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.
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
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
Yup, found a nest today too.
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.
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
thanks for the advice guys i know where i was seeing them. ill mow a strip there and see what happens.
Cutting SOME of the grass will let them get it's better too
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.