It’s no secret wild turkey numbers have been declining across most Midwestern states, Missouri included, for several years now.
“We have conducted an annual summer wild turkey brood survey since 1959 here in Missouri,” said MDC Wild Turkey Program Leader Reina Tyl in a news release. “While turkey production has exhibited a gradual declining trend over the past several decades, production has been especially poor the last four years.”
Now, the Missouri Department of Conservation and University of Missouri are teaming up to work on determining the exact cause, or more likely multiple causes, of the problem.
MDC has given the university a $1.3 million grant, which researcher Mitch Weegman and his team will use to study hen turkeys, their broods and their surroundings.
The plan, according to a university news release, is to outfit hens with special GPS “backpacks,” which can be used to monitor movements.
Additionally, a strong emphasis will be placed on monitoring predators, food sources and weather conditions in areas where hens are being studied.
Unfortunately, as of now, it looks like most of the study work will be done in Northern Missouri.
“Missouri is a well-known leader in conservation, and there is no reason we can’t contribute substantially to understanding the turkey decline,” Weegman said in the release. “We just need more information, and that is where research comes in. Through a combination of GPS tracking, weather monitoring and other data, we can paint a more complete picture of the challenges these birds are facing.”
With all that said, I have some strong feelings about this.
Honestly, this study should have been done a long time ago, but MDC never seems to get in any hurry to make changes as bird numbers continue to dwindle.
Other states have done similar studies, and the overwhelming opinion of researchers comes down to just a few major points: the biggest things affecting turkey populations are predation, seasons that open too early and weather conditions during the nesting period.
We certainly can’t do anything about the weather, but predation and season timing can be changed somewhat.
Here’s what is certain: Low fur prices and weak markets have caused a sharp decline in trapping for furbearing species, causing their numbers to skyrocket.
Not coincidentally, turkey numbers have dropped at the same time. Nests are raided by raccoons, feral hogs and other critters, while young birds are eaten by foxes, coyotes and more. It doesn’t take years of studies to figure out.
Arkansas has opened up a test program with year-round furbearer hunting on private lands across the state, and if success is seen, the plan is to open it up statewide.
Maybe Missouri should look to its neighbors for something similar.
As far as season timing, that could be changed as well, maybe on a regional basis.
Honestly, the spring season sometimes opens too early.
I understand a lot of guys want it to open even earlier because gobbling starts as early as late February, depending on weather, but scientists across the Midwest have linked turkey declines to early hunting seasons. What they have determined, essentially, is not enough hens are bred fully before a number of gobblers are taken out of the population.
Once this GPS study is complete, MDC officials will use that data to guide future seasons. However, I honestly wouldn’t expect much to change because tradition seems to trump science in a lot of cases.
In other outdoor news, the Current River Smallmouth Association will host a club tournament Saturday, based out of Doniphan.
Fishing is slated to begin at 7 a.m. from the T.L. Wright Ramp, and will conclude at 5 p.m.
The SEMO Friends of NRA banquet also is coming up Saturday, and if you want to go, you’ll need to purchase tickets in advance.
Tickets can be picked up at Shooters Shack in Poplar Bluff or by calling Andrew Heuiser at 573-429-2423 or Albert Boeving at 573-718-9994.
The event, at the Black River Coliseum, will begin at 5 p.m.