I’m a little behind this spring of getting out and scouting. I usually make a trip down to NE ahead of our hunt and run around WI ,Mn getting some scouting in. I have been able to check some MN spots out and pull some lifelines and take stands down while scouting but still have more to do. Seeing a lot of sign this spring on my Northern areas.
6.jpg
5.jpg
3.jpg
7.jpg
8.jpg
Not sure why but pictures did not post.
image000002.jpg
5-1.jpg
I already obtained permission to hunt 3 properties in late April (MN) with a shotgun. I was going to make a trip up there to scout pretty soon but the weather the next 10 days or so changed my mind. The landscape is going to look a whole lot different in a few days, so I’ll wait.
Lol now they doubled up. Removed a few doubles.
It’s going to be my first hunt on my new bow. And I can’t wait. But first I have to get my son on one. The way the fields have been loaded with birds it hopefully won’t be to hard to make it happen
Out pulling cards this weekend and scouting. Man some really hot birds right now just going on there own and lighting up the woods.
MFDC1418-scaled.jpg
MFDC1396-scaled.jpg
MFDC1337-scaled.jpg
MFDC0815-scaled.jpg
Is that second picture a pine marten? Pretty neat.
Is that second picture a pine marten? Pretty neat.
I think its a fisher. Looks bigger than a marten.
Definitely a fisher. I had never seen one before and then my son texted me and said Dad, there is a wolverine coming your way while we were deer hunting. I said, they are pretty much non existent here anymore. Sure enough about 5 minutes later it walks right under our stand and I took a pic and googled it. Fisher. Man they have nasty claws!
That makes a lot more sense. Still pretty neat.
Yep fisher we have a lot of them. Did have a guy out trapping them but the last couple years has not.
They almost look like an otter but have thicker fur. Similar in size though. And it would be somewhat rare to see an otter cruising through the woods.
I bet I saw 200 birds this weekend driving around, with lots of them strutting. Still not sure how you guys don’t get one easily! 
Seeing a lot of torkeys out in the fields right now. Big groups of Toms too.
This time of year, the Toms and Hens mostly run separate.
One of the farms I hunt had 30 plus birds in it yesterday after work.
And same with a field about a mile down. Both fields corn was cut earlier this week.
Scouting turkeys is fun for something to do when we are between turkey hunting seasons and fishing seasons, but the birds’ dispersal and movements are significant in March and April. Add in hunting pressure and what you see today probably is not what you see during your season.
I usually scout occasionally in April and then scout heavier the season prior to our season and scout in season when we are not in the blind.
We hunt Season E and do quite well. Killed birds in Season F also. No easy birds that time of year … fewer toms, pressured toms, but if you find the right spot lonely toms.
Those that scout turkeys alot have you been seeing them consistently? I do not scout for them and dont have plans to hunt, but I havent seen many lately. I remember this around this same timeframe other years too. See them one day then they are nowhere to be found. It was several weeks ago I got up and went out to get a pop from the garage and the gobblers were going crazy up in the roost. It was around 5 AM or so. Non stop until they must have gotten down. I havent heard them since. Since then I have only actually seen a handful of turkeys albeit I am not probably driving around at prime times to see them I suppose.
Anyone else notice they just disappear at times? Its not like they can hide or at least very well.
I bet I saw 200 birds this weekend driving around, with lots of them strutting. Still not sure how you guys don’t get one easily!
Get that Ravin out and get er done. Be surprised when them seemingly stupid birds that you can spit on out your truck window spot you from a hundred yards away because you blinked.
I haven’t seen a turkey in a long time. Once the big winter flocks break up I see them more often. I haven’t scouted yet, usually just go to my spot and there’s birds around. Last year I got a turkey in the first season, 2nd day. Usually I hunt later, and have found it to be more consistent.
Those that scout turkeys alot have you been seeing them consistently?
I look for their roost. Quite often they roost in the same group of trees or single tree nearly every night unless something disrupts that pattern.
Once you locate that, you can set up nearby (not super close where you spook them going in) and adjust accordingly.
Quite often they have a core area and a daily travel pattern. They are very predictable birds once you learn their regular habits. The primary issue I have is getting one close enough. A lot of people who don’t hunt them think that because they see them all over, they are easy to fill a tag with. Totally false. And the success rate shows it, being about 25% with a shotgun and a mere 10% with a bow.
If you are filling a tag every other year, you are way ahead of the curve.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>CaptainMusky wrote:</div>
Those that scout turkeys alot have you been seeing them consistently?If you are filling a tag every other year, you are way ahead of the curve.
I think it took me 4 years to get my first turkey. Now I’ve got one each of the past 4 seasons. I didn’t grow up hunting so there was a learning curve. Last year the turkey took a nap behind my blind, I watched him lay down in tall grass. Took 5 minutes to open the zipper and then woke him up with a yelp followed by a boom.
that had to be fun!!
I think it took me 4 years to get my first turkey. Now I’ve got one each of the past 4 seasons. I didn’t grow up hunting so there was a learning curve.
Neither did I. I started when I was in college.
Ironically, I shot a nice tom the very first morning I ever hunted turkeys and until last year, I hadn’t filled a tag on the first day again.
This is my 19th season. I’ve tagged 10 birds. 7 toms, 3 jakes.
I still say that scouting is the most important factor in my success rate.
I think they all got the bird flu in my area. Didnt see a single one on my drive last night through an area I should have seen a bunch.
Have posted this twice but doesn’t seem to be going through, so apologies if there are duplicate posts here.
I will be on my fourth season this year and haven’t even gotten close to having an opportunity at a shot at a Tom. Have been hunting public land within an hour of the twin cities. Have heard a handful of gobbles but can’t seem to locate them or get them to come to me.
My family has some property near Akeley. Have had deer seasons where I’ve seen dozens of birds, then multiple years with no birds at all. Last November opener I heard what had to have been 6+ birds gobbling at legal light on the property. I plan to head up north this year and hunt that property.
Speaking of – anyone ever tried hunting turkeys from an elevated deer stand? We have a nice (comfortable) tower stand that I’ve had birds walk underneath me in. I’ve always hunted from the ground posted up on a tree or in some brush but I’m considering sitting in that stand this year. Only major issue I can think of is calling from an elevated position may make the birds suspicious? Anyone have any experience hunting turkeys from an elevated deer stand?
I didnt think you could hunt from an elevated stand but I dont see it in the laws anymore.
I think they all got the bird flu in my area. Didnt see a single one on my drive last night through an area I should have seen a bunch.
Not saying it’s impossible, but it’s unlikely that every single turkey got bird flu. It usually doesn’t spread like wildfire amongst wild birds because they’re outside and spread out more.
Domesticated poultry indoors…now that’s another story.
Just last week MN detected in dairy cattle here. It’s definitely spreading. Spring is when it usually does the most damage especially if it’s wet and cool. Sunlight and warmth help mitigate it.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
