[beardsNspurs78]

Been out a half dozen mornings listening and have heard decent gobbling on the roost. After fly down though it’s silence. Been that way on every property I’ve listened on. This morning I had a hen cutting and yelping on the ground and she couldn’t even yank a response from the gobbler that 10 minutes before was gobbling good on the roost. Are they henned up so bad they just aren’t talking once they’re down? Too early for alot of gobbling on the ground? I wasn’t real surprised about it a week or two ago but I’d have thought it would have gotten better by now.

 

[NoLuck]

Henned up as soon as they hit the ground is my guess. Later mornings sometimes is best in that scenario. Unless somehow you can get between the gobblers and the hens before they fly down and they see a decoy.

 

[justindh1]

Henned up as soon as they hit the ground is my guess. Later mornings sometimes is best in that scenario. Unless somehow you can get between the gobblers and the hens before they fly down and they see a decoy.

I agree with this. A late good warm up may of started the courtship later this year. Hasn't been super cold but not warm either. Late morning to end of legal hours may be better hunting in regards to communicating with the gobblers if the hens don't start laying soon.

Times like this, I like to set up in the general direction of movement if I don't know where they are going. If they aren't responding and coming to calls, decoys may be more harmful than helpful in the mornings. Hens have a knack for leading the group away from other "turkeys." They are tools but not needed to accomplish the goal. Setting up close to the roast and ambushing in the morning; setting up in strutting zones and run and gunning in the late morning is what I like to do. Using calls and decoys when called for. May be a season that patience will pay off more than calling and decoys.

 

[henry]

It will get better as far as gobbling on the ground.

 

[Rednecknick]

I had a bunch gobbling on the roast shut up when they hit the ground. Have flocks of 10-15 hens still on cam. They seemed to start gobbling again at 12:30 though.

 

[Rednecknick]

I agree with this. A late good warm up may of started the courtship later this year. Hasn't been super cold but not warm either. Late morning to end of legal hours may be better hunting in regards to communicating with the gobblers if the hens don't start laying soon.

Times like this, I like to set up in the general direction of movement if I don't know where they are going. If they aren't responding and coming to calls, decoys may be more harmful than helpful in the mornings. Hens have a knack for leading the group away from other "turkeys." They are tools but not needed to accomplish the goal. Setting up close to the roast and ambushing in the morning; setting up in strutting zones and run and gunning in the late morning is what I like to do. Using calls and decoys when called for. May be a season that patience will pay off more than calling and decoys.

Calling helped a lot last weekend but the decoys aren't needed as you said. Was able to call one we scared back so he seemed interested in calling.

 

[beardsNspurs78]

It will get better as far as gobbling on the ground.

It always busts loose sometime I know. Just figured I'd have seen some sign of it by now

 

[henry]

It always busts loose sometime I know. Just figured I'd have seen some sign of it by now

Greenup seems to be behind. When visibility goes down some they should become a little more vocal .02

 

[beardsNspurs78]

Greenup seems to be behind. When visibility goes down some they should become a little more vocal .02

That's for sure true. Took a walk in the woods Saturday and the weeds, may apples, everything was just starting to poke through. These warm temps should push it along tho

 

[MOGC]

Heard one tearing it up at 4:00 in the afternoon Monday.