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General Discussion => Turkey Hunting Tips ,Strategies & Methods => Topic started by: Scottyb on February 13, 2011, 09:56:29 PM

Title: Toughest state
Post by: Scottyb on February 13, 2011, 09:56:29 PM
NOw of course everyone is going to say their own ( except me) but...

what states have had the toughest turkeys you have hunted....


For me it is South Carolina, followed by DE. 

Soouth Carolina because the goblers dont get started til daylight, I mean some days they gobble for five minutes before they fly down, and getting close is almost imposible. Also, they love the boig river bottoms, and forget about movng around on them. Your day could be over at gobble time, seriously.  If you couldnt hunt all day, I dont think you woudl kill many birds down there at least where I have been...

De is hard because of the low population of turkeys, and you only get 6 days on a public land permit. The challenge in DE for me was finding a turkey moreso than the birds themselves. I got drawn for a large state forest, and walked over a hundred miles scouting, I found 4 gobblers. And in 6 dyas of hunting, I heard two on the public land. I did kill a jake the last day of my permit, and it was well earned trust me....

  Now I have only hunted MD, DE MO, VA, and SC... so my experience is limited..
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Bamastrutter on February 13, 2011, 10:10:14 PM
I'm from Alabama and Ive had guys from West Virginia, Florida, Arkansas, Michigan and Texas hunt with me here and they all said that we had some pretty stubborn birds.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: sodfather on February 13, 2011, 10:12:10 PM
N.Y cause we only can hunt till noon.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Jay on February 13, 2011, 10:13:21 PM
I'll let some of the guys who hunt a lot of states answer that, since I've only hunted Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. However, when I've had decent land to hunt, it didn't matter.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: TauntoHawk on February 13, 2011, 10:27:45 PM
Ive only hunted two states but in NY I slaughter turkeys compared to PA

In my part of PA its a good day if I can find a bird and get it to gobble a really good day.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Shotgun on February 13, 2011, 11:35:22 PM
Ive hunted several states and will say that all them have good hunting and bad hunting.  If I was going to guess the hardest place I have hunted it would be south alabama.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: hobbes on February 14, 2011, 12:29:47 AM
I've hunted IL, KY, MO, SD, NE, CO, and AL. 

Public land in Alabama wins hands down.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: OLE RASPY on February 14, 2011, 12:49:34 AM
I havent ever hunted but 2 states and thats nebraska and kentucky(where i live).Nebraska was easy and kentucky well i will just say these birds are stubborn where i hunt.They dont gobble much till good daylight.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: TRKYHTR on February 14, 2011, 12:52:05 AM
I've hunted CA, OR, ID, CO, NM, AZ, TX, MO, KY, SC, AL, MS, FL. I would have to say that NM Merriams on public land the second week of the season was the hardest. When Gobblnut gets done whacking turkeys theres not many dumb ones left. I did happen to score on a small 2 year old but they kicked our butts for 4 days.

TRKYHTR
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: shootumindaface on February 14, 2011, 12:52:59 AM
At home here if you cluck more than once every 20 minutes they take off running..  They are born call shy here..
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: 3chunter on February 14, 2011, 02:50:28 AM
I heard some places in bama are tough. As well as georgia.  But I don't hear of many guys coming to SC and getting done very easily. 
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Executioner on February 14, 2011, 08:48:49 AM
Alabama. God bless.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: bird on February 14, 2011, 08:53:31 AM
Alabama!
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: stinkpickle on February 14, 2011, 08:53:44 AM
Alaska...hands down!   ;)
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: gobbler74 on February 14, 2011, 09:47:01 AM
Alaska...hands down!   ;)

Dangit..I thought I had that one in the bag!  :TooFunny:
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: willy8457 on February 14, 2011, 10:49:47 AM
I think that would depend on weather you are hunting puclic land or private no matter where you hunt. I know that here in Pa , hunting on private land compared to hunting public two weeks in to the season is a whole different ball game.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: neal on February 14, 2011, 12:26:48 PM
Alaska...hands down!   ;)

Dangit..I thought I had that one in the bag!  :TooFunny:
:agreed:
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: hobbes on February 14, 2011, 12:28:52 PM
TRKYHTR, I'm glad someone on this site has given the Merriam's a little credit.  I was beginning to feel inadequate. ;D

Also, I'm glad to see that someone besides myself has had difficulty in AL.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: hunter22 on February 14, 2011, 02:09:26 PM
Our bird population is so low here in northeast Arkansas the hunting is really tough. You cannot kill a bird where there are none. That being said, public birds in Mississippi are also tough after they have been hunted a couple weeks.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: mmusso on February 14, 2011, 03:06:30 PM
Public land in Alabama wins hands down.

I live in AL and hunt both public and club land in SW AL. I've also hunted several other states as well, and my vote also goes to public land birds here. It makes it VERY rewarding when you work a bird, let alone kill one. They get pressured hard and you have to deal with a ton of idiots calling from the road. It's almost as bad as the slamming doors locator call. Just my 2 cents...
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: dirtnap on February 14, 2011, 03:18:19 PM
South Carolina public land.  I have only hunted 3 states but they were easy compared to government birds in SC.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: YELPA on February 14, 2011, 04:12:01 PM
Our birds will make you better and keep your ego in check. 
That said, I hunted a block of public land in Illinois this past year and they put me through the grinder for 3.5 days before I hit pay dirt.  Plus the dang buffalo gnats.  My gloves and face mask still smell like vanilla. 
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: TrackeySauresRex on February 14, 2011, 05:03:53 PM
I hunt only..Pa. NY and Nj....Pa.would be my toughest state.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: GobbleNut on February 14, 2011, 11:04:31 PM
I've hunted CA, OR, ID, CO, NM, AZ, TX, MO, KY, SC, AL, MS, FL. I would have to say that NM Merriams on public land the second week of the season was the hardest. When Gobblnut gets done whacking turkeys theres not many dumb ones left. I did happen to score on a small 2 year old but they kicked our butts for 4 days.

TRKYHTR

Yeah, Joe, that was a tough season, buddy.  I've never seen the birds as hard to kill as they were the year that you, Joey, and Catdaddy came down.  When a turkey slayer and master caller like Joe Slaton has a hard time with the birds, you know they gotta be tough!

Jim
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: savduck on February 15, 2011, 12:32:38 AM
I heard some places in bama are tough. As well as georgia.  But I don't hear of many guys coming to SC and getting done very easily.  


