Longbeard Sighting

[brittman]

Went scouting an area of my unit that I have never hunted. Several landowner permits issued in this part of the unit.

Really nice longbeard walked up in front of the truck, crossed the road and head down into the next valley. He was alone.

I was surprized not to see any other birds feeding or using field edges on a beautiful afternoon.

[Hotspotter]

Saw a lone longbeard this morning 7:30AM. Keep seeing this, and it's sign that the breeding season is moving right along. Give it a few weeks and the frustrated subordinate birds, and even some older toms will really start ranging! IMO, this is when it gets really good.

I too have been disappointed in the birds being less visible on field edges and woodlines. Just haven't seen the numbers I'm used to seeing in my area; after about the mildest winter on record.

The game has changed somewhat here, and a secluded (one not visible from a road/driveway) strut zone is a premium spot. Birds that seemed to used to let you watch them awhile, scatter when you park your vehicle a few hundred yards away. They're sick of being ogled I guess.

Joel

[brittman]

They keep warning the hatch has been down the past two springs. The cold / wet spring of 2004 - I agree. Did not see many jakes last year.

But spring / summer '05 seemed nice. Surprized that hatch was not average or above.

I believe data is based upon harvest reports and DNR winter trapping of turkeys, etc....

[MNpurple]

I do all of my hunting around the Houston/LaCrescent area and I do not see near the birds I saw even 2-3 years ago. We usually saw a ton of birds during the gun deer season but we have seen very few the last two years. During the winter it was very common to see birds out in the fields especially after manure was spread and even that has become kind of rare. I too have read about the poor conditions for spring hatches, and have noticed a very sharp increase in the number of coyotes around my area. Maybe the two things combined really have the birds down. I'm not overly optimistic for my season this year

jnelson, where you from?

[96trigger]

I hunt Wabasha County, the turkey seem to be pretty good here, I haven't noticed any decrease in numbers and I hunt the Whitewater state park and surrounding private areas. The Turkeys are really spooky, but the numbers certainly don't appear to be hindered. Its also pretty early yet for the field strutting. Previous years the field strutting got into full swing when the grain shoots started sprouting, that should be in a couple of weeks as the crops have been going in heavy the last couple of days. Good luck, keep calling. I unfortunately am going the last season, any advice on calling etc would be helpful, I'm hoping I can find a responsive Tom, but I'd take a jake if it presented itself, I'm not going to be choosy the last season. Any thoughts?