Weeks of turkey scouting for not

[Iveexcaped3]

Welp, heard (assuming) 3 birds get poached today. Also talked to a few guys out scouting that the area I was looking in got hammered by youth hunters last week, I couldn’t find any of the birds I found 2 weeks ago. Today was just 1 jake with no beard so guess I’m picking somewhere new and going blind. 

[roderickweise]

Bummer dude. I ran into issues as well. Scouted online for weeks found a solid looking area drove 5 hours out here and can't get to the area because of snow lol. I'm still debating on if I just walk the extra mile and a half through the snow or go a spot I picked out by addy with no snow but maybe no birds.

[Dan-o]

Welp, heard (assuming) 3 birds get poached today. Also talked to a few guys out scouting that the area I was looking in got hammered by youth hunters last week, I couldn’t find any of the birds I found 2 weeks ago. Today was just 1 jake with no beard so guess I’m picking somewhere new and going blind. 

What makes you think birds got poached?
(just curious)

[deerhuntr4885]

My buddy took his daughter out for youth and walked a four mile loop in the snow and tagged out.  They are still out there somewhere. The turkeys that is.

[Iveexcaped3]

Welp, heard (assuming) 3 birds get poached today. Also talked to a few guys out scouting that the area I was looking in got hammered by youth hunters last week, I couldn’t find any of the birds I found 2 weeks ago. Today was just 1 jake with no beard so guess I’m picking somewhere new and going blind. 

.
What makes you think birds got poached?
(just curious)

Because it was 3 different locations and only 1 shotgun shot. If there was a few then I would assume they were just patterning their gun

[TheStovePipeKid]

Maybe they were first time turkey hunters and gave up after the first turkey load. I shot six to pattern my red dot and felt like giving up the sport afterward. 

[Jimmer]

You’re too close to the west side... that’s the problem.

[Dan-o]

Welp, heard (assuming) 3 birds get poached today. Also talked to a few guys out scouting that the area I was looking in got hammered by youth hunters last week, I couldn’t find any of the birds I found 2 weeks ago. Today was just 1 jake with no beard so guess I’m picking somewhere new and going blind. 

.
What makes you think birds got poached?
(just curious)

Because it was 3 different locations and only 1 shotgun shot. If there was a few then I would assume they were just patterning their gun

Got it.   Thanks.

Hopefully not poaching.

Good luck....   I hope you find a good one.

[Pegasus]

Get out and enjoy the hunt. Someday when you get old and worn out you won't always be able to be out there. When I first started hunting turkeys in this state if I even heard a turkey gobble I would consider it a successful hunt. The entire state turkey harvest back then then was less then 100 birds and I still went out. When I shot my first turkey in this state after years of hunting the entire harvest that year was 100 turkeys. Now it is between 4000-5000 harvested and you can buy more than one turkey tag. Think about that when you complain about the youth hunters. Enjoy the magic of the hunt and the ride while you still can....because it will end someday and you will have missed all of those opportunities and memories.

[Birdgetter]

Last year with the Sunday opener we were out scouting a spot and there was a guy hunting on Saturday. He was pushing the birds all around, gave the game department a call but doubt they did anything. Sure was frustrating.

[h2ofowlr]

Welp, heard (assuming) 3 birds get poached today. Also talked to a few guys out scouting that the area I was looking in got hammered by youth hunters last week, I couldn’t find any of the birds I found 2 weeks ago. Today was just 1 jake with no beard so guess I’m picking somewhere new and going blind. 

A little pressure and the birds catch on quickly.  Also the birds were hot last weekend and on hens.  As the snow melts they start to move up the hills in many cases vs. all sitting around someone's house being fed.  You might have to expand your search some and get a little more aggressive on your calling.
Don't forget that the weather factors in as well.  I am sure the birds are still in the area, you just have to locate them.

Two weeks ago we had them dialed in.  Come the youth turkey hunt, the snow had melted a ton and we finally found them on the opener about a 1/2 mile from where they had been the week before.  Not a single turkey where they should have been.  A little pressure can get them to move, so don't assume they were all shot or poached.  You might just have to change your pattern.  If your only seeing jakes, the toms may have a hen or two they are chasing.

[Iveexcaped3]

Get out and enjoy the hunt. Someday when you get old and worn out you won't always be able to be out there. When I first started hunting turkeys in this state if I even heard a turkey gobble I would consider it a successful hunt. The entire state turkey harvest back then then was less then 100 birds and I still went out. When I shot my first turkey in this state after years of hunting the entire harvest that year was 100 turkeys. Now it is between 4000-5000 harvested and you can buy more than one turkey tag. Think about that when you complain about the youth hunters. Enjoy the magic of the hunt and the ride while you still can....because it will end someday and you will have missed all of those opportunities and memories.

I’m not complaining about the youths at all, didn’t mean for it to come across that way. I’m glad that youth is getting out and hunting we need it. I was a youth at one time too and I’m sure I took some birds in an area someone else had pinned its the cycle of hunting.