Gobbler Nation

Hello fellow turkey hunters!

Just recently I have joined a hunting camp in central Mississippi on 1000 acres of land consisting of older pines, and timber cuts with 5year old planted pines and we have a lot of turkeys. The members of the camp are mainly deer hunters and none of them turkey hunt besides me. On almost every deer hunt between myself and others we see up to 20-50 turkeys per hunt. Majority of them being Jakes and hens. Im wondering how to properly manage the amount of turkeys on our land as I feel as if we have too many and the mature gobblers will just be run off by the gangs of Jakes that patrol the land. What methods can be taken within state laws to help produce more mature turkeys?

Any tips or information would be greatly appreciated!
Happy thanksgiving!

Is there such a thing as "too many turkeys"?

First step would be to hire a WTPC specialist like myself. I'll do it for a dollar.

Seriously, age structure of a wild turkey population would be hard to manage. Sounds like it's not over hunted by any means so that's a non issue. Your best best would be to try and provide plenty of natural food and good nesting areas. Maybe see if parts of the property could be burned every other year. I think before a place gets overpopulated with turkeys they just continue to spread out to other areas that can support them. If you seriously want to reduce the numbers your going to need more hunters on that 1000 acres besides yourself. You could probably find some volunteers on this site. Keep in mind they would need to consult with your WTPC specialist.

Wanna lease turkey hunting rights? Lol


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Sounds like you gotta sweet setup. Can you have “too many turkeys?” In a word, hell to the no (who’s counting words?). At least not too many for hunting purposes in Mississippi.

Good as your setup is with 1000 acs, you’re still dependent on neighbors. No guarantees what you’re seeing during deer season will be around when the flocks disband in early spring. But I do like your chances. Enjoy it!

Don’t worry they will disappear in the spring

They'll go to the preferred food sources and nesting habitat. Predator pressure will move them, too. If your neighbor runs deer feeders and spends all his time outside deer season trapping and calling predators, he'll likely draw your birds.

Not sure where you are in Central MS...I'm in North MS and my experience is that what you see now during deer season may or may not be indicative of the turkey population come springtime. They often have different ranges during breeding and laying time. Good luck and if if you need any help let me know.

It needs to be hunted. Those jakes will grow into Longbeards.

I am in North Mississippi and our turkeys use altogether different ranges during the winter and spring. As a matter of fact, my best places come spring have no turkey activity this time of year. If none of your members turkey hunt it is because the turkeys are not there in the spring. You will soon figure it out!!!

As has been pointed out, your population is going to be dependent on what your neighbors do regarding planting or baiting during the season. Based on your description of pines vs. hardwood, you won't see a shift off the property because of acorns rotting late winter early spring. Food is always the key; that and periodic woods burning. I'd put chufas in the center of the property. Turkeys (and hogs) can't resist them. Open woods are far better than thick woods, but everyone knows that. Nesting areas surrounding grass openings are also necessary. Checker board burning rotation annually is a good technique. Predator and poacher control helps but while a 1000 acres sounds big, it's not for a turkey lease (ok, sour grapes. ) Just as turkeys are mobile, so are predators and poachers. You and the others should have a strict kill number independent of any state limit. Unless you have someone living near the property for occasional spot checking, poachers can screw things up royally. Have a game warden on speed dial and agree to prosecute unless the hunter has written permission.

Sounds like a great deal--1,000 acres!! Hope you get a nice Spring gobbler there.