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1st or 2nd week

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poorhunter

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I know it varies by property and year to year, but would you rather have the first or second week of the season off work to hunt? This is only on private property that doesn't get hunted by anyone else. I've only had four springs to go by, but in those four, gobbling has been more consistent the second week of April.
 
How far out do you have to take off? I'd take the week with cool, clear mornings over hot or cloudy. Not saying you won't kill them, but they sure seem to talk better on cool clear days.


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Geographic location in state plays a huge role in this decision. I assume Hickman county?

For more ground gobbling, and assuming normal progression into spring, the 2nd and 3rd weeks would probably be peak. If the property is not hunted, pressure is a moot point, so no worries if you miss the first week, and first shot at the birds. With that said, I expect you'll have a lot of people tell you they want first shot at unpressured birds.
 
It all boils down to the weather conditions and how early the spring greenup arrives.

Unfortunately, you cannot predict what the conditions will be for each week of the season. :2c:
 
Andy S.":1nlxnd4e said:
Geographic location in state plays a huge role in this decision. I assume Hickman county?

For more ground gobbling, and assuming normal progression into spring, the 2nd and 3rd weeks would probably be peak. If the property is not hunted, pressure is a moot point, so no worries if you miss the first week, and first shot at the birds. With that said, I expect you'll have a lot of people tell you they want first shot at unpressured birds.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what goes thru my mind...I want to be first, even though nobody hunts any of the properties I do! I'm always thinking someone is going to trespass, although there's only one where that's even possible without the landowner knowing.
 
Overall, six for one, half dozen for the other.

With either week, you cannot predict the weather weeks in advance,
and the weather is often the biggest "wild card" as to which week ends up better.

The pros of the first week typically include at least a few more birds in your area
and they've been less pressured. But these birds are often not as "fired up" as they typically become about the 2nd week of April.

The cons of the first week include a more open under-story (less ground cover) and less leaves coming out higher up as well. This greatly increases the odds you may get busted by both roosted birds as well as birds on the ground.

To me, the big "pro" of the 2nd week is a lot more cover, both at tree-top level and ground level.

I hunt both weeks.
Some years one is better than the other, the next year it can be reversed.

Some years the season's last week has been my best week,
although I prefer hunting earlier in the season for numerous reasons,
particularly less bugs, less mosquitoes, less active snakes, etc.

Just me, I'd rather be cold early season than hot late season.
But have seen a big snow or two on opening day --- and the turkeys were very inactive.
 
Another facet is how you hunt. If you set up on a field with a decoy spread, I am sure you would want first week when they are grouped up with male birds still running in pairs. If you hunt woods without decoys, relying on your setup and call only, later dates with foliage and less hens in the mix could benefit you, assuming all other variables remain constant (pressure, # of birds available, etc).
 
Another facet, is your goal to tag out ASAP, or extend the season as long as possible with a gun in your hand? If the first, then maybe first 9 days straight would be best choice, if not, maybe spread those five vacation days out over the first three weekends to hunt 3-4 days in a row (including weekend), rest up, go to work and miss the woods, hunt 3-4 days, rest up, repeat. It all depends on what your personal goals are and how far your hunting grounds are from your house.
 
Andy S.":27vlvffl said:
Another facet is how you hunt.
Click to expand...
Would add to that your overall hunting experiences and prior successes as a turkey hunter.

In the early days of my turkey hunting,
I didn't understand that a turkey can actually see thru a 22-inch diameter oak
even from a distance of over 200 yards.

Inexperienced turkey hunters who are experienced deer hunters
may have a learning curve in appreciating a turkey's ability to detect even the most subtle movement
that wouldn't catch the attention of a deer.

The 2nd week, with the trees leaving out a bit more and a bit more ground-level cover,
can be advantageous for this reason alone, even to the most accomplished turkey hunter.
 
Andy S.":3ihhhz91 said:
Another facet, is your goal to tag out ASAP . . . .
Click to expand...
Yep. I know several whose goal is to tag out in TN before the season opens in KY,
where they quickly tag out there, too, then head farther west (Missouri, Iowa, etc.) for the remainder of their turkey season.
These are highly skilled, accomplished, very passionate turkey hunters,
many of whom will also tag out farther south (Florida, Alabama, etc.) before TN's turkey season opens.

My goal tends to be to hold back, so I don't have to quit hunting in TN before the season ends :mrgreen:
But then I'm not as passionate about turkeys, nor as skilled, as so many others.

I'd be just fine if turkey season didn't even open for another week or two later than it does.
 
Andy S.":3ft2uvl3 said:
Another facet is how you hunt. If you set up on a field with a decoy spread, I am sure you would want first week when they are grouped up with male birds still running in pairs. If you hunt woods without decoys, relying on your setup and call only, later dates with foliage and less hens in the mix could benefit you, assuming all other variables remain constant (pressure, # of birds available, etc).
Click to expand...


Shhh!!!! Don't tell Setterman, but I'll be at least using a blind for the first time ever with the kids, maybe even a decoy if I can borrow one.
 
TheLBLman":bbwl0ylf said:
Main facets are where you hunt, and your level of turkey hunting experience?
Click to expand...

I'm no Roost1 or Setterman, but I've killed my share over the last 25 years.
 
I'm prolly the worst turkey hunter y'all know BUT even a blind hog finds an acorn every once in a while.
Blessed to have some good spots where even Ray Charles could kill a bird.
With that being said I'd love to hunt with any of the guys posting in this thread. Love to meet new people and new places.
Trying to work out a hunt about " half way up the mountain" with Poleaxe. Not sure I want get "up on the mountain" where cowhunter and setterman (turkey killing machines) hang out. I'm prolly too fat and out of shape for that. :tu:
 

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