Already strutting

[wackmaster]

Went down to the klickitat area saw about 100 turkeys in a group.The toms and jakes were gobbling up a storm and struting like crazy.

[Turkeyman]

They are setting there pecking order for the spring mating season.

[yelp]

They are setting there pecking order for the spring mating season.

I have been doing that in my yard too..strutting around running down any kids with red hats, I hate it when Spring is early! Only turkey hunters would understand..LOL

[bow4elk]

My oldest daughter turned 8 today.  You should have seen her face when she opened up a whole new set of camo after school today...and then when she saw the note that I'm taking her on her first hunt this year with me.  I got a mondo hug.  Can't wait!

[jackelope]

It seems to me(relative noob) that the last few years i've been turkey hunting the birds have not been feeling frisky on the opener...at least not where I was. I gotta say I'm kinda looking forward to the early spring. Maybe opening weekend will be good this year.
 
I know where the birds are, they just haven't been fired up like the first year I went to the NE 4-5 years ago.

[Turkeyman]

Good for you bow4elk hope you and your daughter in joy the spring season. Turkey hunting is great for kids they love it. I have had some of my best hunts with kids. Good luck.

[turkeydancer]

   Well said TM ... best of luck bow4elk !!!

Jackelope --- the heavy, late winter the last 2 yrs definitely didn't help ... should be better this year. 

[boneaddict]

Back on track with critters.  Always around Valentines they start lighting it up.

[elkaholic]

I cant wait..... I love turkey hunting, good excuse to look for bone also.

[bigpaw 77]

Yes it seems they are getting ready for mating season, I know I am getting ready for spring turkey season

[bigpaw 77]

Took this pic yesterday

[BPturkeys]

Generally speaking, the gobbling/strutting starts when the Toms and Jakes rejoin the hens after the long winter separation. There are three factors that triggers their gobbling: (1)nearness to the hens (2)the length of daylight (3)increased Testosterone levels. At this time of year the hens are simply just not interested in breeding so do not normally respond at all the Tom's activity. As daylight hours increase the large bunches you see start to break up and this separation from the hens will further stimulate the Toms to gobble. As the sexes start to reunite and start to breed, gobbling my decrease, this is what you boys call  "henned up" and most random gobbling is done by subordinate Toms and Jakes. Of course it is not quite as simple as all this and is certainly influenced by day-to-factors like weather, hunting pressure, etc.

All this blah blah blah is fun to talk about but when it comes to hunting, remember, you just hunt one bird at a time, even if the whole mountain is alive with gobbles.

[Teachers Pet]

Can't hardly wait. Been strutin' myself. Still no breedin'.

[Huntbear]

Here where we are staying on the Oregon side, dang turkeys are everywhere!  Had to stop and let 30 of em cross the road in front of me the other night.. it was either that or run over em, they were crossing, whether i was there or not.

[boneaddict]

Didn't find any where I was at yesterday.  Found three kills, most likely by wolves as it was their tracks and crap that was there.  I guess I should say wolf as it was only one as far as I could tell.