A detailed look at how trapping helps adult, juvenile, and nesting turkeys.
Small, beady eyes bare down on a nest full of turkey eggs soon to be raided. Teeth clinch down on an unsuspecting turkey that never stood a chance. Throughout the year, more turkeys, young, old, and yet to be born, die at the feet of predators.
It’s a saddened state, but wild turkeys are being attacked from above and below, left and right. The rise of predators, and subsequent fall of wild turkeys, are no doubt correlated. But we can do something about it.
The Rise of Predators, Fall of Wild Turkeys
Many people — biologists and other professionals included — believe that nest predators, and also bigger predators, are playing significant roles in the decline of wild turkey. While this has largely been ignored by agencies and organizations, TFT is leading the charge in the dissemination of this important message.
Unsurprisingly, over the past few decades, the boom in predators closely paralleled the decline of trapping. Because of that, landowners and land managers alike are seeing the need to bring back trapping programs, even in an age where there is no market for hides. Rather, it’s to protect wild turkeys, and other native species, such as white-tailed deer, from the rise of the toothy critters.
“TFT is about the three-legged stool of wild turkey conservation,” said TFT Board Member Chip Davis. “We focus on habitat management, harvest management, and predator management. So, predator management is at least 1/3 of the problem.
“In other words, you can have the absolute best habitat, the best harvest management, but if you have a bobcat behind every tree, you aren’t going to have many turkeys,” he continued. “Predator management is a pivotal piece.”
What Predators Eat Wild Turkeys?
Some might wonder, what predators eat wild turkeys? In short — everything eats wild turkeys.
“You need to understand a bit about the hierarchy of turkey predators,” Davis said. “I break these down into two big categories — nest raiders/egg eaters and year-round turkey predators. But I think the bobcat is the apex predator for wild turkeys.
“Certain animals, such as bobcats and coyotes, can predate wild turkeys 12 months out of the year, especially bobcats,” Davis continued. “But other predators like skunks, opossums, and raccoons, they are typically not a major threat to wild turkeys, except in the spring time during the incubation period when hens are on the ground.”
Following that, immediately after poults hatch, they remain flightless for about two weeks. During this phase, and until poults are old enough to fly and roost in trees, they are very vulnerable. Unsurprisingly, each stage of the turkey lifecycle brings about new perils and predation vulnerabilities.
What can you do? Trap predators.
Trapping Equipment Needed
Prospective trappers should obtain a list of trapping equipment. Generally, this requires items specific to target species. For example:
Trapping License, Trap Tags, Etc.: Never trap without the required documentation. State and situation depending, that might require licenses, permits, trap tags, and more.
Bucket: Use a 5-gallon buck to carry all trap-related equipment. This keeps everything together and away from unwanted scent.
Gloves: Either leather or rubber gloves are needed when handling traps. This minimizes human scent and other odors around the traps. These also protect your hands when handling the equipment.
Traps: Use dog-proof traps designed to target raccoons that avoid non-target animals. Also, consider cage or 1.5 coil-spring foothold traps. For bobcats and coyotes, most recommend using No. 2 or No. 3 coil-spring foothold traps that have offset jaws. However, cable snares (regulations permitting) can be effective, too. Bobcat boxes are great as well.
Pan Covers: Use pan covers to keep dirt out from under the trap pan.
Anchors/Stakes: Use anchors to hold traps to the ground, drive stakes to keep the animal from running off with the trap.
Cutters/Pliers: Keep cutters and/or pliers on hand to cut line, fix traps, and work with bait.
Hammer: Carry a hammer to drive the stakes into the ground.
Trowel: Maintain a trowel for digging trap beds and covering them up as needed.
Sifter: Use a sifter to filter fine dirt back over the trap to make it look natural without putting larger debris back over it that might interfere with the trap.
Catch Pole: Deploy a catch pole to keep trapped animals secured when dispatching or releasing them as needed.
Of course, what you’re trapping for influences the gear needed to trap effectively.
“Dog-proof traps are very effective and easy to use for raccoons, opossums, and other nest predators,” Davis said. “But you aren’t catching a bobcat or a coyote in a dog-proof trap. I typically use foothold traps more for coyotes.
“My favorite trap for bobcats, hands down, is what we call a bobcat box,” Davis continued. “Of course, make sure to check your state laws.”
