turkey hunting

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

I've walked right by hens on nests within 10 feet and in my experience they just flatten and sit tight.
.

While surveying a thinning project on our tree farm with my local Conservation Dept. private lands specialist, we flushed a hen from a nest. I took photos of the nest and we marked its location (she was obviously laying and not setting as there were only 4 eggs). The PLS called the State turkey biologist (our farm is in one of the State's turkey focus areas, so the turkey biologist was familiar with our farm which they'd scouted to trap turkeys for putting location collars on them for their study). He said that turkey hens will not revisit their nest if pushed off it. The PLS and I were skeptical, so, after waiting the appropriate time (and getting the OK from the turkey biologist), I went back to check the nest. The eggs -- the same number we found upon flushing the hen -- had obviously been predated by something -- probably a coon or 'possum. Another time Elaine and I flushed a hen from a nest while surveying our access trails. We noted the number of eggs and went back much later to check. Eggs were there (same number), but no sign of the turkey. Our last check of the nest indicated that the nest had been abandoned. That's a tiny sample size, I know, but based on those experiences and what the turkey biologist said, I'm inclined to believe that scaring a hen from her nest is the end of that nest.

But, Dean, I agree with your observations, at least in the two or three instances where I saw the hen on the nest but she did not flush. We observed one hen on multiple occasions and she sat tight. As far as we could tell, she raised a brood from that nest.

BUT, I would still like to hunt turkeys in the afternoon. We are in the woods roosting them, and there is no prohibition against that. I have had many a chance at an otherwise unhuntable Tom while waiting near his roost in the late afternoon/evening. Plus, you don't have to get up early!

[J. A. EARLY]

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon

He said that turkey hens will not revisit their nest if pushed off it. The PLS and I were skeptical, so, after waiting the appropriate time (and getting the OK from the turkey biologist), I went back to check the nest. The eggs -- the same number we found upon flushing the hen -- had obviously been predated by something -- probably a coon or 'possum. Another time Elaine and I flushed a hen from a nest while surveying our access trails. We noted the number of eggs and went back much later to check. Eggs were there (same number), but no sign of the turkey. Our last check of the nest indicated that the nest had been abandoned. That's a tiny sample size, I know, but based on those experiences and what the turkey biologist said, I'm inclined to believe that scaring a hen from her nest is the end of that nest.
:

Gary,

Last year I let my clover and grass field grow until the end of June. I was sure all birds had hatched. As I made the last round with the bush hog a hen that I had observed the whole spring flew and I stopped the tractor. I left the tall hay intact. Checking often the next week, she never came back. I felt so bad that I had caused six or more birds to not hatch and she was so close. It is the second week of July usually for us in your old home state. I won't do that again.

[John J Sundelin]

Originally Posted by Jerry Harlow

Gary,

Last year I let my clover and grass field grow until the end of June. I was sure all birds had hatched. As I made the last round with the bush hog a hen that I had observed the whole spring flew and I stopped the tractor. I left the tall hay intact. Checking often the next week, she never came back. I felt so bad that I had caused six or more birds to not hatch and she was so close. It is the second week of July usually for us in your old home state. I won't do that again.

We have kicked many turkeys and even ducks off their nests while cutting hay. A couple hens went through the mower conditioner, that was messy. I was raising poultry at the time and have several large incubators so I would grab the eggs and put them in the incubator. Most usually hatched so I would raise them for a few months having minimal contact with them and feeding non medicated feed. They always managed to get out and join their family flock of 40-60 birds that lives around here. They roost across the road in the pines then feed through the cow pasture in the mornings and afternoons.

[Kent Nickerson]

Have filled my tags for the year, but it's fun to look around and see what's going on out there. Scouting FPV from the drone I found this fellow still out and about two days ago. (small dot in strip at left). Happy hunting, ya'll.

[Harold Pickens]

Don't know whether I'm good or just lucky . Probably just lucky! Set up Mon. morning, birds gobbled down below me, made 1 series of yelps, and laid the box call down. 6:40 and done for the day, birds were still carrying on, so took the gobbler back to the truck and exchanged gun for thermos of coffee and some oatmeal raisin cookies. Sat there in the sunshine listening to them carry on, no doubt I could have called in another , but only 1/day. Then caught a stringer of bluegills and crappies--my version of a Blast and Cast! Been back in the area for the next 3 days lugging around the Beast--a grade 2 12ga hammer gun with 30" F/F chokes--damn, I need a sling on that thing. Not the gun I want when I have to run and gun the logging roads, but really want to shoot a turkey with it. Maybe tomorrow.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Harold Lee Pickens

Don't know whether I'm good or just lucky . Probably just lucky! Set up Mon. morning, birds gobbled down below me, made 1 series of yelps, and laid the box call down. 6:40 and done for the day, birds were still carrying on, so took the gobbler back to the truck and exchanged gun for thermos of coffee and some oatmeal raisin cookies. Sat there in the sunshine listening to them carry on, no doubt I could have called in another , but only 1/day. Then caught a stringer of bluegills and crappies--my version of a Blast and Cast! Been back in the area for the next 3 days lugging around the Beast--a grade 2 12ga hammer gun with 30" F/F chokes--damn, I need a sling on that thing. Not the gun I want when I have to run and gun the logging roads, but really want to shoot a turkey with it. Maybe tomorrow.

Sounds like a day to remember! Pictures if you have any.

[Harold Pickens]

Sure Garry, I got pictures- but not of that one. Got this one today with the Grade 2 hammer 12 with 30" F/FF, ser 34275. No action early morning, and was half asleep in a lawn chair when one gobbled over the hill. Put the decoy out quickly and he popped into the field 250 yds out. Came right in, and at 100 yds, laid down the box call, cocked the hammers, and just used my natural voice to bring it thr rest of the way in. Thought he was at 25 yds, but was 32yds. Shooting 1 1/8 oz of #7's with 23 gr of 7625 in a Rem hull. Went down real hard.
Two year old with 10" beard and 1 " spurs, probably 20 lbs. Very happy with it. My first Parker turkey--pictures to follow, have to download off my phone.
Hey Garry, didn't you live in Ohio for a while??-flushed a grouse in strip pit area, made me quite happy!!