Going to be hunting at my brother's cabin this year in north centeral PA (Sullivan County). Wanted to get opinions about best week to hunt. Last week of the season is probably best for my schedule, but am wondering if it is really too late?
Too late ?? No.
Best time ?? Not likely.
I'd say sometime in the first two weeks.
Depends on the area and season, some years the late season isnt good, some years the late is great. I've seen both
The latter season in the Northeast can be rewarding. The woods is thicker, the gobblers will come further to a call with less apprehension. They have tendencies to stay on the roost a bit longer. Most hens are bred, the Old Tom's might be looking for some last minute action. You will see some molting on the upper wings and breast on some late season birds. All in all, you may find it rewarding...good luck whatever week you choose...
I agree with Yoder. The first two weeks are usually the best for me. The third is difficult and the 4th is down right frustrating in my experience. That's not to say that birds cannot be had in that last week. I'm just usually burnt out by then and tend to hit the snooze button too many times.
The first two weeks are usually pretty solid, but that 3rd weekend of the season has produced time and time again for me.
Picking a week to hunt a month or two out is always a roll of the dice, especially in the spring, with weather.
Wife has cousins in Wayne County near Gouldsboro (Poconos). Bing Map shows plenty of State Game Lands nearby. Cousin only hunts deer. I've often considered a late May hunt there. Opinions?? I don't recall if PA did a non-resident shut down last year or what's going on this year. I'm always looking :drool: :turkey2:
Can't say for PA but some of my best birds are killed late season, I hunt to last day. Those dominant bird have lost their hens to nesting and are looking for the last few remaining hens (you).
MK M GOBL
Some years the last week is better than the first. If I haven't pulled the trigger the first week it usually happens on the last couple of days. I don't recall ever shooting a bird in PA mid season. First and last week's have been the best times for me.
I hunt Sullivan Co.,(Laporte) will be there the 1st week of season!
Most years I'd say second week of the season, in the northern part of the state you can get some pretty chilly temps first week, and on public that's obviously going to be the most pressured week as well. Last year was cold all season and the hunting was down right terrible the first 3 weeks and drastically improved the final 10 days or so but that's more uncommon and this year seems to be warming closer to average.
I will hunt pa on Saturday and NY on Sunday the first two weekends and plan my longer camping trip and hunt just before the 3rd weekend of the season in PA.
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I Spring Turkey Hunted in PA for 20 years. The first 2 Weeks is always the best time to go.
That 4th week in either PA,NY, NJ, I am just Worn down. I try like Hell to get my big ol Birds by the end of the 3rd week
Here is northern PA this morning so there's still plenty of spring to happen. It does warm up fast in May (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210401/633e779767658e05f26643ff573ac472.jpg)
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First two week. But I've killed the last week, and have had them gobble their tail off the weekend of Memorial Day.
As a lifetime resident and long time turkey hunter from Northeast Pa., I agree with the others that 1st week is usually your best bet. The fact that in the early season the gobblers haven't been harassed as much and that there should be some subordinate gobblers running around, there is just a much greater chance for success early.
With that being said, for many years I've been fortunate to be able to hunt almost everyday of the Pa season, either for myself or calling for someone else. Based on what I normally see, if I wasn't hunting the 1st week then my next choice would be the last week. Just understand that hunting the last week is often very different. Aside from the birds potentially having been harassed/hunted, the weather is very different, foliage is heavy and you can hunt all day vs only being able to hunt until noon during the first 2 weeks. Which is nice, especially as a traveling turkey hunter. Whatever you decide it sounds like you will be spending more time chasing turkeys this spring....enjoy and good luck!
Quote from: a_jabbo on March 31, 2021, 11:50:13 PM
The first two weeks are usually pretty solid, but that 3rd weekend of the season has produced time and time again for me.
In the mountains of PA, this has been my experience too. If I could pick one week for high mountains ridges, that's the one.
I like the first week also had great luck on the 3rd saturday to Goodluck
Last year I hunted 20 days in Pa, and the best 3 days were in the last week with my buddy killing a bird the last day. I guess it all depends on the area
If I was coming from out of state knowing there's no sunday hunting and trying to maximize my days here id consider the first few days of all day hunting. Killed both my pa birds last year second half the season, second half the day.
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Forgot about the no Sunday hunting. Not many states still in that category. Oh well. Thanks for the info being posted by the PA guys. Not many are that willing to share.
This is what I am planning this year.
Quote from: TauntoHawk on April 02, 2021, 07:49:51 AM
If I was coming from out of state knowing there's no sunday hunting and trying to maximize my days here id consider the first few days of all day hunting. Killed both my pa birds last year second half the season, second half the day.
