Sat was a bust... never heard a gobble. Then spent all day Sat w/ my daughters' softball teams. I coach my 9 year old's U10 team, I coach my 11 year old's U12 Team. We had opening ceremonies noon Sat followed by a 10s game at 1:30 and 12s game at 4! Ugh.
No Sunday hunting in MA and my NY turkey spots are gone. So, slept in yesterday and then had to coach my 12 year old's all start travel team in the rain for 2 hours... great day for sliding practice!
Keeping my eyes and ears out behind house and once one slips up and roosts up back I will take advantage of it.
I did have a visitor at about 10pm last night...heard the garbage can bang in driveway and lights went on.. nice black bear making his rounds.

saw a big long beard yesterday around 6pm at the house.. he went up the ridge so I went up after him this AM in the rain... not a sound... no gobbles. nothing... frustrating.

Still having nothing but bad luck this year. I put around 15 to 20 miles on the boots this past weekend. Had a few gobbles but only was able to call one in. Unfortunately his hen brought him in from behind me so I never even got a look at him. He was close enough that I could hear the drumming which was pretty cool though. I have tomorrow and Friday off but that's the last 2 days of the season here so unless I can find someone in a neighboring state to take me out my season will be over. Its been kind of disappointing to say the least as far as my string of luck lol. Still look forward to next years frustrations though

frustrating kelly....
I didn't go this AM... nothing gobbling on roost last pm... and wouldn't you know it... I see the big tom and 3 jakes by house bringing my daughter to school this am.
I am going tomorrow and Friday am regardless unless a washout. I am taking my 9 year old daughter w/ me to a different spot Sat AM... unless they are behind house Friday PM.

Hi All,

My son and I are on birds. Called in 5 long beards, 4 jakes, and 3-4 hens opening morning on Monday. Called in the first 2 long beards and told my son to look left - he couldn't stop watching the 3 in strut in front of him, and missed an opportunity when the 2 toms were 15 yards to our left. Yesterday they were in a field with 5-6 hens and couldn't get them to enter the woods (no permission to hunt the field). This is private land, so we'll make it happen sometime this month. We had soaking rains today and slept in. I'm just thrilled, because my 10 yo is hooked!

Western - those birds are always behind your house, just call sparingly and they will show. The toms in the NE get tight lipped this time of year (I lived /hunted CT for almost 10 years), just give it a go and be patient.

Strut,
I went this AM after the tom being there 3 times yesterday.. nothing. I could only sit till 7 am, but my fiancé has been watching since and nothing has been by. Maybe tomorrow... just a matter of time. I called very little this AM. Just hoping to catch them cruising through one of these days. Hopefully one of the neighbors doesn't connect w/ him first... he is a big tom... looks like he is going to trip over his beard when he comes walking in. I want him bad

Forgive me, it's been a while since I hunted the Northeast. Birds in the West and Midwest typically have a primary roost site - I forgot, but know first hand, that birds in CT, MA and NY can have 2 (or more) roost sites.

Any chance you can find the 2nd site and bust them from that roost under the cover of darkness? I used this technique to my advantage in CT a few years ago (when I was in graduate school) - I would always ask landowners permission to hunt, and if denied, would kindly turn around and ask if I could walk their property. I think I've only had 1 person say no to property access in 20 years.

If possible, you may want to try a late morning hunt (10-noon), after the hens go off to nest. He's comfortable with your area, so he will investigate a lonely hen after he loses his harem...

unfortunately, the people who own the land abutting both sides of the 35 acres I control hunt and are up there ALL THE TIME... They even have a blind set up on the edge of the powerline abutting where I have control trying to cut me off. If they are not roosted on my side, they are on the other side roosted.
They birds have been tight lipped on the roost first light and last light. They are being pressured so much. I'm just gonna have to keep sitting the ridge like I'm bowhunting deer and hope they come by when i'm there. The big tom runs from place to place.. rarely walks at a usual place.. he's knows what's up..
I will kill him...

Frustrating opening week here in PA....hunted one of the big forests in western PA, worst opener I can remember. Hunted 4 days, DID NOT HEAR ONE GOBBLE!!!: Weather was either rainy or cloudy & cool every day. :bash: Called in some hens, that was it...did not even see a gobbler or jake in a field or crossing the road. Other guys in camp experienced the same results. But going to stick with it until Memorial Day if necessary, can't kill them on the couch.

Sorry but it looks like I'm eating tag soup this year. Been hitting it hard but the only thing I had a **** at was a jake a few weeks ago and I passed waiting on a long beard. Been out the last 2 days and it's been perfect days but couldn't locate any. I probably walked 15 to 20 miles each day. When I did see them they were all grouped up together out on a farmers wheat field. A buddy that guides for them on hid families land said he woke up this morning and a hen with 12 chicks were in his driveway. Looks like they just started way too early. Still looking at some neighboring states to try but I'm not wanting to go the public land route. If I can't find a spot guess I'll be on the sidelines rooting yall on