Tom #"s vs, 2 Tags

[Limbhanger]

Do any of you feel the overall Tom numbers have dropped off over the years due to the two tags?

Was out listening today at first light, although I did hear a few, just not as many in years pasts though. I realize they can be henned-up and not gobbling much, put just in general, even with the amount of birds I heard all of last year. To me, the overall numbers of Toms just seems down to me as in years pasts, going back 6 or so years?

Me and another hunter onced talked about this years ago, as we both took doubles several years in a row out of the same area, and wondered how it would effect the numbers down the road? And who's to say how many others were taken by other hunters along with what we took in a few years span?

Basically the majority of your turkey hunters hunt for Toms year after year. Which is the reason for so many hens as they are not sought after like the Tom. I know I hear way less birds as compared to 6 years ago and back. What's your opinion, are the two tags taking their toll? Or is it simply that we are not killing enough hens, and they do not have to gobble as much?

[Nimrod]

I do agree that turkey numbers are down. No doubt about it in my neck of the woods (NE Vinton Co.). I feel this is due to a number of reasons.

1. Poor weather killing poults.
2. Coyote numbers up
3. Extended season

[antiqucycle]

Last spring, the number of gobblers was definitely at a low point in some of my hunting spots. But the hatch last year must have been phenomenol from what i watched all fall and winter. Definitely found many piles of feathers from the coyotes from last winter., The big flocks move around and unless your there everyday, its very hard to judge how many birds are there and not a half mile away.

Listening for gobbles can also be very misleading. Just some wind and you wont hear birds 300 yards away.

[Darron]

I do agree that turkey numbers are down. No doubt about it in my neck of the woods (NE Vinton Co.). I feel this is due to a number of reasons.

1. Poor weather killing poults.
2. Coyote numbers up
3. Extended season


I agree, especially in Vinton County. I can remember 10-12 years ago I could go down there anytime in April and hear 8-10 different birds on my property and surrounding properties. Now, I am lucky to hear one or two. I know gobbling doesn't mean they aren't there, but come on. I remember like it was yesterday on April 1 about 10 years ago I went down and had 8 gobblers sounding off in my pine patch. I have yet to hear anything like that. The good ol' days was back in the early to mid 90's.

Certain counties are different though. My buddy and I have permission for 500 acres in Adams County and he was down scouting a week go and heard 8-10 birds gobbling and plenty more off in the distance on other properties. It varies, but Vinton County is definetly on the down hill swing.

[Limbhanger]

Listening for gobbles can also be very misleading. Just some wind and you wont hear birds 300 yards away.


Very true, although this was a picture pefect morning. Got in the woods well before first light on the hingest point to listen. Did hear one that appearred to be mature and two probable jakes on this Ohio hunting area which bordered PA.

It was actually so crisp, clear and quiet, I could hear two sounding off better than a half mile or so on the PA side. All in all as compared to years past very poor in my opinion, unless for some reason they just did not decide to gobble on the roost? I couldn't amagine a more perfect morning for them sounding off?

Years ago on the same point I'd hear birds from every direction 7-8, to maybe 9 or more so sometimes? To the point if I was actually hunting I'd have a hard time deciding which bird to pursue? Hopefully things change for the better or you know what that means? Every hunter in the area out listening the first day will end up keying in on the same birds, because their are not as many. A very common trend I've noticed the last couple years, can't seem to get on a bird without others showing up, another reason I quetion the numbers?

Whatever reasons as many have stated, definitely a big noticeable difference fro years pasts in the areas I hunt.

[BigDale]

I think the numbers are up myself, there are a boatload of hens with them due to the fact spring hunting is ten times more popular that fall hunting. why gobble when there are 3 or 4 hens in the neighboring tree every morning.

[ToledoDean]

I think the numbers are up myself, there are a boatload of hens with them due to the fact spring hunting is ten times more popular that fall hunting. why gobble when there are 3 or 4 hens in the neighboring tree every morning.

I agree. Been seeing lots.
I went to one woods 2 weeks ago and heard 4-5 all roosted together gobbling. I went there this last Sunday and didn't here any where they were, but faint gobbles from down the road. Thay are starting to break up and get going. No shortage of turkeys anywhere.