Last year was my first spring hunting success and I hope this year will prove to be as well. My biggest bird last year was alone while the Jakes were with the hens when I saw them together.. I have no idea why. But, I would guess the tom already had bred with those hens and was out looking for more? I also was trying to get another big tom and that one was alone also? I ended up getting my second bird that was a bearded jake with a hen during the last few days of the season. I saw a few large toms that was all alone and traveling so who knows? Someone with more experience than myself might be able to add to this question..