We here in Mississippi have had several weeks this winter that both sunburn and hypothermia were possible . The weather has been crazy , but mostly the temps have been way above average ? I saw 2 gobblers strutting with hens yesterday. Has your weather been crazy ? Do you think this will make the early part of the season better?
Weather here in Tennessee has been mainly way warmer than average. I've heard of a few guys seeing strutters already but I haven't seen any myself. I'm not sure how it will affect the season. I guess in my mind it depends on what the weather in the next month or month and a half does. I wouldn't mind seeing it get coldish for another month but it doesn't look like it's gonna happen.
It's just birds being birds...weather doesn't have that much to do with the matting season...
Quote from: Greg Massey on February 08, 2017, 11:48:15 PM
It's just birds being birds...weather doesn't have that much to do with the matting season...
You give me hope! Lol it's been warm here then will have a cold snap. I'm worried it'll get back cooler cause I worry about the old term "gobbled out". But your statement makes sense if they know to only mate in April. Haha! I would like for you to explain more about your philosophy on this subject!
Quote from: RebelW on February 09, 2017, 12:47:38 AM
Quote from: Greg Massey on February 08, 2017, 11:48:15 PM
It's just birds being birds...weather doesn't have that much to do with the matting season...
You give me hope! Lol it's been warm here then will have a cold snap. I'm worried it'll get back cooler cause I worry about the old term "gobbled out". But your statement makes sense if they know to only mate in April. Haha! I would like for you to explain more about your philosophy on this subject!
Breeding of most land dwelling species (non migratory) is based mostly on daylight hours. It's not a temperature based decision. Many people say they can't wait for a cold snap to get the rut started in the fall. It has nothing to do with temperature. Only thing temperature effects is whether they breed in daylight hours or do more of the chasing in the cooler hours of darkness. Turkeys aren't much different in regards to breeding season. They know when the poults have the best chance of survival and will release eggs at the time.
:funnyturkey:
Quote from: wvmntnhick on February 09, 2017, 05:54:06 AM
Quote from: RebelW on February 09, 2017, 12:47:38 AM
Quote from: Greg Massey on February 08, 2017, 11:48:15 PM
It's just birds being birds...weather doesn't have that much to do with the matting season...
You give me hope! Lol it's been warm here then will have a cold snap. I'm worried it'll get back cooler cause I worry about the old term "gobbled out". But your statement makes sense if they know to only mate in April. Haha! I would like for you to explain more about your philosophy on this subject!
Breeding of most land dwelling species (non migratory) is based mostly on daylight hours. It's not a temperature based decision. Many people say they can't wait for a cold snap to get the rut started in the fall. It has nothing to do with temperature. Only thing temperature effects is whether they breed in daylight hours or do more of the chasing in the cooler hours of darkness. Turkeys aren't much different in regards to breeding season. They know when the poults have the best chance of survival and will release eggs at the time.
:funnyturkey:
X2
Birds (Toms) are going to do what toms do no matter the weather, We kill them in the snow at times. Now them hens might have a different story if we are having a long winter/ cold spell as far as laying/setting nesting are concerned.
MK M GOBL
:camohat: WVMTNHICK has it right, its the length of day light each day that determines breeding, not temp.
Birds display for different reasons, I live much further north n normally by Feb I start seeing the behavior fairly regularly. Used to film birds a bunch n had tons of birds strutting in the snow pics/video. First few times I saw it I got a kick out of it but it's just not that unusual
It's been above normal here in the North East. BUT today 12 to 20" of the white.
Daylight hours
Southwestern OH has had a pretty mild winter. We've had some colder weather here recently but it's starting to rise to mid to upper 40's even hit a upper 50 degree day last week. Not quite strutting weather but no complaints :turkey2:
We in the south should have plenty of green in the woods to conceal us by the opener because it does promise to be an early spring. It was 85 here yesterday. Record high two days in a row.
