I seen one all blowed up struttin on a field edge the other day. It has begun...and we still have a month to go!

Jason

Thanks for all the thoughts...

Maineac, that "be prepared to be flexible" is the part that someone old who's new, cringes to read!  :rolleyes:  

Not that many seasons left to do all this learning.  :eek:      

Daniel,

I usually head to Centre...you got a lot further to travel than even I! Good heavens...how long is that 4.5-5 hrs?  I thought 3 was bad enough.

And yeah, with gas $$ and no work, plenty of time but no $$.  With a dad lingering on the edge in a nursing home, I can't just go and stay a bunch of days either...

I've cried it before...hunting "patchwork" where you have permission here and over there but not there and in between, can play havoc with finding bedding for deer or roosting for birds.

Alas, as said, better to be out fighting ticks and skeeters than home on this here net!  

When the birds are early it is better to hunt mid mornings after they head for the nests. Those longbeards get awful lonely when the hens leave them.

QuoteOriginally posted by maineac:
I have always been able to find toms strutting for hens as early as Feb. here in Maine.  The boys start thinking about girls long before the girls want anything to do with the boys.  Most Fish and Wildlife depts. plan their seasons to start after most of the breeding has ended.  Once the mature hens start to nest on a regular basis I have found the toms follow jennys (last years hens) as they are not ready to breed yet, so are not on nests.  They will continue to gobble on the roost and strut for the young hens for quite a while before they lose their enthusiasm.  An early breeding season (if it is not controlled by photoperiod) could mean and early start to the summer pattern.  Like all hunting plan as much as you can, but be ready to adapt to what the animals are actually doing.

Good advice right there  

Did somebody say turkeys?  
About a week ago in S central MO

I have busted turkeys off nests with eggs in them really early some years. Our season isn't til late April.

It seems even those years I still have had birds responsive to calling and decoying. Some years that seem perfect they don't make a peep.

When they shut up hunt them like deer or pray for a little rain and find a good field.


Rob

They have been gobblin here. This is the first time I have seen them around my place.

Doc , I would rather have the hens sittin on a nest then competing with me, just sayin. Drew

I've heard birds gobbling every morning I've been in the woods for the last 3 weeks. Lately it's taking a little more gobbling to get hens to them. Then it will go quiet for about 1/2hr. and they start up again.

Far as season getting ahead of itself that should be good. Here's what S.C. DNR says about peak gobbling time.

"Once hens begin spending increasing amounts of time away from the gobblers (extended stays at the nest and ultimately continuous incubation) the longest and most consistent peak in gobbling occurs. This time frame offers the best opportunity to hunt gobbling birds."

I've always heard that, but on hard pressured birds that hasn't been the case for me. However, with early spring like this yr. that phase should come in earlier before they get hunted so much.

I pulled a trail cam card this morning..got lots of video of dusting birds...and one real close up of a strutter....way too close.

Been strutting hard here for 3 weeks, season will be a bust in another 3 weeks. Happens every few years.

Now that's close!

This is all quite encouraging folks! Thank you one and all!

Will give it a go and see what unfolds!

Thanks!

I've been watching Toms strut with hens in our hayfield for weeks now! One of the Toms has two cool beards, ( I need to put a tag on him in a bad way) and even two of the hens in the group have nice 5" beards.
I know one problem we're gonna have here in MO with all the warm temps and rain is the hay is gettin tall, trees full and brush thick!
The trick will be seeing them, it's bound to be a learning experience as I just can't remember a spring that has sprung so early.
I have noticed lots of jakes this year for whatever reason.

as much as I like the visibility I curse it at the same time.  I like the trees green.   It covers movement and allows you to really get in close at times.   It does play with sound though so it can be a catch 22 and that is normally about the time they are henned up pretty hard where we've hunted.

ps, when it rains...go to the green!!!