Rain?

[muzzy]

With anyone's experiences, how has rain played during a hunt. I have never hunted turkey in the rain (I've been pretty lucky with that). This weekend shows 30% chance of t-storms and rain. Do the turkeys usually roost during this time or hide in thick cover? I have heard that they will hit the fields afterwards to dry off. What is a good tactic?

I'm leaving on Wednesday to Rushford MN and will scout a bit that day since I didn't get a chance to. We will hunt on Thursday. I found a few potential public spots in hopes that it doesn't get pounded by others. It will be interesting

Muzzy

[Borch]

When it's raining look for open areas like pastures or fields. In heavy downpours turkeys will often hit the heavier cover. But with light to moderate rain they'll be out in the fields. Actually I don't mind hunting in the rain. It often makes the turkeys more predictable in regards to thier movements. I've shot several in the rain. They don't usually talk as much but they do respond to calling.

Just one more thing to remember. You can't shoot one sitting on the couch watching TV.

[Trophycatch]

Two years ago I was set up in a fence row waiting on three toms to work within range. A very large thunder storm was moving in and I was getting worried, because of all the straight down lightning I could see. It started down pouring and the birds stayed in the open and were actually working away from any cover. The next thing I know, it started to hail. The biggest hail I saw wasn't any bigger than a marble, thank God. Finally one of the tom's stepped a little to close for his safety, as my safety went off. That bird went 25 1/2 pounds according to the conservation scale's. I have hunted turkeys for 26 years now, and its my opinion that a normal rain won't bother the birds very bad. Actually the birds like to get into the open when the cover is wet and quiet. Now if its really windy the birds in my area like to seek shelter down over the creek banks out of the wind.

On another note, my daughter harvested her first turkey last saturday, April 8th. It was our youth hunt weekend here in Missouri. I was a very proud dad. I had turkey fever watching her bird come in worse than when I'm hunting. Her bird went 22lbs. 10oz, 1 1/4 spurs with an 11 inch beard. One of the neatest things was the last three inches of his beard was frozen from dragging through the frost and looked like ice sickle's.

[Borch]

Congrats on such a fine bird for your daughter!

Those birds with your kids will be more memorable than any you shoot yourself.

[muzzy]

Thanks guys...wish me luck!

Muzzy

[Eye-lander]

Congrats to your daughter TrophyCatch!!! My daughter is going with me tomorrow on her first turkey hunt. I have some birds lined up so she will hear some pre-dawn gobbling. She will actually "hunt" for the first time next spring. I am making her get her gun safety certificate first in order to appease the misses.