Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: wackmaster on February 10, 2010, 08:53:49 PM

Title: Already strutting
Post by: wackmaster on February 10, 2010, 08:53:49 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: Turkeyman on February 10, 2010, 11:42:03 PM: They are setting there pecking order for the spring mating season.
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: yelp on February 11, 2010, 07:37:59 AM: Quote from: Turkeyman on February 10, 2010, 11:42:03 PM
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
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: bow4elk on February 11, 2010, 08:42:29 PM: 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!
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: jackelope on February 11, 2010, 08:46:50 PM: 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.
:dunno:
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.
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: Turkeyman on February 11, 2010, 11:44:01 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: turkeydancer on February 12, 2010, 10:29:50 AM: :yeah: 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. :twocents:
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: boneaddict on February 12, 2010, 10:33:25 AM: Back on track with critters. Always around Valentines they start lighting it up.
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: elkaholic on February 13, 2010, 09:21:31 AM: I cant wait..... I love turkey hunting, good excuse to look for bone also.
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: bigpaw 77 on February 13, 2010, 01:02:32 PM: Yes it seems they are getting ready for mating season, I know I am getting ready for spring turkey season
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: bigpaw 77 on February 13, 2010, 01:10:27 PM: Took this pic yesterday
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: BPturkeys on February 13, 2010, 01:46:49 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: Teachers Pet on February 14, 2010, 02:33:23 PM: Can't hardly wait. Been strutin' myself. Still no breedin'. :tung:
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: Huntbear on February 14, 2010, 09:13:34 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: boneaddict on February 15, 2010, 01:23:40 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: fishcrazy on February 15, 2010, 08:47:32 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on February 15, 2010, 01:23:40 PM
Found three kills, most likely by wolves as it was their tracks and crap that was there.

You didn't play with, sniff or roll in the crap did you. I read something about it being full of parasites that people can get it if they pick it up or sniff it. :chuckle:

Kris
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: KimberRich on February 16, 2010, 01:23:10 PM: Quote from: jackelope on February 11, 2010, 08:46:50 PM
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.
:dunno:
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.

I agree totally.. The winters the last couple years have been rough on them and have held on later. My first season hunting them was about 4-5 years ago also and it was incredible where I was... Yo could hear a dozen different birds sounding off in one valley. Last year in the same valley... One.
Title: Re: Already strutting
Post by: Whitenuckles on February 22, 2010, 05:20:19 PM: Went out to say hi to all the land owners where I do my huntin this weekend...And there were birds everywhere. They were doing all good stuff! Toms on top of hens, Jakes humping the ground, fights, and birds gobbling all over. They still seem to be in somewhat of large flocks. But they are broken up quite well.