How to Grow Your Turkey Population by Trapping Predators with Jared Lurk | 100% Wild Podcast Ep. 464 In this episode of the 100% Wild Podcast, Matt Drury and Tim Kjellsvik are joined by Jared Lurk and Cody West to dive into the essential, yet often overlooked, world of nest predator management. While high-level habitat work is crucial, many landowners are finding that high numbers of raccoons, opossums, and skunks are the primary roadblocks to a thriving wild turkey population. The crew discusses why trapping is a "lost art" that needs to return to the modern hunter's repertoire, sharing how they managed to trap over 140 predators on a single farm to save their food plots. We break down the practical "how-to" of running a long-line trap system, from selecting the right traps to choosing the best baits like tuna, and cat food to outsmart these nest predators. The conversation also covers the tactical shift from trapping to thermal hunting for coyotes, explaining why modern technology makes predator control more efficient than ever. Whether you're trying to protect your corn yield from coons or looking to hear more gobbles this spring, this episode provides the ultimate field guide for creating a greater ecosystem. 00:00:00 – Intro: Getting rid of nuisance critters 00:02:10 – Why trapping is a "lost art" for the modern generation 00:05:30 – Identifying the Problem: High predator counts and zero turkeys 00:07:15 – Baiting Strategy: Using tuna, cat food, and fish oil 00:09:00 – Protecting Food Plots: How coons destroy your corn yield 00:10:40 – The Long Line: Managing 50+ traps on a busy schedule 00:12:40 – Trapping Hotspots: Field edges, hollow trees, and water structures 00:14:45 – Thermal Hunting: Why it out-performs trapping for coyotes 00:16:35 – Dog-Proof Traps: Why they are the best tool for the job 00:32:15 – Skunk Problems: Dealing with the spray after the shot 00:35:10 – Tick Myth-Busting: Do opossums actually eat more ticks than turkeys? 00:40:30 – Snapping Turtle Management: Cleaning out the farm pond Join the Rack Pack Facebook Group :/ n73gskjt7bfb2ngc Get ahead of your Game with DeerCast available on iOS and Android devices App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/deerc... Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de... Don't forget to stock up for your next hunt! 1st Phorm has you covered! Protein Sticks: https://1stphorm.com/products/protein... Level-1 Bars: https://1stphorm.com/products/level-1... Energy Drinks: https://1stphorm.com/products/1st-pho... Hydration Sticks: https://1stphorm.com/products/hydrati... Send us a voice message on Speakpipe! https://www.speakpipe.com/100PercentW... For exciting updates on what's happening on the field and off, follow us on social Facebook: / @officialdruryoutdoors Instagram: @DruryOutdoors X: @DruryOutdoors Be sure to check out http://www.druryoutdoors.com for more information, hunts, and more! Music provided by Epidemic Sound http://player.epidemicsound.com/ #dodtv