Missouri Wild Turkeys, Quail and Whippoorwills all share the same predators.
Turkeys and quail share some habitat needs, such as grass for nesting, weedy areas for feeding and row crops and acorns for winter food. However, the trees that turkeys require for roosting can spell trouble for quail. Quail need low-growing tangles of brush and briars for protection from predators and the elements.
Tall trees shade out this beneficial woody cover over time and provide strike points for predatory hawks and owls.
The Carrying Capacity of Predators has reached extremely high levels in Missouri.
Missouri NWTF Biologist – June 2021 – Stupid high predator numbers
Missouri Wild Turkey Biologist – July 2021 - Anybody in the country will tell you predators are out of the control, especially in the Midwest.
Raccoons are just one example.
The Raccoon in Springfield, Missouri decided it wanted more than eggs.
The next night it was joined by more Raccoons.
In 2009, MDC estimated the statewide raccoon population at 1.4 million with annual trapping of 100,000 to 200,000.
In 2010, MDC estimated the statewide raccoon population at 1 to 2 million with annual trapping of annual trapping of 100,000 to 200,000.
In 2019, MDC estimates show statewide raccoon population continue growth with annual trapping from 2015 to 2019 of 20,000 to 30,000.
2018-19 season resulted in the lowest raccoon harvest since 1942 and the longest duration of decline in harvest numbers over the last 25 years with seven consecutive years of decline.
Research shows that the raccoon was the number 1 nest predator of Wild Turkey Hens up to 48%.
2020-2021 Furbearers Report in Missouri is due out any day.
Things just got alot worse. But hey who gives a ****! Lets ignore it. Has absolutely nothing to do with Wild Turkey Production.
All it takes is habitat - No matter that's all we spent money on and talked about for the past 20 years.
I have ONE question - Why is nesting and brood habitat so important? Exacatly what are you trying to prevent. Oh that's right a predator might eat them. In the same breath predators have nothing to do with it.
You keeping hearing 5% to 1% of the fall season, two turkeys, out state hunters. Bla, Bla, Bla
But in the same **** breath the Quail Biologist 6% Adult Survival during breeding season. – Just 6% does not sound like a lot!!!!
But if 6% of the quail are making thru the breeding season it just COMPOUNDS THE NUMBER OF NEST AND NEST SUCCESS.
Only Wild Turkeys this does not apply.
Killing hens the only WILDLIFE that the North American Model for Wildlife Conservation does not apply on controlling the population by killing the female population - Even Feral Hogs it is recommend to take sows out first.
SALE RESULTS – JULY 19-23, 2021
PRICES SHOWN IN US DOLLARS
www.furharvesters.com
This is the 2nd and final auction of the 2021 season.
Found this interesting as Raccoon’s value nears no value.
Raccoons kill chickens at people homes, videos have shown, raccoons trying to kill geese.
Raccoons in ever study are the No. 1 Nest raider - But with sheer volume of over 2 million population in estimated population 2010 by the MDC, 11 years ago.
Friend got to see this on his camera.
Raccoon and a hen wild turkey behind it. That coon was after her poults, and she was chasing the raccoon around.
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
DECLINE OF THE BOBWHITE QUAIL!
Missouri quail populations have dropped 80% in the last 50-60 years
Largest Quail Study ever done in the state of Missouri – 5 years study in Southwest Missouri
This study results were presented by Biologist to the Conservation Commission but was not recorded by the MDC – So could not be shared. In that presentation Biologist noted that Raccoons did not like to go beyond 100 to 150 yards out into open fields and nest success was higher beyond the Raccoons travel distance.
As far as I know the MDC never presented this research in a video for public consumption.
Biologist are concerned that quail have been extirpated from 3 states East of the Mississippi despite conservation focus on improving habitat.
Missouri Department of Conservation’s Kyle Hedges
Bobwhite Quail Nesting and Brood Rearing | PART 1 | Latest, Largest Research Study
Once believe that June 15 was peck of nesting – Nesting continues all summer per study.
Bobwhite Quail | PART 2 | Fall and Winter
Hawk Migration is at it’s highest and large mortality during those migration to quail.
Bobwhite Quail | PART 3 | The Southwest Missouri Bobwhite Quail Research Project
6% Adult Survival during breeding season. – Just 6% does not sound like a lot!!!!
But if 6% of the quail are making thru the breeding season it just compounds the number nest and nest success
Plenty of documentation exist all across the nation shows that ALL ground nesting birds – The Early the can nest the better and more success.
Before the Baby Raccoons, Baby Opossum can come out of dens.
Everything eats Quail
Effects of Northern Bobwhite Management on Raccoon Abundance, Habitat Selection, and Home Range in Southwest Missouri - Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) funding.
https://scholarworks.uark.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4009&context=etd
Managers can possibly reduce nest encounter rates by raccoons through reduction in timber-patch sizes, removal of movement corridors, and increase grassland patch sizes.
Managers with the goal of conserving northern bobwhite populations may be able to limit raccoon populations by reducing forest patch sizes or selectively removing large den trees.
Northern bobwhites are most vulnerable to predation during the egg and chick life stages. Average yearly nest failure, estimated from three long-term studies ranged from 66-82 percent suggesting nest predators may be having negative impacts on northern bobwhite populations
Lower densities of nest predators could result in fewer higher northern bobwhite nesting success, and therefore benefit northern bobwhite populations.
The data we have gathered over the last few months have been eye opening, and show a dramatic difference in production between the study sites. The table below shows the nesting data as of July 31, 2014. Additional nests have been located since then and complete results will be available later this year.
