Not looking too good

[poorhunter]

That's being very optimistic. I suspect it is more than likely due to it being Easter weekend. For example, I was the only one on our place this weekend. The whole bunch of guys (8-10 of them are all rolling in this coming weekend) due to the holiday.

I have had the same thoughts the last two years (this being the 3rd season) while hunting. I keep asking myself if I even want to shoot a tom due to the lack of population

Yeah you could be right about them not being there because of Easter. Hasn't stopped them b

Birds are spotty again it seems. Few pockets with plenty, but may be 5 or 6 miles before the next big pocket. After the big flocks break up they should disperse to nest assuming suitable habitat (nesting cover, water) if most of the toms in the big flock haven't already been killed.

Been watching the huge flock down the road. 3 toms and 8 hens broke off and made it to the property next to mine this morning. Sure hope they drift onto my place next couple days.

I'm hopeful this is the case. The winter flocks I watched this winter had more birds than the past 3 years so I was looking for a better year this year.

 

[PossumSlayer]

I've heard quite a bit of gobbling, my shot was the only shot I heard this weekend.

 

[megalomaniac]

I've heard quite a bit of gobbling, my shot was the only shot I heard this weekend.

Heard a lot of shooting this past 3 days, but less than prior 4 or 5 years. In fact, neighbors shot one of our leftovers this morn right on my line as we were walking out.

About to head out and scout a new place for tomorrow's hunt.

 

[Hymie3]

My lease has traditionally had a lot of turkeys on it and hopefully still does. Opening morning I usually hear 5-8 gobblers at daylight. Saturday I heard absolutely nothing. No gobbling, no hens, nothing.. May have been the 28 degrees but I dont think so. Anyway, got lucky around 9:00 but its weird that so many of us havent heard much gobbling yet..

 

[megalomaniac]

its weird that so many of us havent heard much gobbling yet..

After the nationwide turkey slaughter last year, I think fewer gobbles (and a lower statewide kill) this year is to be expected. Hopefully they are able to rebound in the next 3 or 4 years. If the hens don't get to cranking out poults this year, we may be in serious trouble.

I've only seen 8 jakes covering 3 counties this spring. (Normal would be 35 to 40 in that much ground on foot and in the car). Even fewer hens than last year.