[HabitatMD]

Let's start off by saying that I'm not looking for someone's honey hole. Our farm just really doesn't have many birds, so looking to see if we can find a few elsewhere.

That said, I'm thinking I will be taking a day off work, maybe Monday to take a buddy and kids out to chase some public land birds.

First, is pressure going to be so crazy that it completely is frustrating/unsafe? Really not looking for a circus.

Looking to the West and North of St. Louis just because it's easier than heading southward. Considering all public, CAs and MTNF.

General public comments are welcome. Specifics would be better in my opinion via private message.

Appreciate the insight.

 

[gcos85]

Rule of thumb on public ground....if it’s easy to get to and has birds gobbling....then plan on a lot of completion!

If I am looking for a different public spot....I am looking for dead end roads and several ridges between the dead end and another road.

 

[ducksNbucks]

I’ve been checking spots everyday over here & pressure has went down a bunch since Monday. I’m thinking end of next week I’ll start hitting some public before work.

 

[wiser1]

Mtnf rolla doolittle

 

[HabitatMD]

Mtnf rolla doolittle

This spring, youth season in the Rolla section of MTNF.

 

[wiser1]

Theres young ,indian creek ,Pea ridge glassberg closer but they are loaded with people ...MTNF more room

 

[wiser1]

Second week is usually a ghost town in the MTNF ...Locals hunt the week before opener and first week

 

[bassbuster83]

I agree with wiser. The MTNF in Rolla area has plenty of birds an room to roam.

 

[WBF]

OOS hunters usually prefer the second week so they can kill x2 birds.. That being said I haven't been seeing as many Arkansas/Mississippi/Oklahoma plates in and along the MTNF ....

 

[Reflex]

Our local CA has been dead. Maybe 8 people, including myself. Birds have been tough to come by though. I'm sitting today out due to the rain. Probably hitting private ground a couple of times before I head back to public.

 

[Reflex]

Theres young ,indian creek ,Pea ridge glassberg closer but they are loaded with people ...MTNF more room

Meramec Forest, long Ridge

 

[MOGC]

You have a farm to hunt, however you want more birds and little pressure on public ground within 1.5 hours of STL? Good luck with that.

 

[HabitatMD]

You have a farm to hunt, however you want more birds and little pressure on public ground within 1.5 hours of STL? Good luck with that.

Thanks

 

[Beerman]

All I can say is on such public land if you hear a bird, assume you are not the only person heard it.

 

[HabitatMD]

All I can say is on such public land if you hear a bird, assume you are not the only person heard it.

Sounds like a reasonable assumption.

 

[Danimal]

You have a farm to hunt, however you want more birds and little pressure on public ground within 1.5 hours of STL? Good luck with that.

He has a farm with no turkeys.. he can sit on his front porch with the same result as hunting his place.

 

[HabitatMD]

He has a farm with no turkeys.. he can sit on his front porch with the same result as hunting his place.

Exactly. I'm going to try this weekend, but I don't think it will change my mind.

Bad hatches have taken a toll on the neighborhood's turkey population.

 

[wiser1]

Habitat ,,what county is your farm in or general area ? southeast etc

 

[HabitatMD]

Habitat ,,what county is your farm in or general area ? southeast etc

Ralls. We normally don't have turkeys winter on our place, so we have to wait until say the first week of April until they show up after they start dispersing. So, if the don't need to spread out as much due to a lower population, they just don't make it as far as our place. At least that is my theory.

 

[Clucker]

If you got a boat, MTL.