Did you see many jakes this year?

[JKEEN33]

We had a pretty good year as far as turkey go. One of the best years I've had in a long time. Helped several friends and relatives get their birds, but not one jake. Even out and about scouting and just driving around I didn't see any. Did anyone else see many?

[KopperBuck]

I've got a spot I've been hunting in Walla Walla Co. that is chock full of jakes. I've got one bird so I've been holding out for one of the couple of tom's I've seen. I have a feeling this might be the weekend.

[JKEEN33]

I'm not looking to get one, just a little concerned that I haven't seen any. I usually see them all over the place.

[KopperBuck]

Oh I figured as much. Just pointing out I've had to be patient for a couple weekends now waiting for a tom. Up in the NE I saw only a handful of jakes.

[yelp]

I saw a few flocks of jakes.  I got a big one too!  LOL    

[BLUEBULLS]

I've had this talk several times this year.... There aren't any Jakes!!!

I've seen one and killed it. seen maybe 20-30 toms. Last fall we saw plenty of young birds but last spring must have taken a toll on them in the areas I hunt in the southeast.

next year might be bad.

[yelp]

I've had this talk several times this year.... There aren't any Jakes!!!

I've seen one and killed it. seen maybe 20-30 toms. Last fall we saw plenty of young birds but last spring must have taken a toll on them in the areas I hunt in the southeast.

next year might be bad.

IT maybe a spring mortality thing but I think it is more attributable to the general fall seasons.  I think we are starting to overharvest some areas in the fall.

[turkeyfeather]

This is a big reason why I told my wife I wasn't going to get a second tag this year. I think the population could be in a little trouble, and I figure I might as well leave one for fall or next year.

[baldopepper]

I saw fewer Jakes and, for that matter, fewer turkeys this year.  I tend to agree with Yelp that in some areas we are definitely over-hunting in the fall and winter.  When you go out in December or January and see some of the big wintering flocks it's important to remember that, like deer, those flocks represent the total population of a very large area.  I think the comination of the longer spring hunt disrupting the breeding season, the two bird hen hunt taking out breedable hens and the winter hunt chasing already stressed wintering birds is taking it's toll. We still have good huntable numbers of birds, but the time to act is while we still have those numbers and not wait until we wake up and find our populations are in trouble. This wet, cold spring could be trouble-I'm really questioning having the fall either sex hunt already scheduled when we don't know the effect this spring might have on the birds.

[JKEEN33]

I saw fewer Jakes and, for that matter, fewer turkeys this year.  I tend to agree with Yelp that in some areas we are definitely over-hunting in the fall and winter.  When you go out in December or January and see some of the big wintering flocks it's important to remember that, like deer, those flocks represent the total population of a very large area.  I think the comination of the longer spring hunt disrupting the breeding season, the two bird hen hunt taking out breedable hens and the winter hunt chasing already stressed wintering birds is taking it's toll. We still have good huntable numbers of birds, but the time to act is while we still have those numbers and not wait until we wake up and find our populations are in trouble. This wet, cold spring could be trouble-I'm really questioning having the fall either sex hunt already scheduled when we don't know the effect this spring might have on the birds.

I agree. I have never hunted the fall birds and don't plan on it. I personally have no interest in a hen or jake, but they are what I consider the future. I saw lots of birds this year, but not one jake which had me a little concerned. To be honest, I saw less hens than I usually see also which would explain why I had such easy hunts on my mature birds. I was just curious if anyone else was seeing the same thing.

[Seatown5]

I noticed the same thing.  between me and my five friends we got six birds, all toms.  Every male i saw was a tom, I think maybe I saw one jake.  What happened to the days of jakes coming in all day.  At least its entertaining, if hunting is bad they are always good for a kill or at least a real close call.

[Jimmysworking]

I saw a couple in Cle Elum last weekend. They were hanging out with a few toms in someone's yard wishing me a good day as I drove off without a kill, again.

[Phantom Gobbler]

The numbers of Jakes in the NE appear to be down this year due to the wet spring last year, the liberal Fall harvest, increased predation, lack of an active turkey managment and relocation program, etc.  Lets hope the weather improves from here on out.........................