turkey hunting

[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.
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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.

[Dean Romig]

Jerry, that was probably a late or second nesting because the first nesting had failed. It’s unfortunate but a fact of life.

We have a swan on the Shawsheen flats here that due to very high water, has had to make a new nest and lay more eggs a few times in the last several years.



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[Big D]

Mich season opened yesterday. First time I've hunted turkey at 32 degrees. Grouse drumming, geese honking, cranes cackling, and pileated woodpeckers pecking. The spring woods are much more interesting than during deer season. Oh, BTW no turkeys heard

[charlie cleveland]

but aint it nice just to be out and alive......charlie




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[mobirdhunter]

I went scouting this morning on a farm about an hour SW of us. The road to our Tree Farm is not passable, so I'll save it for the second week. I heard 2 or 3 gobblers this morning, all just on the edge of the property. I'll be ensconced in the brush overlooking a couple of decoys tomorrow morning. I just hope I get to "see a show" as Pop used to call a Tom's strutting. Elaine got me a Garmin watch to go with our dog tracking collars. It also gives me my heart rate. I can't wait to see just how high it goes if a big one strolls in to my calls.

[Big D]

A body of mine shot one this AM with a 36" 10 gauge H&R 10 gauge. Charlie, you should have been there

[charlie cleveland]

yes i should have been there maybe next time...them 36 inch barrel 10 ga s will reach out and touch them for sure....charlie

[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.