It is Turkey Season Eve 2013 and the expectations are high. Field reports are indicating a good number of 2-3 year old birds. These birds are normally the most active and exciting to call. After good hatches in 2010 and 2011, populations are edging upwards in shoot-able birds for this season. There are concerns for the 2014 season, with a poor hatch in 2012, but that is next year.
A week ago, two separate north Georgia flocks were scouted. Both flocks were holding more than a dozen birds with two Toms spotted with each one. This being an indication of the weather that these flocks had not split yet. In just five days though, several individual birds are now being spotted in similar areas. This could lead to a fast start for many hunters this turkey season.
Turkey Flock 1 Week Before Season
Weather forecasts though are not in our favor for two reasons. First the cool, wet weather does not encourage the Toms to get out and gobble. Researchers have found that dry days with little or no wind are the best for gobbling Toms. With another week of cool and rainy weather forecasted, this may lead to a slow start for many hunters. We recommend still going though with the flocks just now starting to split up. The second reason that this forecast is poor, is for poult survival. Young turkeys have a much higher mortality rate in sustained periods of wet, cool weather. For the sake of future seasons, we would like to see a warm, dry spring. Obviously, mother nature doesn’t always work with us. Many hunters have been fortunate enough to bag a Tom on a cool, wet day. If you have done your homework, the results will speak for themselves.
Don’t forget to update your hunting license and if hunting WMA lands, to sign in. No one wants to ruin a good day in the field with a bad day with the game warden!
Dirt Road Dispatch 