Turkey Rut Timing

[shinyboat]

I’ve hunted the Coleville region a few years now  nor a few days between April 24-30 which is the 3rd weekends of the season. Other than one great year, it seems we are always on the tail end of the rut. Still manage to bay birds but it’s a little more work. I have heard there are two ruts.

Is the first rut earlier in the season and how long does it last?

When does the second rut occur?


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[baldopepper]

I don't think there are actually 2 ruts.  There's the early part where they are gathering hens and actively breeding, then a short period where they are "henned up" and difficult to call in.Then the later period where the hens are nesting but the toms are still active, somewhat easier time to call in. Timing is not specific and depends a lot on weather conditions. Some years the birds are still in their winter flocks up to the opener and other years they're already broken up and actively breeding. You just need to be adaptable to what period you happen to find when you start your hunt.

[buckfvr]

Many years ago, I was told that our season opener of april 15 is based on the idea that by then 60% of hens are bred (in a normal year).  If you live here, its hard to miss the obvious age variety of poults.  By late summer, there is evidence of a second hatch which is most likely because the first hatch goes bad because of weather.  Im uncertain as to whether or not first year hens cycle later (if at all) than matures to present this difference, but it could be.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I don't think there are actually 2 ruts.  There's the early part where they are gathering hens and actively breeding, then a short period where they are "henned up" and difficult to call in.Then the later period where the hens are nesting but the toms are still active, somewhat easier time to call in. Timing is not specific and depends a lot on weather conditions. Some years the birds are still in their winter flocks up to the opener and other years they're already broken up and actively breeding. You just need to be adaptable to what period you happen to find when you start your hunt.

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[Russ McDonald]

I don't think there are actually 2 ruts.  There's the early part where they are gathering hens and actively breeding, then a short period where they are "henned up" and difficult to call in.Then the later period where the hens are nesting but the toms are still active, somewhat easier time to call in. Timing is not specific and depends a lot on weather conditions. Some years the birds are still in their winter flocks up to the opener and other years they're already broken up and actively breeding. You just need to be adaptable to what period you happen to find when you start your hunt.

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Exactly.  I found something out very interesting.  Thay strutting toms.does not mean it is breeding time.  A toms testosterone will get to a level where they start strutting but hens aren't  close to bleeding.  A NWTF said that it is just the prelude to the show.  The practice.

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[buckcanyonlodge]

Toms have been strutting here since December. I live with turkeys...everyday.. 365 days per year. They breed from late March through July. It's the hen that determines when she will breed...toms are ready all the time...kinda like us humans.
If the hen loses her brood or eggs to a predator or the weather they will usually have another batch. Just what I have observed.

[birddogdad]

Toms have been strutting here since December. I live with turkeys...everyday.. 365 days per year. They breed from late March through July. It's the hen that determines when she will breed...toms are ready all the time...kinda like us humans.
If the hen loses her brood or eggs to a predator or the weather they will usually have another batch. Just what I have observed.

i was out your direction last spring. A Friday thru Monday.. toms were blowing up from the first close of the truck door.. come Monday morning the woods were silent, as if they left the whole area! have considered this since and think it was pressure dependent though i don't recall if it was a high or low rolling in that shut down the activity.. have you seen this too?

[buckcanyonlodge]

They can be pretty nomadic. I've scouted flocks and located them every day for a week.. and then the next day they are gone..moved... nowhere to be found. Just this morning at 5 AM there was something after them in the roost up the hill behind the house...gobbling..clucking and moving from branch to branch in the dark. Either an owl or a bobcat/cougar.. They completely left the area today and are roosting in a different location tonight. Sucks to be a turkey. EVERYTHING wants to kill and eat you.