who’s seeing birds?

I have next season in the Menomonie area and I been hearing good and bad. Anybody in that area that can chime in? Some folks say its over, some say a ton of birds, some say its anyones guess. Is this a normal season or did the march weather screw every thing up?

I posted some pictures of toms and hens in another thread. The same day i set out those cameras, i watched 4-5 toms strutting with several hens no more than 150 yards from me That was the 12th. I have not heard any gobbling around me, nor have i seen any turkeys in the fields when im driving to and from my destinations
I think around my area the primary breeding is over My dad’s and my season starts May 8th and i plan on hunting within 100 yards of the roosts. Im fortunate enough to have this opportunity, but i know most people do not…

I’m one of those people that believe breeding is dictated by the length of day not the weather. Therefore we are right now in the peak of the breeding season. Re integration gobbling was earlier in the month, they should be breeding now and shortly they will hit the nesting phase and the gobbling will peak again. Talking to a buddy of mine, and he said that 25+ bird were still in a breeding flock up in the field behind my place the other morning. I also haven’t heard a gobble in the evening for more than 9 days from the deck, and with that large of flock that makes sense.

Hopefully the reports weeks ago here about hens nesting were mistakes but it’s been awfully cold the last few weeks and tragically those nest may be a complete loss. I’ll go on a limb and say by the 8th the birds should be going nuts again.

I hunted 2nd season in an area West of Chippewa Falls, about 15 minutes East of Menomonie. The tom’s were still in the trees at daybreak, gobblin up a storm, only during the earliest am hour. I went with a friend yesterday afternoon who just started 3rd season, and there were a few distant gobbles, but they did not respond at all to calls. Never did see any birds this trip. We’ll see what Saturday morning brings. These birds were part of a huge flock that broke up about 3 1/2 weeks ago, and the locals have said they aren’t being seen anymore, which seems kinda strange for that area.

Went out this morning near Blair Wi and saw 3 toms, 3 jakes, and a hen. Birds hung up at 100yds so no shot. Tomorrow morning we will be giving dirt naps… I hope.

We are way up north and the turkeys and their gobbling have been few and far between!!! Pretty frustrating for those guys trying to hunt right now, but every now and then one pops up and then you got to get after him and not leave him alone. He will remember and come to check ya out!!!

Mark