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Post by deputydon on Jul 26, 2011 7:26:55 GMT -5
I've been watching the turkeys who seem to be nesting later and later each year. I know of four nests w/ hens on them right now..... While I don't know why so late my theory is that they will keep trying till they hatch out a brood. I have also found three nest destroyed and happened to watch what got two of them....... CROWS !!!! Not coons or skunks or any other four legged critter.... Have the rest of you ever noticed this ?
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bounce
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Post by bounce on Jul 26, 2011 8:28:36 GMT -5
Guess that explanes why I don't have crows, as I don't have turkey egg breakfast to serve them.
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Post by dovehunter on Jul 26, 2011 9:29:36 GMT -5
I've been watching the turkeys who seem to be nesting later and later each year. I know of four nests w/ hens on them right now..... While I don't know why so late my theory is that they will keep trying till they hatch out a brood. I have also found three nest destroyed and happened to watch what got two of them....... CROWS !!!! Not coons or skunks or any other four legged critter.... Have the rest of you ever noticed this ? You might have something there. I had been wondering about this for some time. |
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Post by deputydon on Jul 26, 2011 16:58:44 GMT -5
I have too..... I think I'm right...
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bounce
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Post by bounce on Jul 27, 2011 9:29:15 GMT -5
Time for the .17 HMR or .218 bee to get some use on crows this year, don't remember season dates but it truth for crows I don't think it matters much for most nebraskans lol.
Just thinking a .17HMR barrel would be great for your new TC pistol for crows,"realy" That gun and hunting crows bill's way should cut the numbers of crow you have.lol. if fact i think it would be great fun even.
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Post by jmarriott on Jul 27, 2011 19:10:22 GMT -5
The only way i seem to get any crow is with a light snow: a bucket of fake red blood made from food die and corn, a crow decoy and crow call. I mainly use this setup for coyotes and fox and then the crows call the dogs in. If i decided that it is not going to happen i blast the crows with a 12 gauge.
Other than that drive see crow 400 yards out into a field shoot and hope. I guess i need to work on my long range stuff. I can't seem to get crows under 250 yards unless they come flying into me.
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Post by Jack on Jul 27, 2011 20:52:24 GMT -5
Crows are pretty smart. They always seem to stay 3-400 yards away when I'm out varmint hunting. A few of those lived to learn that 3-400 isn't enough safety margin.  Most didn't. I've never hunted crows specifically. Just shot them when I'm out woodchuck hunting. In my area, the coyote population seems to be increasing, and I think they may be responsible for some turkey nest predation- and predation on woodchucks, too. |
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Post by deputydon on Jul 27, 2011 21:26:13 GMT -5
Time for the .17 HMR or .218 bee to get some use on crows this year, don't remember season dates but it truth for crows I don't think it matters much for most nebraskans lol. Just thinking a .17HMR barrel would be great for your new TC pistol for crows,"realy" That gun and hunting crows bill's way should cut the numbers of crow you have.lol. if fact i think it would be great fun even. I think your right Bounce.... I will look into finding one. |
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Post by deputydon on Jul 27, 2011 21:32:12 GMT -5
Crows are pretty smart. They always seem to stay 3-400 yards away when I'm out varmint hunting. A few of those lived to learn that 3-400 isn't enough safety margin. Most didn't. I've never hunted crows specifically. Just shot them when I'm out woodchuck hunting. In my area, the coyote population seems to be increasing, and I think they may be responsible for some turkey nest predation- and predation on woodchucks, too. Jack our coyote numbers are @ almost ZERO !!! Manage has killed them off to the point of extinction. Meanwhile gophers, woodchucks, rabbits ect are @ all time highs!!! Shows ya how important the lowly coyote really is..... |
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Post by Jack on Jul 28, 2011 10:48:03 GMT -5
"Shows ya how important the lowly coyote really is..... "
You're right about that, I think.
Here, traditionally, it was the fox that was the predator for small game like rabbits, etc. Foxes were also prone to mange, and they'd cycle up and down.
The coyotes have pushed the fox out of that slot in the predator/prey chart. There are still both red and grey foxes around, but the population of them is way down- now you're more likely to see a coyote than a fox.
A woodchuck was a pretty big animal for a fox to tackle- they got a few, but woodchucks weren't primary prey for foxes. (if you've ever skinned a fox, you know how small they are) An adult woodchuck weighs near as much as a fox, and a woodchuck is a tough critter. But, a woodchuck is no match for a coyote. I don't believe foxes ever cut the population of woodchucks down, but I believe the coyotes do - and the farmers tell me that, too.
I suspect the coyotes are hitting the turkey nests, too.
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bounce
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Post by bounce on Jul 28, 2011 17:50:11 GMT -5
Coyotes & coons , weasels ,fox hit nest and how about the big owls? or do they & hawks just pray on them after hatching?
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Most didn't.