM
Ive been looking at the weather for the Northeast and its not looking good. Lots of rain and colder weather is going to be pushing through almost till opener.
Im wondering how this is going to effect the birds? Or even the eggs they have already started to lay? I know of one nesting site, and last week she already had 7 eggs laid. Hopefully it doesnt effect our hunting or the birds!
Was the nesting site on the westside or eastside?
Post by: yelp on March 28, 2010, 04:04:53 PM
In the Seattle Times today, Chewelah and Colville are specifically mentioned as places where the turkeys have come roaring back. There are turkeys everywhere according to the article.
That's awesome... :'(
Post by: Whitenuckles on March 28, 2010, 06:06:18 PM
Ive been looking at the weather for the Northeast and its not looking good. Lots of rain and colder weather is going to be pushing through almost till opener.
Im wondering how this is going to effect the birds? Or even the eggs they have already started to lay? I know of one nesting site, and last week she already had 7 eggs laid. Hopefully it doesnt effect our hunting or the birds!
Was the nesting site on the westside or eastside?
Eastside, just north of Colville.
Post by: yelp on March 28, 2010, 06:09:19 PM
Post by: Whitenuckles on March 28, 2010, 06:30:22 PM
That is pretty early for a hen..she would have a full clutch by now and if successful..poults by end of April.
Im hoping see hasnt started incubating them yet. Hopefully she will let them sit for a bit longer, then start her incubation stage. It would really suck if the weather gets to eggs spoiled by the weather.
My buddies Easterns "on the wetside" have also started laying. One of his hens is sitting on 6 right now.
Post by: yelp on March 28, 2010, 06:44:30 PM
Once the mating season is fully underway, hens seek out nesting areas to lay eggs. Laying generally begins in late March to early April through most of the country. Turkeys usually nest in areas (old fields, cutovers, pine forests, stream edges) with a well-developed under story that provides some bushy/vine concealment. One egg is laid daily until a clutch averaging 9 to 11 eggs is completed. Incubation takes 28 days, and all poults hatch within a 24-hour period. Depending on weather, the brood hen and poults leave the nest within 24 hours of hatching. Peak hatching period is from about May 20 to June 10. If the first nest is destroyed, some hens attempt a second nest. Hens that have to re-nest lay fewer eggs.
Generally, less than half of all nesting attempts are successful. The fact that wild turkeys nest on the ground and require a total of 6 weeks to lay and incubate eggs makes hens and their nests vulnerable to predation and human disturbance (destroying nests by burning, mowing, and discing). Common predators of turkey eggs include raccoons, skunks, opossums, crows, and snakes. Mortality rates of poults generally range from 70 to 80 percent or higher, especially during their first 2 weeks of life, when they are unable to fly and roost under the hen on the ground.
Poult predators include mammals of which raccoon and bobcats cause the greatest loss. Foxes and coyotes are also important predators. Birds caused 13 percent and reptiles were responsible for 4 percent of the loss. Feral dogs and cats also will prey on hens/eggs when the opportunity arises. Fortunately, turkeys have a high reproductive potential, and one good hatch can significantly increase populations and offset previous poor hatches.
Post by: Gringo31 on March 28, 2010, 07:08:35 PM
Post by: yelp on March 28, 2010, 07:19:08 PM
One other odd fact about turkeys is that they lead the pack in time between a breeding and how long they can lay fertilized eggs. This goes back to Animal Science Repro 350 that was an odd fact they threw out there, but I believe it was 72 days after a breeding she can still lay fertilized eggs.
True..A hen can be bred once and still fertilize eggs months later.
Post by: Dustin07 on March 30, 2010, 11:06:24 AM
Baby turkeys are noisy! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xheRKuJ1r4#)
good thing they get ugly later.
Post by: Hangfire on March 30, 2010, 11:29:17 AM
I drove around this morning in lower Stevens county. The large flock I had been seeing disappeared when the farmer started tilling his land. I have not heard a gobble yet. I finally found a different large flock, on posted land today. From the road they gave no responce to my calling. I did see a couple birds fanned out, but they do that year around. I then took a 3 mile walk looking and listening. I also did some box calling. I never saw a track, dropping or heard a thing. In the area where I was at, I don't think they have broke up from winter flocks at all. The area I walked, I have never walked with out seeing sign or hearing birds.
Our weather in NE is cooler and rainier than it has been.
Post by: turkeydancer on March 30, 2010, 11:50:40 AM
Post by: NWTFhunter on March 30, 2010, 11:51:04 AM
Post by: Machias on March 30, 2010, 12:02:46 PM
Post by: MuleyontheWall on March 30, 2010, 01:10:21 PM
Post by: Hangfire on March 30, 2010, 10:10:48 PM
Post by: turkeydancer on March 31, 2010, 09:21:51 AM
Post by: Whitenuckles on March 31, 2010, 07:33:47 PM
These nests that are being observed by you and your friend, are these wild birds and sites or captive birds? If captive birds that could make a difference.
I drove around this morning in lower Stevens county. The large flock I had been seeing disappeared when the farmer started tilling his land. I have not heard a gobble yet. I finally found a different large flock, on posted land today. From the road they gave no responce to my calling. I did see a couple birds fanned out, but they do that year around. I then took a 3 mile walk looking and listening. I also did some box calling. I never saw a track, dropping or heard a thing. In the area where I was at, I don't think they have broke up from winter flocks at all. The area I walked, I have never walked with out seeing sign or hearing birds.
Our weather in NE is cooler and rainier than it has been.
Both.