Memorial day turkeys

[WSU]

I've never seriously hunted turkeys.  I'm thinking of trying this year but the only time I could potentially go is Memorial Day.

Are they hard to call in by then?  Is it more or less over by then?

[Dhoey07]

I've only hunted them once over Memorial Day and I would say that it's still worth it.  The only difference I have found between the opener and later in the season is the tick activity.  Early you might only get 4-5 on you and later in the year it's double digits.

[bearpaw]

I've never seriously hunted turkeys.  I'm thinking of trying this year but the only time I could potentially go is Memorial Day.

Are they hard to call in by then?  Is it more or less over by then?

The breeding season is pretty much over and calling drops off dramatically the last 10 days of May. However, none of the turkeys get on a space ship and leave earth, they are still out there on the mountain. Put in your time and you have a decent chance of seeing a bird even if he won't call in. Try to find fresh sign, tracks, droppings, and spend time in that area. If you do hear a gobble close the distance and get close to him, he may or may not be willing to come to you.

[WSU]

I've never seriously hunted turkeys.  I'm thinking of trying this year but the only time I could potentially go is Memorial Day.

Are they hard to call in by then?  Is it more or less over by then?

The breeding season is pretty much over and calling drops off dramatically the last 10 days of May. However, none of the turkeys get on a space ship and leave earth, they are still out there on the mountain. Put in your time and you have a decent chance of seeing a bird even if he won't call in. Try to find fresh sign, tracks, droppings, and spend time in that area. If you do hear a gobble close the distance and get close to him, he may or may not be willing to come to you.

Thanks.  I have a place I could find them without calling, although I know stalking turkeys is frowned upon.

[bearpaw]

I've never seriously hunted turkeys.  I'm thinking of trying this year but the only time I could potentially go is Memorial Day.

Are they hard to call in by then?  Is it more or less over by then?

The breeding season is pretty much over and calling drops off dramatically the last 10 days of May. However, none of the turkeys get on a space ship and leave earth, they are still out there on the mountain. Put in your time and you have a decent chance of seeing a bird even if he won't call in. Try to find fresh sign, tracks, droppings, and spend time in that area. If you do hear a gobble close the distance and get close to him, he may or may not be willing to come to you.

Thanks.  I have a place I could find them without calling, although I know stalking turkeys is frowned upon.

Carry binos, make sure you are stalking live birds if you stalk. It's really pretty easy to tell decoys, I'm amazed that some guys actually stalk decoys, I think if they would look with binos first it would solve that problem. 

[Birdguy]

You find the right birds and its as good as anytime. The weather is better though this opening has been incredible. We called 2 in from a LONG way off last year the weekend before Memorial.  We will likely be over calling early and fishing mid day that weekend unless we get a few be accident before then.