I do. Kill them regularly in SC on public land. Same with GA. Havent hunted many states, but killed birds in all of them. GA, SC, WV, NC, and KY. Actually the place that haunted me was my private hunting club in GA. We had it for close to 30 years, of which I turkey hunted for about 10. I called in a dozen birds for others, but never killed one for myself, They always seemed to be hung up or across the property.  Guess I should have hunted by myself more.

Talking to some old timers......Alabama seems to have the reputation.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: headcrusher on February 15, 2011, 07:06:25 AM
Foi me it would be Alabama! 
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: oatsj on February 15, 2011, 09:14:00 AM
C.a.s.h. ,Hardcore and myself have told you all that there is no turkeys in Alabama.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: guesswho on February 15, 2011, 06:29:15 PM
C.a.s.h. ,Hardcore and myself have told you all that there is no turkeys in Alabama.
You can add me to that list too.  Thats why their so hard to hunt in Bama, ain't none!
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: 870BkWht on February 15, 2011, 09:19:45 PM
I call it a priviledge to work a bird no matter where he is.  I also dont think that Spring turkey hunting as a whole is "EASY".
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: hunter177 on February 16, 2011, 02:49:31 PM
Pennsylvania. I have to say my own state because it's the only state I've hunted turkeys in. I missed a gobbler back in 1990 and I've seen birds on our land and private land near us since then. I've seen them at deer and bear season. For one reason or another either I make a mistake or something happens that keeps me from using my tag. Oh well, maybe this year. Good luck everyone! :fud:
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: jyoung on February 16, 2011, 03:01:56 PM
Public land in any of the southern states is tough! But public land in southwest Mississippi is by far the hardest I have ever had to hunt a turkey! There are plenty of birds, but there is plenty of pressure to go with it.  Those birds have heard every call in the book.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Executioner on February 16, 2011, 05:20:29 PM
Public land in any of the southern states is tough! But public land in southwest Mississippi is by far the hardest I have ever had to hunt a turkey! There are plenty of birds, but there is plenty of pressure to go with it.  Those birds have heard every call in the book.
Have stomped quite a few heads down that way in the Homochitto National Forest. Great hunting, but like you said, TONS of pressure. God bless.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: CASH on February 16, 2011, 07:16:19 PM
Alabama!

What?  You didn't like hunting the thick stuff and hills here?
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: CASH on February 16, 2011, 07:17:38 PM
C.a.s.h. ,Hardcore and myself have told you all that there is no turkeys in Alabama.
:smiley-char092:
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: bird on February 16, 2011, 07:22:48 PM
Alabama!

What?  You didn't like hunting the thick stuff and hills here?


Hell No!   :begging:
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: mossybird on February 16, 2011, 07:37:54 PM
I say the toughest state would be be Alabama. I never hunted there but my dad and grandpaw would always tell me about how the birds are always henned up and this and that. Overall I am pretty sure Easterns are the absolute toughest birds to hunt.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: CASH on February 17, 2011, 09:24:19 AM
Alabama!

What?  You didn't like hunting the thick stuff and hills here?


Hell No!   :begging:

You big wuss!   :goofball:
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Boomstick on February 17, 2011, 02:57:03 PM
i havent hunted turkey anywere yet, but im from south east bama and i went out to the spot ill be hunting at and just sat as they were coming off there roost and without even calling they were walking within 15 to 20 yards of me. i dont know if i just found a good spot or what, but with some of the toms i saw while i was just sitting there for few hours, im liking the looks of this season.

charlie
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: slave601 on February 17, 2011, 08:36:34 PM
id say south mississippi and alabama are bout the same. but even ole preston pittman said it. if you hunt perry greene and forrest county in mississippi your huntin the hardest turkeys there is and im from greene :lol:
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: hookedspur on February 17, 2011, 11:50:45 PM
The toughest state to hunt in without a doubt is the one I decide to hunt in.You know what i mean.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: paladin on February 18, 2011, 07:51:30 AM
I would say Mississippi. We can't hunt jakes and they are they are smart by year two.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: cahaba on February 18, 2011, 11:42:35 AM
#1. Alabama public land

#2. Alabama private land
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: TURKEYWHACKER on February 18, 2011, 08:28:41 PM
Although I've only hunted 3 states for spring gobblers, my vote goes for Florida public land with no quota hunt needed. I've looked at license plates and they read like a Walt Disney World parking lot. Every Tom, Dick and Harry with visions of getting their slam and a thin wallet like me, hit these places every spring.  :fud:
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: cfrye11 on February 19, 2011, 01:23:29 PM
N.Y cause we only can hunt till noon.

 :wave:
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: deerhunt1988 on February 21, 2011, 11:06:27 AM
Have hunted public land in MS,SD, FL, MO, and KS.

Those public land Osceolas are pretty slick....But so are the MS public land gobblers...Hard to pick one which one is tougher..Had it not been for the outlaws, baiting, and roost shooting, the Florida birds would have definitely been easier than the MS birds. People always say that are tighter lipped, but that has to due with the terrain more than anything. You just can't hear them gobble as far in those thick swamps as you can in other terrain.

I have ran into my fair share of disrespectful resident and out of state hunters in both MS and FL too..

If I had to pick a the "toughest" state i'd go by the # days hunted per harvest...And in that case it'd be public land in MS.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Scottyb on February 22, 2011, 10:21:09 AM
So it looks like MS and Al are tops...

thats about what i figured....

Thanks guys for the replies....
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Basin_hunter on March 15, 2011, 04:13:27 PM
I noticed nobody mentioned Louisiana public land in their list. Imagine less than half of the population of birds as Miss and Bamma and the same amount of pressure, then add several years of poor hatches, thus limiting the amount of 2 yr old birds.. makes for very hard hunting. These birds will normally only gobble for a few minutes at daylight, that's if they gobble at all, then they shut down the rest of the day. I would say easterns in the deep south (Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana) would be the toughest.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: hoyt on March 15, 2011, 06:17:38 PM
I agree about the "hard pressured" public land Osceola's being pretty tuff. I've hunted public land birds in Fl., Ga., and S.C. and of those states Fl. was the most difficult due to the Osceola going into thicker stuff and getting into the swamps with water.

