Ontario 2011 Spring wild turkey harvest data by WMU

glang1

glang1

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I thought some of the Ontario members would like to see this 2011 Spring wild turkey harvest data listed by WMU. WMU's 65 & 92 tied for the most birds harvested with 588. That's a lot of turkey :D The WMU I hunt in, 63, saw 141 birds harvested.

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@mnr/@fw/documents/document/stdprod_068254.pdf


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It sure shows the problem areas now.

two of the largest populated areas 81-76 has now dropped to some of the lowest. One reason was the two bird tags were introduced way to early and the winters here in the last 3 years ago with no hatch rates can change an area in no time....
 
Adrian, do you have any idea what the wild turkey populations are like in WMU 77? My Cousin has a 100 acre farm North of Everett & he invited me down to hunt on it. Would it be worth the trip from Ottawa?
 
honourable mention should go to 95 (pelee island) with only about 45 sq. miles total and alot of it un huntable the flock must be very well established there
 
glang1 said:
Adrian, do you have any idea what the wild turkey populations are like in WMU 77? My Cousin has a 100 acre farm North of Everett & he invited me down to hunt on it. Would it be worth the trip from Ottawa?
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Well I live not veryt far away from that location. There are birds around there and Base Borden sure helps as it is controlled very well so the birds can move back and forth. Its not that all the gobblers are gone, but the numbers have dropped in this location to the point I quit my 18 year guiding buisness.

I was out yote hunting this morning and heard a few gobbling to the call so there is a few. You could have fun coming to 77 , but I'm sure you area will have more....
 
I should also mention we saw 4 wild turkey while hunting moose in WMU 48 South of Mattawa. I was surprised to see them that far North already.
 
sweet. I've got a hunt planned near Walkerton and the numbers are looking above average in that area.
 
ryan32 said:
So i guess im not the only one not shooting turkeys in 54
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I have a cottage in 54 and see turkeys there but not in any predictable areas or numbers. I think 54 is probably the northern limit for turkey. Hilly tough terrain, wolves and coyotes and very little agriculture crops to feed on. I'd love to hear a tom start up this spring in my back yard but not likely.
 
halhunt;6927360 I think 54 is probably the northern limit for turkey. Hilly tough terrain said:
Wild turkey are a big forest bird, and love rough hilly wooded terrain! That being said they do need a food source. Mast bearing trees like oak, beech, butternut, etc. are needed. Mixed deciduous & evergreen forests are the best. Northern New York state & Pennsylvania are very rugged, forested terrain that held turkeys while the rest of the population was hunted to extirpation! Ag crops do help wild turkey thrive, but they are not necessary for survival. The turkey we saw in WMU 48 were far from any ag areas. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see turkey thriving in WMU 54. They will never reach the numbers found in ag areas, but they will be there. Find the food area's & you will find the turkey's :D
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I know they are forest birds and most of my hunting is in hardwood forests not on the edge of agricultural fields. I find them roosting in the hardwood trees at the top of ridges. My point is in 54 especially in the north end where I am they have a tough life with colder winters, deeper snow and less easy food sources. This spring, looking like next weekend with this weather, I'll spend some time trying to locate some.
 
588 birds harvested in wmu 92. Judging by the shotgun blasts, most were taken within a 1k radius of where I was hunting. At least I got my 2 birds. :rockOn:
 
Superbrad said:
agreed... wonder how many bothered reporting... everyone should... it's free
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I tend to think compliance with mandatory reporting is quite high. There will always be the few rule breakers, but I have to believe the majority of hunters are honest people.
If the MNR was really concerned about it, they could make it like the black bear reporting. Mandatory to report whether you harvest a bear or not. I'm surprised all hunted species are not treated this way. Harvest counts make game management that much better IMHO.
 
glang1 said:
I tend to think compliance with mandatory reporting is quite high. There will always be the few rule breakers, but I have to believe the majority of hunters are honest people.
If the MNR was really concerned about it, they could make it like the black bear reporting. Mandatory to report whether you harvest a bear or not. I'm surprised all hunted species are not treated this way. Harvest counts make game management that much better IMHO.
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Problem is that reported kills is not always a direct reflection of population.... take deer for example... they survey the camps for kills... but do they take into account the temperature and whether or not the rut has started by the time season rolls around?... I have no doubt deer numbers are down... but as severe as they say?.... on my 400 acres I will say no... but that is just me and my snmall window...

Real nice bird in your avvy glang......
 
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