Late Season Hunting
 

I drew a late season Illinois tag. (May 6th-12th). What is the best way to hunt late season birds? Will they gobble much? etc. etc.

I love late season - weather is nicer, hens may be on nest, wow!

If you can go scout your area as much as you can. Find out where the birds want to be and that is where you will be.

They can gobble good from the roost but once on the ground go silent as they are stuck in Strutt mode follwoing any hen they may find.

Or they make the circuit checking all places a hen has left them - hoping that hen will come and get bred one more time. Then they move.

Find the hens - you wil find the Tom.......I love late season.....

JW

Leave your decoys at home and don't call much. By that time time they've been decoyed and called at a lot. Be patient, they'll be cautious and come in slow. Some of the best hunting is after 10:00 am. The hens will have wondered off to lay their eggs and the toms will be looking for company. You will have a pretty good chance at any toms that are left.

hunting
 

Thanks for the tips!

You drew a great tag,

I love late season myself, PA is best in late season ...