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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: Bucktale on April 02, 2019, 02:10:04 PM

Title: Couple turkey behavior questions
Post by: Bucktale on April 02, 2019, 02:10:04 PM
Curious about opinions on a couple of things:
I've got an area where we've taken 3 mature gobblers since season started 2 1/2 weeks ago here in NE Florida. Since then on cameras and in person, I've seen a bunch of jakes, but no more mature birds. Do you think the jakes move in when mature toms are killed? Is this an indication that no more mature toms are around?

Second question:
When hens are bred do they separate from the flock? In other words, does a group of 5-6 hens together indicate that they've not been bred and that gobblers should be nearby?


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Title: Re: Couple turkey behavior questions
Post by: silvestris on April 02, 2019, 02:44:45 PM
Quote from: Bucktale on April 02, 2019, 02:10:04 PM
When hens are bred do they separate from the flock? In other words, does a group of 5-6 hens together indicate that they've not been bred and that gobblers should be nearby?

Hens love sex as much, if not more, as gobblers.  They don't stop with the first breeding.  The absence of adult gobblers on camera means they are camera shy or that you have killed too many on that property.
Title: Couple turkey behavior questions
Post by: BB30 on April 02, 2019, 08:03:44 PM
Quote from: Bucktale on April 02, 2019, 02:10:04 PM
Curious about opinions on a couple of things:
I've got an area where we've taken 3 mature gobblers since season started 2 1/2 weeks ago here in NE Florida. Since then on cameras and in person, I've seen a bunch of jakes, but no more mature birds. Do you think the jakes move in when mature toms are killed? Is this an indication that no more mature toms are around?

Second question:
When hens are bred do they separate from the flock? In other words, does a group of 5-6 hens together indicate that they've not been bred and that gobblers should be nearby?


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If there are 5-6 hens around still together you probably have a gobbler somewhere.

Saw five hens alone last week mid morning on a property that I know has a pile of gobblers.

Turkey's are turkey's and will do their own thing. Gobblers will move in and out during the season depending on the pecking order. One may get pushed out of an area and start searching for hens. Just keep tabs on the place and I'd be shocked if another gobbler doesn't show up if he's not already there.




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Title: Re: Couple turkey behavior questions
Post by: g8rvet on April 02, 2019, 08:12:22 PM
Quote from: Bucktale on April 02, 2019, 02:10:04 PM
Curious about opinions on a couple of things:
I've got an area where we've taken 3 mature gobblers since season started 2 1/2 weeks ago here in NE Florida. Since then on cameras and in person, I've seen a bunch of jakes, but no more mature birds. Do you think the jakes move in when mature toms are killed? Is this an indication that no more mature toms are around?

Second question:
When hens are bred do they separate from the flock? In other words, does a group of 5-6 hens together indicate that they've not been bred and that gobblers should be nearby?


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How big is the property?  Are there lots of birds around you too? 
Title: Re: Couple turkey behavior questions
Post by: Bucktale on April 02, 2019, 09:04:59 PM
As it turns out, another mature gobbler showed up today after I posted the questions. My lease is 1800 acres, but this particular area is about 50 acres of pines next to a large swamp. It produces several gobblers each year.