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Post by cwagener on Dec 20, 2015 6:34:31 GMT -5
When does everyone start going out to find where they want to setup and try patterning spring birds?
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Post by dbd870 on Dec 20, 2015 9:03:57 GMT -5
Only hunt 2 properties and I pretty well know what to, so I don't anymore
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Post by GS1 on Dec 20, 2015 9:15:06 GMT -5
If you are hunting a new property that you know holds birds in the spring, anytime before the foliage starts coming out is a good time to walk the property. There may or may not be birds there right now, but the lack of foliage let's you see further. Take note of fences, creeks, ditches, and other areas that will create obstacles for an approaching gobbler or nice clear ridge tops that could serve as strutting areas.
Closer to spring (mid/late march) the winter flocks will begin breaking up and the birds will start to scatter. Hens will move to areas more suitable for nesting and gobblers will begin to separate and look for their own areas. Birds may show up where they have not been seen since last spring.
Knowing the woods, you can listen from a distance without disturbing the birds and tell the roost areas, what direction they like to go after fly down and where they like to spend most of their time.
I really don't like walking around close to season and would rather go in blind rather than spook birds in an area I can hunt. Turkeys get spooked all the time, but with my luck the time I do it will be the time they quit using an area.
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Post by cwagener on Dec 21, 2015 8:52:54 GMT -5
If you are hunting a new property that you know holds birds in the spring, anytime before the foliage starts coming out is a good time to walk the property. There may or may not be birds there right now, but the lack of foliage let's you see further. Take note of fences, creeks, ditches, and other areas that will create obstacles for an approaching gobbler or nice clear ridge tops that could serve as strutting areas. Closer to spring (mid/late march) the winter flocks will begin breaking up and the birds will start to scatter. Hens will move to areas more suitable for nesting and gobblers will begin to separate and look for their own areas. Birds may show up where they have not been seen since last spring. Knowing the woods, you can listen from a distance without disturbing the birds and tell the roost areas, what direction they like to go after fly down and where they like to spend most of their time. I really don't like walking around close to season and would rather go in blind rather than spook birds in an area I can hunt. Turkeys get spooked all the time, but with my luck the time I do it will be the time they quit using an area. Thanks for the info! |
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Post by stevein on Dec 23, 2015 10:54:42 GMT -5
Also remember that birds you see now may not be there next spring. And just because there are no turkeys there now they may be there in the spring. Hens will want to be near nesting cover in the spring, the gobblers will be near the hens. You can try to locate roost trees because they will probably use them in the spring too.
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Post by cwagener on Dec 24, 2015 11:32:37 GMT -5
Also remember that birds you see now may not be there next spring. And just because there are no turkeys there now they may be there in the spring. Hens will want to be near nesting cover in the spring, the gobblers will be near the hens. You can try to locate roost trees because they will probably use them in the spring too. Thank you! |
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Post by Genesis 27:3 on Jan 12, 2016 18:25:32 GMT -5
I will make a couple trips out in March but won't get too serious about scouting them until April. I will try and find roost locations and set up a couple cameras this year. There was one loud mouth gobbler that got in crawl last year and I hope and pray he is still around and roost in the same spot as last year. If so, I should have success with him early but, I will keep my annual reservation open at the local loony bin for when he makes me snap! Can't wait to go!
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