I'm talking the last week or couple of days.
Best bird I ever shot was the last 20 minutes of the last day of our season. 85 degrees out. big old tom following a group of 8 hens down the old railroad tracks with a couple lesser toms and jakes in tow. Gobbling every 10 seconds while he was walking. Sounded ridiculous. He wasn't hot for the call or the dekes though - I ended up having to make a move to get in his way...
Yes, but its not usually using the same tactics as opening day. The birds get pressured pretty good on public land here.
I would rather hunt the last 2 weeks of the season than the first 3 here and I hunt national forest. Most people are burned out by then and the turkeys are more callable with more hens on the nest. Almost all of my biggest birds have came the last week of the season.
We've killed a couple birds real late in the season. One of my best birds was on our very last day. We got a late start and got him to gobble once way way off. He called sparingly, and about an hour later he answered much closer. He came in very spooky, and basically as soon as I saw him, he turned to leave and I got a quick shot off.
Last 2 weeks is my favorite time to hunt. Besides the weather is nicer up here in the north then too.
So far one on the 10th and one on the 22nd. Aside from the heat, I'm starting to like the latter part of the season.
I love the later part of the season. Keep the humidy below 95%. This morning was perfect, but I could not find anyone to take. I'm tagged out. Watched 2 flop last week.
Quote from: turkey_slayer on April 24, 2011, 10:24:01 PM
I would rather hunt the last 2 weeks of the season than the first 3 here and I hunt national forest. Most people are burned out by then and the turkeys are more callable with more hens on the nest. Almost all of my biggest birds have came the last week of the season.
X2 My biggest bird came last year during Illinois' 5th season. Couldn't agree more!
My biggest bird last year also came in the Illinois 5th season north zone... I think they lookin for hens that arent nesting.. he was gobblin his head off .. it was over by 6:15 am
They were still gobbling in Thomaston on Sat.Went after the most vocal bird,and he was still roosted in a tree right on the railroad tract.Cold busted me when i tried to cross the tract.!!!
It ain't over yet,plan on having another date with him Friday morning.!!!!!
Absolutely! As people get burned out thinking the hunting goes down hill its actually just the opposite. As the breeding season reaches its final stages gobblers become more desparate to find hens to breed with. I love the late seasons.
Two more weeks before I can get away to hunt. Hope there are a few left for our group.
I usually see as many die the last two weeks as I do the first two. Just have to tweek your tactics slightly.