Turkeys in Ont and other provinces

Gatehouse

Gatehouse

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Currently involved in an interesting discussion on a BC hunting website.

I've never hunted turkeys in BC, and if I wanted to, I'd have to drive 12 hours. Easier for me personally is to fly somewhere for turkeys...But...

Wild Turkeys moved into SE BC a few years ago, they were on a Limited Entry Hunting draw for a few years, but thier numbers have increased and they are now on a GOS in some areas.

Turkeys were a "non tag" animal and there are conversations that indicate that you may be required to get a tag, to monitor the population of turkeys and how many hutns them.

One of the aspects of purchasing tags in BC is that a portion goes to the enhancement of wildlfie habitat.

My quesstion is: Do Wild Turkeys *need* habitat enhancement? My feelings form observing them elsewhere is that they tend to occupy the "fringe" areas of farming areas,(and probably clearcuts) and that unless these areas are bulldozed and paved..What more habitat do they need?
 
I know how much you guy's hate Ontario. But were tripping over turkeys here. Maybe we could send you some. :)
 
Win/64 said:
I know how much you guy's hate Ontario. But were tripping over turkeys here. Maybe we could send you some. :)
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I have had some exceptional hunting experiences in Ontario.

I've met some of the best people in the world in/from Ontario. Of course, you are not among them, but you also have no answers to my question about habitat.:)
 
Gatehouse said:
I have had some exceptional hunting experiences in Ontario.

I've met some of the best people in the world in/from Ontario. Of course, you are not among them, but you also have no answers to my question about habitat.:)
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Why am I not "among" them?
 
Simple. I have not met you.

And I don't "know" you as I do many other Ontario hunters that I respect, from this site and others. People such as Johnny Y Canuck, whom I have known for almost 10 years, and Doug, whom I have known for less, but long enough. Also, first class guys that I have met in person, such as BiggRed, DarylDB and ChillyWilly.

And you still have no habitat information.
 
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Hens need thick brush to nest, I have found that the hens are the ones that determine the habitat needs when it comes time for the spring hunt. Find the hens you will find the Toms. Also, an easy food source will have a big factor on where they are; In SW Ontario thats pretty easy, any corn or bean field could potentially hold turkeys. You can typically see a flock of turkeys in the same area, for quite a while, then they decide to move, and can move miles away from their original spot, very nomadic. This is what I have observed over the past few years anyways, hope this helped.

7.62mm
 
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7.62mm said:
Hens need thick brush to nest, I have found that the hens are the ones that determine the habitat needs when it comes time for the spring hunt. Find the hens you will find the Toms. Also, an easy food source will have a big factor on where they are; In SW Ontario thats pretty easy, any corn or bean field could potentially hold turkeys. You can typically see a flock of turkeys in the same area, for quite a while, then they decide to move, and can move miles away from their original spot, very nomadic. This is what I have observed over the past few years anyways, hope this helped.

7.62mm
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Right after that they need roosting trees. You guys have any trees in BC??

A direct answer. No the habitat does not need enhancing. But then you have to consider degree of success. Unlike Ontario where grains are abundant, BC is lacking. Any habitat improvement would improve hunter success and increase bag limits.

My $ .02 worth
 
Aww Clarke, do you need a hug :):):)

I dont think its so much habitat enhancement with regard to turkeys. In Ont, I think they spent more money on trapping birds and educating the public than enhancing habitat.
we had lots of good Turkey habitat, but no turkeys. The turkeys were introduced into what was thought to be prime areas and have taken off like wildfire and have moved and adapted to less than perfect areas.

I think the habitat enhancement with regard to turkeys has more to do with introduction actual reconstruction.
 
Where are all these Ont turkeys? I'm as far down south as you can get and I've never seen one locally...how far north do I need to go?
 
Most of the habitat enhancement is done by individuals to attract birds to thier spot just like any food plot for deer or bait for bear. They will do fine with out anybody's help in an area where there is natural food and enhancement will be short term. Trap and transfer to spots where there is natural habitat is the way to get them going. Once they are established they will follow courses of terrain that support them and you'll be surprised where they show up and how quickly. Grain is a help but not a must. Remember that in the first years when we came to the new world they were everywhere and there wern't no wheat fields then. They will come but they need the support of sportsmen and government to do the trapping and release to good habitat. Get on board with the NWTF and kick the ball rolling.
Gatehouse! Looking forward to the day I have to send you one of these:D:D
4uytzko.jpg
 
Lionhill said:
Hmmm. They seem to do very well in the Kootenays (S.E. BC) and not a lot of grain there.

LH
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They do eat a lot of different things, but the abundance of grains, soya, and corn have helped the turkey pop explode in ontario.

Where are all these Ont turkeys? I'm as far down south as you can get and I've never seen one locally...how far north do I need to go?
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All over the place, you just have to leave your house.

In Beamsville alone I have seen flocks of turkeys numbering in the hundreds
 
Dufferin,grey,bruce countys' have a ton of turkeys. I counted around 200-300while out deer hunting last year. Some may of been the same, but the majority where all different. I'm betting they will have a fall hunt in the near future.
 
A must for any Turkey Habitat is a sensible amount of snowfall in winter (so ive been told). If the snow is too deep and powdery they will not able to take off or maneuver as they would wish so that makes foraging a big no-no. Ive also been told that when the snow is too deep they will stay perched in a tree and sometimes starve to death before coming down. (They can stay roosted for two weeks and loose 40% of their body weight before dying of starvation)

Because of this I dont' think I will ever see any Turkeys up here and you probably wont' see any in Pemberton either but that's just my two cents.
 
Pathfinder, It might ot be that far off... the turkeys are taking off like wildfire. I though the same thng 5 years ago about Bracebridge area and beyond. Now your practically tripping over them. Very similar to Timmins in snowfall, tempratures etc, but the population density is higher(Humans) I think in the Muskoka's.

3-4 feet of snow in the winter in the bush is norm, and not too much agriculture, but the Turkeys are thriving.
If they were introduced up there, they might not do too bad.
Maybe someone might correct me, but Its feasable.


On a sidenote, I've seen turkeys and Moose on the same runway at the same time just north of bracebreidge. (In Deer season :( )
One of the most amazing sights of my life.
 
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From what i understand next year or the year after they might be adding a fall season for turkeys where you can hunt hens and cocks.
 
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