Could Large turkey numbers affect deer movement etc?

#1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2011, 04:10 PM

I hunt a southern state and the family farm is great for turkey hunting. The only problem is that in recent years it seems like I see less and less deer. We havn't taken a deer off of it since the 09 season. I just talked to a neighbor that runs cattle on the farm and he said that over the last few months he had not seen many deer but TONS of turkeys. My question is could the large turkey numbers be pushing the deer to other properties? I know the deer don't care for the cattle being there and have done everything I could to stop them from being there but its a necessity. Thanks for the help!

gfdeputy2 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-04-2011, 05:34 AM

well here in NH turkeys don't seem to bother the deer they seem to feed side by side I actually see it a lot & I am begining to think the deer like to be around the Turkey's as they are a very alert animal

BruceBruce1959 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-04-2011, 06:06 AM

I would say Yes from what I've seen, I do believe Turkey push deer around by consuming so much of the available food sources making it difficult for deer to browse comfortably.
A couple years ago I asked a biologist about this very subject and he agreed.

gfdeputy2 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-04-2011, 09:12 AM

well I guess I don't know what you mean by large where I hunt I see deer w/ the flocks of turkey in the same fields day after day but the flocks are like 30 birds & a 12 or so deer.

turner · #5 (**permalink**) 10-04-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceBruce1959

I would say Yes from what I've seen, I do believe Turkey push deer around by consuming so much of the available food sources making it difficult for deer to browse comfortably.
A couple years ago I asked a biologist about this very subject and he agreed.

I spoke just last month with a guide from Maine about this very subject. It's his opinion that large flocks of turkeys, now roaming the Maine woods are causing some "feed" problems with the deer population. He described it as such: A deer will munch a few fallen acorns and mozy off. A flock of turkeys will stop under that same tree and eat every single acorn on the ground. Of course, feeding in fields it a bit different as the turkeys are eating seeds & bugs and the deer grasses & leaves mostly.

Anyway, I found his observations to be insightful and interesting.

timetohunt · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2011, 12:50 PM

Invite friends and family for some turkey hunting! Put some in the freezer and fear into the rest of them. We can shoot two in the fall here in NY, either sex. I hope to fill my tags - I love wild turkey!

TexasRem700 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-05-2011, 08:05 AM

At my ranch I have seen Deer and Turkey eating together all the time. But this is also Texas where I feed Deer and Turkey all year long in order to grow the Deer population. I thought they might eat together for saftey Turkey can see so well but cant smell or hear as well as Deer. But that is just my thought on the matter have no scientific data to back that up.