Heading to chase some of them swamp chickens in a couple weeks. Gonna be a little north of Jackson. Anybody hearing any gobbling or seeing signs that they're getting itchy?
Thanks!
This just in----- All the turkeys in Mississippi have fled EAST and were last seen crossing the stateline into ALA-FREAKIN-BAMA!!! But I think they are headed to Georgia!!!
Couldn't tell you about gobbling because I haven't been out to listen, but I know in the northern part where I hunt out toms are still grouped together. I expect that to change in the next 7-10 days though as usual.
Should be gobbling more in the central part where you will be hunting. :gobble:
Went and listened yesterday, nothing. Took my little brother for youth hunt today, nothing. Although, we did call up a few hens to about five yards and he got hear clucking and purring for the first time, pretty cool. I'd expect to see them get on their gobble in the next 2-3, granted the weather is warm.
Took my 8 yr old this morn in west central ms. Birds were vocal. Called up 4 jakes and a longbeard. Lok beard bugged out, but the jakes hung around too long and he killed his first turkey. It was a great morning for me. Almost had to fight back a tear. 8)
Went to all my spots yesterday friday 3/8 and heard nada. I'm about an hour south of Jacksonl.
Thanks for the input, fellas. I'm SOOOO ready to settle the score with an Eastern. We're hunting in Holmes county, by the way. Hunted there last year in late April, and while there were plenty of birds around, to say the were SLICK would be an understatement! Lol. Had a couple Mexican standoffs with gobblers, but they got the best of me. Hoping to catch em a little earlier in the season this year....just hope it's not too early.
right know things seem to be running a little early
birds still grouped up and not saying anything down here.
I'm about 1 hour south of Jackson
They aint doing nuthing, and I think the only way you might actually kill one is out of a pop up blind............
This week is supposed to be pretty warm after Monday. Especially the weekend, with a slight change of rain Sunday up north. I bet they start getting rowdy this week. :funnyturkey:
Still pretty bunched up, but they were very vocal on the limb this weekend. The gobblers that I saw were all putting on shows for the ladies
It's been hit and miss gobbling activity in SW Mississippi, mostly miss. They just have not got cranked up yet. However, I agree with northms. This will be the first week in a LONG time where we will have good weather all week and weekend and NO RAIN! So things should start picking up a bit this week. It will be hard to beat last year's opener!
Quote from: daddylongspurs on March 11, 2013, 12:39:48 PM
They aint doing nuthing, and I think the only way you might actually kill one is out of a pop up blind............
Touché....ain't no way, no how.
That was a good one, though!
The woods still look like they are in winter phase with just a few bushes and trees starting to bud. Took my grandson to a great spot last weekend and heard nothing. Last year opening weekend, the dogwoods were already in full bloom. I would give the birds about 2 weeks to get cranking up good.
you should probably stay in texas, LOTS more birds there. lots more corn too. you should probably put you a pop up right next to a feeder........ get you a black metallica shirt and play angry birds till one shows up........
:TrainWreck1:
In Jefferson county I heard 4 birds on the 9th AM. 2 of them only gobbled once and the other 2 gobbled about 15 times apiece. They were roosted with about 30 hens. PM on the 9th I saw 1 gobbler with hens and he would not respond to calling. The only thing I did that made him look our way was gobbling at him. I did hear one other bird gobble twice that afternoon only after I gobbled. Sunday I heard nothing in a different area. IMO they will fire up this week without any fronts pushing through. It's ashame we didn't get this weather for deer season, my woods are wide open now.
I heard a single bird in Yazoo Co Sunday am. He gobbled 4 times responding to my hoots. That was all. I hope he gobbles to my gun barrel Friday morning.
I dont think its time yet. We had an early spring last year and everyone was seeing and hearing birds early. Not the case this year. Im going to listen in the morning in a spot that Ive been seeing birds. This coming week is gonna be warmer and that should help the gobbling.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but is it true that bird numbers are way down in your state?
You are wrong, our flock is doing very well. I believe you are referring to Arkansas. Their bird population has dropped to very low numbers to the point that the Game commission has closed the season in some zones, cut some zones to 9 days and some to 16 days.
Quote from: 10ga.Trauma on March 12, 2013, 07:23:39 AM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but is it true that bird numbers are way down in your state?
Not in Jefferson and Adams county. I think the state overall has a thriving population, minus a few pockets.
Quote from: 10ga.Trauma on March 12, 2013, 07:23:39 AM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but is it true that bird numbers are way down in your state?
I'm not sure about statewide numbers but locally they are lower where I am. Still a huntable population, it's just not the good ole days. I think overall state numbers are holding steady.
any idea why bird numbers are down??
In 2012 Mississippi had it's best hatch in a decade. All the normal contributing factors apply to low turkey numbers. No tagging system, over-worked and under-paid LEOs, wet spring, nest predators, most importantly the rise in turkey hunters.
MS has had a great 2 years for turkey hatches. That according to a buddy in the MDWFP. Should be lots of dumb 2 year olds running around this year. Numbers are good.
Quote from: daddylongspurs on March 11, 2013, 05:27:15 PM
you should probably stay in texas, LOTS more birds there. lots more corn too. you should probably put you a pop up right next to a feeder........ get you a black metallica shirt and play angry birds till one shows up........
:TrainWreck1:
This is priceless... :TooFunny:
Got a slow report from my buddy in North MS. Not one gobble. Did see one group of gobs by themselves. It was a real chilly morning though. I hope they get fired up with this warm front.. :gobble:
Quote from: hwy419 on March 13, 2013, 10:34:19 AM
Quote from: daddylongspurs on March 11, 2013, 05:27:15 PM
you should probably stay in texas, LOTS more birds there. lots more corn too. you should probably put you a pop up right next to a feeder........ get you a black metallica shirt and play angry birds till one shows up........
:TrainWreck1:
This is priceless... :TooFunny:
What this jackwagon won't tell ya is he scared off my best shot at a MS bird last year. Sent him running over the ridge the first time he called. Lol
Sorry meant to quote daddylongspurs....
HWY419 did NOT run off any birds for me last year.
Quote from: Rio on March 13, 2013, 05:08:31 PM
Sorry meant to quote daddylongspurs....
HWY419 did NOT run off any birds for me last year.
That ain't nothin'. I can send a bird over the next two ridges... I am terrible. But, that will change once I get the hang of it... ;D
My buddy said not to even bother coming. They are still in winter flocks, not a gobble to be heard..
well after the first weekend I was somewhat surprised
friday morning ...nothing
saturday morning......nothing
sunday morning...heard 5 different birds,saw 1 gobbler,but they didn't get cranked up until after 8:00
Have heard 9 total gobbles from 3 different birds the first 4 days.