Spark _ I have hunted Michigan for more than 20 years and we go after 1st season. Yes at times the Toms are henned up but we do several things.

1. We pattern Toms and try to be in their strut area before the hens get to them.
2. If we miss that we go back or just stay later in the day and wait for the Tom to be alone - no hens
3. Jake decoy has not worked for us at all - but a Strutting Tom decoy has.

My partner is at 98% while I am at 92% - which means - Ya we did not get a bird every year - but one of us always do!

Now if you the time the 265 season which allows you to hunt the whole month of May and is a good deal. But we just don't have the time.

Looking at our journal we have hunted at times in both Months of April and May and have scored. The real key issue is to have a consistent pattern of where the Tom wants to be.

JW