Eastern Wild Turkey

As winter's grip tightens and woodland food supplies dwindle Wild Turkeys are now becoming more commonly seen foraging in open fields. 

The acorn crop in our area was tremendous this fall greatly influencing the activity of many of our wildlife species.  Squirrels, not as numerous as in some years, were scattered throughout the woodlands as food was everywhere.  Deer, taking advantage of the abundant food supply, spent their time in the woods during the rut; greatly limiting the whitetail rut photographic opportunities.  And although our Wild Turkey population is very high by recent historical standards they too were difficult to locate throughout the fall with the wide spread food supply.

In years of scarcity the turkeys and other wildlife are much easier to locate once one learns what food sources they are utilizing.  The food source can vary; sometimes its wild grapes, other times its redbud seed pods or dogwood berries; what ever the case when the food source is limited it is usually only available in certain areas effectively concentrating the wildlife utilizing it.  Whether one is a photographer or a consumptive hunter targeting these food sources will greatly increase the odds of success.