They will also just flat quit gobbling when the season goes on and are pressured hard. Before they quit they will just sit up on the roost and gobble..but not necessarily back at your call. They will gobble like "I'm not about to fly down till I see a hen under my tree." Then when they don't they just fly down and walk off gobbling in the opposite direction and you ain't about to catch up with them. That gobble will be the same distance away from you every time no matter how fast you walk.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Larry Mac on March 16, 2011, 08:45:53 AM
I have only hunted Florida--but I can tell you when  you try to hunt after the peak gobbling period is over, it is tough to hunt and find any  gobblers. Lots of hens that are nesting but hard to find the  longbeards. I would imagine any state would be tough to hunt if their hunting season is  after the peak gobbling  period has ended.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: NECKRINGER on March 16, 2011, 09:23:35 PM
I have only hunted 6 states soooo keep that in mind when you read this...
as far as tuff state to hunt? I have not found a state to be harder then the next nor have I found one species of turkeys to be harder then the next.
I have found that it depend on that particular piece of property and at what point you are in the breeding season.
If you show up to any state public or private in the first part of the season when all the yahoos and weekend warriors are out you will have pressure and mishaps due to other hunters in the area. You may also run into gobblers following hens all morning and if early in the breeding seasons the hens may or may not drop off the gobbler in mid morning to nest.
If you want tuff go to any state where you have open public land in the begining of their season. This will give you pressure from 2 angles..hunters and hens.


Going one on one with a lone gobbler in a situation where you have chosen a good set up should be the same in any state with any species.

Many people do not know large vast of public land like they could a small chunk of private so often setting up on a bird or choosing a location in which to call often results in poor choices. In the event there are other hunters and you have kept the bird gobbling you are allowing more time for a problem to happen whether it be a hunter a hen or a predator. al which are attracted to gobbling birds.
Living in South Florida I do not hold Osceolas on a pedestal like most do. Yes hunting a romp and stomp piece of public land in the swamps full of people and few turkeys is difficult but it is evenly difficult in all states under the same circumstances.
The hardest terrain I have hunted birds in is the glades and large river bottoms  in the southeast us made up of lots of small islands where the birds jump from island to island all day. This can be very difficult. However, I have not hunted in the steep mountains and hills of west virginia and such. I would imagine just like anywhere else.
when a level headed hunter sits down in a good set up and does the right thing the bird dies.
I am confindent that the hardest state to hunt is the "state" of mind that lets the hunter start making excuses prior to entering the woods. A hunter full of excuses before daylight is always hunting in the hardest State.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: beards-n-bone on March 17, 2011, 01:20:02 AM
1) Elkins, W.Va. (got snowed HEAVILY on in May)
2) North Alabama
3) Northeast, Tn

Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: dodger on March 18, 2011, 07:13:15 AM
Homochitto national forest birds... southwest Mississippi do your homework and their now too awful to kill
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: jshively on March 18, 2011, 08:12:46 AM
I find the State of Confusion pretty tough - this is where I reside mostly about 30 minutes after first light when that gobbler has not shown up. :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: West Augusta on March 18, 2011, 08:17:01 AM
1) Elkins, W.Va. (got snowed HEAVILY on in May)
2) North Alabama
3) Northeast, Tn



Yeah, but in Elkins if it snows you can go trout fishing.  :boon:
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: hobbes on March 18, 2011, 10:30:31 AM
Neckringer, thats about as true and clear as it gets.  I still hate Alabama birds though.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Scout24 on March 27, 2011, 03:24:36 PM
I've hunted NY, NH and Ct the last 16 years and without a doubt those hard hunted (and poached before the season) Cherry Valley, NY birds are by far the wariest. I remember the talk in one of those towns many years ago about the local road agent shooting 100" of beards before the season opened with a .22 mag! The NH and Ct birds are relatively unpressured and easy by comparison. Several times while inseason afternoon scouting in NY we'd spy a gobbler 300-400 yards away in a field and upon seeing us he'd flush and fly like we stepped on him! Maybe that long range rifle sniping conditioned them. Of my 4-5 50yard plus birds taken (out of 70+) every one were NY birds that hung up.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Basser69 on March 28, 2011, 02:23:00 PM
C.a.s.h. ,Hardcore and myself have told you all that there is no turkeys in Alabama.
You can add me to that list too.  Thats why their so hard to hunt in Bama, ain't none!

I have been saying this for years....You cannot kill what is not there
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: selmadogdoc on March 28, 2011, 04:36:16 PM
I live in central Alabama and have been hunting here for over 50 years.  I have also hunted in Fla., S.D., New Mexico, Wyoming, and Texas.  It doesn't matter where you hunt, educated turkeys are hard to hunt.  Alabama is always on the top of most "hard to hunt" list because it is full of really good and hard hunting turkey hunters.  It's not unusual for hunters here to hunt most every day of a 45 day season.  These boys down here take it seriously.  We've also had a season for a long time.  It's no wonder the turkeys are smart and hard to kill.  Even with all this, most hunters here that hunt an average number of days will kill 2-3 turkeys every year, and some years will limit out at 5.  This is because we have a lot of turkeys, and a lot of private land.  Public land anywhere is hard unless you have a "private hot-spot".

Most of the other places that I have hunted the major problem is finding the turkeys.  There is a lot of open space out west, and like fishing, 10 % of the land will hold 90% of the turkeys.  After finding them, they are not all that hard to hunt.  Anyhow, I enjoyed reading everyone's opinion.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Scottyb on March 28, 2011, 05:50:14 PM
Guys I must say that DE public land has got to be one of the hardest places to kill a gobbler...

Why, BECAUSE THEY ARE ALMOST NON EXISTANT........

and you get 6 days on a tag, and you are confined to one area, not any piece of public land, but one area only, on those  six days.....

I have walked hundreds of miles, and have literally found four gobblers, how is that for tough?

I have walked the entire area of the place I have to hunt  this spring, and can say that I am not too optimistic. Very little sign, and no gobbling at all.... also, it is large tracts of tree farms, and most of the good timber,  is on private land surrounding it...


I am not saying they are the toughest turkeys, because honestly I dont know. I have only killed one in DE, but it is very hard to even find a bird, which really sucks...


But hey I will be hunting and doing my best for the three days I will have to hunt of my permit....
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Ol'Mossy on March 29, 2011, 02:51:14 PM
I would say Pa because there's about 3 hunters for 1 gobbler  >:(
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Ruger M77 on April 04, 2011, 06:36:07 PM
PENNSYLVANIA!!! To many hunters here
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Devastator on April 04, 2011, 06:56:47 PM
PENNSYLVANIA!!! To many hunters here
i will have to agree!seems like more hunters and more hen's every year.i say give us another tag for fall.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: TKE921 on December 20, 2017, 02:29:23 PM
Resurrecting this old thread because I liked reading all the opinions and stories of other states.  I am also at the stage of the game I want to begin going other places each year to hunt different subspecies.

