Yep, I talked to a Tom for 2-3 days this spring and never got him into view and had one come in on me quiet that got spooked when my decoy suddenly spun in the wind, never to be seen again! I even had one hen come from behind me, right past me, and headed on toward the mouthy tom! I was praying she'd stop and help me out with some of her own yelps, but no dice.

Unfortunately, it's a few hours from me at my families camp and I haven't revisited that specific site since then, so not sure. But on my couple return trips, I have heard and seen good numbers in other areas near by. Which, nearly all the guys up there I've talked to said the Spring harvest was low and I remember everyone complaining about how quiet the birds were...despite numerous preseason sightings. So maybe that's why the population is good now. Either way, I'm stoked for this falls trip!

this past spring was very bad in this part of wva.no gobbling not even a close call on a gobbler hope next spring will be better.turkeys do hang in the same area year after year.gobblers do travel in the winter but do come back to the same area in the spring.good luck in the woods guys

Been seeing a few decent size flocks in the early morning,even heard a Tom gobble and fly down yesterday morning,but never seen him,he only gobbled twice,but still it was musuc to my ears.Had a bud see a big flock near the river pasture and even seen three Toms and one was strutting,man Spring can't get hear quick enough.Good luck to all you fall hunters,hope ya'll put a big one on the dirt.
Later,
BRBB

Been out the last four mornings and some afternoons on the local public lands and I have not heard a single call, but did see some feathers. Previously I have seen flocks along the roads. Unlike spring I am thinking they are roaming more in the crops and are not tied to concealment the state lands offer and are ‘exploring’ new areas. Maybe I am trying to justify my lack of success.

Hey Josh N.,

A fighting purr used right after fly-down time will sometimes lure "super jakes" (1-1/2 yr. old birds), and longbeards in for a look . . . it'll work during the other legal shooting hours too.

A coarse three-note gobbler yelp will also chance at pulling one in (I like a slate for this). I've used it with success after scattering gobbler groups while both bow and shotgun hunting . . .

Range, broodless hen flock, family flock, or gobbler flock, varies depending on the fall birds, and often shifts with food sources. Time with the actual turkeys will teach you a lot.

P.S. I had a brood hen and two young birds (early hatch; pretty good size) come into the small farm field behind me while I goose hunted southern Maine this a.m.

Season started out with a bang - 4 bangs to be exact on opening day. The mast is heavy here the turkeys were in the oak woods all morning and I figured as the day warmed they would move into the hayfield to do some bugging. Snuck up a steep hill to stay hidden, no turkeys in the field. What the heck....advanced into the field slowly, about 50 yards into the field turkeys flew up everywhere. They had been hunkering down out of sight in the alfalfa and I had walked into the middle of them. Turkeys split into 2 groups heading in opposite directions. Set up quick, assembly called, the turkeys came running back, shot 2, turkeys scattered, assembly called, turkeys came running back again shot 2 more. Heck of hunting day!
Enjoyed planked turkey breast for supper.
WI still has otc tags for sale - replaced punched tags, ready to hunt on.

Which begs the question, ce: How the heck did you haul four turkeys out of the woods?

A waterfowling decoy bag?

An oversized game vest?

Two birds of the year in your vest, and one on each shoulder?

Amazing . . .

Thanks again for sharing your hunt. Speaking for everyone, that's got us stoked! -S.

Hey strengthfam . . .

There are several southern states that manage for "beards in the spring; antlers in the fall" (Georgia has no fall turkey season either). . . it's all good I s'pose. And Florida is manages turkeys for beards in the fall too.

Have pickup truck will travel . . . four states for me this fall. Love it.

Thanks for checking in.

-S.

Feel sorry for you guys with no fall season. You all should consider a trip for fall WI turkeys. They overrun the landscape here so much so farmers are granted shooting permits! (I find that repugnant) WI hunters are not really interested in fall turkey as a result there are over the counter permits available all through the season which has been extended to Dec 31 this year. In past years the state has not sold all the permits by season end. BTW, the nonresident permit cost is $15 purchase limit one per day.
Happy hunting all - enjoy,
Later,
charlie elk