Turkey season Is coming to an end around the country, meaning one thing. It is time to start prepping for next season! If you own land and are looking to make some great improvements to your property to help ensure you take down a big tom next year, read on!
Predator Control
It should be no surprise to you that you are not the ONLY thing that loves to hunt turkeys. The big bird is essentially defenseless to anything bigger than a bug. Making it a prime suspect for predators.
A large factor is the raiding of the turkey’s nests for their eggs. Things like adding more cover can help mitigate some of the issues, but overall, pest control is the best option. Besides hunting the predators, you also have the option to trap them. Between these two methods, you should be able to keep the other hunters from taking your birds.
Some common predators would be:
- Bobcats
- Coyotes
- Hawk
- Raccoons
Food Plots
Undoubtedly, one of the best things you can do to improve your land for turkey hunting is introducing or expanding food plots. Food plots help turkey growth in a number of ways. They enjoy eating the seeds and greens from the plants themselves. Helping to supplement their nutrition and keeping them in a general area. They are also able to eat insects that are naturally attracted to the plants. Which again will raise the quality of life for the birds and keep them coming back for more.
Many folks prefer to make their food plots small and spread out. Sometimes having plots as small as 1 acre, opposed to having one large one.
Some of the most common and popular things to plan on your food plot would be
- Peas
- Buckwheat
- Millet
- Clovers
Different plants work better in different environments and times of the year. Make sure to do the research on the geography of your land to see which ones work best for you!
Coverage
As I mentioned in the predator control portion, coverage is one of the single most important things you can have on your land. The right amount of nesting coverage is what could make or break your next season. Not only does cover keep the birds safe from predators, but having more coverage makes your land that much more attractive to turkeys looking for a home.
Like food plots, the type of coverage that you want to plant will differ depending on where you are in the world. Native grasses and other plants are typically your best choice. Plants like greenbrier and other ground cover are important to have as well.
Timber Management for Turkey Land
“Good timber management is key for turkeys. You want some mature pines, hardwoods, or, better yet, a mixture of the two. Mature timber provides roosting areas, cover, and food. Without it, you won’t hold turkeys on a property,”
Something that you might not think of as crucial to creating a perfect turkey habitat would be the timber. Timber needs to be monitored to prevent things like overgrowth and competition. For turkeys, especially you want to keep a close eye on the trees on your property. It would be best if you had certain species of trees for turkeys even to consider your land.
Having mature trees gives the birds adequate space to roost and set up their homes. You can not just have a fresh forest with young trees; it simply won’t be enough. But you don’t want to limit your land to just mature trees like pines. You want to be planting new trees to keep the area diverse.
Methods like harvesting certain trees to create more open space are crucial. It also encourages more growth of plants on the ground level, which also helps. You can also do prescribed burns on your land. It can help open up fields and give your ground more sunlight access. Something the turkeys will appreciate in the long run!
Conclusion
There is no one method to creating a perfect turkey habitat. It is a culmination of small parts that add up to create the right environment. From the right timber to proper predator control, if you want your property to attract big toms, follow these tips!
if you are currently in the market for your first piece of turkey hunting land, then here is your chance to work with the best! Base Camp Country Real Estate specializes in outdoor and hunting properties. Working with our land professionals is like working with family. Comprised of only true hunters and outdoorsman, now that you are getting the right kind of assistance from those you can trust!