One place I hunt in WV is a 5,000 acre lease.  There are lots of birds and only about 6 of us that turkey hunt...BUT  the elevation begins at just above 3000 ft and tops out at 4038 ft.  It is a mix of old reclaimed strip mine fields, some medium age woods and many regrowing thick clear-cuts (think thick bamboo patch vs barren or 6" diameter trees) and every hill seems to be nearly vertical.

You can be up there and the wind howling 20mph and 35 degrees in early season and drive off the mountain to calm wind and 50 degree temps.  I heard a gobbling bird every single day last season, but 90% of them you can't even go after because of where they are located.  This is the hardest place I have turkey hunted by far.

Next behind that would be in the Alleghany highlands of VA on public land.  Those boys down there hunt everything and they hunt it hard...even their squirrels are more educated than a WV whitetail.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: buzzardroost on December 20, 2017, 03:03:28 PM
I’ve hunted public in TN, GA, AL, and FL. Out of those, FL open public land has by far been the most difficult.


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Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: daddyduke on December 20, 2017, 05:02:35 PM
Indiana for me.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: dejake on December 21, 2017, 02:02:21 PM
I've hunted Fl, NJ and KS.  I hunt DE and Pa regularly, and for me it's PA. 
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: shaman on December 22, 2017, 11:10:58 AM
I too find this an interesting thread, and not what I was expecting.

AL, MS, PA, FL-- these are all states that seem to have tremendous buzz in the media.  Of those, I've only hunted MS and that was only once. 

A state that didn't get a lot of mention was KY, my adopted home turf.  The reason why I bring it up is twofold.  On the one hand there's been a bunch of press about KY being a hard state to hunt.    My opinion is that if you leave your pre-conceived notions about how to hunt turkeys at the stateline and think out of the box, Bluegrass gobblers are not that hard.

Secondly, I saw some stats recently, and Kentucky has the highest success rate of any of the states in the region. I don't think that means we have dumber birds or smarter hunters.  One thing I do know: the high body counts are coming off private land. 
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Jake Smasher on December 22, 2017, 09:22:24 PM
I've hunted in a number of states, WA, OR, CA, IA, NB, TN, MA, & VT.  The New England states were tough because you could only hunt until noon.  Each of the other states can also be tough depending on the time of the year.  But, without a doubt, I think the hardest turkey hunting I've ever had is trying to bag an Eastern Wild Turkey in Western Washington state.  I learned to turkey hunt in that state and was able to scratch out 3 Easterns over ten years.  There were a couple of years when I knew that turkeys were around, but I didn't hear a gobble during the entire season. When I left that state in 2004, the department of fish and wildlife had done a hunter survey and concluded that the average hunter hours for Eastern bagged was right at 240.  Fortunately, by late April shooting time is just around 5:00 AM and it doesn't get dark late in the evening.  Of course, you can also cross the mountains to the East side of that state to hunt Rios and Merriams.  If you do that, it is no more difficult than most states (and easier than some). 
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: jims on December 23, 2017, 09:34:20 PM
I've hunted Colo and Nebraska gobblers.  Nebraska gobblers during the early bow season when turkeys are flocked up in large groups of 10 to 30 is mighty tough.  Toms are like bulls with cows and it's nearly impossible to call them away from their flocks.  They are nearly impossible to decoy and usually head the opposite direction.  Once the large winter flocks start breaking up it tends to be a lot easier.

Colo merriams on public land in the ponderosa foothills is just as tough or even tougher!  There are trees everywhere so spotting and stalking is pretty much impossible.....with lots of country for turkeys to roam.  The turkeys I've hunted may chattered a little bit well before daylight but once they fly off their roosts are generally quiet as a mouse.  The turkeys find out at an early age that if they make noise they get eaten by bears, bobcats, coyotes, and mtn lions.   It is super tough locating toms with so much country and only scattered turkeys that hardly let out a peep.  There seems to be more and more hunters taking up turkey hunting so public land where there are turkeys can be mighty tough.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: WildTigerTrout on December 29, 2017, 02:34:02 PM
I find the State of Confusion pretty tough - this is where I reside mostly about 30 minutes after first light when that gobbler has not shown up. :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
LOL I agree.  I will add public land in my home, the state of Pennsylvania.  LOTS of pressure here and tough hunting!
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: idgobble on January 09, 2018, 11:39:00 PM
PA and MO have been tough ones for me.  I think it's because of all the pressure there.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: MK M GOBL on January 10, 2018, 08:18:04 PM
department of fish and wildlife had done a hunter survey and concluded that the average hunter hours for Eastern bagged was right at 240. 

That's crazy, is it because of a low turkey population? That's 30 8hr days to take 1 bird... I know they are taking an "average" but using the old bell curve I'd hate to be on that low slope.

MK M GOBL
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Laloom83 on January 10, 2018, 10:00:38 PM
I’m from Mississippi and now live in Connecticut. My dad and his buddies had a lease in the Texas panhandle and you could throw rocks and hit birds it was so many.  It was nothing to get a 4 bird limit in 4days. Connecticut isn’t as easy as Texas but I find it’s way easier than Mississippi. I easily get my two bird state land limit each spring and usually take 1-2 on private as well. Ct has a fall season and well but I haven’t gotten into that.  IMO the fall and spring limits allow way too many birds for such a small state.  The land I hunt in Mississippi along with Mississippi state land is very pressured and the birds get call shy very easily. It’s great you can hunt all day but I rarely have a bird come charging into my calling in Mississippi.  I’m sure Alabama is similar.


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Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: GobbleNut on January 12, 2018, 09:44:55 AM
As others have already stated or implied, turkeys don't get hard or easy to kill just because they live in a particular state.  They get hard to kill due to the conditions under which they are hunted.  Regardless of the state, turkeys respond negatively to hunting pressure, whether it be on public or private land. 

From my experience and in my opinion, here's the progression, in general and in brief:
1) Lightly hunted turkeys in areas with high turkey numbers....easiest to kill, not necessarily easiest to call, but easiest to kill because a good turkey hunter will learn where to be to kill one of them, these populations almost always have very vocal birds (i.e. gobbling).
2) Lightly hunted turkeys in general,...again, gobblers usually vocal,....relatively easy to kill,...contain higher numbers of gobblers that have not been conditioned to avoid turkey sounds from turkeys they can't see,...a good turkey hunter will do what it takes to locate one of the gobblers in these populations that will "play the game" and will kill one.
3) Moderately hunted turkeys where conditions are such that there are gobblers around that have not been "conditioned" and are likely to gobble some on the roost or in response to calling,....same as #2,...a good turkey hunter will do what it takes to find a killable bird.
4) Highly pressured turkeys, whether on public or private land, where there are no gobblers left in the population that have not been "conditioned", but which the hunter is familiar with the habits of the birds there,...that hunter will usually know where to be to kill one of those gobblers in time.
5) Highly pressured and "conditioned" turkeys in low numbers and in places where the hunter is not familiar with either the property or the habits of the birds and the birds are reluctant to gobble,...hardest birds to kill just about anywhere (and really not all that much fun to hunt),...even the best of turkey hunters can get "schooled" by turkeys in these places. 

