Hey guys, I am interested in establishing a huntable population on our land. We have 500 acres in northern virginia. The land is mostly hilly grassfields with woods surrounding them. In 9 years there we have only seen one hen(last fall) nearby though we have seen many birds. There are so many foxes here it is ridiculous-they eat my chickens. What are some steps I could do over the years to "grow turkeys" We also have various foodplots for deer.

thanks

Eliminating some of those foxes would be a good start cause the way i look at it is if the turkeys cantor dont feel safe they arent going to want to live there.

Raccoons. Kill all of them. Same with opossums.

Also, don't shoot hens in the Fall. Provide good nesting cover. Grow plants that attract bugs for the turks.

Best of luck. Turkey hunting is a SUPER time. Hunt Safe!

Everything Willie said. Get the yotes and foxes too.

I find this question interesting. This is because my first thought was food source but you mentioned you have food plots. What's in these food plots? You can certainly get plots which attract both deer and turkey. The next question is habitat. I wonder what is it about the neighbouring areas that hold lots of turkeys that your proerty doesn't? You say woods surrounding the grassy hillsides. Is this just scrub trees with no good roost sites? What about water sources? Is there food sources in the woods like oak trees with acorns?

I have to wonder with 500 acres if you are actually seeing what is already there. If you saw one hen is there really anymore? Pastures, woods, food plots. Foxes or not there should be turkeys already. I guess you might have a higher number of foxes with the chickens but you have predators everywhere. That's just part of life for turkeys. If you have food and habitat you should have turkeys.

I know some of the NWTF chapters up here spent a few years planting trees for tarvel corridors. helped to disperse the turkey pop. from one area to another where it wasn't really happening.

Contact NWTF.org

They do have articles on food plots, etc. and may be able to help you.

JW