I hunt a small property, about 30 acres. Half is woods and one large field. I've been hunting for 3 years and it's always had beans in the field. Last year had 22 turkeys on my camera at one time in February. Ended up taking a nice Tom opening morning. This year I have only seen turkeys one time on camera since November. The field was in cotton this year so I'm thinking that has a lot to do with so few turkeys. A couple of guys who have been hunting for years tell me not to worry, that they will be there eventually when hens start dispersing. What do you guys think?
I would agree with them if the field provided a good food source. Otherwise, they may use it as a corridor to get to where they want to be. Just my $0.02. Good luck.
Gobbler like to skirt around those field edges looking for hens ...
I would think you will see a decrease in activity.
I agree w dirt road ninja. 30 acres unfortunately isn't a lot. Without food they want or if the crops/grass get too high where you're hunting the birds won't frequent the area as much.
Do yourself a favor n check back but at the same time find other birds in case you need them.
They won't be far. if there's a good population of turkeys in the area I'd feel confident hunting the 30 acres. Turkeys are like people. Not everyone is allowed access to prime real estate. Some have to take what they can get. So I'd bet at least one gobbler will be checking that 30 acres from time to time, especially if he hears a hen.
Does the field still have standing stubble or has it been bush hogged? Several years ago, I killed a beautiful bird along the edge of a standing stubble cotton field about 10 am. The bird was in the field with several ladies gobbling every time I called but due to the stubble I couldn't see him. I moved to a spot along the edge of the field where we had seen them a few days before and the entire group came out 20 yards from me. I don't know what they were eating in the field but I waited for nearly an hour after I located them to get the shot. With the cotton stubble still in the field I heard them make their way toward me as their feathers rubbed the stubble. If there is food for them in the field, the hens will be there and if the hens are there so will the longbeards.
Quote from: bbcoach on January 22, 2017, 05:51:09 PM
Does the field still have standing stubble or has it been bush hogged? Several years ago, I killed a beautiful bird along the edge of a standing stubble cotton field about 10 am. The bird was in the field with several ladies gobbling every time I called but due to the stubble I couldn't see him. I moved to a spot along the edge of the field where we had seen them a few days before and the entire group came out 20 yards from me. I don't know what they were eating in the field but I waited for nearly an hour after I located them to get the shot. With the cotton stubble still in the field I heard them make their way toward me as their feathers rubbed the stubble. If there is food for them in the field, the hens will be there and if the hens are there so will the longbeards.
it has been bush hogged and is relatively clear. The three surrounding fields bordering the property is in winter wheat. There are TVA power lines running through the middle of the land and the hens have made nests there throughout the last 3 years , so IM hoping this will be the case again. thanks for all the advice
I hope they show back up for you. I would go crazy on only a 30 acre spot,I love to see something new everyday. Lucky we have lots of public land close by.
Is really a crap shoot on small piece of property if there s better food source near with adequate nesting your in trouble but you'll have to wait till later to see I''d be looking for other spots in mean time
Find better properties with more birds.
Denny
One thing I would mention is the woods good nesting habitat? If it will hold a few hens toms will be there, 30acres is not a lot of ground but if it's the "right" 30 it's gold. I have some good ground and there are definite hot spots where the birds are. Scouting well will give you your answers, of course I would also be looking for a backup spot.
MK M GOBL
Scouting, around two weeks before the season, will give you your answer. Scout, at first light, and listen for gobbling. Don't call, just listen. If the winter wheat is still short when the season starts, the birds will use it. To me, the power lines should be a good strut zone for gobblers if you have some timber near by. If the birds have been nesting on the power lines right of way for the last 3 years, they will probably be back again. As others have said, don't put all your eggs in one basket and look for more areas to hunt. Good Luck.
Your probably seeing the affects of the change in crops now but hang in there....I think they will be back! Might not be as many but it might also surprise you! Spring makes those long beards go nuts and they will be lookin!! Wish the best to u buddy!! God bless
Quote from: Volgobbler on January 22, 2017, 04:09:22 PM
I hunt a small property, about 30 acres. Half is woods and one large field. I've been hunting for 3 years and it's always had beans in the field. Last year had 22 turkeys on my camera at one time in February. Ended up taking a nice Tom opening morning. This year I have only seen turkeys one time on camera since November. The field was in cotton this year so I'm thinking that has a lot to do with so few turkeys. A couple of guys who have been hunting for years tell me not to worry, that they will be there eventually when hens start dispersing. What do you guys think?
If the hens are there...then they will be there
Some of my best hunting properties are small, yet they turn out some nice birds pretty consistently. Gobblers will roam anywhere they found hens in the past once the hen flocks break up. If there's a good local population of hens, gobblers won't be far. They probably won't spend a lot of time on your 30 acres, but if you already know where they like to pass through the area, just be there ahead of time and be ready.
I have a ridiculous 15 acre honey hole that most people would walk past without looking at twice. Gobblers tend to pass through the area from one block of woods to the other (especially when most hens are on the nest) and can be called right where I want them. I've killed 5 birds in 10 hunts from the same tree in the past four seasons all less than 30 yards away. Three of them were 22+ pounds, 10-11 inch beards, and 1+ inch spurs. You wouldn't believe it if you saw it.
Jim
You may not see them there in the off season, but that's fine don't worry. In all of the different places that I've hunted over the years there is one constant. The turkeys nine out of ten times will be back in the same area they were the previous year. There is still going to be food out in that field and in the woods. Good luck
you'll be all set.
I would worry more about it in the fall if I was hunting than in the spring. Right now they are probably flocked up if you find one you've found the flock. In the spring they will be dispersed over a larger area and have bugs,grass,dandelions,etc to eat. If your really worried do what others have said and scout a few weeks before season. Goodluck I wouldn't sweat it....
With having the power line going through it is what maybe make the property just as good as the field. If there not on your 30 they are going to be just cross the fence with in hearing distance. Just work at it and call them over. But no matter now good any 30 or 100 acres is I would have some back up spot incase a family of coyotes move in on the property to live before you no it and keep the turkey pushed out.
Thanks for all the replies and opinions.
I have a buddy who owns 44 acres in north Florida. Not a huge chunk either, but I called a bruiser Eastern from the neighboring 600 acres last opening weekend. He came lookin' for love but only found me. ;D
saw a nice flock today. So feeling a lot better
I have permission to hunt 2 farms near the house. One is 60 ac, and my dad, brother, and I share it with another hunter. The other farm is about 120 ac, and we have it to ourselves during turkey season. Both farms have large crop fields, surrounded by old growth timber, and decent sized creeks adjoining or crossing the property.
We routinely kill multiple toms on the smaller property, and rarely go without seeing at least 1. Last year my dad killed a huge tom on the larger property on opening morning and we never heard another gobble on it.
Quote from: dirt road ninja on January 22, 2017, 04:54:18 PM
I would think you will see a decrease in activity.
I would think significantly decreased activity...
Hens will be looking for roosts, cover, water, and
food to nest near... Take away the food, and I would guess you would have far less activity. Unless those birds like to eat cotton.