Based on the above, there are certainly states that have more of the "hard conditions" than the easy ones.  However, almost every state has some of all five, depending on where a person gets to hunt. 



Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: jims on January 15, 2018, 02:19:59 PM
This may be linked to the post above's #5.  Generally speaking I would expect toms to be easier to outsmart in areas with high tom to hen ratios compared to areas with only a few toms that are constantly "henned up".  In other words, in an area with lots of toms the toms will likely respond and  react positively to calls.  There aren't too many henned up toms that are willing to leave their hens.  There is no reason for them to leave their pack of hens so they just follow them around. 
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: mightyjoeyoung on January 18, 2018, 07:07:04 PM
Ive only hunted two states but in NY I slaughter turkeys compared to PA

In my part of PA its a good day if I can find a bird and get it to gobble a really good day.

That's because you live in the wrong part of PA, though if you hunt state game lands about anywhere in our state, you're not only dealing with the birds but every idiot tromping around the woods.  That part ofthe challenge is part of themfun for me though. Almost every public land bird I've taken has been within earshot of another hunter.  I've had almost a s many hunts ruined by those knuckleheads too.  You're right though.  PA isma tough, TOUGH state tomtake a muture bird.  If you can kill a big, mature Tom in PA, you can kill one anywhere. 
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Gooserbat on January 24, 2018, 01:00:30 AM
Sounds crazy but Oklahoma... South East Oklahoma in the Ouchiata mountains.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: GobbleNut on February 05, 2018, 06:24:55 PM
Sounds crazy but Oklahoma... South East Oklahoma in the Ouchiata mountains.

Yep,...a perfect example of a public land hunting area with few turkeys that don't like to gobble.  Good place for a guy to test his turkey hunting skills.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: EZ on February 06, 2018, 11:09:59 AM
  If you can kill a big, mature Tom in PA, you can kill one anywhere.

True that!!!
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Stumpy225 on February 08, 2018, 10:21:36 PM
I'm gonna have to say Mississippi.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: southern_leo on February 10, 2018, 11:40:10 PM
Any small tracks with high pressure, this encompasses alot of WMAs in South eastern states

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Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Gumby on February 11, 2018, 12:59:54 AM
Hunt many states every year. Usually the Midwest and south. The toughest are hands down #1 Arkansas(high pressure and very few birds) and #2 Mississippi (more birds but tons of pressure). Most other states seem fairly “easy” compared to these two in my opinion. By easy I simply mean that there are more birds with seemingly less pressure, and thus, a higher likelihood of success. As it’s been stated already, every state has tough public land. The states like Arkansas that currently have low bird populations are the toughest.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: wade on February 11, 2018, 09:25:15 AM
Right now I'd have to say South Dakota and my home state of North Carolina. Because I hunted my butt off last season in both states and didn't kill a bird. Like has been said, public land and pressured toms make it tough in any state.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: dzsmith on February 13, 2018, 06:53:12 AM
Don't take this the wrong way...I haven't hunted as many states as some folks on here, but I have had the opportunity to hunt several. The truth in my opinion. There are very very hard to hunt birds in every state. Every last one. Ive hunted birds impossible to screw with in just about all of them at some point. Ive seen birds in Kansas that took flight at the site of a decoy at 300 yards away. Like many have mentioned they were pressured birds and I was hunting them at the end of season where they had already been hunted to death. I used to think the general consensus of being from the southeast that we had the hardest birds to hunt and in a sense there is some truth to that. But every time I go out of state to the Midwest or anywhere....I always seem to roll up on birds tougher than my homestate of Mississippi. Like many have mentioned, if birds are pressured and have been hunted hard, or if numbers just suck in general....you will have your work cut out for you no matter what part of the country you are in.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: LaLongbeard on February 16, 2018, 01:56:11 PM
Louisiana is pretty tough on public land compared to some other states I've hunted. The low population density is the main reason. We have turkeys in small pockets instead of total coverage like some states.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: albrubacker on February 16, 2018, 08:49:58 PM
I have only hunted DE (home state), PA & MO. And they kicking my rear in PA. 5 yrs and no bird.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Sir-diealot on February 22, 2018, 11:58:56 PM
Unless you have somebody to let you hunt their property NY is a nightmare because all the public land is over run and if that is not bad enough all the city boys come up and shoot at everything that moves.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Txag12 on February 28, 2018, 08:41:19 PM
Sounds crazy but Oklahoma... South East Oklahoma in the Ouchiata mountains.

Yep an my favorite place to hunt. Would enjoy meeting you some day and talking turkeys since we cover some of the same ground
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: MiamiE on March 01, 2018, 07:32:53 AM
Florida has to be the toughest.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: GobbleNut on March 01, 2018, 08:09:07 AM
Florida has to be the toughest.

