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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: deaddoc4444 on April 11, 2011, 01:25:00 PM

Title: Turkey Hunting Question
Post by: deaddoc4444 on April 11, 2011, 01:25:00 PM
IM trying to plan my time off for the up comming PA turkey season .  PA is now trying the ALL-DAY hunt  ( INstead of the "out of the woods by noon " ) for the second half of the season . Since a lot of the other states  have had "all day Spring hunts " for a while I was wondering how productive is it really ?  Is there that much success involved to warrant staying out all day? Is it only an opportunity to way-lay birds heading back to the roosting site? Is there equal success   in the after noon as in the mornings ?   I have been hunting turkeys in the spring for over 30 years  and am used to the morning only concept    but will try it all day and plan time for that IF it seems to be  worth it. ANY insight would be valuable at this time  Thanx in advance  Dan
Title: Re: Turkey Hunting Question
Post by: snakebit40 on April 11, 2011, 01:34:00 PM
I have done most of my killing in the afternoon. Just set up near where they roost and you should be golden. I haven't had much luck from 12 to 5 (on blue sky days) but around 6 to 7 (here in KS) its an awesome time to get out in the woods. GOOD LUCK!!
Title: Re: Turkey Hunting Question
Post by: OS on April 11, 2011, 02:00:00 PM
Here in Michigan we have a late season that runs through the month of May. At this time most of the Toms are roosted with the hens so making early morning hunting difficult unless you are right on top of them when they fly down.  Most of the birds I have called in for folks or killed myself is batween 11am and 4pm.  At this time most of the hens have moved off to nest (breeding been going on since 1st part of April) and those Toms start getting lonely.  I tend to get near dust bowl or feeding areas in the woods and have had great success!!
Title: Re: Turkey Hunting Question
Post by: m midd on April 11, 2011, 02:04:00 PM
In Arkansas i hadnt had much afternoon luck. But in South east Kansas i have had good luck from noon till dark.
Title: Re: Turkey Hunting Question
Post by: Cobie33 on April 11, 2011, 02:23:00 PM
Here in Iowa I have killed several birds from noon until dark.  The most productive time period for me has been from 4PM until 7PM.  I never sit near the roost however.  During this time I sit along field edges, getting to my setup around 3PM. Gobblers are used to finding hens again in the late afternoon/early evening in these areas as the hens come out to feed.  I have found that in the hours from noon to 3, if I get a bird to gobble, it will come in.  I usually leave this time frame for napping and I call whenever I awake from my light slumber and I don't sit where I anticipate them to be during that 4 to 7 time period.
Title: Re: Turkey Hunting Question
Post by: zwickeyman on April 11, 2011, 03:17:00 PM
I've killed most of my birds between 11AM and 3PM. I don't hunt near roosts or use a blind. I " bow and go " and it's just the best time to catch a Tom or Tom's by themselves.
Title: Re: Turkey Hunting Question
Post by: Gufunk on April 11, 2011, 04:46:00 PM
Anyone hunting turkeys in Southern Oregon? Looking for some info to trad hunt here.
thanks
Title: Re: Turkey Hunting Question
Post by: bolong on April 11, 2011, 10:00:00 PM
I do a lot of walking and calling in the middle of the day. If you get one to answer you then he is usally easier to call in.
Title: Re: Turkey Hunting Question
Post by: Friend on April 11, 2011, 11:50:00 PM
If our season was 8 til noon, ten to 2 or 2 til dusk, I would go after them full throttle.

Learning to adapt and change your approaches as the time of day or as particular situation unfolds is the fun part. The birds are still out there. Some hunters have developed specifc strategies that they even prefer afternoons and evenings over morning.
Title: Re: Turkey Hunting Question
Post by: wollelybugger on April 12, 2011, 06:54:00 AM
I kill most of my birds the last week of Turkey season in Pa. The birds will respond off the roost or any part of the day. The hens leave them in the morning and the Goblers will travel. Most of the real big boys are killed later because they are not henned up. There is a lot less pressure from hunters, most of them quit by then,  but there are a lot more leaves on the trees which is good fro bow hunting.
Title: Re: Turkey Hunting Question
Post by: deaddoc4444 on April 12, 2011, 08:28:00 AM
Thanx for all the responses    Im going to try the later part of the season this year and spend time all day out there .
    Just something new to adapt to and try  
 Thanx again guys  Dan
Title: Re: Turkey Hunting Question
Post by: Bernie B. on April 12, 2011, 10:35:00 AM
You guys have all given some great information that works for you.  I think it all boils down to you hunt when you can.  Anytime of the day during Spring turkey time is a great time!

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Title: Re: Turkey Hunting Question
Post by: bigbadjon on April 12, 2011, 12:13:00 PM
I think hunting turkeys all day is more productive than it is for deer. We have killed most of ours early in the morning, but I see them at any time of day. I took one on Friday at 7:59 am. On this hunt I had seen turkeys at 9:00 am, 4ish pm, and 6:30 pm on previous days.