I agree.Me and my friend found twelve dead turkeys one year when we had extended below freezing temperatures and heavy snow. No food, no water.
Turkey Population
- Thread starter childersb24
- Start date
Turkeys don’t drink water unless it’s super hot, they get their water intake from the plants they consume. The birds that suffer in winter suffer from food being covered by snow/ice and they can’t get to it because of the coverage. On years with a low mast crop and harsh winter it can really nail them.
bgkyarcher
12 pointer
And when everything is frozen, they're screwed, like I said.
bgkyarcher
12 pointer
Research by scientists at Clemson University found that turkeys need water almost daily. What's more, they found that hens and their broods are rarely more than a quarter-mile from a water source. Adults typically stay within a half-mile of water in the winter.
And how many broods of poults are there in the dead of winter? Google is great, but it’s important to actually read more than the first thing that comes up….
bgkyarcher
12 pointer
Did you read the first sentence? Obviously not. Google is great, but comprehension is equally important.
WaterDog88
12 pointer
Total harvest this year 26,853.
cedar creek
10 pointer
- Sep 7, 2014
- 1,783
Will be interesting next year, hope my places will rebound, I’m trying when I can find time to help them out
slickhead slayer
12 pointer
I looked up your Clemson study. You quoted just a couple sentences. The very next sentence after your quote said this....."While the Eastern wild turkey can get most of its water from dew and insects, western turkeys such as the Rio Grande and Merriam’s do not have that luxury. These birds can be found in arid parts of the plains states and must have free standing water to survive. "
Water Sources Improve Turkey Habitat - Banks Outdoors
Providing a water source for wild turkeys can keep more birds on your land and factor into your hunting strategy. Landowners looking to improve turkey habitat can find a wildlife watering system useful. Ensuring there is enough water on the property should be a crucial part of any turkey...
banksoutdoors.com
bgkyarcher
12 pointer
How much dew and insects are available when the temps stay below freezing for 10 days?I looked up your Clemson study. You quoted just a couple sentences. The very next sentence after your quote said this....."While the Eastern wild turkey can get most of its water from dew and insects, western turkeys such as the Rio Grande and Merriam’s do not have that luxury. These birds can be found in arid parts of the plains states and must have free standing water to survive. "
Water Sources Improve Turkey Habitat - Banks Outdoors
Providing a water source for wild turkeys can keep more birds on your land and factor into your hunting strategy. Landowners looking to improve turkey habitat can find a wildlife watering system useful. Ensuring there is enough water on the property should be a crucial part of any turkey...
keeruss8
6 pointer
Is that the banks that sells the fancy water tank that looks like a log?I looked up your Clemson study. You quoted just a couple sentences. The very next sentence after your quote said this....."While the Eastern wild turkey can get most of its water from dew and insects, western turkeys such as the Rio Grande and Merriam’s do not have that luxury. These birds can be found in arid parts of the plains states and must have free standing water to survive. "
Water Sources Improve Turkey Habitat - Banks Outdoors
Providing a water source for wild turkeys can keep more birds on your land and factor into your hunting strategy. Landowners looking to improve turkey habitat can find a wildlife watering system useful. Ensuring there is enough water on the property should be a crucial part of any turkey...
slickhead slayer
12 pointer
Not sure. But birds in NY, Maine, Penn, the dakotas etc have to deal with frozen water for months at a time every winter.
bgkyarcher
12 pointer
They’re accustomed to it and know how to survive. Ky birds aren’t.
I’m going to save you some time, forget trying to reason and explain logical things to illogical people.
bgkyarcher
12 pointer
Yes, it's perfectly logical to think turkeys can get their water from dew and insects, when temps are in the teens for weeks at a time.