Florida is the "poster boy" state for the argument many of us have made, which is that it all depends on where you get to hunt.  Florida public land hunts might well be the toughest in the country, but from what I have experienced in my four trips there, private land hunting is pretty much a slam dunk.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Ozark Ridge Runner on March 06, 2018, 08:02:01 PM
I won't say that my home state of Missouri is the toughest to hunt because I haven't hunted them all.  But I will say that the gobblers of the deep Ozarks are super difficult to hunt for many reasons.  I hunt some farm country here as well and those birds are not nearly as difficult as the big timber ones.  Those buggers will gobble some mornings and not on others.  They will gobble on the roost and then shut up after fly down.  They will travel long ridges looking for hens and there is no way to get ahead of them short of sprouting wings.  They will set up on small humps of terrain in the timber that there is no way for you to get on without being seen and they will absolutely not come off that hump.  They will circle the call to the point that I will call standing up and then move laterally 40 or 50 yards before setting up to at least give myself a 50/50 chance of being right.  They never roost in the same place two nights in a row.  I'd like to blow em up with dynamite at times.  When you kill one its the best feeling in hunting.  I've been fortunate to do it over 100 times.  I love it.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Scottyb on March 13, 2018, 01:31:38 PM
Well, it's been 7 years since I posted this! Thanks for all
Of the great replies. Delaware has had a serious turkey explosion and I no longer feel it's hard to find a bird on most public lands- but their permit and lottery system is still screwy.  I began hunting New Jersey also since I posted. I am starting to add my home state of MD as one of the harder states I've hunted because the birds here are gobbling less, and gobbling less at you. They have started just drumming when responding to a call and it makes it a PIA!! Sc is still by far the hardest place I've hunted though.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Tomfoolery on March 17, 2018, 11:38:15 PM
I live in louisiana and i have to say our public land birds are by far the toughest ive hunted. Hunted LA, SD, TX and alabama
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Spitten and drummen on March 23, 2018, 04:35:48 PM
Homochitto National forest in South West Mississippi . If you can kill birds there consistently , you can kill them anywhere.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: 3bailey3 on March 23, 2018, 10:13:22 PM
S and P i would included any government land in Ms.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: MS!48 on March 23, 2018, 10:55:23 PM
I live in the hill country in NE MS. Where it’s all rolling hills and timber. And NW AL is the same thing. All my turkeys have come from NE MS and NW AL. I’ll be honest though they kick my butt more than I do theirs lol. I will say though we have a lot of turkeys here, and on private land ain’t so bad. The few times I’ve hunted public land made me thankful for private land!


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Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: EasternGobblerHunter69 on April 12, 2018, 10:28:23 PM
Alabama no doubt. Especially if hunting in rolling hills. Can't get close enough to them on roost without spoiling them cause of limbs and crunching leaves from walking in dark hoping a copperhead or cottonmouth doesn't decide to have a taste of your leg.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: BrowningGuy88 on April 13, 2018, 09:17:07 AM
I'm from Alabama and Ive had guys from West Virginia, Florida, Arkansas, Michigan and Texas hunt with me here and they all said that we had some pretty stubborn birds.

Me too...

We have had a great run with great private land to hunt for many years and we could put people on birds that came to visit, but putting them on birds and them killing those birds are two different things.

I will say this though, I find Mississippi the hardest for me. It's the only other state I have hunted in enough to have an opinion about and I've killed my limit a few times over the years when I had more time to hunt, but bird for bird, I find those birds harder to kill than the ones I hunt in Alabama.

Honestly, I think a lot of it has to do with hunting strategy, the terrain you are hunting, and knowing the area. I can kill every bird I hear on my private land if I have enough time to hunt him, but take me and put me on a place I don't know and my odds go WAY DOWN.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Kcub205 on April 18, 2019, 11:09:02 PM
Hawaii!!!!
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Southerngobbler on April 19, 2019, 05:36:30 AM
I lived in New Mexico for 10 years and killed a gobbler the first year I hunted them and one or two every year after that. I thought I knew what I was doing until I moved to N/W FL. The turkey killing ceased immediately. Public land Eastern's. It took me 4 or 5 years to even get one. Now I get one every year but it takes the whole season usually. In NM I would get on in a weekend or two.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Longbeardfever4ever on April 19, 2019, 09:47:40 AM
I have hunted SD, NE, KS, PA, and SC. PA was my home state, and while the birds on public could be pretty tough, they loved to gobble. As long as birds are talking it's not too bad.

But I totally agree about SC turkeys being the toughest I have hunted. Just like you said, most of the time they don't gobble till right before flydown. I have managed to strike up a few birds mid morning and had some luck, but off the roost is real tough.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: LaLongbeard on April 19, 2019, 07:23:09 PM
There’s only a few people that have hunted every state and have a legitimate opinion. Each individuals experience level clouds there judgment. If you’ve been Turkey hunting 5 years and been to two states your opinion is useless in a “toughest state” comparison. A couple of the guys that have completed the Super Slam have voiced  ther opinions of what state was hardest.
Dave Owens said Louisiana or Florida and I have to agree Louisiana’s population is low and public land can be crowded. Doesn’t matter if your Daniel Boone’s direct descendant if there’s one Gobbler in a 3 mile area  he’s gonna be tough to find or kill.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: kjnengr on April 23, 2019, 06:29:20 PM
There’s only a few people that have hunted every state and have a legitimate opinion. Each individuals experience level clouds there judgment. If you’ve been Turkey hunting 5 years and been to two states your opinion is useless in a “toughest state” comparison. A couple of the guys that have completed the Super Slam have voiced  ther opinions of what state was hardest.
Dave Owens said Louisiana or Florida and I have to agree Louisiana’s population is low and public land can be crowded. Doesn’t matter if your Daniel Boone’s direct descendant if there’s one Gobbler in a 3 mile area  he’s gonna be tough to find or kill.

Not to mention if the sole experience of "that guy" was a single 3-4 day trip.  If the birds were on fire and willing, the state doesn't seem so difficult.  And yet, if the birds are hard headed for whatever reason, then the birds (although they might not be that bad typically) seem more difficult. 



Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Spitten and drummen on April 23, 2019, 09:55:53 PM
There’s only a few people that have hunted every state and have a legitimate opinion. Each individuals experience level clouds there judgment. If you’ve been Turkey hunting 5 years and been to two states your opinion is useless in a “toughest state” comparison. A couple of the guys that have completed the Super Slam have voiced  ther opinions of what state was hardest.
Dave Owens said Louisiana or Florida and I have to agree Louisiana’s population is low and public land can be crowded. Doesn’t matter if your Daniel Boone’s direct descendant if there’s one Gobbler in a 3 mile area  he’s gonna be tough to find or kill.

This may be true , but Louisiana guys run over here to Mississippi pretty regular. There are more Louisiana guys hunting the Homochitto national forest than residents. They help a great deal on our turkeys education. I have killed a few birds down around the pearl river area and they were tough but not as tough as those Homochitto birds. I have been hunting turkeys 40 years and have hunted in 7 diffrent states. Southern birds are hands down tougher than the mid west and northern birds I have tangled with. Just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: owlhoot on April 23, 2019, 10:20:43 PM
Missouri.  2 birds for every hunter and one of those is a hen.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Old Gobbler on April 23, 2019, 10:51:20 PM
Florida has a 5% success ratio for Turkey hunting , to make things worse habitat is shrinking at a alarming rate
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Gooserbat on April 24, 2019, 08:31:10 AM
Arkansas
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Marc on April 25, 2019, 11:40:06 AM
Florida has a 5% success ratio for Turkey hunting , to make things worse habitat is shrinking at a alarming rate
I went to Florida for graduate school for 4 years...

