Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: djnoodle on April 20, 2014, 09:42:01 AM

Title: How does weather affect these birds?
Post by: djnoodle on April 20, 2014, 09:42:01 AM: I am going to the NE corner this coming week Thursday-Sunday. The ten day forecast shows 30 and 40% chance of rain.

How does wet weather affect turkey hunting? Does anyone have any pointers for me related to hunting in the rain?

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Title: Re: How does weather affect these birds?
Post by: Mfowl on April 20, 2014, 10:05:58 AM: In my experience wind and stormy conditions will often drive them into thick brush and creek bottoms where they can get out of the elements. However rain itself seems to bring them out into open areas like fields and clearings. I have heard that they don't like to be in wet brush, tall grass when it is wet because it soaks their feathers. When in the open they can shed the rain drops easier than when it collects on limbs and such. I typically don't have great success hunting in the elements but when the weather breaks the turkeys can become very active. :twocents:
Title: Re: How does weather affect these birds?
Post by: Deer slayer on April 20, 2014, 01:29:46 PM: I have also heard they don't like being in the brush in the rain because of all the rain drop noise. It throws off their hearing. I have also heard they don't like being in the brush in the wind because everything is moving and it messes with that sense too. Only rumor to me but makes sense.
Title: Re: How does weather affect these birds?
Post by: br8kitoff on April 21, 2014, 06:15:02 PM: Last Thursday and Friday were rainy and windy....couldn't find birds to save a life lol...once the wind died and weather cleared they were back out...helps as I don't like the rain either..

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Title: Re: How does weather affect these birds?
Post by: ghosthunter on April 21, 2014, 06:27:49 PM: Rain for sure messes with them. I have been in NE. During rains and they shut right up. Seem like three days before they come out of it.
I have heard rain drives the into the open but you can't prove it by me.

One of the reasons I hold out till May. Better weather.
Title: Re: How does weather affect these birds?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on April 21, 2014, 07:55:58 PM: Spent Friday with 20-30 mph winds with blowing snow and Saturday was just plain cold with ZERO gobbling then Sunday was sunny and clear with gobbling. IMO it definetely effecting them

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Title: Re: How does weather affect these birds?
Post by: Limhangerslayer on April 21, 2014, 08:19:52 PM: Rain will affect them if it's heavy, just showers and light rain don't bother them that much. It is spring and they are used to it. Usually if it rains hard when it quits they will definitely by our trying to dry off and back to business as usual. Good luck
Title: Re: How does weather affect these birds?
Post by: HoofsandWings on April 22, 2014, 08:31:10 AM: Well, I will be going out this weekend. Bad weather and all. The rain also causes for muddy footing. Not easy to hike in muck.
Title: Re: How does weather affect these birds?
Post by: PA BEN on April 28, 2014, 06:14:34 AM: I have a barometer on my phone and have watched it this year when the turkeys were gobbling. I seems that when the pressure drops they get quite. A sharp rise either way, they get quite. But when the pressure starts to rise they seem to gobble more. This morning is the first gobbles I've heard around here for days. The pressure is on the rise. :dunno: BTW, I don't have my second tag yet or I would have been out. :bash:
Title: Re: How does weather affect these birds?
Post by: djnoodle on April 28, 2014, 06:19:30 AM: That is very interesting...

Perhaps a side effect of their excellent hearing is that their ears are really sensitive to barometric pressure? :dunno: