More turkeys this year?

I'm not sure if there are actually more turkeys in N. TX. this year or if I'm just getting better at locating them, but I think it's probably a bit of both. Whatever the case, in my scouting treks this year I have encountered more turkeys, both eastern and rio strains, than any other year in recent memory. And I have to ask myself why is that the case?
I know I've improved on my owl hoots in the pre-dawn because I'm getting gobblers answering me almost every time. But 4-6 at a time from a single owl hoot? And on almost every occasion lately? And out of numerous scouting trips this year since back in January, I can remember only one trip where I didn't see or hear any turkeys... And I suspect there are a lot of jakes out there doing a large part of the gobbling. But I have seen numerous longbeards as well.
But I have to give mother nature most of the credit for the successful turkey encounters this year. As I have mentioned here on other posts, this year has been an unusually wet year in N.TX. since last July. And the habitat is exploding in the areas where I frequently scout for wildlife. And when the habitat flourishes, so does the wildlife. I just wish I could get more landowners to realize that you can manage your land for cattle, timber, or crops... AND wildlife as well, w/ a little common sense and effort.
Of course, all these sightings and encounters won't necessarily compute into the bagging of birds once the season opens. But having had so many quality encounters already this year, I can't honestly say I would have the right to complain if I didn't get a shot this year. But anticipation is high for a successful year turkey hunting.
And I'm already suffering from early morning awakenings. It's an affliction that I have, don't you know... Depression, you say? Not hardly...

Choir practice has begun...

The bobcat mentioned in the comments put this guy up a tree.

As I do every year prior to the opening of turkey season, I went scouting yesterday AM for turkeys. It's an excuse I use to get out and wander the outdoors w/ my camera and turkey calling garb. I enjoy it every year as much, and sometimes more, than the actual turkey hunting; plus it's good exercise, and it gets me in shape for the season.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

I had been out last Thursday AM doing the same thing, but in another area I knew would hold turkeys. That AM I heard a few gobbles at a distance around daylight w/ one answering my owl hoot call, but only once.
Yesterday I was exploring a new area where I had seen a big longbeard come over the road back in January... and maybe a mile from where I had been last week. But the difference in a week was remarkable. Yesterday I had 2-3 gobblers sounding off from before daylight till flydown... and periodically after that until about 9 AM.
The closest roost was only about 200 yds from where I started calling before daylight, and he would answer my owl hoots every time I called. The others were too far off to pinpoint, but they joined together following flydown and moved ahead of me to the east... as I explored the new area in their direction. They would gobble every now and again and let me know where they were.
I didn't break out the turkey calls but once for fear of educating them before the season. But about 9 AM I thought I was close enough to maybe call them in for a picture, so I got hidden and answered one of their gobbles w/ my box call. This time I got answers from 3 gobblers, I think, and not too far away. So I waited a minute or so and hit it again... same thing... gobbles answering back, but further away. I tried one more time... same thing... so I shut up. They obviously were being led away by their hens, IMO.
This time of year I have seen small bunches of hens and jakes and maybe a couple of longbeards hanging together, but about to bust up as soon as the hens get receptive. The longbeards will run the jakes off pretty quick when the hens get receptive. And, having not actually seen these birds, there may not have been any jakes among them; but some of the gobbles that I heard didn't sound mature to me. But they could have been jakes that had already been run off and just following along nearby.
Anyway, I would say the breeding season for turkeys has officially begun in N. Texas. And it made for a glorious AM for this fat, old man. I truly enjoy the encounters as much or more than the bagging of the birds. As long as they will talk to me, I'm happy. But then, choir practice has always been more fun than singing in church... for me, at least...

After awhile this hen came to my call.