Turkey hunting location change dilemma?

[leech~~]

So, we have been hunting for about the last 10 seasons in zone 501 down by Houston, MN. We have always taken the first season so we get the first crack at them and have gotten a nice bird the last 2 seasons.

Here's our dilemma: we are thinking of switching zones to the upper part of Zone 508 so we can hunt out of my buddies cabin and not hump the hills down there anymore. We are wondering if maybe we should go for a later season since the weather may still be pretty cold or even still have snow on the ground and will the birds be strutting or still flocked up? Even hunting the first season down in 501 we have had snow and pretty cold weather over the years, so we are sure it will still be pretty late up there on the first season?

Anyone hunt the first season on any of the northern zones and have the birds been strutting then?

[rkhinrichs]

i would say it is a more of a population issue. weather is weather. does the area have a lot of turkeys?

[leech~~]

i would say it is a more of a population issue. weather is weather. does the area have a lot of turkeys?

Maybe?

I don't think population is what causes them to go into Strut though as much as increased day light and weather.

[Hoyt4]

If you have the days season B is a good one to go and more of a chance to get drawn. I have not had any problems in MN with the birds in early season being ready to play the game. Later seasons I've had a bit tougher time but most years I'm in another state for the late seasons.

[rkhinrichs]

lol!!

[DonBo]

Up here in the metro, I've had birds strutting and gobbling well into May while archery hunting. I wouldn't be concerned one bit about going for a later season.

[leech~~]

Well we just put in for A season like always and will see what happens. Since it's a new-to-us zone we will just have to adjust to a later season next year if nothings happening. Thanks for the replies.

[ANYFISH2]

Leech, I hunt near motley/staples(507). Not sure where your area is, in 508. I have hunted A or B season each year but 1. If the snow is on the ground here the birds seem to stay in large groups. If your land holds birds in the winter, killing a bird will be almost easy, if you can identity the roost and a early morning food source or strutting ground (just look for wing drag marks in snow, usually very close to the roost site). These birds seem to always be with hens, so they can a pain to call in, but an ambush set works great. My two biggest birds came the last two seasons (A) in the snow, seasons lasted (after legal light) 2 hrs and approx 20 minutes.

If the birds don't roost on your land or very near it, your hunt my be very difficult, if winter continues into the turkey season.

[leech~~]

Leech, I hunt near motley/staples(507). Not sure where your area is, in 508. I have hunted A or B season each year but 1. If the snow is on the ground here the birds seem to stay in large groups. If your land holds birds in the winter, killing a bird will be almost easy, if you can identity the roost and a early morning food source or strutting ground (just look for wing drag marks in snow, usually very close to the roost site). These birds seem to always be with hens, so they can a pain to call in, but an ambush set works great. My two biggest birds came the last two seasons (A) in the snow, seasons lasted (after legal light) 2 hrs and approx 20 minutes.

If the birds don't roost on your land or very near it, your hunt my be very difficult, if winter continues into the turkey season.

Thanks for the info. This area will be a lot different then the hills and fields we hunted down in SE, MN. This is pretty much all forest. We had seen a ton of birds deer hunting but in the fall they are going after all the acorns in the area. So, we know their around just have to find out where they will be in the spring. I may not even get a tag this spring since we changed zones and that may just give me time to go up and do some scouting on where they maybe hanging out that time of year for the next season.

[Borch]

We usually hunt the later seasons, (c-g) and find the birds to be far more predictable than the early seasons in 507. A can be boom or bust depending on the spring and flock break ups.