Crazy weather here in NC as well feels like April somedays Jan others. Last several weeks you could have convinced me it was March with all the changing. Won't have any effect on hunting except ay change the areas they use normally they are still in hardwoods quite bit with the heavy acorn crop we had last fall early then hit the pasture type areas as it warms. I always hope for late spring I like the cold weather and hate the heat
It's been crazy here in SC as well. We had some bitter cold a few weeks ago, but yesterday it was in the 70's. I'd say average is mid to high 50's lately. We had thunderstorms at my house last night. I don't like it getting warm so early in the year. That just means the 100+ degree days are getting closer.
73 degrees here on Tuesday. 25 degrees right now. Enough said!
I think it will help the early season.. Historically warm winters seem to bring a higher volume of gobbling early season, at least that's my opinion on it.
I live in Washington state. We've had a much colder winter with a lot more snow than normal. I've heard multiple reports that some turkeys are freezing/starving to death. I also just read in our paper today that March is supposed to be colder and wetter than normal. I can't wait to see some sunny 60 degree days but I don't think that'll happen anytime soon.
weather won't change breeding but it will start green up early if it continues
I've seen several strutters in SW Georgia already. I really enjoyed deer hunting in our two days of winter.
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Always heard biologists say daylight hours getting longer triggers hormones that start the mating season. But warm weather helps with vegetation growth which gives hens more cover to nest and food
"They're gonna be done early"
"It''s over"
"They're done"
Always love hearing these theories. Just means fewer people in the woods competing for the birds that are "none of the above".
We kill birds in every season every year rain or shine, all we need are tags.
I love to hear "birds are done", just less hunters going out and we tag out :)
MK M GOBL
Two weeks ago here in Southern Utah we received 30" of snow in two days. Then it rained one day and the North winds followed. The snow was so hard I could walk on top of it without breaking through for several days. Then this past week we hit the 50's and even mid 60's. The snow in the valleys is gone for now but our higher elevations have 5-6 ft. In Southwest Utah we are at 230 percent of normal for moisture right now. Our lakes may finally fill up again. Thinking access to some of my hunting areas may be limited come May because of the snow, but it's hard to complain when we've been dry for several years. I still think they're gonna gobble from early April to late May!
It will affect the morel season a lot more than the turkeys I think. I don't expect much from the mushrooms but hopefully there will be a few to pick.
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The only thing I can say on this subject is the last time we had this kind of funny weather in Tennessee I had the best year I ever had. Seemed like every Tom I set up on was lonely and ready to die. I do believe sometimes weather plays a bigger role and they can start early. It's a double edge sword though. Start early, stop early.
Old Tom is gonna breed till the hens won't let him no more whether it be March or June weather won't stop him its all up to the ladies I've seen gobblers right near end June still strutting with hens and for my area that is late. Hit 80 here today if its like this I'll just have to tag out quick so I don't burn up ;D
Quote from: wvmntnhick on February 09, 2017, 05:54:06 AM
Quote from: RebelW on February 09, 2017, 12:47:38 AM
Quote from: Greg Massey on February 08, 2017, 11:48:15 PM
It's just birds being birds...weather doesn't have that much to do with the matting season...
You give me hope! Lol it's been warm here then will have a cold snap. I'm worried it'll get back cooler cause I worry about the old term "gobbled out". But your statement makes sense if they know to only mate in April. Haha! I would like for you to explain more about your philosophy on this subject!
Breeding of most land dwelling species (non migratory) is based mostly on daylight hours. It's not a temperature based decision. Many people say they can't wait for a cold snap to get the rut started in the fall. It has nothing to do with temperature. Only thing temperature effects is whether they breed in daylight hours or do more of the chasing in the cooler hours of darkness. Turkeys aren't much different in regards to breeding season. They know when the poults have the best chance of survival and will release eggs at the time.
:funnyturkey:
I agree 100%! God knew what he was doing when he made this amazing bird like all other creatures! Even though it has a tiny brain God programmed it to know when that time comes for business to help insure the continued suvival. God bless
Only time will tell
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I mostly hunt Pennsylvania and Maryland and the weather here can most certainly mess up spring turkey hunting. If it continues to get worm and then cold it will mess up the turkey's dehavior. They will gobble less, be less likely to respond to calling and they tend to group up earlier in the spring.
Looks like spring has sprung here in LA. Trees are blooming. Azaleas are pretty cut grass twice in the last 3 weeks. And time for another cut.