05-02-2008, 08:15 PM
LITTLE ROCK - Recent floods in Arkansas may have some hunters concerned about the impacts to wild turkey populations. However, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists say not to worry - yet. In most of the state, Arkansas's spring turkey season begins April 12.
During the spring, wild turkey hens lay their eggs in nests on the ground and, when the entire clutch of eight to 12 eggs has been laid after a period of several days, sit atop the nest to incubate them.
According to AGFC turkey biologist Mike Widner, flooding affects birds along the Mississippi River more than any other area, although other areas of the Delta are vulnerable. "Currently, turkey numbers along the Mississippi River are high because several dry springs in a row have resulted in good reproduction in this region," Widner explained. "April and May flooding is much more detrimental to turkeys than March flooding," he added. If no other flood events occur this spring, nesting turkeys should be OK when they start incubation in late April.
Widner said that March flooding may actually help with reproduction in Delta areas, as it may re-distribute turkeys to some extent to higher ground. "If the birds stay on higher ground to nest, they may have a better chance of being successful," he said.
One of the keys to long-term restoration of turkeys to many areas of the Delta is the restoration of bottomland hardwoods to higher ground. Most existing timbered tracts, either in public or private ownership, are on low ground and very flood prone.
In the mountains and uplands of Arkansas, turkeys often next close to streams, so out-of-bank flooding in April and May can be detrimental in these areas, Widner said.
In southern states, wet weather is mostly associated with increased efficiency by predators in locating nesting hens and breaking up nests. Turkey reproduction tends to be better in dry springs, although other factors can come into play.
Flooding and other weather-related factors are only one piece to the puzzle in terms of successful turkey reproduction each spring, Widner stated. "Nest predator numbers, the physiological condition of hens and the number of adult hens available to nest are other factors that are important," he said.
River levels are projected to crest over the next week or so and begin falling by early April. "Keep your fingers crossed that we don't have any more heavy rains in the coming weeks," says Widner. "If we don't, hunters should be able to access most Delta turkey habitats in a few weeks and turkey nesting should be able to proceed at a fairly normal pace."
Spring Turkey Season Outlook-
The spring 2008 season was shaping up to be a mixed bag-and that was before major flooding hit the state. Zone 17 along the Mississippi River, the eastern and north-central Ozarks, the northern portion of the Ouachitas and the southern Gulf Coastal Plain counties along the Louisiana line, in that order, held the best prospects for this spring, Widner said. "Flood water from the recent rains will interfere with hunting, at least during the early part of the season, in Zone 17 and some other areas," he said.
Two-year old gobblers should be relatively abundant in Zone 17, the eastern and north-central Ozarks, the northern Ouachitas, and lower Ouachita River area, Widner explained. "Two-year old gobblers contribute heavily to spring turkey harvest when they are available," he added. "The western Ozarks, northern Gulf Coastal Plain and southwest Arkansas are still behind the 8-ball, as continued below average hatches will continue to result in poor harvests in these regions," he said.
Widner went on to say that some areas may be up slightly, some down slightly, with overall harvest similar to 2007. "The steep decline in spring harvest that we've seen in recent years should not occur in 2008, but it could start back up if we don't see some better reproduction soon," he warned.
The shorter season in 2007 apparently helped carry over more gobblers than had occurred for several years. "Those birds should contribute to gobbling activity and harvest in 2008. Near normal temperatures during March appear to be resulting in a later green-up than last year and sporadic gobbling to date. Gobbling should improve soon, as birds reach their first peak, and again later, as hens head to the nest in late April," Widner said.
Because of the recent flooding, the eastern Ozarks would appear to be the bright spot right now.
Spring Turkey Season:
Zones 1, 2, 3, 4B, 5, 5B, 6, 7, 7A, 8, 9, and 10 - April 12-May 2<br />
Zones 1A, 4, 4A, 5A and 9A - April 12-25 Zone 17 - April 5-27, 2008
Spring Turkey Season Youth Hunt:<br />
Zones 1, 1A, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 4B, 5, 5A, 5B, 6, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 9A and 10 - April 5-6<br />
Zone 17 - March 29-30.
