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...
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Well, the honeymoon must be over because the 1st 3 days of the season here have been busts so far, at least from the perspectives I've heard.
It's amazing what a difference a week can make... On Thurs AM we heard a little gobbling at a distance early, then nothing. On Fri AM it was raining, but there was at least one gobbler sounding off at daybreak... then nothing. On Sat AM I had 4 gobblers working at a distance and at different times till 9 AM, then nothing.
At least on Sat AM they were responding to the calls, but not coming to them. You would get one answering you for awhile, then he would shut up. Then another would sound off after a bit, then shut up after awhile. But they would never commit to coming your way. I think they were strutting their zones, and they would shut up when a hen came to them. IMO. Unfortunately, I've got a bum foot and can't readily go to them... so I couldn't make that manuever very easily.
But things will change again in a week. I heard the state biologists were saying the season is running about 2 weeks behind normal. That figures... It seems, so am I...
I had a close encounter on Fri AM w/ 2 hens and a gobbler, but one of the hens busted me before they got into range. They had slipped in silently and she evidently caught some movement.
But the encounter indicates to me that the gobblers are still henned up and not coming readily to the call as yet. TP&W said earlier that the breeding season was running 2 weeks behind this year. And almost every gobbler I've heard since the season opened has been just holloing at me as they went by at a distance.
This was the 1st birds I had actually seen since the opener in 5 trips... Kinda' like that good buddy who disappears for a couple o' weeks now and again... you know he's laid up w/ some babe... somewhere...
They say, "Don't ever ask God to teach you patience, 'cause HE WILL TEACH YOU PATIENCE." Well, the same goes for humility, and you don't even have to ask Him for it... just get too cocky...
2010 Spring Turkey harvest- 0
I had a few come into my call, but every single one came in silent and behind me... busted me every time... Like I said, never get too cocky around turkeys...
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