Strutting Toms in Feb

[Johnsfolly]

As I go into work I pass a cut bean field that often has turkeys. I will see toms and hens regularly throughout the year. Usually up to a week before the season then they disappear until late May. However, I haven't been regularly seeing birds there this winter. But this morning there was a flock of 12 to 15 birds. That was not too remarkable except that four toms were in full strut. This is the earliest that I have seen strutting toms. I've seen them in March before, but not in mid February. On one hand I'm getting excited about turkey season. On the other I can't help but wonder if it is too soon and that if they do breed earlier are the young at risk of a late cold spell. We haven't had great hatches the last couple of years. So it would be nice to have a real good one this year. 

They definitely got me thinking about getting out the mouth calls or chalking up my boxcalls.

Anyone else seeing strutting birds this year?

[moturkey]

Bad spring weather has definitely hurt the poult-to-hen ratios in the last 2 years, and a third consecutive poor hatch would be tough to absorb. I haven't seen any strutters yet, but if they're dancing this early it's going to be a very tough spring season.  

[snagged in outlet 3]

10 hours ago, Johnsfolly said:

Anyone else seeing strutting birds this year?

I saw 80 of them the past few days in cut corn field I drive through everyday.

A couple days ago the tom's had about 20 hens pinned up against the highway with cars going by at 70 MPH.

 

 

[Seth]

Turkeys are all sorts of silly. I watched a Tom strut around for a bunch of hens on a warm day during the 2015 rifle season for deer. I've heard them gobbling pretty heavy while coyote hunting in the early morning in February and March as well.

[JestersHK]

They are in full strut here around my work campus.  Have 3 shooters for sure... Now if I could just get corporate to sign off on my crossbow...

[Johnsfolly]

4 hours ago, JestersHK said:

They are in full strut here around my work campus.

I remember your photos with the gobbler posing in front of the glass doors. that would make me laugh and cry .

[JestersHK]

Yep, I could of rung a big Tom's neck the other morning when I was in early.  Had to shoo him away and could of pulled his tail feathers out.  I need to take pics with something better than these phones...