RE: NY , PA, MI hunters ?
Adruan
Upper Penn. of Mich hunt.
Sat and Sunday birds gobbling on roost good. Skies slear and each morning was about 36 degrees. Sat during the day we did find a hot gobbler. On sunday even though a beter day we saw very few gobblers....
did see hens with groups of jakes. And no mature Toms!
Did see Toms still in groups of 2 to 3 birds with an occassional Jake.
Witnessed no breeding
Monday hunt - again gobbling off the roost but not as good. Once they hit the ground all became quiet. Did get a Tom to which I shot come in but it was his Jake than answered and it was because I pulled his hen and the two Jakes with him to my set-up.
He was IMO a 4 yr based on spur length. 24.5 lbs. But very leary to coming at my set-up. Did coax him in within range but it took a while.
The difference I saw from TN to Mich was dramtic.
The Tom while he showed signs of strutting (worn wing tips) the feathers where in very good condition and not all that ragged.
He did nothave a breeding calous nor where there any feathers missing off his breast bone.
So I think it is still slow in the U.P. with no hens beeing bred much and no egg laying at this point.
JW