Articles

Do you want more deer on your property? If so, you need to remember that females are our “production department.” Sure, they need a little help, but very little. One buck can service numerous females during one breeding season. It’s almost impossible to know for certain how many unless the area was fenced and you took DNA from the buck and all the fawns within the enclosure. However, simply having lots of females to create more fawns doesn’t mean you will be improving fawn recruitment. There are

The turkey population decline has impacted us for several years, so seeing young turkeys in late summer is cause for celebration. Such was the case in August 2022. Five of the ten hens in the local flock successfully nested and appeared with their broods populating the farm with 23 young turkeys. However, one brood of four was substantially smaller—less than half the size of the other broods which suggested a successful late hatch. This article will discuss early versus late hatches—renesting

At the mention of the words “food plot” one can’t help but envision fields of clover, deep-green brassicas, and tall stands of corn or soybeans. While the goal of a food plot may be to enhance feeding options for local wildlife and to help you seal the deal on a buck of a lifetime, some wildflower plots can also add to the aesthetics of your property, attract pollinators, in addition to providing much needed cover and bugging opportunities for turkey poults as they develop. What makes a

Nothing triggers a turkey hunter into fitful dreams and self-imposed sleep deprivation like bushy beards, lusty gobbles and limb-hanger spurs. However, understanding wild turkeys and some parts of their anatomy—beaks, feet, legs and yes, the coveted spurs, are worthy of a closer look at how they function in the species’ survival. This column will discuss their structure and roles. Important insight is included from wild turkey expert and researcher, Dr. Michael J. Chamberlain, PhD., Terrell

The “winter to spring transition” and its affect on flock dynamics. Whether wild turkeys have survived winter’s bitter cold, a balmier southern version, or something in between, Nature’s promise of winter’s end triggers big changes in turkey flocks. Habitat and forage needs also evolve as the next season approaches and turkeys prepare for every turkey hunter’s happiest time of year—spring! This issue’s column discusses how turkeys alter their social behaviors, flock dynamics, and ranges in

Eastern wild turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) are the most abundant and widespread of the four subspecies commonly occurring in the U.S. Their range covers most of the eastern half of the U.S. from Maine south to Florida, west to Minnesota and south across the eastern fringe of the Plains States to eastern Oklahoma and Texas; and in western Washington. EASTERN WILD TURKEY DESCRIPTION Wild turkeys are the largest members of the order Galliformes - chicken-like birds - with males ranging

The benefits of buying land may be simple to understand, but that doesn't mean owning land can't come with its own unique complexities. Case in point: easements. Let's say you purchase some land for you and your family to hunt on. Your name may be on the deed, but that doesn't mean others may not have a legal right to use the land as well. For instance, the land may feature an easement that allows a local utility company to make use of the property. At the same time, if property you own is

A conservation easement is placed on a property to protect resources associated with it. It is a legally binding agreement between a landowner and a qualified government agency that prohibits certain uses or development of the land. Essentially, a conservation easement protects the land for future generations. Whether it's to protect endangered wildlife or limit future residential and/or commercial developments, conservation easements are becoming more popular due to their tax benefits

As a landowner, you may ask yourself the question our network of rural land and property specialists is asking daily: “How much is my land worth?” With the rural land market experiencing unprecedented activity due to high demand from buyers wanting more space and a desire to escape, land prices have increased over the past several years. With several economic forces placing some downward pressure on that demand, such as rising interest rates, it’s likely there’s a significant amount of people

A delicate subject, BioLogic’s Austin Delano says the trickiest thing about wetlands management is knowing when to let nature take its course. “One of the things we can do to actually hurt wetlands is to try and do too much,” said Delano. “Wetlands can really work for recreation and hunting with very little manipulation. Wetlands can be very easily disturbed, and when trying to manage them effectively, traffic should be controlled. Less is often more when it comes to managing wetlands. “Another