Turkey activity as the weeks go on...?

[Pathman]

For all the experienced turkey hunters here, how does the bird’s behavior change as the weeks of the season progress, both from a breeding perspective as well as from hunting pressure?

Is there a difference in breeding activity in places with little pressure as compared to high pressure areas? 

When does the breeding activity generally subside in NJ? 

[Gobblengrunt]

We can be going into the best Time of the season.  I never notice a difference in turkey behavior wether private or public.  Now that hens should/ will be in nests, those older “unhuntable” gobblers will become desperate.  Gobbling activity can vary day to day, time of day, and mood of gobbler.  I call many silent birds in this part of the season.  After 10am is my favorite part of the day to go after a particular tom as he is mostly alone at this time. Your calling should change with the mood of the birds but i generally call a little more subtle at the end of the season.  I will always call aggressive though if i get a boss hen getting aggressive with me, im always the boss hen!  Turkeys do what turkeys do no matter where they are located.   D week afternoon hunts can be particularly successful but expect more silent birds responding than not.

[toxo]

Don't forget,if you have the D weeks the Turkeys haven't been hunted after 12 o'clock.  SURPRISE! lol

[Bonefreak]

Like GnG stated...some of the best turkey huntin can be had the next few wks!

Breeding activity has plenty of time before subsiding!

The increase of daylight during the spring triggers a testosterone dump in male turkeys, drives em gobbly eyed for love, and it only happens once a year....so the only thing they focus on is breeding.....til that testosterone dump levels off in early summer.....consider June 20th being the longest day of the year then daylight will begin shortening again.

Hens are determinate egg layers...n when they reach between 10-12 eggs....that determines when they start incubating them day and night .....which is pretty much now.

But the gobblers still have that high level of testosterone going ...and while most hens are incubating their nests.....ol moss beard will be in search of that inevitable hen who had her nest raided and wants to try and re-nest!

Pressured public land birds are still in the area they were ....where the hens were at start of the season....where the nests are now.....nests that may eventually be raided by one of Roadking's possums...lol...and he may be a bit more cautious....but his sex drive can barely be controlled.....if he answers you....give him the silent treatment n wait him out....he will always come in to take a peek...he can't resist!!!

https://www.nwtf.org/hunt/wild-turkey-basics/lifestyle-breeding

Hen on nest pic was last Saturday in Central Jersey!

Nest w determinate # of eggs pic was this wk in NY!

BONUS PIC......Pic of gobblers genitalia after 3 months of breeding!!!  Lol

 

 

[Pathman]

Great info guys! 

[BHC]

What was stated here is what I was told, and it's exciting knowing it maybe harder to get on a good size gobbler but once you do, and see him coming in it could be a damn good bird

I can't hunt all day, it's a long day.....If i decide to hunt the PM, I may just go an rest my eyes in my truck, or clear out a area in the woods and take a so called dirt nap