Man has this been a strange season down here in SE Alabama where I hunt. Opening day, March 15 temperatures were well below freezing. Same for March 16. Frankly I am 100% stumped. About half the 3000 acres I hunt has under gone a thinning of the pines. This thinning was done both in 2014, 2015 and again spring/summer of 2016. All thinned areas have been prescribe burned. About 400 acres in 2015 and and about 600 acres in 2016. Another 400 acres or so have been burned this spring. Exceptional fresh growth under the pines.
Nothing has changed as far as hardwoods areas, water on the place, acorn crops, food plots no change there that I can detect ..... but the birds are just not there. Not hearing hens. None of us has been able to locate a roosting area.
During the past 6 days, up 7 guys and no less than 3 , all very very good turkey hunters, have been scouring the place for gobblers. Three gobblers have been killed and one kissed, but the amount of gobbling, the sign in the plots, scratching in the woods, and tracks on the muddy roads .... slim to none. Eight to ten years ago, this property was covered up with turkeys. It was not unusual to have to make a choice which daybreak gobbler to go after.
I am at a loss as what to do next week when I venture down again. Probably have to stop at Winn Dixie on y way home if I want some turkey meat.