I went out turkey hunting yesterday morning, dad went with me just to watch. I called in a Jake and he refused to come any closer than 45 yards. I shot once with my other Nitro Special and dropped him.( 2 and 3/4" reload with 1 and 1/8 ounces of #5 shot. I/C choke.)
When I walked up to him, I found that he has the dreaded turkey disease that's going around Maine. Not sure if it's in other states, you guys will have to let me know. I called the local game warden. He said not to waste my tag, do not tag it at the tagging station. I met him this morning on my way to work and he took the turkey to the state wildlife biologists.
What I have read about this disease, they say, no danger to humans and you can eat it if you cook it well enough. (I'm NOT eating it.) The article also said the disease usually causes blindness and usually make it impossible for the turkey to swallow so most starve to death. In some rare cases a turkey can beat this disease. Maine biologists went on to say that it is possible for this disease to spread to free-range chickens, but there is little chance of that happening. (?)
Check out the photo, pretty gross to say the least. Other than the lesions on its face, it looked very healthy and well-fed.
Wow...thanks for posting. I know a lot of hunters around here are saying there is not near the birds this year as in previous years, and most are wondering if disease has hit the flocks......hope not....but I have not seen near the birds myself as I usually do ??
Wow...thanks for posting. I know a lot of hunters around here are saying there is not near the birds this year as in previous years, and most are wondering if disease has hit the flocks......hope not....but I have not seen near the birds myself as I usually do ??
What state are you in Buzz? We have tons of turkeys. Too many in fact. You cant drive past a field around here in the morning without seeing turkeys. I drive 19 miles to work, this morning I saw 7 different groups of turkeys.
I live in Pa. We have had a lot of Turkey for a lot of years, but in the past year or two, the count seems to be noticeable lower. We also have a increasing Bobcat population, which I'm sure has some effect. Just hoping our birds don't get diseased.
I live in Pa. We have had a lot of Turkey for a lot of years, but in the past year or two, the count seems to be noticeable lower. We also have a increasing Bobcat population, which I'm sure has some effect. Just hoping our birds don't get diseased.
In PA also and already have heard from several people that have seen a mountain lion with their own eyes. One guy I work with witnessed one taking down a deer, and dragging it into the woods. Some federal agents hit one with their car and killed it so no chance that the ID was mistaken. I think the Game Commission still says they are not here just like they used to say about coyotes.
I drive 50 miles each way to work and I have seen far less turkeys the last two years than before. However, the biggest change is in the number of deer I have been seeing which is far less, including those hit on the highway. Of course this past week or two I have been seeing more than usual as I think the strange weather we have been having is forcing them to eat the grass alongside the highway.
The F&G denies that there are mountain lions around here too even though i have seen them on two different occasions including my niece who told me. We also have genuine wolves which naturally the F&G denies exist and I remember when moose were not supposed to exist here either and now we have a moose season!
