When Does Gobbling Start in Your Area?

[NEhomer]

On my drive home yesterday afternoon in NW CT, I came across a very large flock. There were 6 toms, 3 or 4 jakes and 15 or so hens. First flock I've seen this year. They were crossing into a field so I gave them some space.

Then, of course, I coasted to a stop, killed the engine, rolled down the window popped in a mouth call and made a series of yelps.

I know it's early but I just couldn't coax a gobble out of any of those males. I guess they're still flocked up and too far from mating just yet.

Anyone coax any gobbling yet?

[Lcmacd 58]

Nothing here in Southern Illinois yet. Haven't seen a turkey in a couple of weeks.

[GobbleNut]

It's been a while since I spent much time in our Merriam's country in the months prior to the season, but back when I did, there would be days when the gobblers would gobble a bit well before the breeding season. Having said that, in terms of reliable, on-the-roost gobbling associated with the onset of breeding behavior, I was never confident about hearing it until about the last week in March. By early April, however, if I did not hear gobbling at first light in the morning, I was skeptical that there was a gobbler within earshot of where I was.

[Greg Massey]

It usually starts after the 15th of March in my area...

But you could possibly hear gobblers gobble anytime...

[NEhomer]

It usually starts after the 15th of March in my area...

But you could possibly hear gobblers gobble anytime...

Yeah, that's why I was surprised that none of 8 males gobbled just 40 yards away. Anyway, it was awesome to see such a large and healthy flock even though I'll be hunting in NY.

[Zobo]

It usually starts after the 15th of March in my area...

But you could possibly hear gobblers gobble anytime...

Yeah, that's why I was surprised that none of 8 males gobbled just 40 yards away. Anyway, it was awesome to see such a large and healthy flock even though I'll be hunting in NY.

They probably looked at you and thought "Just how stupid does this guy think we are?" 😆

[Mallard1897]

In my experience this early on in the Northeast you'd be better off dropping your truck in neutral and reving it to get them to shock gobble.

The big groups do gobble on the roost at first light right now where I am but we're about a month away from hard daytime gobbling.

I hunt a few farms with big winter flocks that will gobble throughout the year but mainly on the roost.

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[NEhomer]

It usually starts after the 15th of March in my area...

But you could possibly hear gobblers gobble anytime...

Yeah, that's why I was surprised that none of 8 males gobbled just 40 yards away. Anyway, it was awesome to see such a large and healthy flock even though I'll be hunting in NY.

They probably looked at you and thought "Just how stupid does this guy think we are?" 😆

....that or "man, that's the worst calling we've ever heard!"

[Zobo]

It usually starts after the 15th of March in my area...

But you could possibly hear gobblers gobble anytime...

Yeah, that's why I was surprised that none of 8 males gobbled just 40 yards away. Anyway, it was awesome to see such a large and healthy flock even though I'll be hunting in NY.

They probably looked at you and thought "Just how stupid does this guy think we are?" 😆

....that or "man, that's the worst calling we've ever heard!"

 

[NCL]

I have heard turkeys gobbling as early as mid January. But usually they start gobbling about mid February. I have been hearing them about ever other morning behind my house for a couple of weeks. I had a very vocal hen two days ago in the late afternoon in the lot next to my house

[deathfoot]

I usually see them strutting and doing their thing closer to the end of March. But then again, I haven't seen a turkey in the field while driving around here all year. But then I don't get out much lol. But it is sad that where I used to see flocks of big birds regularly...I see none

[Dougas]

It starts as early as the end of January in some years. This year it was near the end of February. It is always in full swing by mid march.

[PharmHunter]

Can hear them year round.  Gobbled like crazy in November here in SC on some really cold mornings during deer season.  As far as splitting up from their winter flocks and getting into the breeding mood, it's starting now in our area.  Been gobbling good for probably a couple weeks as far as Spring activity.

[Ihuntoldschool]

When does it end would be a better question.

They'll gobble every month of the year.

[Marc]

One spot I duck hunted and turkey hunted, gobbling started in Late December, and by mid to late January, I would hear some birds every morning I was out.

When does it end would be a better question.

They'll gobble every month of the year.

When they stop is a good question...  I do not hear them gobble later in the season going into summer at all (fishing the same area)...