mkr7734
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2014
- Messages
- 441
- Location
- The North Bluff above Marseilles IL
- Tractor
- John Deere 3203,
Yeah murphy it is funny how they just travel around. We have been seeing them for the last few weeks. Then like you said poof, gone for 3 to 4 months and then they will show back up. We have been watching this flock grow for about 6 years now. There was a time when they were extinct from hunting around here but they are doing well now. The DNR imported birds from other parts to re-establish them. Back in the late 50s I think it was.
They scare the crap out of the cat!!! :laughing:
Here is a little history of them in IL. from the IDNR
Wild turkeys were abundant in Illinois prior to European settlement. During the 1800s, unregulated hunting and the extensive clearing of forests were the beginning of the decline of the species. The state legislature closed the state to wild turkey hunting in 1903, in an effort to preserve the remaining populations. It was too little too late, and by 1910 wild turkeys had been eliminated from Illinois.
Remaining forests and woodlands in the southern and western part of Illinois that were too rough for agriculture gave hope for turkey reintroduction in our state. Beginning in 1959, wild-trapped turkeys were obtained from other states to begin our stocking efforts. From the 1970s through the year 2003, Illinois trapped wild turkeys from areas where they were thriving and transplanted them to suitable habitat that had not yet been re-colonized.
Illinois now has wild turkeys throughout the state where habitat is suitable. Harvests by hunters are now reaching their peak numbers, and habitat improvement projects are underway to continue to insure the long term survival of this proud symbol of Illinois� forests and woodlands. The remarkable return of the wild turkey in Illinois during these last 50 years has been accompanied by renewed interest in this incredible bird. Each year new turkey hunters enter the woodlands and fields with hope of bagging one of the most prized North American game birds. Veteran hunters continue to participate in the challenge and tradition of turkey hunting while introducing new hunters to this exciting recreational opportunity.
