How do turkeys respond to bad wheather ( Rain, wind, etc.)? Do they shut down vocally and activity or is there no affect?

BM

...Rocky Mountain High...

The weather does have some effect to the birds. I believe it does quite them down some. A slight rain sin't too bad but a heavy rain is different. I remember last year on opening day of turkey season, there was a good 35mph wind. I couldn't hear the turkeys, but still saw them. I've seen turkeys roosted in trees in the morning, and watching them doing everything possible just to not get blow out of the tree. On some of the spots I hunt, on top of the hills is like a hurricane at times. You'll just have to change your techniques according to the weather.

Most of the time, i'd would rather hunt in bad weather, because it makes the stalking much more easier. Stalking is the technique I use the most, and when there is wind and rain, it makes it that much easier to get closer to them. Good luck.
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I'd say yes to weather effecting turkeys behavior. However, it really varies as to how severe the weather must be to shut them down. Turkeys is open country tend to tolereate wind pretty well without changing their habits significantly. Simply because the wind blows there almost all the time. But if the wind is howling look for any sheltered areas for birds. I remember one spring here in MN where it rained almost every day(and almost all day)for almost two weeks. By the end the turkeys didn't care if it was raining. They still had their breeding to do rain or shine. Just look for them on logging roads and meadows more frequently. And snow! Nothing like a good snow. I wonder if they'd come in to a snow turkey? They'll keep doing their turkey thing with maybe a short lapse.

Best of Luck!

On windy days,get down in the bottoms of the ravines or valleys or creeks.The birds will most likely be down there because they can hear better out of the wind and they can see better as the branches and leaves and grasses wont be moving as much.Light rain doesn't seem to bother them at all,but in heavy rain they will get into the heavier cover.

Just goes to show you the birds act different in different climates. Here in SC when it rains the birds head for the fields.Ive killed several toms that needed a good wringing out they were so soaked.

I concur with the wind strategy here your best bet is to get out of the wind into a sheltered area typically this means planted pines.

Bottom line is gobblers are very killable in inclement weather!Matter of fact foul weather can give you the extra edge you need to take a tough tom as his habits get more focussed in bad weather.

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Around here the birds also seem to be in fields alot when its raining. Except for a downpour I think they seek shelter. When its very windy look for birds to be in ravines to get out of the wind. The gobblers dont seem to gobble alot in the rain.

I always try to set up next to a field if it is raining or has just stopped raining. Last year, after seeking shelter in the car during a heavy downpour all morning, I checked a field and SHAZAAM-- there they were in full strut on top of a knob in an open field. Two days ago, I spotted a flock of 15 in an open field scratching and pecking at snow covered corn stubble in a howling wind. I would have expected them to be in a sheltered bottom as suggested above in a high wind. It was probably the easily available food they were there for. Seems they often do the opposite of what makes sense. Best bet is to keep an open mind and scout in all kinds of weather because as said above, sometimes foul weather can give you an advantage and it can only help to know how the birds you are scouting are gonna act if it does get bad out.

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when it's raining or windy hit the open fields!