Hunted some of the large public parcels there (that supposedly had birds), and never once heard a bird or saw so much as a footprint anywhere I hunted...

I bass fished other areas that were legal to hunt during turkey season, always with gun and gear in the car...  Never had cause to take it out.

I did see birds, and found that access could be had for a fee (that I could not afford).

In California, there are plenty of birds, but the primary difficulty is access to them; permission to hunt is rarely granted on private ground.  There are public areas that hold birds though (if you have the time and energy to find them).

There are a couple of public areas near me, in which the surrounding private land is loaded with birds, but the public areas are void of them due to excessive pressure.  When you pull up to a 600 acre unit and 12 cars are there, you know it ain't gonna' be good.

In my mind's eye, the most difficult states to hunt for "Joe Hunter" would be those states with limited access or availability.  The "easier" states to hunt would be those states that have decent populations of birds on public area or in which private permission is still easy to be had with a handshake and a thank you.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: LaLongbeard on April 25, 2019, 04:46:39 PM
Missouri.  2 birds for every hunter and one of those is a hen.
Louisiana probably has one turkey for every 5 hunters and if that turkey is a Gobbler he only gobbles every 3 days lol
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: roberthyman14 on April 25, 2019, 08:51:19 PM
South alabama and north west Florida. Especially public land.  A good season is hot, humid and full of mosquitos.  Not to mention lots of mornings a bird might only gobble once or twice. If you get one good and fired up you can do it. But getting setup on 1 is beyond tough

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Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Gumby on April 25, 2019, 09:00:19 PM
Arkansas

Ditto
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: davisd9 on April 26, 2019, 07:22:35 AM
It is pretty much whatever state the hunter answering hunts 9 out of 10 times.


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Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: dirt road ninja on April 26, 2019, 08:19:03 AM
Alaska
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: davisd9 on April 26, 2019, 08:30:26 AM
If you can kill a big, mature Tom in PA, you can kill one anywhere.

lol
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Bamalimbhanger on May 03, 2019, 07:57:32 PM
this year was crazy for me in Alabama birds did not even roost in the same branch. they may be a half mile away from the previous morning, I wasted quite a lot of vacation time hunting these crazy  birds . I heard as many as 7 birds in the morning  numerous times. I had several in drumming distance but could never get one to take a ride in my truck .... it was tough really tough .... first time in about 6 years that I have not killed a bird during the season
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: yelpaholic on May 03, 2019, 10:59:21 PM
Missippi
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Dtrkyman on May 11, 2019, 02:50:05 PM
IMHO it’s where there is the most pressure and least amount of birds!

My two easiest birds this year came on public land!


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Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: donjuan on May 11, 2019, 03:12:49 PM
I'm guessing Arkansas because that's all the license plates I see in Kansas
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Howie g on February 23, 2020, 08:08:31 PM
Living on the La / Ms line I hunt both states regularly. My vote goes to La 1st Ms is a close 2nd and Arkansas a close 3rd .  Public land in these 3 are tuffest I’ve hunted .  La population is awful with the infestation of hogs and loose of habitat not to mention years of flooding to top it off . Ms gets pounded by out if staters yearly with its early opening date and the government property’s being burned during nesting annually doesn’t help the population either . Hunting ms public will test your gobbler getter skills and also test your patience with fellow sportsmen having poor sportsmanship skills . 
  I’ve only hunted Arkansas a couple of times but from my limited experience,  it’s seems tuff as La and ms . 
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: BB30 on February 25, 2020, 01:09:24 PM
Yep, I'm from MS. Have hunted a decent number of states. IMO Louisiana, MS, and Alabama are all up there at the top. MS and Bama have better hunting opportunities on public than LA does in my opinion. Therefore I would put LA at the top of the list.

Every sub species has their different challenges though. Whether it be the weather IE wind or temps out west or the swamps and palmetto thickets in Florida they all present a different challenge which is what makes traveling to different states so enjoyable.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: bbcoach on February 29, 2020, 08:28:47 PM
I've hunted FL (2), WI (4), KS (1), SD (1) and my home state of NC (10+) and my vote goes to Florida by a BIG margin.  Birds there will gobble on the roost and not so much once they hit the ground.  Tons of running and gunning and cold calling.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: roberthyman14 on February 29, 2020, 08:46:16 PM
I've hunted FL (2), WI (4), KS (1), SD (1) and my home state of NC (10+) and my vote goes to Florida by a BIG margin.  Birds there will gobble on the roost and not so much once they hit the ground.  Tons of running and gunning and cold calling.
Very tough birds to hunt.  And the amount t of pressure on public land really adds to it. 

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Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Cutt on March 01, 2020, 08:32:59 AM
Can't really say, as I only hunt two States, PA and Ohio on public land. But as others have said I believe the timing of the Season when you can hunt, has a lot to do with making it appear easier or harder, more so than location.

Good example as I reside in PA and live within 5 miles of the Ohio line. Ohio Season starts on average 2 full weeks before our PA season starts in May( one of the latest starting States) To me it is much easier to kill a Gobbler in Ohio than PA, but is only due to the earlier start there. As I basically hunt within 5miles east to west in Ohio and PA, so the breeding of both areas is basically the same, where the timing of actual hunting creates an illusion that one area is easier or harder. If both states were to start the same exact day I honestly wouldn't sense a difference, but do notice a difference with an earlier start in Ohio than a later start here in PA.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: tider on March 08, 2020, 10:53:17 PM
Alabama by a long shot, In my opinion.  I’ve only hunted in a handful of states , but these birds here are a worthy opponents for sure.   You don’t get away with anything , especially any small movements.   

I have a lot of friends that hunt all season in Alabama and sometimes only kill 1 or no birds at all , but  always fill their tags when they go out of state for a few days. 

We don’t have the number of turkeys that we once did, but the ones we have are not a pushover. 






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Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: LaLongbeard on March 09, 2020, 11:51:11 AM
Toughest state?
The state of confusion that a lot of “hunters “ I run into on public land are struggling with ,lol
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: mtns2hunt on March 09, 2020, 09:21:32 PM
Toughest state?
The state of confusion that a lot of “hunters “ I run into on public land are struggling with ,lol

x2
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on March 10, 2020, 02:30:50 PM
Lot of east coast representation and maybe that is fair.... tbd in my book....

I have hunted HI, WA, OR, ID, FL and BC. CA, NV, and UT are for sure on the list this year.

