---
title: "What Does a Mild Winter and Warm Spring Mean for Turkey Hunting?"
description: "Existing turkey flocks nationwide had great conditions for winter survival -- but will it influence our spring gobbler hunting? MYTH: Gobblers will breed early and be \"all done\" by opening day. FACT: While mild to warm weather sometimes increases gobbling activity, true breeding doesn't start until the length of daylight is right. Photoperiod -- the duration of daylight as it influences plants, animals and of course wild turkeys -- influences breeding behavior."
date: "2012-03-29"
modified: "2021-04-20"
authors:
  - name: "Steve Hickoff"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/steve-hickoff/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/strut-zone/2012/03/what-does-mild-winter-and-warm-spring-mean-turkey-hunting/"
categories:
  - "Hunting"
  - "Turkey Hunting"
---

# What Does a Mild Winter and Warm Spring Mean for Turkey Hunting?

![](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/P3LGH4VYMR4ZY4WUXGCY7RANJA.jpg>)

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importBlogPostembedmildwinterturkey.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/FFYBSYPW6D66R4FL7IU3DR5LW4.jpg>)

Existing turkey flocks nationwide had great conditions for winter survival -- but will it influence our spring gobbler hunting?

*MYTH*: Gobblers will breed early and be "all done" by opening day.

**FACT**: While mild to warm weather sometimes increases gobbling activity, true breeding doesn't start until the length of daylight is right. Photoperiod -- the duration of daylight as it influences plants, animals and of course wild turkeys -- influences breeding behavior.

*MYTH*: Hens will breed and lay eggs too early with these warm conditions.
\*\*
FACT\*\*: Nesting behavior by hens is influenced by photoperiod as well, and has less to do with unusually mild or warm conditions. Hens can also re-nest if necessary.

*MYTH*: We're better off fishing than hunting this spring turkey season.
\*\*
FACT\*\*: Early leaf-out will likely influence your turkey hunting this year,
for sure. Gobblers may be harder to hear at a distance, with sounds muffled by leafy cover, but easier to approach once you do.

*MYTH*: The weather is so unusual this year there's no telling what this will do to turkey populations.

**FACT**: If the mild conditions without excessive precipitation continue, breeding, nesting and brood-rearing will surely benefit and wild turkey numbers will thrive.

Do you think our nationwide mild winter and warm spring will help or hurt your turkey hunting?

Check out this [2012 turkey outlook](<https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/turkey/spring-turkey-hunting/2012-turkey-outlook/>) from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Media photo courtesy of [NWTF](<https://www.nwtf.org/>)