Affect of older toms on the flock?

[WHISKEYSWAMP]

I was talking to a buddy last night about the upcoming turkey season. I hunt his parents land and over the past several years I've notice the population has gone down a bit. We have had fairly wet springs that last few years and I'm sure that has something to do with it. However, my buddy was talking to someone that told him the older dominant toms can ruin the flock if not harvested. They become sterile in their old age but still do most of the breeding even though they are shooting blanks.. Has anyone heard this to be true? I'm debating on hunting the property because of the lower population but I know there are mature gobblers that should be taken out if this holds true.

Last year I killed what I'm guessing to be a 5 year old bird and I know there was another that hung with him that is as old or will be this year. I also have not seen a jake the past couple years of hunting but did see four the other week checking cams. All my pics so far this year have been hens only but I'm hoping that will change when I check my cams this weekend.

[WHISKEYSWAMP]

The wet springs I think have definitely been an impact... I know there are coon and fox on the property but I don't think there's enough to have a big impact.
The land I hunt is a pretty big section of woods with plenty of cover, rolling hills, and a river running through it. It is surrounded by crop fields so there is plenty of food.
I guess if it does hold true that if a mature tom does go sterile, yet continues to breed, it would have a huge impact on the flock. His dominance would keep the younger and fertile males from breeding the hens. I found this to be a pretty interesting topic and think I'll do a little research on it.

pic of property

http://www.realtree.com/img/538/10365KOSCHNICK4-med.jpg

[13littleones]

I dont see mother nature creating a diminant bird (stud) just to make him sterile. The dominant bird has 2 jobs to do, Kick the crap out of any jake that even trys to enter his territory, and to mate with as many hens as possible.....you never see a group of old hens hanging around jakes in the spring........

[Strut10]

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I know there are coon and fox on the property but I don't think there's enough to have a big impact.

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Raccoons, skunks and 'possums are the absolute worst on turkeys!! They prey heavily on the eggs. Get rid of as many of these scoundrels as you can. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

As far as sterile, old toms...............I'd be far more inclined to believe that there are dry, old hens. I've seen too many hens still roosting with the toms when they should have been nesting long before. I do think that some old hens are "dry" but still breed (or at least go through the motions) and socialize with the toms.

[13littleones]

Adult hens 3 years and older produce 82% of the spring and summer hatch.. this was a 2 year study in the state of VA.

[13littleones]

oppss 5 year study..