Follow All State and Local Trapping Regulations
Trappers must read and study all state and local trapping regulations. Completely familiarize yourself with the guidebook before buying equipment or heading afield.
“State trapping laws vary drastically, even more so than state laws vary for turkey hunting,” Davis said. “For example, in my home state, we can use a 220 size body-grip trap on dry land.
“I have built these boxes, and you can actually buy these on turkeysfortomorrow.org,” Davis continued. “These are extremely effective on bobcats.” I love the boxes and they’re super easy with a lot of tutorials online. I have several YouTube videos up.”
In many states, if running traps, you have to check these traps every day. That said, shorter check periods (24 or 36 hours) are typical in eastern states, and longer check periods are more common in some western destinations.
“We want to be humane and ethical in what we’re doing,” Davis said. “So, check your traps every day, whether required to by law or not.”
Routine checks are important for multiple reasons. First, it isn’t ethical to leave target animals in the trap for too long. Secondly, you might need to release incidental catches of non-target animals.
Of course, regardless of incidental catches of target or non-target animals, animals aren’t hurt by the traps. These are just firm holds that keep the animal from pulling away.
“We’re just restraining the animals with the traps,” Davis said. “It’s not cruel. It’s not inhumane.”
All said, in some states, posting a cellular trail camera over the trap might satisfy the check requirement. Check your state regulations, and speak with your local conservation officer, to confirm.
Common Trapping Mistakes to Avoid
Beginner trappers commonly make mistakes. Some of these include choosing poor trap locations, setting traps improperly, leaving scent around the traps, and more.
According to Davis, the biggest mistake most new trappers exhibit is having too high of expectations. You can’t expect the catch to be bigger than it should be.
“On average, even with seasoned trappers, you’re typically looking at a 10% catch rate,” Davis said. “This can vary widely, especially with newer, inexperienced trappers.
“But some people will get a dozen traps, go set 12, and they’re extremely disappointed if they catch two critters,” Davis continued. “That’s actually a really good catch percentage. You’re looking at this long-term. And as a new trapper, you’re going to look at a lot of empty traps.”
Why You Should Trap Predators and Help Wild Turkeys
Without question, trapping impacts wild turkeys in a positive way. This becomes even more apparent when analyzing trapped versus un-trapped properties, and the associated turkey populations.
“TFT commonly refers to something called citizen science,” Davis said. “Maybe it’s anecdotal, but I can tell you about my own personal property.”
About 10 years ago, Davis moved to the farm he currently owns and manages. It had a few turkeys on it, but not many.
“You could hear a turkey gobble from this property, but there were no turkeys living on it,” Davis said. “It was a 17-year-old cutover when I bought it. And we had an exorbitant amount of turkey predators here.”
Davis spent a year focusing on cleaning up the predator population. Soon, after a year of trapping, he went from seeing zero turkeys to seeing quite a few birds.
His primary concern was seeing more poult production, though. Incredibly, that number rose quickly as well. After a couple years of extensive trapping, he found few turkey predator tracks on the property.
“After the first two years of extensive trapping, we averaged 100 poults per year on only 330 acres,” Davis said. “The numbers were astounding. You’re probably not supposed to raise that many turkeys on that small of acreage, but when you eliminate the predators, it can be done.”
Of course, this is difficult to do on a statewide level, but it’s much easier to do on a local, privately owned property. If enough individuals do this, turkey populations will come roaring back.
“What if we had one person trapping hard every 10 square miles,” Davis inquired. “Do that across any given state, and the turkey population will explode.”
In short, everyone doesn’t have to trap. But if enough people do, we haven’t yet seen the glory days of wild turkeys and wild turkey hunting. Trap today for more turkeys tomorrow.
“Growing wild turkeys is a personal responsibility,” Davis said. “If there are no wild turkeys, it’s not just a conservation organization or state agency problem. It starts with you and me. It’s a personal responsibility of the landowner.”
Support TFT
Wild turkey populations are on the decline throughout the nation. Established in 2021, TFT is new to the landscape, but it’s driven by highly trained professionals with decades of conservation experience. To support TFT, and the complete body of wild turkey research and conservation it’s leading, become a member today. An Adult Annual Membership is $50, multi-year Team Turkey Membership is $250, and Life Membership is $2,500. Every dollar counts in the fight for wild turkey preservation.