So there you were in your blind goose hunting, or settling down for another set while doing a little winter predator management, and there out in the field was a flock of turkeys. A quick look reveals that a number of them are some really nice gobblers, and your mind flips a switch and starts drifting toward crisp spring mornings, turkey calls, and thundering gobbles.
As turkey applications come due, and licenses start going on sale across the country, the image of that winter flock burns in your mind, and you start planning your hunt, choosing hunting areas, getting the appropriate landowner permissions, and knocking the dust off that turkey vest hanging in your closet. But…are you sure that the flock you saw this past winter will be in the same area come April or May? Depending on your area, and the type of birds you’re hunting it may – or may not! Here are a few things to keep in mind:
If you’re in areas of diverse and plentiful agriculture, with that agriculture mixed in with tracts of timber, at least some of the birds in the winter flock you found are likely to be around in spring. In areas of mixed agriculture and woodlots, there’s not only good winter food, but early spring food and potential nesting areas are also likely around, so the hens don’t need to move very far to stay in good habitat. Where the hens are, the gobblers will be – so keep an eye on the birds from now until the season opener to follow the subtle movements across the landscape, and secure the appropriate landowner permissions accordingly. But... even in these types of habitats don’t be surprised if some birds do move long distances on you. A number of years ago I killed the nice two year-old tom pictured here in Upstate New York, and to my surprise he had a leg band. A call to the N.Y. Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) revealed the bird had been banded just a few months prior during winter, a full seven miles from where I killed him! …and that was in the heart of dairy country, and great agricultural and timber habitat!!!
- If you’re hunting in areas out west where the Rios and Merriams roam, do not count on the winter flock you found to be in the same place come spring, unless you have some really great habitat you’re dealing with! In most cases, winter flocks of Rios and Merriams travel moderate to long distances to distinct winter ranges, and then move with the snow line or spring green-up back to completely different spring and summer ranges. In many cases, these areas can be many miles apart. When the snow starts to melt, and the first green shoots start popping up, hens will start moving toward their preferred nesting areas, dragging the toms along with them. Make sure you scout these birds – or more accurately, the habitats and areas – where the birds want to be, rather than where they are – or were – this past winter.
For hunters heading out this spring to chase some river bottom Rios, you can really dive into these concepts and learn about habitats, seasonal movements, and what to look for to maximize your scouting and hunting success by checking out our Turkey Module on the Roe Hunting Resources website. We have an entire video series just on these topics, along with several more and a turkey forum, that’ll help you “…Make the Right Call” on your turkey hunt this spring.
