Fall strutting toms?

[cabin308]

I got a late start to hunt late turkey tag today and on the way was a field with over a hundred turkey.  Of course they were in the wrong posted private field     near the ranch I can hunt, but in the flock were about a dozen toms in full strut putting on a show like it was spring!  I haven't seen this before, is it a common scene in the fall?

[fc2038]

Yea I see them every deer season. Just this year I was down in Klickitat and saw a flock of 30 half toms all strutting. It is always cool to see them in full strut. A little treat during deer season. To be honest I cannot remember a year in the last 10 that I did not see toms strutting in october.

[bighorns2bushytails]

me and gutpile saw it friday after thanksgiving up near incheleum.  not sure why they are doing it other then maybe its about pecking order between the males in the group.  looked like a couple of these guys were gunna throw down hehe  sure was cool though

[cabin308]

I agree it was really cool to watch.  I haven't hunted fall turkey before, only spring, so it was a bit of a surprise to see them showing off like that, plus I haven't seen that many turkeys in that area in the fall.  

[PA BEN]

When turkey's flock up in the fall, they fight for who going to be boss. Strutting is part of this. I've seen hens puff up before, almost look like toms. The fighting purrs and fighting can go on for hours. I've even seen turkey's fight till the death. After one killed one and the flock moved on, one stayed back and kept picking at the dead birds head, did this for a least a 1/2 hour after it was dead.

[NWTFhunter]

Pa Ben is on the money.  Turkey will still show dominance in fall flocks as a ranking as to who is top bird.

While in Ca I was hunting spring season and I saw what appeared to be a tom far off. All of a sudden the bird fanned out and I put my binos on him........ It was a bearded HEN strutting ! I had never seen this before.
Then last year while watching a fall flock there was a hen that puffed up and kinda fanned as Ben stated he saw.

So, did you end up getting your bird ?
What area were you hunting?
Have you hunted this area before, did it seem like the number of birds is less, more or about the same ?

[cabin308]

I haven't got one yet, and that's what's killing me!    I had to find a new place I've never been on and it is much smaller area than the usual place.  It's about 80-100 acre plot surrounded by fenced and posted land and naturally the birds are on the other side of the fence.  The 500+ acre private ranch we've been hunting for over 30 years in Elk/Camden area was leased to an outfitter this season so we got bumped out.  Her family has always welcomed my family at any time for deer and turkey, but dire situation of property tax inflation(80% increase!) forced a solution she didn't want to do.  Bummer this year but we're back in next season.
Thanks for the info on turkey behavior.  That flock was there again today, over 200 birds  .  Can't get to 'em though.