Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: woodbender on April 19, 2012, 10:12:00 PM

Title: turkeys and knee high grass
Post by: woodbender on April 19, 2012, 10:12:00 PM
hey all i just purchased a 95 arce farm. about 80 arces are pasture, and up to a couple weeks ago i had alot of toms strutting and crossing this big field in the back.the grass was probally about 8 to 10" inches high. well now that season is here the grass is close to knee high and i have not seen hardly any birds in it.will turkeys avoid my fields because of the grass or is somthing eles happening. what do you think.
Title: Re: turkeys and knee high grass
Post by: TSHOOTER on April 19, 2012, 10:21:00 PM
This spring weather has everything 3 weeks ahead.  In western KY toms and jakes are back together and hens are on nests.  Have found 2 nests already hatched.  Very few birds gobbling.  Also, I believe turkeys don't like hanging out in thick tall grass.  I've been having to hunt them more like deer and try to figure where they're roosting and where they are feeding and set up and wait.  They may not gobble at all but if you hear birds fly up or down they are most likely tom's and jakes.  Most hens are staying on the ground now.
Hope that helps...good luck
Title: Re: turkeys and knee high grass
Post by: woodbender on April 19, 2012, 10:28:00 PM
here in missouri every thing is ahead to real warm march with rain and everything took off. the woods are already pretty thick looking, and the grass is growing crazy. thanks for the input
Title: Re: turkeys and knee high grass
Post by: Overspined on April 19, 2012, 11:42:00 PM
Yup, found a nest today too.
Title: Re: turkeys and knee high grass
Post by: Friend on April 20, 2012, 09:52:00 AM
High grass can cause many a miss for us trad guys.

Suggestion-

1. Select the location which you wish to hunt.

2. Mark off a ~60 x 60 yard section and thoroughly walk and verify there are no nest.
Note: Longer is be more desireable.

3. Bush hogg a section  approx. 60 yards wide by 25 yards deep. Note: Longer is more desireable but not deeper.

4. Birds will likely be in it the next day if not before.

Note: Worked again for me last week.
Title: Re: turkeys and knee high grass
Post by: rolltidehunter on April 20, 2012, 01:03:00 PM
that high grass is great for nesting. dont bush hog all the pasture. only what u need for hunting. a small acre or two will do for hunting. there is no need to bush hog it untill later. great cover for baby turkeys
Title: Re: turkeys and knee high grass
Post by: woodbender on April 20, 2012, 02:37:00 PM
thanks for the advice guys i know where i was seeing them. ill mow a strip there and see what happens.
Title: Re: turkeys and knee high grass
Post by: awbowman on April 20, 2012, 05:14:00 PM
Cutting SOME of  the grass will let them get  it's better too
Title: Re: turkeys and knee high grass
Post by: PCF on April 20, 2012, 10:21:00 PM
High grass is great cover for nesting and rearing young poults, however, fresh cut fields spread seeds and can make for some awesome afternoon turkey hunting.