Turkey hunting in the heat

[supremepredator]

It's supposed to be in the low 80's for the next 2 weeks in Alabama. Will this heat affect the birds? I know it will affect me.

[RutnNStrutn]

Here in FLA, it gets hot. Even our Osceolas head for the shade, or the coolness of a swamp. They tend to loaf more when it is hot, might slow down the movement. Mornings should still be jam up though. Good luck!!

[HFultzjr]

Here in PA it doesn't get real warm until towards the end of May.
Then again, with the nocturnal birds we have, nothing to see heat or no heat.
I think some days, they must go nocturnal.
I like that word.....noc-turn-al.
Seems like a good word every time I don't hear anything. Must have been up all night and still roosting.
Really though, I've hunted some really warms days and I don't think it bothers the birds as much as it bothers the hunters. Usually by mid-morning we are too pooped to go on. In reality, the hens should be nesting and the gobbler's lonely come about 11:00.

[Marc]

On hot days, bird activity seems to slow down for me...  I did kill a bird at noon with temperatures over 90 degrees, but in general, the birds get less vocal, and less apt to move...

I look for the shady side of the hill, and look for areas that hold moisture and provide for cooler more comfortable habitat...  And with the heat, birds will move into different areas.

[Greg Massey]

Yes look for lot's of shade and places they can water and find food around the field edges and creek bottoms. They get hot just like we do with all those feathers. i have notice a lot of the time on those hot days i see more hens dusting so don't forget those dusting area's ..had 2 hens dusting yesterday for at least 30 min. I have never seen so much dust flying off of them.. dust bath i guess..