Wintering Turkeys

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Dover_Mike

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I have been getting pics of over 50 different Toms on our lease this year. They are running in about 5-6 different flocks. But, I am not seeing the hens like we use to. I am no turkey expert by any means and I am wondering how this will effect the spring hunts. we have 2600 acres of timber lease land and last year we harvested 14 toms but, we had ALOT of hens wintering on us and not many toms. Any advice on how to get the hens back on our track?
 
I wouldn't worry about it right now. A lot can/will happen on 2600 acres between now and April.
 
now in all serious reply you will be fine they are there just not hanging together, if you have that many toms guarentee you will have plenty come spring!
 
Yesterday I saw 3-4 flocks totaling at least 150, probably more birds yesterday. When they started flying I couldn't believe how many popped up from behind small rises in the terrain. There were flocks completely invisible till you walked across the field and realized they were right there in the middle. Anyway there were hens, toms, jakes, poults, you name it. Didn't actually see beards because they were too far away, but you should have heard them after they crossed a creek and scattered. Hens and poults yelping and cackling everywhere and jakes and toms gobbling in groups. It was awesome
 
you should never worry what is there this time if year and how it will effect spring. Most areas do no support year around support for turkey flocks. If you still are not seeing toms or hens come mid march then you want to start worrying.

I have a large track I deer hunt that doesn't have a bird on it in the winter but for whatever reason it's loaded come spring.
 
Unless a ton of habitat management is being done seeing birds in the winter can be a bad sign. Many times they're there for a food source which they will consume by spring.

I had a place in Bama that never had a bird on it until March when things first started to green up. Like a light switch they would appear everywhere
 
Setterman said:
Unless a ton of habitat management is being done seeing birds in the winter can be a bad sign. Many times they're there for a food source which they will consume by spring.
Click to expand...

I don't agree with this. My turkeys stay year round. I saw 7 longbeards yesterday morning. They will roost in the same general area all year. For some reason the gobblers stay in the woods and the hens stay in the fields.
 
I have been seeing huge groups of 150 or more. Hens, Toms, Jakes, and poults all together in the same areas i killed all my toms this last spring. I sure hope they are still around this spring. Since i am new to turkey hunting i don't know if they will be there come spring. From all my time in these areas the last few years fishing and hunting (deer and small game), I have always seen lots of turkeys no matter the time of year. Which helped to get me into turkey hunting. With 2600 acres i would think they would be there somewhere come spring.
 
Everywhere I have ever hunted they normally range different in the fall-spring. All but one of my places are void of turkeys from July through mid March.
We set it up that way too. Create good nesting habitat is number one, along with good brood rearing habitat, spring-summer food sources, open pastures for strutting, and the most over looked don't call to them before season or scout for them. All it does is scare them away.
In the fall, I believe turkeys pretty much rely on fall food sources, with acorns being number one.
 

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