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When I finally get to PA because of hunting elsewhere it's generally the last two weeks of their season. I've never had a problem finding birds on public ground...and that's all I hunt. Over time a few things manifest themselves: 1) jakes are done gobbling because their nuts have dried up, 2) less gobbling...partially due to #1, 3) fewer hunters...thus no interference, 4) if you hear gobbling chances are it's a good bird....again back to #1. I've never not gotten my PA bird(s) going back to 1976.
Thanks for the feedback guys. I am going to give the last week a try.
Quote from: Sully53 on April 01, 2021, 08:30:07 AM
I hunt Sullivan Co.,(Laporte) will be there the 1st week of season!
I have a cabin up in Laporte. I didn't think turkeys lived up there anymore. 15 years ago we drive all over that State Forest and hear birds gobbling at every stop.
First week.
Quote from: TauntoHawk on April 01, 2021, 01:06:57 PM
Here is northern PA this morning so there's still plenty of spring to happen. It does warm up fast in May (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210401/633e779767658e05f26643ff573ac472.jpg)
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Very pretty, much like my area of NY
Quote from: Sir-diealot on April 03, 2021, 03:59:13 PM
Quote from: TauntoHawk on April 01, 2021, 01:06:57 PM
Here is northern PA this morning so there's still plenty of spring to happen. It does warm up fast in May (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210401/633e779767658e05f26643ff573ac472.jpg)
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Very pretty, much like my area of NY
The 3rd ridge in that pic would be NY very close to the state line so it's probably not too far from you.
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Always liked second week. Googans are gone. But it usually depends on weather more then which week.
I'm in Bradford county a stones throw away from where you're heading. They've been strutting and gobbling like a mfer for two weeks already. I'm gonna say the sooner you can get here the better. It was quite a warm March really even though it's cooled off some this week it's gonna warm right back up. I'd guess the last two weeks of the season (my favorite part) will be slow.
Can't beat that info. Nows the time it would seem.
Had a lot of good times in Tioga county. Hunt the ridges in the morning fly fish the pine creek in afternoon.
Great days.
Quote from: TauntoHawk on April 03, 2021, 04:01:06 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on April 03, 2021, 03:59:13 PM
Quote from: TauntoHawk on April 01, 2021, 01:06:57 PM
Here is northern PA this morning so there's still plenty of spring to happen. It does warm up fast in May (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210401/633e779767658e05f26643ff573ac472.jpg)
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Very pretty, much like my area of NY
The 3rd ridge in that pic would be NY very close to the state line so it's probably not too far from you.
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I live not far from Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes Region. My grandfather and uncle lived in Carbondale and Forrest City before they died and it took not quite 3 hours according to Google Maps, I remember it being more like 2 hours though.
Quote from: Sir-diealot on April 04, 2021, 07:24:07 PM
Quote from: TauntoHawk on April 03, 2021, 04:01:06 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on April 03, 2021, 03:59:13 PM
Quote from: TauntoHawk on April 01, 2021, 01:06:57 PM
Here is northern PA this morning so there's still plenty of spring to happen. It does warm up fast in May (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210401/633e779767658e05f26643ff573ac472.jpg)
Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
Very pretty, much like my area of NY
The 3rd ridge in that pic would be NY very close to the state line so it's probably not too far from you.
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I live not far from Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes Region. My grandfather and uncle lived in Carbondale and Forrest City before they died and it took not quite 3 hours according to Google Maps, I remember it being more like 2 hours though.
I shot a really nice buck up between seneca and keuka this fall with my bow, plan to hunt the same area for turkey this spring. I'm very familiar with much of the catskills but this is my first year hunting that far west in NY.
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Quote from: MK M GOBL on April 01, 2021, 06:53:33 AM
Can't say for PA but some of my best birds are killed late season, I hunt to last day. Those dominant bird have lost their hens to nesting and are looking for the last few remaining hens (you).
MK M GOBL
Being from Pa I can say that the best birds we have killed have been the last week. Not saying they are easy tho, been called to, shot at and bumped for 3 weeks prior makes it a lil tougher..
Quote from: Fullfan on April 06, 2021, 09:25:05 AM
Quote from: MK M GOBL on April 01, 2021, 06:53:33 AM
Can't say for PA but some of my best birds are killed late season, I hunt to last day. Those dominant bird have lost their hens to nesting and are looking for the last few remaining hens (you).
MK M GOBL
Being from Pa I can say that the best birds we have killed have been the last week. Not saying they are easy tho, been called to, shot at and bumped for 3 weeks prior makes it a lil tougher..
Have always experienced that, dominant birds are the last to lose hens and take risks
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