Ok, I'm getting a little nervous up here in Maine.
The Maine Department of Inland fisheries and Wildlife announced yesterday that it is suspending the spring turkey season in wildlife management zones 1-6, which are the northenmost zones in the state. This is due to the very harsh winter we have endured. This does not affect me, as I live and hunt hours from those zones, but my sympathy to my northern turkey hunting brethen.
I live in the south central part of the state, and the turkey population has been well established now for quite some time. However, we too had a very tough winter. And the spring has not been much better. My preseason scouting has revealed very little turkey sign. And, as I drive around the area to and from work, running errands, etc.; I am not seeing the number of turkeys that I have seen in the past.
There is a good chance that the tough winter took its toll on the turkey population. It only makes sense. However, the long winter and late spring could also affect this year's breeding and hatch. I know that photoperiodism (increasing light) triggers breeding behavior. But if weather is cold, and there are still pockets of snow in the woods, would this delay the hens becoming receptive to breeding because it would make nesting difficult?
Trying to stay calm...
I think it's possible. I think turkeys have an innate sense that tells them nests won't take so they'll probably wait. Things may be late tho.
I know in the big drought here in TX in 2011 the Rios in the severe drought areas didn't even breed. Folks said gobbling was minimal all spring, and almost no breeding was observed.
Ask the fall deer hunters where they saw turkeys in the fall and winter and check those areas for sign. Around here, the spend spring in different, but nearby areas than winter range. They may not be to the spring areas yet.
Your gonna be ok man, like OG said they may be late, as they are in many states but there is more than one method to kill a turkey. The winter more than likely did take a toll on numbers but it's a resilient bird and they will recover. Make the most of it and have a great season. :anim_25:
may not be a bad thing :anim_25: