???Ok so last fall I had all kinds of turkeys...So now here we are for spring hunt and nothing. I've moved my camera around and nothing. This morning I went out and did some locating calls and all I got was an owl talking back to me. So now what?
The turkeys we hunt move areas from winter to spring. Their winter area has many protected areas from wind and a plentiful source of leftover acorns. There's always a few in there in the spring, but hundreds of them stick together there in the winter. In the spring, once the groups get busted up, they move to other areas nearby. They won't be far. They're around somewhere. Keep looking. One will gobble and give himself up soon. Hang in there.
Well..... you already know where they're not! That's half the battle.
I don't think I've ever killed a bird in the same spots I've seen them hang out in the winter..... but I have killed them close by.
In Central New York State, they tend to spend the winter in pine because of the deep snow. The snow isn't as deep and some food can be found. Then as the snow melts they start traveling into area's that get a lot of sun to take advantage of mother natures food chain.
As the ground warms from the suns rays, the snow melts, insects and small creatures (lizards, frogs and such) get active and small plants start to grow before anything in the deep woods so I would start in any area of good sun exposure with roosting trees and clean water near by.
I like to check out old corn fields and old alfalfa fields on a southern facing slope, especially if their winter holding area is near.
Give that a try and let us know what you find.
They may not have come out their burrows yet...or at least sometimes it seems like that...
Here is last fall. So far to date I have taken over 2000 pictures and scouted and did some locating calls and nothing. Maybe they will show for fall season.
They're probably still at least a few of them around but not in the same size groups as the spring.
How much land you got? In my experience, they dont always use the same exact spots from fall to spring but will usually stay in the same general area (within a square mile or so). Some spots seem to be good all year long.
Update: seen ONE hen. ran up on her with a group of deer. We have about 260 acre farm. with creeks and river frontage.
Quote from: Tommythreetoes on April 04, 2013, 10:30:09 AM
The turkeys we hunt move areas from winter to spring. Their winter area has many protected areas from wind and a plentiful source of leftover acorns. There's always a few in there in the spring, but hundreds of them stick together there in the winter. In the spring, once the groups get busted up, they move to other areas nearby. They won't be far. They're around somewhere. Keep looking. One will gobble and give himself up soon. Hang in there.
This is what I have experienced also. They are usually nowhere to be found in the fall on our property. However, this time of year they flock to our alfalfa fields. I'm surprised that you haven't heard them roosting along those creeks. I would think that you'd be hearing gobbles somewhere along there.
They're still around your land somewhere, but they can and will travel miles throughout the year.