Properly Managing Your Property for Turkeys (Large or Small)

Over the last decade, wild turkey populations have taken a massive hit in my area for many reasons. We were in a drought for a few years, and then a major flood hit our area, where the largest turkey populations on public land had nests.

What's more concerning is the lack of proactive management for turkeys, not just on private lands but also on public lands.

Yes, properly managing a property for turkeys takes time and resources, but it’s pretty simple.
Ensure the turkeys have food, water and shelter, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a property where turkeys can thrive.

Here’s how to do that, whether you own a large tract of land or a small parcel.

Managing a large property can be intimidating. You might not know where or how to begin, or you might not believe you have the resources to achieve your management goals.

Here are a few tips that can instantly improve your large property without requiring loads of time or resources.

Generations of Americans are terrified of burning, and this fear is endangering habitats across the US.

Fire is dangerous and should be respected. However, prescribed burns when used properly are one of the best things for turkey habitat.

I’ve seen it repeatedly: someone uses fire on the landscape properly, and turkeys are all over that property within a few days.

If burning makes you nervous, start small and burn only a small section of your land, preferably grassland. Wooded areas should also occasionally be burned, but less often than a pasture.

Also, always alert your neighbors, create a burn plan, double check your fire breaks, consult your local forestry agency, and let everyone helping know how it needs to be safely executed.

Not every part of your property should be burned yearly as wildlife, including turkeys, need a diverse range of habitats to thrive. Vertical and horizontal cover can help protect nesting turkeys from predators, though I’ve found a few turkey nests in grasslands.

Ensuring your property is managed for turkeys and not predators will ensure the turkeys and their broods are prioritized.

Learn to trap, and take advantage of trapping seasons.

Also, spend time hunting predators during the applicable seasons for furbearers. This will extend your time in the field, help you learn more about the property you are on and also hone your woodsmanship along the way.

Both trapping and predator hunting can be complimentary to that habitat work you have implemented on the ground.

We all know turkeys roost in large trees, away from danger, but what are we doing to ensure we always have several of those trees in the future?

Selective cutting and planting in prime roosting locations will help ensure you have several healthy roost trees for years.

The best turkey hunting I’ve ever experienced has always been around a creek, river or marshy area. While you might not be able to create these from scratch, if you have at least one on your property, it’s best to ensure the water quality is as good as possible. This will help the vegetation the turkeys rely on thrive, allowing the turkeys to thrive.

Managing a small property also has its challenges. You probably don’t have the habitat diversity needed to keep turkeys on your property.

However, there are still management practices that will help you better the habitat.
Pick The Practice That Moves The Needle The Most

Without seeing your property, it’s tough to say what you should do. I recommend checking out all the tips above and choosing the one that will help you the most.

If your property is primarily grassland, a prescribed burn is best. If your property is a thicket, you should work to manage against predators (raccoons, opossums and coyotes) and create small random openings in the thicket. If you have a small pond or creek that runs through your property, then maintaining good water quality is the direction you should head. Lastly, if your property is a prime roosting area, lean into that and make it as perfect as possible.

Properly managing our properties will look different in various locations. There’s no single way to manage across the US. By implementing some or all of the tips above, you’ll be able to improve your land for turkeys without spending too much time and resources.

About Author:

Sam Jacobs is a writer, and chief historian, at Ammo.com. As a self-proclaimed outdoorsman, it’s his responsibility to use his knowledge and experience to educate others about ammunition, the outdoors, and conservation.