During the spring, wild turkey hens lay their eggs in nests on the ground and, when the entire clutch of eight to 12 eggs has been laid after a period of several days, sit atop the nest to incubate them.
According to AGFC turkey biologist Mike Widner, flooding affects birds along the Mississippi River more than any other area, although other areas of the Delta are vulnerable. "Currently, turkey numbers along the Mississippi River are high because several dry springs in a row have resulted in good reproduction in this region," Widner explained. "April and May flooding is much more detrimental to turkeys than March flooding," he added. If no other flood events occur this spring, nesting turkeys should be OK when they start incubation in late April.
Widner said that March flooding may actually help with reproduction in Delta areas, as it may re-distribute turkeys to some extent to higher ground. "If the birds stay on higher ground to nest, they may have a better chance of being successful," he said.
One of the keys to long-term restoration of turkeys to many areas of the Delta is the restoration of bottomland hardwoods to higher ground. Most existing timbered tracts, either in public or private ownership, are on low ground and very flood prone.
In the mountains and uplands of Arkansas, turkeys often next close to streams, so out-of-bank flooding in April and May can be detrimental in these areas, Widner said.
In southern states, wet weather is mostly associated with increased efficiency by predators in locating nesting hens and breaking up nests. Turkey reproduction tends to be better in dry springs, although other factors can come into play.
Flooding and other weather-related factors are only one piece to the puzzle in terms of successful turkey reproduction each spring, Widner stated. "Nest predator numbers, the physiological condition of hens and the number of adult hens available to nest are other factors that are important," he said.
River levels are projected to crest over the next week or so and begin falling by early April. "Keep your fingers crossed that we don't have any more heavy rains in the coming weeks," says Widner. "If we don't, hunters should be able to access most Delta turkey habitats in a few weeks and turkey nesting should be able to proceed at a fairly normal pace."
Spring Turkey Season Outlook-
The spring 2008 season was shaping up to be a mixed bag-and that was before major flooding hit the state. Zone 17 along the Mississippi River, the eastern and north-central Ozarks, the northern portion of the Ouachitas and the southern Gulf Coastal Plain counties along the Louisiana line, in that order, held the best prospects for this spring, Widner said. "Flood water from the recent rains will interfere with hunting, at least during the early part of the season, in Zone 17 and some other areas," he said.
Two-year old gobblers should be relatively abundant in Zone 17, the eastern and north-central Ozarks, the northern Ouachitas, and lower Ouachita River area, Widner explained. "Two-year old gobblers contribute heavily to spring turkey harvest when they are available," he added. "The western Ozarks, northern Gulf Coastal Plain and southwest Arkansas are still behind the 8-ball, as continued below average hatches will continue to result in poor harvests in these regions," he said.
Widner went on to say that some areas may be up slightly, some down slightly, with overall harvest similar to 2007. "The steep decline in spring harvest that we've seen in recent years should not occur in 2008, but it could start back up if we don't see some better reproduction soon," he warned.
The shorter season in 2007 apparently helped carry over more gobblers than had occurred for several years. "Those birds should contribute to gobbling activity and harvest in 2008. Near normal temperatures during March appear to be resulting in a later green-up than last year and sporadic gobbling to date. Gobbling should improve soon, as birds reach their first peak, and again later, as hens head to the nest in late April," Widner said.
Because of the recent flooding, the eastern Ozarks would appear to be the bright spot right now.
Spring Turkey Season:
Zones 1, 2, 3, 4B, 5, 5B, 6, 7, 7A, 8, 9, and 10 - April 12-May 2<br />
Zones 1A, 4, 4A, 5A and 9A - April 12-25 Zone 17 - April 5-27, 2008
Spring Turkey Season Youth Hunt:<br />
Zones 1, 1A, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 4B, 5, 5A, 5B, 6, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 9A and 10 - April 5-6<br />
Zone 17 - March 29-30.