I have been turkey hunting southern MO for over 20 years and this year was by far the MOST MISERABLE season in my memory. I knew when I saw the season date several months ago that for one it would be a late opening day (usually around the 17-19 of April) but more importantly this was an exceptionally warm spring with many days in the first 3 weeks of April seeing highs in the 80s.
I (and about 8-9 others) hunted my family ranch in south/central MO lastweek and a few birds were killed but the birds were not acting ANYTHING like normal. The first two mornings were damp and foggy but that in and of itself usually doesn't completely shut the birds down like it did. Very little gobbling was heard by most of our groups (typically less than half a dozen birds per hunter at daylight, that number typically runs into the 10+ or even teens on good years!) and the birds were heard were hardly cooperative.
In fact lastweek was so bad that we didn't even return this week for the second week. That has NEVER happened since my stepfather bought the land in the early 80s. Calling at birds and having them practically RUN in the other direction just isn't much fun. Sneaking around and ambushing them would be about the only option and that isn't much for so we have decided to forgo the rest of MO's spring season. I even carried my guest (76 yr old Robert Clifft, Bolivar TNof "The Last Call" fame and winner of the NWTF National lastyear) too my "guaranteed spot" Tuesday morning. 3-4 birds gobbled less than 200yds awaybefore flydown. We were setup in one of two usual crossing areas and I only allowed him to lightly tree yelp on his wingbone call just once! The birds flew down and went out the BACKSIDE of the woodlot, across a large pasture, crossed fences, a gravel county road, across another open "bull pasture" and into an open area seldom known for bird activity. I have NEVER known birds to do that and they didn't do that the morning before as our cattle hands were across the pasture both mornings (about 1/4 mile) and heard the birds stay in the woods the previous morning.
The bird we ended up killing was seen by another group 2 mornings in a row crossing the same stretch of pasture. So I set us up in my Double Bull with a Pretty boy and girl out in front. I only called twice too the bird shortly after flydown (he was over 1/4mile away) and about 1 hour after daylight he finally topped the hill on the otherside of the pasture we were set up on and then saw the decoy. He came in on a STRING. He covered the 300+yds in less than half a minute and only stopped twice to go into a half strut. Other hunters using the Pretty Boy/girl in front of non-dominate birds watched the birds simply not respond too the decoys.
Why does MO insist on making their season so late each spring?
RA
I had three longbeards in my back yard about a month and a half ago at full strut courting all the hens that were with them... I knew then that the season was set to open too late around here.
I normally go to missouri every year and hear lots of gobbling. Not this year though. Here in Illinois I have hunted 3 mornings and haven't heard any gobbling.
Red, Sorry to hear about your turkey season, but it might be a regional thing. I hunt in North Central MO, Chariton County, and the season has gone well so far. I did some scouting in early April and took my step-son during the youth season and was real disappointed with the lack of activity. Then on opening daythe birds were gobbling hard and steady from 5:45 am till 6:10 am and ended up calling in 3 decent toms to within 60 yards of my decoys at 6:40.Couldn't finish the deal as they would not come closer but gobbled at every yelp,cluck and purr for 10 minutes.
Went back Thurs morning, Apr. 27, and again the toms were lighting it up at 5:45, roosted in the same spot. Flew down into a dry lake bed and to my suprise there were 5 toms and 8 hens right in the middle of the lake at 100 yards or so from me. Took 35 minutes for one of the toms to get within 35 yards, would not respond to any calling (henned up to say the least ) but killed a 22 3/4 pound gobbler with 10 1/2 inch beard and 1 1/8 inch spurs. Based on what happened in early April I wouldn't have bet a nickel on the regular season being any good, but I guess you never know. Hope you get back out and give it another try. I'm going back Friday for bird # 2
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I hunt in Franklin County, MO (near st. louis) and our season has also been the worst on record. We have killed two gobblers but they werent easy. We have heard little to know gobbling on our farms covering several hundred acres.
I believe the result is because of the late season/very early green up. The woods look like its july on our farm. When the woods and fields get this thick the turkeys move to places that the grass or underbrush it lower. Usually this doesnt happen until late May but its happening in late april this year.
I dont believe the breeding of the turkeys is any later or earlier than usual. All the toms we have seen have still been henned up and acting as usual this time of year.
Indiana is thie same way not much gobbling. There was alot 1 week before our season started. I saw some gobblers yesterday eating in their bachelor groups, I work this roup for over 3 hours, all they did was yelp and gobble, I trid soft calls, moving back 30 yards to get them to think I( bird)was leaving, gobler yelps, I will be ambushing them here in about an hour. Why don't the biologist relieze that unseasonably warm weather early in the spring is going to kick start things early?
I know the feeling. I live in the Northern part of Iowa but always go down to the southern part for my turkey hunting,right on the MO border. We went down 2 weeks ago for Iowa's 2nd season and the birds were just tough!! They acted nothing like years past, didn't use the same areas and routes, and completely ignored any calling I did. We killed 2 out of 4 guys but that was just getting in were the birds were moving through and waiting for them to walk by. I didn't even go back down for 4th season, which is the first time since 1999 that I wasn't down there for 4th season. I did manage to kill one up here on friday. He actually worked to the call. That was the only bird that has even halfway played the game for me this year. Just a tough year in general. Hopefully next year the will be back to "normal" like they have been in years past.
I can sypathize with you.
Even though this has been a real good year for me...here in WV they do the same thing.
Season should open 2 weeks before it always does.
We also have a problem here with no fall season.
Somegobblers have hens with them all season.
No reason for them to come to a call. Too many hens.
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I agree. First of all, I think season is too darn late EVERY year, and this year is even later. The MDC says that 80% of the breeding takes place the first 2 weeks of April, so I would guess that by the END of April and beginning of May, it's pretty much over with.
Add to that the warm weather at the beginning of the month, and the cold WET weather at the end of the month........Fellers, we're gonna have to use woodsmanship and ambush them rascals this year I believe.
Did ya'll see that the kill is WAY down this year?
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Missouri, over before it started???