All Public Land:
HI - Easy
WA - Merriams = Easy, Rio's = Difficult, Easterns = Hardest bird to successfully kill to date
OR - Not terribly hard
ID - Merriam = Easy
FL - Not difficult
BC - Easy

So from my limited experience it would be a Washington State Eastern. But I say this not because of it being an Eastern, but because of numbers, accessibility, and effort. If you find and Eastern in Washington, its a dead bird. The problem is finding one.

Florida public land was tough, but no tougher than first hunting public land in any other state. You put in the time and research ahead of time and you will connect on a bird. I talked to a gobbler 5 out of the 6 days I hunted public land in Florida. I only hunted daily quota tracts too.

After reading through this, I'm excited though to hunt more east coast and see what the hype is about.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Pluffmud on March 13, 2020, 12:19:03 AM
I've heard Merriam's are tough. Ive watched a bunch of videos of people hunting public land in other states, and it blows my mind as to seemingly how easy it was for the hunter to kill those birds. I always tell myself, "that would never happen here in SC." TOTALLY has nothing to do with my turkey hunting abilities...
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: GobbleNut on March 13, 2020, 10:02:58 AM
I've heard Merriam's are tough. Ive watched a bunch of videos of people hunting public land in other states, and it blows my mind as to seemingly how easy it was for the hunter to kill those birds. I always tell myself, "that would never happen here in SC." TOTALLY has nothing to do with my turkey hunting abilities...

Hard-hunted Merriam's turkeys can be tough to call in.  Their downfall is that they gobble WAAYY too much for their own good.  A good turkey hunter will eventually kill those birds just by tracking their gobbling and repositioning until they make a mistake. 

Hunt Merriam's in an area where the gobblers are quiet and you will find they can be as tough as gobblers anywhere.  Right now, there are just a lot of places to hunt on public land where they are very vocal,...and also very numerous.  Hunt somewhere that they are neither of those and that reputation of being easy to kill will evaporate very quickly. 
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Turkeyman on March 13, 2020, 04:51:42 PM
No such thing as a "toughest state"...it all boils down to just how "humanized" the turkeys are. Give me a tom in any state that has never encountered a human nor heard an artificial turkey call and even a novice will take him home. The only fly in the ointment to that is if he's totally tied up with real hens it may take you a day or two to kill him...but you will. So my point is that, if you're talking toughest state, it's due to the "humanization factor" and that can occur in a particular area of any state.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: LaLongbeard on March 13, 2020, 07:29:15 PM
I've heard Merriam's are tough. Ive watched a bunch of videos of people hunting public land in other states, and it blows my mind as to seemingly how easy it was for the hunter to kill those birds. I always tell myself, "that would never happen here in SC." TOTALLY has nothing to do with my turkey hunting abilities...

I’ve never heard anyone with much experience say a merriams is tough? Probably the easiest of them. Any turkey or animal is going to be difficult to hunt if there not in the area your hunting. But if there’s merriams around they are usually dumb. I’ve had them come to a call from unbelievable distances and they gobble a lot, which alone makes them easier. I’ve killed several and the scenery is usually nice but I’m done with the merriams .
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: mtns2hunt on March 13, 2020, 09:37:01 PM
I've heard Merriam's are tough. Ive watched a bunch of videos of people hunting public land in other states, and it blows my mind as to seemingly how easy it was for the hunter to kill those birds. I always tell myself, "that would never happen here in SC." TOTALLY has nothing to do with my turkey hunting abilities...

I’ve never heard anyone with much experience say a merriams is tough? Probably the easiest of them. Any turkey or animal is going to be difficult to hunt if there not in the area your hunting. But if there’s merriams around they are usually dumb. I’ve had them come to a call from unbelievable distances and they gobble a lot, which alone makes them easier. I’ve killed several and the scenery is usually nice but I’m done with the merriams .


I too found Merriam's fairly easy but fun to hunt in the hill's of Northern New Mexico. I really enjoyed hunting Rio's in Kansas as they were not easy but not hard either. Eastern's have been the hardest by far as the weather is usually bad pressure on public land can be tough. They can also be hard on private land. Seems Easterns demand a lot more patience and better calling ability.  I swear they have eyes in the back of their head and are the only turkey species that can smell.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Escout711 on May 17, 2020, 10:30:16 PM
Rhode Island. They just passed the 200 bird mark for TOTAL statewide harvest a couple years ago. Limited private land access and highly pressured public land.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: saltysenior on January 08, 2021, 08:24:50 PM

 S. Florida birds are widely known to be tight lipped ....that alone makes them the hardest to hunt.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: GobbleNut on January 10, 2021, 09:57:26 AM

 S. Florida birds are widely known to be tight lipped ....that alone makes them the hardest to hunt.

I will grant you this for "unrestricted" public land.  On controlled, private lands,...not even close from my experience. 
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: quavers59 on January 21, 2021, 03:11:21 AM
   I agree with Sodfather-- New York because Spring Hunting ends at 12 Noon.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Bowguy on January 21, 2021, 05:59:34 AM
Lots of states end at 12 noon. My buddy who’s hunted most every state plus Mexico a few times told me Alabama. Said the birds don’t gobble good ftom all the pressure. Unless we’ve hunted a bunch all we know is what we know. I can’t say I personally would venture a guess.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Tom007 on January 21, 2021, 07:48:15 AM
Lots of states end at 12 noon. My buddy who’s hunted most every state plus Mexico a few times told me Alabama. Said the birds don’t gobble good ftom all the pressure. Unless we’ve hunted a bunch all we know is what we know. I can’t say I personally would venture a guess.

Agree here, I think on opening day in all the states, the birds are easier due to not receiving pressure yet. A Jersey gobbler on public land the final week of the season can be tough quarry. I mostly hunt Eastern’s, so I can mostly relate to their states. I think any state can be tough depending whether it’s pressured public land, swampy less accessible land etc. Obviously the state that receives the most hunting pressure and limited access in my mind would be on the list of tough states to hunt. Be safe...
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Cull_none on March 03, 2021, 03:08:36 PM
Arkansas. The past few years I’ve went on a lot of nature walks with a gun rather than turkey hunt. Our birds are hurting.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: TonyTurk on March 21, 2021, 02:43:31 PM
The toughest state seems to always be the one that I am hunting in at the time. 

That probably says more about me than the state..
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: Paulmyr on March 21, 2021, 05:59:49 PM
Hunted Ga,AR,WI,Mn, and Mo all public. AR was toughest. Been there 2 times times. Heard some birds but the only thing I brought home both times was a bad case of poison oak.
Title: Re: Toughest state
Post by: bushwhacker on March 24, 2021, 11:16:03 AM
The toughest turkey today may be the easiest tomorrow. Which is why we call it hunting.