Scouting 3-16-13

[NWTFhunter]

Went out to a farm I can hunt on, and found 5 big toms just off the tree line that runs the drainage.  There was one in the group that had a nice 9 +" beard that was real thick.  The other 4 were close in length, but not as thick.  Watched them for a while when the urge to bust a crow call got the best of me.  They looked, and scooted down into the tree line.  Went to another property that has 30+ birds, but never found them.  Spent some time scouting with the boys for sheds, but think there is still a bit too much snow in places.  On the way out, stopped at the initial farm and found 15 birds in the pasture with the cattle.  Cant wait til the 13th !!!!

[Diehard0123]

Soundslike it will be the cow hide camo this year

[NWTFhunter]

Hey Diehard.... I didnt think of that.... Good one !

I think I will head out a few more times and make sure they are using the same areas, and set up my blind.  I know they roost in the trees along the creek..........  There are no other trees. Anywhere !    And fly down into the pastures. The problem will be sneeking into the blind without them hearing of seeing me !

[Gobble Doc]

Nice scouting! 

[NWTFhunter]

Thanks Doc !

I found them back in Nov, while working at another piece of the familys property.  Spoke with Leroy today, and he said fall of 11 they had 200 + birds on their ranch.
Spoke with the NDGF Bio friday, and the two units I drew appear to hold good numbers of birds.  I havent yet made it to the most southern unit, but just find drainages, and trees and there should be birds. The biggest problem here is getting permission to hunt land, as 90% of land here is private.  I have only been denied 2 times out of 8, so I am doing pretty well I think.
We are getting snow right now, and tomorrow is supposed to dump again.  Hope the weather clears in the next week or so and the birds get fired up !

[buglebuster]

Good to hear. Hope you whack a big one

[turkeydancer]

Time to practice your "Moo" calls ... good luck !

[mtnseth]

Went out in the SE on Friday to enjoy the warm weather and sunshine.  The birds are still very much in winter groups, with the toms hanging back from the flocks in bachelor groups and the jakes sparring and setting up a pecking order.  The hens were pretty vocal but the males were disinterested and quiet.  Despite the weather, things are a little early yet.  Of course, it's snowing at my house now. 

[NWTFhunter]

Good to hear you found some too mtnseth.  That was pretty much how they were acting here in Nd. too !

[turkeydancer]

Good to hear Mtn Seth ... you got your Eastern picked out again ?

[mtnseth]

I was scouting Rios in Asotin Co.  I live in Pullman now, so I'm a no-go for eastern scouting this season.  I'll probably head over in early May for a few days, but I'm sure they'll all have gone quiet by then. 

However, I have a spot that held an eastern tom a couple seasons ago that loved to gobble mid-day late into May.  The hike to him is so gnarly that I'm sure no one has permanently shut him up yet.  I think I'll pay him a visit.

[NWTFhunter]

mtseth, if you have any trouble finding birds in Asotin shoot me a mesg as I have friends in that area that might be of help.

[turkeydancer]

mtnseth -
What are you doing in the Palouse (I went to school at WSU) ?  One of these days we need to have another get together (maybe at Hawks Prairie again).  Was really nice putting faces with web names ...   

[Tman]

I thought the opener was always the 15th?

[KNOPHISH]

Probably a different opener in North Dakota?