Early spring observations

[Hotspotter]

In my neck of the woods, March 20th was the official first day of spring for turkeys. They've been all over the place!

Probably too early to say if some of the bigger winter flocks are breaking up or have been broken, but if so, this would be on the earlier end of things from what I'm used to seeing. Either way, it's good to see some definitive signs of spring showing up, especially from a turkey's standpoint.

From what I've been seeing, there should be some good beards taken this year. The snow cover down south never got too deep, sans the mid-march storms. However, most of the birds I've been seeing appear on the small end. I'm not sure if the competition for food is that high, but there appears to be plenty to eat.

Let us know what you've been seeing!

Joel

[Cooter]

I haven't been out much, but someone has had to have seen a strutter or two by now. Saw two of them fanned out last year in early March during a light snow.

[paintbrush]

Went down last Saturday to zone 425 where I do my turkey hunting and the birds there were still bunched up with hens in big groups and the gobblers in their bachlor tgroups.Didn't here any gobbling or see any struting going on,but did see lots of birds.Lots of nice longbeards.

[WaveWacker]

Was out today and saw three birds at a distance. Semi concealed myself and began calling just using my mouth. All three came running right in to 15 yds. 2 jakes and 1 hen. One of the jakes made a half hearted attempt to strut and then gobbled the best he could.

[buckpredator]

I work at a golf course in New prague, and yesterday was out driving around and saw a very nice longbeard running around with seven hens his beard must have been atleast eight inches. the golf cart kind of scared him so I didn't get to see him strut. I just love seeing the colors, they get in their heads in the spring.

[strat-o-caster]

Up here in Cloquet the only turkey observation's I've noticed was a group of farm wild turkey's(domesticated) getting very agressive!! They must have thought I was a big ole butterball invadeing their territory!!!!! ..... Strat

[run-n-gun]

Come on Strat! Everyone knows you're the biggest turkey in that neck of the woods.

[Cooter]

Don't tell me nobody has seen a strutter yet! Was gonna scout/knock on doors today but the cold rain put a damper on that.

[seamonster1]

I was driving on hwy 26 between lesueur and monty yesterday afternoon and could not believe my eyes- 2 toms in full strut on the edge of a groove. Hit the brakes and put the binocs on em- sure enough- watched for 10 minutes.

Have an A season tag and was getting a little nervous- usually seeing lots of toms strutting by the first week of April. So I'm a little more optimistic!

[strat-o-caster]

I don't think that was very nice!!! I hear you have a nice pair of WHITE turkey hunting shoes. Good to know your still out there.... Strat

[adaylate]

The Toms were active today.I was able to call in 1 long beard and 2 jakes.Lots of gobbling tell about 7:30.Come on 5th season I've got the itch!

[Guppy]

They were wild this morning! One place I stopped there must have been close to a dozen different birds gobbling. I moved down the road to another place and there was 7 or 8 gobbling there.

[hugonian1]

The north metro turkeys seem to be very active.

Been blessed the last few mornings. Two beautiful Toms strutting their stuff around 16 Hens right out the window in the yard. What a joy to watch.

[Hotspotter]

It's been an expected lull for me in our area. As these gobblers are looking to attract the hens, they're not ranging too far from their harems, and you don't see the roamers that you will in the next couple of seasons.

When I do see them, it's been in traditional field and strut zone spots just after flydown with many hens!!! This morning was no exception, as the group I watched contained 7 gobblers. Some mornings I pick wrong and don't see much. These are the days I wish there were about 10 of me to run around and check locations.

I envy the guys that get to scratch their turkey hunting itch well before I do.

Good luck to all, make sure to take some good pics for the photo contest, and post them!

Joel