March-20 Scouting

[turkey slayer]

Well went over for a 1 day scouting trip to the southern part of Stevens Co. Seen a lot of bird but only herd 2 gobbles and seen 1 strutter. All the bird that I seen are still in 50+ bird flocks  and on there wintering grounds except 4 jake's that I seen on the back piece of a State property while I was checking on a roosting area.  
In my opinion the bird aren't going to be early and are on the rite track for youth and opening weekend .
 Sorry for the pictures

[rasbo]

cool pic,when is your opener..Im looking at going for the first time this year possibly...

[turkey slayer]

Rasbo, It is the 15 of April

[Wile E. Hunter]

I got out yesterday, too. I was thinking that the birds might be already on it from what I saw...

[turkey slayer]

Sure looks like that from that pictures. All the long beards that I seen yesterday sure weren't strutting like that .

[Wile E. Hunter]

I'm tellin' ya, I got a really bad itch toward the end of my left index finger....

[jackelope]

2 years ago with all the snow and cold spring and the late birds I had pic's of strutters in march down in the blues. then we hunted opening weekend and the birds were dead silent. I don't think because they're strutting now means anything as far as an early rut.
i'm far from an expert though....
 

[Phantom Gobbler]

Some great pictures guys to keep us focused on the task on hand. 

On more weekend for scouting and then it's the real deal.

[Birdguy]

If pictures like that don't get you going  ...you may need to check your pulse  .
Great pictures guys thanks for posting. Dreams of strutting toms tonight  .

[Elkpiss]

Those pics just gave me a bonner..    Nice strutters!!  Getting so close to start wackin gobblers!!  !

[wastickslinger]

Looked to me like they were getting pretty fired up. Still should be a good opener. Might not have to compete with the hens as much.

[turkeydancer]

You guys are totally heartless posting those pictures ... my ticker is already wound tighter than an old pocket watch.  

[tlbradford]

Looked to me like they were getting pretty fired up. Still should be a good opener. Might not have to compete with the hens as much.

That is what I'm hoping for.  That they are sitting on nest come the opener.

[baldopepper]

I just returned from a weekend at my cabin in the heart of the turkey country in Stevens county.  Birds I saw were pretty much still in "winter" mode and just starting to break up.  I've had my cabin and have hunted over there for over 10 years now  and I've not seen their breeding habits vary much over a week or so either way  regardless of the winter.  Scouting right now is more just getting an idea of general population in the area and checking road conditions, as the birds can and probably will move several miles between now and the opener.  However, you'll find that year after year the "regular" spots will hold birds, maybe not the day you're there, but before the season is over.  One thing to add-PLEASE don't stop and call at every bird you see as they actually become call shy when the season finally comes around.  I've actually watched birds lift their heads and start running the opposite direction when called.  Only thing I can figure is really bad calling (which is actully pretty hard to do on turkeys) or they've been called so often from cars and trucks they've made the association.  Population seems to be good this spring-lots of Jakes running in big groups - should make for some fun on the youth hunt!!

[NWTFhunter]

Turkey Slayer... that first pic you posted looks very simular to an area I hunt... I had to double take to make sure it wasnt..