2009.03.31
Who's getting ready for spring gobbler season?
I was driving out to hunt for shed antlers a couple weeks ago when a gang of turkeys eased across the road ahead of me.
It was a group of about a half-dozen hens, with one jake and one gobbler. The gobbler basically got out from in front of my truck (in no hurry) and then broke into a strut. I got out as the birds eased up into the woods. I yelped at him a few times and he answered every time.
Man, I wish I could do that during the actual season!
It's hard to believe the season is almost here. Youth day is Saturday; the general season opens April 11.
I haven't been out since that day a couple weeks ago. So, who's been scouting? And what's going on out there? Anyone plan to hunt on youth day?
I'm working on my pre-season preview for The Roanoke Times so anyone who wants to give me some assistance would be greatly appreciated.
I haven't had a chance to do much scouting but I can't wait to start hunting! I'm going to do my best to get in the woods for some serious scouting this weekend but until then all I can do is practice my calling. Good luck to you all!
Comment by Tommy Nunley — March 31, 2009 @ 11:36 am
Went through Jefferson National Forrest yesterday and viewed 4 different gang of turkeys crossing the road 1 about 200 yds past gun range entrance, 2 about a 15o yds were road turns to gravel, 3 near that open field by the cemetery by Craig Creek road and 4 about 50 yds from the power lines near that open semi-circle area.
Large and usually yes but this only lend to the fact more hunters are after deer and the turkey population is exploding exponentially.
Yet if you drive toward Audy Murphy Monument in the forest you will see a large contingency of deer which makes you wonder do any one truly hunt my wife counted over 75 deer in about a 2 mile stretch.
VDGIF we have a problem........
Comment by Backlash — March 31, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
Mark,
I have been seeing quite a few strutters on the farm next to land in an undisclosed location in Roanoke Co. I have permission to hunt, I only hope they don't stay field turkeys all season. One group had 3 mature gobblers with about 10-12 hens when I saw them Sat. AM and right across the road was another mature bird in full strut with 2 hens. Sun AM I went out to listen at another spot and heard and saw nothing, I will hit that area again before April 11th though. On the way back home saw another group in that same field across from the farm, was 2 mature gobblers with 2-3 hens and a jake or two. I am hoping that the large group has broken up and there will be a subordinate bird looking for love. This AM I heard one roost gobble once at about 6:45A and that was it stayed out until 7:15A. When I was heading home before work he was next to the barn by himself, can only hope he roosts on my side of the property line on opening day. I plan to be on the other side of the road tomorrow AM to see if there are any more birds deeper in the woods gobbling. I will keep you posted on what I am seeing/hearing. Just from the birds I have been seeing it looks like there are plenty of mature birds to go around this spring and some jakes to toss in the mix also. I can't wait!
--Great report, Jim. Thanks and keep us posted. mt
Comment by Jim Basham — March 31, 2009 @ 1:28 pm
My scouting has turned up a fair amount of birds. The breakup and greenup seems to be a little behind "normal" so I think we are going to be dealing with seriously henned up gobblers during the first couple weeks but then some good gobbling for later on in the season.
I'm also seeing a fair number of jakes and juvenile hens which should be good for next year! Here's hoping for another good hatch in 2009!
Good luck to all and be safe!
Comment by Freddy McGuire — March 31, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
hey mark i do alot of running during the week and the past couple of weeks i have seen plenty of birds alot of struting going on if we are lucky they will still be looking for ladies for awhile no matter where i have been they are there and talking but i went to where i hunt i havent herd that much but it should change /botetourt/craig/franklin/roanoke look great alot of talking going on. good luck to you and all hunters old and young maybe you can do another video again last years was great even if you didn't shot on camera great belly crawl and nice bird. wag
--Thanks for the report, WAG. And thanks for the comment on the video last year. I hope to try again this year and maybe we'll get some better footage. Good luck! mt
Comment by wag — March 31, 2009 @ 6:43 pm
Echoing comments I made about a month ago, I am having a hard time getting ready for turkeys (ok, no, not really) when I keep seeing whitetails that have yet to shed antlers. Within the past week, I have seen 2 more good bucks with headgear still on. One was a nice 8 in a Botetourt County suburban area, and the other was a big 6 in Augusta County that lives in the median of I-81 (along with about 20 others) along a particular stretch. 4th week of March?! Weird. The common theme I have seen developing with these late season antlered deer is that they all appear to be 2 1/2 year olds. That is also consistent with most of the deer I have seen in years past that held onto antlers late into the year.
mt
And as for turkeys, unfortunately there are NO turkey gobblers in Botetourt, so I would encourage anyone thinking of hunting here this year to consider going somewhere else instead...
--Interesting on the antlers, Steve. I haven't seen any antlered bucks recently, but I'm not out and about as much as you are. As for the lack of gobblers in Botetourt, I would agree. In fact, as for the national forest area around Arcadia and behind Camp Bethel, I would URGE other hunters not to waste their time up there.
Comment by botetourtsteve — March 31, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
Mark I was emailed this...
How bad is the economy when Okc has to cancel its tackle show and hunting forum we knew it was bad but when word came that the Outdoor Channel would be eliminating shows I said no it can't be.
By the beginning of next hunting season plan on seeing fewer of those witty successful hunters in the field just as hunting area outdoor shows are being axed the anti-hunters are pouring champagne in their euphoria as a win to rid hunters from the woods and water.
Yes sir Static, these are tough times…tough times indeed.
PS still possessing my pilot license Yes, choppers are high profile newsgathering tools and they can really make a difference in a big story.
Let me know if any high speed chases happens, we'll hit Mr. Cook's pond when you back in town.
Joe
Comment by Static Lines — April 2, 2009 @ 11:16 am
Hey, I just wanted to let everyone know that when you need to clean your freezers out I'll take what you don't need.. Really. I feed the stuff to my dogs.
Just email me at plava_93@yahoo.com even if it's a year from now.
Thanks
Comment by M.D.S — April 2, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
Hey Mark, enjoy your columns and your outdoor 'blog. I haven't done alot of scouting but have been on some private property in Floyd County that has some good toms making some noise. I was out doing some scouting last weekend for both turkeys and morels near the parkway. I alos get into the Jefferson National Forest near where I live in B'burg and know there are good flocks in Montgomery and Craig counties. This past winter I was seeing a lot of hens but not many toms, but my feeling is that it should be a good spring. I plan to go out opening day but not on youth day as my boys are all grown up. Good luck to you, have fun and be safe.
--Thanks, John. And good, safe hunting -- for turkeys and morels -- to you, too. mt
Comment by John B. — April 2, 2009 @ 3:29 pm
Hey mark, I haven't scouted any yet,but I gave my grandson a choice of going after turkey up on the hill,or going to tinker creek saturday. He chose trout. I don't know how much fishing I'll get to do but I'm sure it will be fun.
Next week I'll get him up on the hill checking for sign and doing some calling.Have a good one.
Alfie
Comment by Alfie — April 2, 2009 @ 7:33 pm
I've been seeing plenty of turkey in mornings and evenings in Carroll County. I stopped and looked at a flock of 22 yesterday evening with two big Toms strutting around. I wish I could have had a nice video camera! Good luck everybody and be safe.
Comment by Jason N. — April 3, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
Anybody game for float tube fishing Pandapas Pond Sunday 5, April bring your tube and waders you know the fishing there is heavy pressured come show your skills let's make a party of it.
I doubt if anyone will catch a bass trout fishing yes bass fishing that's my target come out....
9 AM till I give up.
Comment by Static Lines — April 4, 2009 @ 12:51 pm