Sumter outdoors columnist Dan Geddings: Turkeys for tomorrow

The biologist told me to stop by anytime. So here I was walking into his office. We exchanged greetings and made some small talk, then got down to the business at hand. The wildlife department was proposing a later starting date for our turkey season, and I wanted to know why.

"There is a slight decline in wild turkey populations here and across the southeast" he told me. So, naturally, I asked, "Do you know why?" His answer surprised me, "No we don't." So, I asked "Are there any studies being done to find out why?" Again, his answer was a surprise "No, not that I know of." I wondered out loud "Why Not." His answer was simple, "Money, there is no money available to fund studies on wild turkeys." That conversation happened several years ago at the Columbia office of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

The season was pushed back a week and the harvest limit was reduced, then a couple of years later I learned that the department was proposing a much later opening date. Their proposal was a shock to most turkey hunters and land managers. Hearings were being held at the statehouse and I was asked to testify for the average turkey hunter. The process was an enlightenment for me. One study had been done at a management area in South Carolina. The National Wild Turkey Federation had funded the study and was supporting the department's position.

I was shocked and dismayed to see the legislative committees being lied to by supposed professionals, but I was relieved to see that the lawmakers were not gullible or ignorant. Many of the legislators were outdoorsmen and some were turkey hunters. They actually inserted some common sense into the debate. As a result, the season opener was only pushed back a few more days in our part of the state.

Now, there is a new conservation organization doing multiple studies to find the answer to "what's going on with wild turkeys?" Turkeys For Tomorrow has been doing boots-on-the-ground research to address turkey population declines in multiple parts of the country.

TFT is an organization that's trying to dive into the specifics of certain regions, mainly in the southeast, to work with state departments, other conservation organizations, and researchers to understand the problem.

The data that TFT is collecting from their studies show causes of decline that vary from disease to predation, to habitat decline. But it's not all those things at once nor any one of those things everywhere. At this point the research is uncovering more questions than answers. As the organization grows its goals are to become the center of knowledge about wild turkeys, what habitats they need, what would make them successful on the landscape, and how landowners can make their properties better for wild turkeys.

The mission of Turkeys For Tomorrow has not and will not change. They are dedicated to reversing the decline in wild turkey populations across the United States. Research is the foundation on which they hope to build success. Most importantly, they are working with hunters, as they know hunters are the real heroes in conservation success stories.

Turkeys For Tomorrow is a collection of motivated turkey hunters determined not to sit idle while concerns about the resource build. TFT is not the only organization dedicated to the wild turkey, it is one that promotes conservation, ethical hunting, and mentoring future hunters. Through collaborative work with various state agencies, private landowners, and other non-profit organizations TFT hopes to provide sound solutions to current problems the wild turkey faces.

TFT is working to improve habitat, focusing specifically on nesting and brooding cover. This involves forestry, land management, and predator control. All supported by sound scientific field research. Their biggest outreach platform is the Wild Turkey Science Podcast.

Members make the mission possible. Annual memberships will help the wild turkey. Donations do not go unnoticed, and their mission is to keep the members informed along the way. TFT is a registered nonprofit, and all donations are tax deductible. Consider signing up as a member today.

Reach Dan Geddings at cdgeddings@gmail.com.