120 degrees in SI

[Steve_In]

I thought twice before I did this, and for anyone who is offended by the liberal Eastern press, I apologize for perhaps being the only guy on this board to ever post a link to the New York Times

It doesn't hurt to scout the other team. I live about 50 miles north of Hartford City mentioned in the article and the corn around here is in real trouble. It is starting to tassel out and is only about 3 to 4 feet tall in the good fields. The leaves are going from curled to brown. I see trouble this fall as the gasahol plants are competing with the food producers for what little corn there will be. What little rain we are getting is coming from thunderstorms that pop up from nowhere dump a little rain, then fizzle out. Not good at all.

Here is a first for me though, about 30 mins south of me, Clarksville, TN has a ban on using your grill.

That is just wrong. I had my smoker going a week ago but I let the hose run slowly around it while it was hot. I have a gas grill but it is even too hot to fire it up. Looking at our 4th day of 100+ to set a new record

[dewey]

I saw that article the other day as well. When we left Minneapolis Friday at 5:00 it was 99 with a heat index of 109. Then when we get to the in laws place near Detroit Lakes and it was 68, awesome.

Dewey

[allaboutshooting]

I saw that article the other day as well. When we left Minneapolis Friday at 5:00 it was 99 with a heat index of 109. Then when we get to the in laws place near Detroit Lakes and it was 68, awesome.

Dewey

There has been no break in the heat here in SI. It was up to 116 earlier today. No rain in the last couple of months and we're so far down in rain that it appears nothing will save the corn crop this year. It's really bad here.

Thanks,
Clark

[onpoint]

Dying plant matter actually produces more food for turkeys.

How 'bout explaining this one for me Charlie

[charlie elk]

charlie elk wrote:

onpoint wrote: Dying plant matter actually produces more food for turkeys.

How 'bout explaining this one for me Charlie

There are a host of insects, particularly beetles that feed on or under the dead plants.
Seed pods, flower buds, catkins, pine cones, failing ag crops such as beans or peas etc. are all eaten by turkeys, when there is a drought the bush, tree or plant sheds them early making an easy ground food source.
Depending on the area failed ag crops may not be harvested at all; it's very possible they may just be plowed under sometime after the crop insurance has paid.
Swamps, ponds, rivers & lakes recede leaving a shoreline full of high protein dead aquatic delights (minnows, leaches, water bugs & all the various water plant buds and seed pods)

The other day I was out in Eastern WI where it is really dry, a particularly parched & wilted corn field was loaded with turkeys feeding on the immature dried out ears of corn. These birds continue to amaze me with their tenacity.

[dewey]

charlie elk wrote:

onpoint wrote: Dying plant matter actually produces more food for turkeys.

How 'bout explaining this one for me Charlie

There are a host of insects, particularly beetles that feed on or under the dead plants.
Seed pods, flower buds, catkins, pine cones, failing ag crops such as beans or peas etc. are all eaten by turkeys, when there is a drought the bush, tree or plant sheds them early making an easy ground food source.
Depending on the area failed ag crops may not be harvested at all; it's very possible they may just be plowed under sometime after the crop insurance has paid.
Swamps, ponds, rivers & lakes recede leaving a shoreline full of high protein dead aquatic delights (minnows, leaches, water bugs & all the various water plant buds and seed pods)

The other day I was out in Eastern WI where it is really dry, a particularly parched & wilted corn field was loaded with turkeys feeding on the immature dried out ears of corn. These birds continue to amaze me with their tenacity.

Charlie I think I am going to start referring to you as Mr. Turkey Biologist, sir. Seriously your knowledge of turkeys and their behavior, feeding habits and how they survive is amazing.

Thank you for the explanation! As the next time someone talks about his subject I will be able to explain it better.

Dewey

[onpoint]

Thanks for the update. Guess I forgot what omnivores turkeys are