Our season opens mid April (very late for Texas) but I'm already looking.
I was out Tuesday for a few hours and saw absolutely zero sign.
On my way out, I spot two longbeards crossing a pipeline. Man that was a sight for sore eyes!
I know most of us keep any eye out on turkey activity year round, but is anyone else out actively looking already?
Yes was out last week putting in a little turkey time ....
Hope to put in some scouting this weekend and next week on some land I just picked up
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I try to spend as much time in the woods I Turkey hunt as possible. This time of year I'm learning the lay of the land creeks good listening areas etc. when the gobbling starts then I narrow down to the areas I plan to hunt. It also helps a lot to put some miles on to get in shape for the season.
Too early to get much hunting information now as they are still in winter patterns and flocks. Good time to walk and learn the land and get ideas of where birds may be. Will start scouting for hunting first week of March or so.
Nope. Have another month till they're in their spring areas.
Not even close here in WI, everything is still in winter flocks... month+ and will start putting in some time. For now just looking at flock condition, numbers and such. And same here birds are not where they will be come season...
MK M GOBL
Yea in my area we're still getting winter storms. Even the winter flocks are not visible w hunting still happening. Haven't seen one turk in months. Things are getting closer though
Have been for close to month now. Daily when this crazy weather allows.
We hunt our deer lease so we have a real good idea where the birds are. We will start early morning scouting, for gobbling, around the last week of March for our opener on the 14th of April.
Been out and seen some monsters. Turkeys are moving and picking around not allot scratching here but seen the birds have seen probaly close to 50-60 in last week. One flock of about 50 hens and seen 3 nice long beards today.
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Nope. I will start late February or early march. Season doesn't Starrt till mid April anyways. I scout a year ahead anyways. Just checking out were turkeys are present. I am more of a play the ball as it lies kind of guy. Very little roosting the day before I hunt. If I am in earshot when one gobbles at daylight it's good enough.
Too early to pattern Turkeys in my opinion. But I do like to walk any properties I hunt. With no leaves it is easy to see the lay of the land. At this time I use trail cams to do my scouting. I'm mainly interested in seeing those flocks of Gobblers. Caught 5 on a trail cam last week. I know at least two or three will be close by when the season gets closer and I start listening.
As an old guy I focus on getting in shape. Currently running three miles every other day. Seems my turkeys always gobble on the other side of the farm.
Found a bunch of fresh scratching today...nearly the same area as last year this time...taking stands and safety ropes down but always looking for turkeys!
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Heard my first gobbles of the year last Friday on a beautiful cool morning. Squirrel hunted real close to an area I took my daughter last year and we were covered up. It's permit only area for turkeys and she has one there again this year. Birds gobbling were within a half mile of where they were last year so I have no reason to believe they won't be in there again.
The purpose wasn't really to scout I really just wanted to get in the woods and knew there were squirrels there but then hearing those birds sure was a welcome bonus. The best part was on the way out when a half dozen longbeards walked across the road in front of me.
About another 3 weeks and I'll check on them again and get into full scout mode. Youth season here for her is March 10 and 11 then regular season opens the next weekend. Getting close!
Only scouting a fellow could do around these parts for the next 6 weeks, anyhow, is to look for tracks in the snow...............
UGH !!!!!!!!!!
Been heading out every Saturday to "squirrel hunt" on some places I thought might hold turkeys in the coming spring. Can never have enough places to hunt.
Quote from: Yoder409 on February 07, 2018, 08:16:53 PM
Only scouting a fellow could do around these parts for the next 6 weeks, anyhow, is to look for tracks in the snow...............
UGH !!!!!!!!!!
I feel for you.
It's really too early here too, they are still in winter flocks. This time next month they'll be gobbling for sure tho.
I wasn't actively scouting but I saw a tom strutting a day or 2 ago. Thought that was unusual so I called my local wildlife biologist. He said it was a little early but not unheard of.
Quote from: wade on February 08, 2018, 12:34:04 PM
I wasn't actively scouting but I saw a tom strutting a day or 2 ago. Thought that was unusual so I called my local wildlife biologist. He said it was a little early but not unheard of.
Just some normal behavior, toms do strut, gobble and maintain their pecking order throughout the year. When breeding time comes and they are less tolerant of other males (depending on their bachelor group or if they are solo) then you will see displays to hens and an increase in an amount of gobbling and strutting behavior.
MK M GOBL
scouting never really ends for me. I am always making mental notes of activity and sign regardless of the time of year.
Back out yesterday for about 4 hours on a small farm scouting....
I'd like to get out and hang a feeder or two in the next couple weeks but haven't done anything yet.
Cleaning out creek at crossing this am as we are expecting a lot of rain and can't afford to repair road. Looked up and seen over twenty birds crossing the field. Still flocked up and did not see any mature gobblers. Probably in their own gang.
Started my scouting a few weeks ago. Placed my wireless trail cam out and been watching this lonely Tom for a few weeks.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180211/3d629aa3e2101ddd0730cfb0339d61b3.jpg)
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It was warm and rainy here today so I drove back roads and glassed some fields. I'll get out and yote hunt a few times between now and the season but I pretty well know where I'll be hunting.
haven't scouted in years. my pre-season prep is getting my legs ready for a test of indurance. in my area, if your not in great shape your not going to be able to get to a turkey, let alone kill one.
I pretty much know where they'll be from year to year on private and public land. I do a lot of training to get ready physically. Very rough terrain. Running, push-ups, sit-ups, it all helps.
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Running squirrel dogs from late fall all the way thru the winter allows me to start scouting pretty early. I don't take too much stock in sign I find in November/December, but everything i see this late gets noted or marked on the gps!
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Unfortunately not. Between doctor's visits due to a vehicle accident, physical therapy, finalizing wedding plans, and selling my old camper and getting a better one for my hunt camp, I haven't had time to set foot in the woods. I'll be hitting it after I get home from the honeymoon :z-flirtysmile3:, not that I'll have much time left 'till opening day. Fortunately I know the areas that I'm going to be hunting quite well. :turkey: :turkey: :turkey:
Quote from: RutnNStrutn on February 15, 2018, 08:47:17 PM
Unfortunately not. Between doctor's visits due to a vehicle accident, physical therapy, finalizing wedding plans, and selling my old camper and getting a better one for my hunt camp, I haven't had time to set foot in the woods. I'll be hitting it after I get home from the honeymoon :z-flirtysmile3:, not that I'll have much time left 'till opening day. Fortunately I know the areas that I'm going to be hunting quite well. :turkey: :turkey: :turkey:
Car wreck??? Marriage??? I need to keep up with you better than I have been! :TooFunny:
Get well and good luck my friend! :icon_thumright:
Quote from: Tail Feathers on February 16, 2018, 02:14:55 PM
Quote from: RutnNStrutn on February 15, 2018, 08:47:17 PM
Unfortunately not. Between doctor's visits due to a vehicle accident, physical therapy, finalizing wedding plans, and selling my old camper and getting a better one for my hunt camp, I haven't had time to set foot in the woods. I'll be hitting it after I get home from the honeymoon :z-flirtysmile3:, not that I'll have much time left 'till opening day. Fortunately I know the areas that I'm going to be hunting quite well. :turkey: :turkey: :turkey:
Car wreck??? Marriage??? I need to keep up with you better than I have been! :TooFunny:
Get well and good luck my friend! :icon_thumright:
Apparently so!!! :lol:
Found a pretty hot spot .watched five gobblers Wednesday and stopped back by this evening and found strut marks
Raining today. Birds were in the field and there was one out there all puffed up spinning like a top. Must be the warm weather.