Area – Talbot
Number Nests – 29
Number Incubating – 3
Number Destroyed – 16
Number Hatched – 10
Area – Shawnee Trail
Number Nests – 18
Number Incubating – 3
Number Destroyed – 12
Number Hatched – 3
Area – Shelton
Number Nests – 23
Number Incubating – 5
Number Destroyed – 12
Number Hatched – 6
Area – Stony Point
Number Nests – 23
Number Incubating – 4
Number Destroyed – 6
Number Hatched – 13
DOES THIS MAKE SENSE
Does this make sense.
Predation is often the number one reason mentioned as the cause for the quail decline, and for good reason.
Many meso-mammal (medium size furbearers) nest predator populations have steadily risen over the past several decades (Figure 1) and 60 to 80% of the quail in a given population may die as the result of predation over the course of a year.
Furthermore, a recent study in the southeastern U.S. showed a 10% increase in nest success and 43% increase in chicks produced on sites where meso-mammal nest predators were intensively trapped and removed during the quail breeding season.
For instance, the properties in the study had “maxed out” habitat, and many of the sites had quail densities at or above 1 quail/ac. before instituting the intensive trapping! To put this in perspective, a 100-acre farm with a quail population of 1 bird/ac. could have as many as 7-10 coveys in the fall; a density that I am confident most any manager or landowner would be proud to have.
In addition, the intensity of trapping necessary to achieve the study results required 4 full-time trappers; an intensity level that most of us could or would not sustain, let alone be able to afford financially! And let’s not forget that the trapping was conducted during the spring and summer breeding season - not legal in Missouri and many other states.
On the more open grassland sites (which had some trees, but mostly lower growing shrubby cover) the raccoon’s travel patterns brought them in close proximity to only ~27% of nesting quail, while on the traditional managed sites raccoon travel patterns brought them in close proximity to ~50% of nesting quail.
Trapping was in Spring and Summer Breeding season – Not legal in Missouri
My opinion!
No. 1 - So, HABITAT was “MAXED OUT” nothing can be done but maintain – I 100% understand that. I may not be maxed out but I am close with 15 years on 84 acres of Oak/Hickory Forest of Closed Canopy in Southeast Missouri changed over time to Quality Habitat that includes – Soil Improvements, High Forage Food Plots, Timber Cuts, Timber Stand Improvements, Edge feathering, Prescribed Fires, Addition of multiple watering sources, Shrub and Tree Plantings.
No. 2 - Why does it take 4 full time trappers to trap 100 acres? I can trap 80 acres by myself!
No. 3 - Why could we not sustain it? I spent 15 years doing habitat management but can’t spend it trapping! Really! To me habitat and predator management is all management of one property.
No. 4 - Why could we not afford it? That statement makes zero sense - I have 100’s of dollars in trapping equipment and spend 100’s hours in time but I spend 10,000’s of dollars in habitat and 1000’s hours on habitat! Back when fur had value, I got money back on my trapping dollars spent – No one has ever given me money to improve my habitat.
No. 5 - Trapping was in Spring and Summer Breeding season – Not legal in Missouri – Well guess what Missouri Department of Conservation can make it legal! They are the only Authority that can!
NO reason in the state of Missouri exist that prevents MDC from allowing Missouri Landowner – 93% of Missouri from Trapping during breeding and nesting season in Missouri. ZERO
No. 6 – They don’t even show Bobcat’s whose population has double in just by the lack of harvest alone.
No. 7 – They don’t even discuss the “Carrying Capacity” of predators and what is the breaking point that habitat cannot over come it!
2018-19 season resulted in the lowest raccoon harvest since 1942 and the longest duration of decline in harvest numbers over the last 25 years with seven consecutive years of decline
2018- 2019 – Opossum harvest totaled 593 lowest opossum harvests on record.
2018- 2019 – Skunk also resulted in the lowest Skunk harvest since 2000-01 only 156.
No. 8 – They never even show bobcats population increase.
2018 -2019 Bobcat season was down 28.40% from 2017-18 The decline in harvest and in the number of bobcat pelts purchased by fur dealers also is likely attributed to a poor global fur market.
No. 9 – Finally they never discuss Armadillo which is included in original research paper and never even mention feral hogs which Texas A&M goes into detail about the effects on ground nesting birds by feral hogs. Either predation or consumption of food sources.
MISSOURI - Explotation for Consevation
Missouri Conservation Commissioner said during July of 2021 meeting he has lost 80% of the population of Wild Turkeys on his property.
Missouri Biologist have said in articles in 2020, that population has decline 65% or more in some areas of Missouri.
Missouri Biologist show in presentation 100,000 decline of Wild Turkey population over the next five years with no regulatory changes in Missouri.
Missouri Conservation Commissioner said that Missourians have sent more comments about the decline than any other subject since he has been on board.
Missouri NWTF Biologist recommendeds ZERO changes.
Missouri Department of Conservation regulations Committee in 2021 recommended ZERO changes.
Meanwhile 11 other states are addressing the decline of Wild Turkeys in their state.
Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina have lower limits, shortening season and other regulations changes based off Wild Turkey Declines.
Florida and Kentucky are considering in making changes.
Mississippi will be making changes in a month.
Missouri Conservation Commission Meeting
Wild Turkey - July 9, 2021
Presentation of the Wild Turkey Research in Putnam County, Missouri by Tyl Reina to the
Missouri Conservation Commission.
Segment 5 - Best Part of Entire Meeting
July 9, 2021 Presentation of the Wild Turkey Research in Putnam County, Missouri by Tyl Reina to the Missouri Conservation Commission.
