A couple of weeks ago I went shed hunting. I hit the timber about 10AM. I was walking along and had gobbler sound off about 100 yds away. I kept walking and about 2-3 minutes later he sounded off again only a little closer. I stopped and scratched the leaves with my hand...he sounded off again. I changed direction and started walking away from him. A couple minutes later he sounded off again only closer yet. Right after he gobbled I heard a hen yelp a couple of times and he gobbled right back at her. Then I heard the hen yelping again and sounded like she was headed direction. I hope he's ready to play like that when the season gets here.
Been seeing some strutting. Been fighting a winter flock here, was out shed hunting last weekend, heard a bird start Putting, went another direction, heard hens talking, started to head back to where I started, busted another group, no sheds found,they are all in area I know holds a few sheds. Went out yesterday found 1st shed. Tried again this morning, busted up a small flock, no sheds found. Think winter flock is breaking up, Yes getting closer!!
The resident toms have been gobbling hard and strutting up a storm for over a week now. Last night I started hearing gobbles from a little after five till 7 when I went into the house and they were still gobbling. Not more than 10 minutes of silence dispersed during a half hour period. This is a magical time like being a kid on November 25th, knowing you have one month with all those gifts wrapped up taunting you and the anticipation is killing you.