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Late Season Help Please!!!!
#2281370
04/30/11 11:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 169
Capt.Engine2
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 169 |
I'm an Avid turkey hunter but never been late in the season. I hunt in Menard County about 15 miles North of Fort McKavett. I went the second weekend in April and hunted my arse off and heard maybe 3 gobbles. The entire lease was dry dry dry. No rainfall in Months. We finally did get a decent rain in the last week or so. I'm thinking about making an emergency trip in the next week or so. Am I wasting my time? Anyone hunt in that area? Any help is appreciated.
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Re: Late Season Help Please!!!!
[Re: Capt.Engine2]
#2281524
05/01/11 01:26 AM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 22,268
7mag
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 22,268 |
If Jeff W gets on here he could tell ya. He hunts and guides in that area
"Laugh with many, but don't trust any"
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Re: Late Season Help Please!!!!
[Re: 7mag]
#2282005
05/01/11 01:09 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,235
highlonesome1
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,235 |
Same here capt. We are West of you but the birds are acting the same. The birds are there, just not vocal. You have to hunt them like you would in the fall.
My theory is that the predators have gotten so thick over the last couple years the birds are quiet. We have killed over 40 coons and skunks since Feb. most sickly. I recommend serious varmint hunting.
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Re: Late Season Help Please!!!!
[Re: highlonesome1]
#2282165
05/01/11 02:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,069
Reality Outdoors
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,069 |
Same here capt. We are West of you but the birds are acting the same. The birds are there, just not vocal. You have to hunt them like you would in the fall.
My theory is that the predators have gotten so thick over the last couple years the birds are quiet. We have killed over 40 coons and skunks since Feb. most sickly. I recommend serious varmint hunting. I second the predator control I hunt predators in lots of counties across the state and they are def on the increase in most counties. I would also suggest some long term predator control (trapping/snares) all predators/varmints are hard on turkeys either eating the eggs or the turkeys themselves. Hogs are also hurting the turkey population very bad
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Re: Late Season Help Please!!!!
[Re: Reality Outdoors]
#2291786
05/05/11 06:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 776
Ed Lingenfelter
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 776 |
Last part of season can be very good I hear. Especially now that you have had some rain.
Old Soldier
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Re: Late Season Help Please!!!!
[Re: Ed Lingenfelter]
#2291802
05/05/11 06:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 63
friscoman
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 63 |
Been hunting them in Brown county and they are only vocal in the morning off the roost and late in the evening going to roost. Not coming to calls at all and sometimes going away from calls with decoys. Have heard that the hens wont breed until it rains which should be better now with rain in our area. Also, hens with toms will take the toms away if you try to call them. Ambush is probably the only solution this late.
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Re: Late Season Help Please!!!!
[Re: friscoman]
#2292027
05/05/11 08:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,922
cable
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,922 |
Hunt them like you did in the early season. While it was ineffective then, it should be primetime now. The birds are getting a late start because of the lack of rain. I bet you will be pleased with the results if you keep with the early season approach.
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Re: Late Season Help Please!!!!
[Re: cable]
#2292622
05/06/11 12:09 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,538
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,538 |
Hunt them like you did in the early season. While it was ineffective then, it should be primetime now. The birds are getting a late start because of the lack of rain. I bet you will be pleased with the results if you keep with the early season approach. X2, On the last 2 Saturdays I have called in 9, 4 hakes and 5 long beards. Keep it up the birds are still there.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Late Season Help Please!!!!
[Re: kmon11]
#2292680
05/06/11 12:46 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,235
highlonesome1
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,235 |
Can't get any sitting at home.
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Re: Late Season Help Please!!!!
[Re: highlonesome1]
#2295353
05/07/11 04:06 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,538
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,538 |
Saw several today in Eastland County following 3 to 6 hens. Where was more Gobbling than I have ever heard in the woods from early to about 9:30. Had 2 groups of hens with Gobbler in toe this morning that avoided the decoy and took the tom elswhere this morning, this afternoon no decoy out, killed a 23.5lb bird with inch spurs and 10+ inch beard. Going back out in the am, have one tag left.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Late Season Help Please!!!!
[Re: kmon11]
#2299022
05/09/11 04:00 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 934
hornedfrog
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 934 |
I have hunted turkeys in north Menard county for years. All ways same thing...maybe one or two gobbles to calls if you are lucky. They come in most of time, but not vocal at all while coming in. This past week end the first day no gobbles and only saw hens (a lot of hens). But Sunday morning got a responce gobble for long was out and to my suprise three toms (all good mature birds) came in by almost completely surounding my set up. It took about a hour and thirty minutes and they were sounding off the whole way. When in range and I picked the best one I dropped him. It seems he may be the best bird taken of the place that any one remembers and he is my personal best. Good thick beard (actually a double beard) and over 1 1/4 spurs. Sorry about the brag, but dang it I am still pumped! So by all means head out if you can since there is still one more weekend.
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Re: Late Season Help Please!!!!
[Re: hornedfrog]
#2299029
05/09/11 04:04 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 90
Big Billy Kinder
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 90 |
Great job frog! Sounds like you were patient and persistent.
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