2024 survey

[slave601]

Was just wondering some of y'all's thoughts through what y'all have experienced and noticed this season. I've noticed a growing trend in new turkey hunters in my area of the south and a few other states. I noticed an earlier spring in the Midwest also. First week of Missouri season we bumped a hen with several small poults. Many hens setting not laying the first week. By the end of the last week of Missouri season we were seeing several gobblers grouped up behind one maybe 2 hens. Also seen a lot of Jakes through the Midwest and out west. I know turkey numbers have been down but the last few seasons a lot of the states I hunt which is the usual 5 to 6 have had pretty good hatches. Seems like there's a little light at the end of the tunnel

[Lcmacd 58]

I felt there was a slight decline in public ground numbers. The warmer than average weather prior to season had them confused.

[NCL]

Saw several Jakes in different areas. The area I was hunting the were 6 jakes and 2 probably two year old that stayed together all season , a least when I saw them, they were together. Not many hens but more than last year

[nybowhunter]

I've definitely been seeing more out of state plates in my area, but have also been traveling a lot more myself.

It's been a bit of a grind and we're checking out multiple areas before we find birds that are gobbling. We've got one or two spots we can expect some consistency but other than that the birds seem to move a lot so it's very hit or miss.

Very different compared to when I was a kid hunting them. Seems like there was a turkey in every field back then.


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[NOmad]

Saw more gobblers and less jakes in almost every place I visited, bit concerning for the next couple years. But I also have seen way more hens in those same places and even hens in places I have never seen a turkey before.

Overall, it seemed like an early spring for most of the country which led to some incredible hunts around the opener but slowed down by mid to late mid season (when we are usually getting into some hot hunts). I suspect the hens started nesting a little earlier than normal.

I will say though, I was fortunate enough to watch a handful of turkeys come to the gun this year and I can count on one hand how many of them were by themselves. Last year, the opposite of that was true.

[MS TurkeyHunter]

Was just wondering some of y'all's thoughts through what y'all have experienced and noticed this season. I've noticed a growing trend in new turkey hunters in my area of the south and a few other states. I noticed an earlier spring in the Midwest also. First week of Missouri season we bumped a hen with several small poults. Many hens setting not laying the first week. By the end of the last week of Missouri season we were seeing several gobblers grouped up behind one maybe 2 hens. Also seen a lot of Jakes through the Midwest and out west. I know turkey numbers have been down but the last few seasons a lot of the states I hunt which is the usual 5 to 6 have had pretty good hatches. Seems like there's a little light at the end of the tunnel

Slave your experience has been very similar to mine. Actually almost stepped on a hen that was laying on a full nest last weekend in a state thats very far north.


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[dzsmith]

This spring, i saw less roadside turkeys than i typically would regardless of what they were. I heard less overall gobbling for the amount of effort put in. I know the hatch last year was supposedly great...but the turkeys in the areas i hunt have been around the same numbers from year to year for at least the last 5-6. I saw no boom from a hatch so to speak, but no significant decline either.  I only got to travel to one state this year, and there was definetly less turkeys on that particular property than the previous year and i was there for the opening 3 days and the weather was good. I saw more social media post from first time hunters than i ever recollect seeing. some may think thats great...quiet frankly it concerns me. and im  not talking about kids. adult first time turkeys...that was a record for me this year.

[Tom007]

Very warm spring in my areas, saw multiple gobblers traveling together which is generally not the case. Hen sightings seemed fewer than normal. I think the weather played a role in changing their behavior this year....

[msm210]

Went to Kansas and never saw a Tom.  Had one roosted and he went on private and never saw him again.  Asked for permission to hunt but the owner said he just put the cows out so no hunting.

My sons had a lot of Jakes (7) with hens where they hunted, and only one Tom.  Was tough hunting but always good to get
out!


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[Greg Massey]

I did see more gobblers together this season and it was like the hens or the gobblers didn't really care for each other... Our season has been pushed back for 15 days unlike past years and I think this all has to do with a new learning curve in how to hunt these gobblers. We have always hunted them 15 days earlier and nothing had really green out yet... The last 2 years have been pretty exciting in chasing these gobblers.

In my opinion pushing back the opening spring season 15 days has really done nothing in helping the gobblers. Now changing the bag limit to 2 gobblers,sure this has made a difference for the honest hunter who will kill and check his kills.  IMO

[mdmitchell]

I hunted my home state of Indiana on public, KY on public and IL on private ground.

I started in IL - I have access to a property that's a goldmine for turkeys and sat on the same hill and ridge and killed one off roost for the 3rd year in a row. Almost too easy.... That same morning I heard gobblers everywhere - on the property I was hunting plus the adjacent. It was full of birds but this area has faired well for some time.

Next onto KY. I hunted federal land on the 2nd weekend of season and it was an absolute grind. The pressure was high and the birds were non existent. The entire 3 days hunting I never heard a single bird on the limb. It was more an issue of my lack of preparation and knowledge of the area i think but still. I would be in places think I'd at least hear a distant gobble or SOMETHING but never did. I got lucky and struck one middle afternoon on my 3rd day and killed him so the "easy" hunt felt justified.

Now to IN. I got my  handed to me. I have killed birds for the last 4 years on public here. Every place I went where I had historically had luck was dead. I heard one gobble on the limb the entire season. I managed to strike a few here and there and had an opportunity I screwed up totally with a bad setup, but overall the bird numbers seemed way down. I didn't see hardly any in fields, few hens out roaming and lots and lots of pressure.

I hate to say it but I think the day of draw tags for non residents might be coming for more states if things keep on the way they are.... A certain YouTube channel hasn't helped us at all....

[TrackeySauresRex]

All public, We just finished the 3rd week permit in Nj. We put our work in. Preseason March scouting looked promising. Road scouting as the season approached, not great and didn't see a whole lot. Opening day good gobbling. Called in 2 Jake's. Day two, a lot less gobbling and now nothing. I was in the same area and also had a hen on nest by me.  We put some work and usually do ok. Right now it's not looking promising. With 2 weeks remaining, scouting continues as old areas aren't what they once were. It's definitely been a grind and I'm running out of room in my zones. Right now it's one of them seasons where I don't even feel like I'm in the game.

[PalmettoRon]

Saw lots of jakes in several states. In fact the jake to gobbler ratio was so great in a couple of places that I think the gobblers were definitely affected.

Saw a gang of 10 run across a field and run off 2 differnt gobblers I was working.

Next year should have good numbers of 2 yr olds.