Redtail Hawks and turkeys

[Son]

I managed a farm in Early Co. Ga for over fourteen years for timber and hunting. Our deer and turkey hunting was great. But the turkey hunting would have been much better if it hadn't been for red tail hawks. A power line came from the highway for 1.5 miles to the farm house. Couple power poles were in the middle of 20 acre food plots. It was at these poles I could count how many young turkey poults the red tails had eaten. There was one old bearded hen that hatched of about ten poults each spring. I've seen the red tail hawks get all but one of her clutch couple years. One year she had one hen and nine gobbler poults. Hawks got all but one gobbler. If it had not been for the hawks, the farm turkey population could have looked like a barnyard. I often wonder how that farm is doing these days? Good management is hard work and takes money.

 

[Son]

Photo of the red tail hawk was taken after couple of us rescued him from a limb. He was impaled on the sharp dead limb. Probably done when diving after a squirrel.

 

[Son]

Coopers hawks, often called chicken hawks, take many poults each spring, they go after them while small. Red tail hawks can take poults up to the size of a large chicken. I've watched them. Hawks are protected better than we are.

 

[buckpasser]

Many moons have passed since Magua’s .22lr last made fire at hawk. Magua has grown tired of GON forum members not having enough turkey hunting success. Hawk should now avoid Magua.

 

[Son]

That actor is Cherokee Not a turkey hunter