Turkeys

[mysticbear]

There is another thread that mentions turkey sightings. In the last three or four weeks I have seen countless birds. There were two hens in the field across from my house that I spooked on the way to get the morning paper.

What happened to the native turkeys. Were they hunted to the point of extinction or did they die off for some reason?

If the birds we are seeing came from a few hundred that were restocked. I find it hard to believe the early settlers killed every last one leaving no breeding stock.

I was asked this question and did not have an answer.

mb

 

[Monty]

There is another thread that mentions turkey sightings. In the last three or four weeks I have seen countless birds. There were two hens in the field across from my house that I spooked on the way to get the morning paper.

What happened to the native turkeys. Were they hunted to the point of extinction or did they die off for some reason?

If the birds we are seeing came from a few hundred that were restocked. I find it hard to believe the early settlers killed every last one leaving no breeding stock.

I was asked this question and did not have an answer.

mb

It sounds unbelievable but it's true. They were hunted to actual extinction in Ontario. Back in the early-mid 80's just under 300 were reintroduced and they've been multiplying ever since. The population is now estimated to be about 90,000.

 

[dumbdawg]

but back then they were hunted every day of all months

 

[LeePeterson]

There were actually around 3000 birds released at 190 sites across ontario.

 

[Monty]

There were actually around 3000 birds released at 190 sites across ontario.

Really? I mean, it was a sleeper but I swear the guys doing the course at the Sportsman's course said something like 280 birds. I guess that was the initial "turkey drop" and after that they kept on going?

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!" - Arthur Carlson - WKRP