The case of the vanishing turkeys

[WNCTracker]

My father in law has been seeing tons of hens and gobblers for the last 3 weeks strutting in fields. Groups of jakes, old Toms etc. same weather, same season patterns in all the familiar fields (800 acre) and no hunting pressure. He said he hasn't seen a bird in 7 days now. I've hunted 16 hours since Friday and have yet to heaR a gobble even at dawn. Have not seen one gobbler strutting in any fields either. I saw two different small flocks of hens multiple times and some lone hens but not with gobblers. I'm sort of at a loss for what could be causing the change.  What could I be missing?  Anybody have any advice for how to tackle these birds?  I've got 3 more days to hunt so I've got some time.


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[Meatseeker]

Not sure where you are at.  But its early where I am.  Turkeys are at places right now where they won't be when our season opens.

[WNCTracker]

Not sure where you are at.  But its early where I am.  Turkeys are at places right now where they won't be when our season opens.

Right, should've mention. Coastal SC. Well into spring patterns


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[guesswho]

Suitable nesting habitat?  If not, that may be an issue.  Neighbors pouring the feed to them?  Or turkeys being turkeys.  Just a couple ideas.

[WNCTracker]

I just got off the phone with my buddy who told me next door neighbor was arrested last night for shooting turkeys over bait.


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[Spitten and drummen]

Gonna say your neighbors are likely baiting . Happens to me every year. Now I plant chufa and keep my birds

[TauntoHawk]

Turkeys are sooo susceptible to bait

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[WNCTracker]

Haha never mind :-)


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[TauntoHawk]

Haha never mind :-)


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They hung themselves? Bad way to go

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[owlhoot]

Ain't as sneaky as the turkey thought.

[Sir-diealot]

I just got off the phone with my buddy who told me next door neighbor was arrested last night for shooting turkeys over bait.


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Glad to hear they busted the piece of trash.

[1iagobblergetter]

Haha never mind :-)


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Neighbor was in jail,depleted the bait pile,now back to traveling the circuit. Lucky for you he got caught just in enough time for you to be able to punch your tags...

[WNCTracker]

Haha never mind :-)


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Neighbor was in jail,depleted the bait pile,now back to traveling the circuit. Lucky for you he got caught just in enough time for you to be able to punch your tags...

That sounds like a story I'll tell my grandchildren in 30 years :-)


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[Sir-diealot]

Glad to hear you got yours by the way.

[2eagles]

I'm smelling an April Fools joke here!