Mr. Longbeard

Just wondering if you guys think that the hens will breed sooner if the weather is warm earlier. Or do you think they will breed around the same time every year no mater what the weather?

Spit-n-Drum

The earlier the warm weather gets here, the earlier they will get fired up. Thats my opinion. But it wont stop me from being out there one way or the other.

wacker

I think the warm weather may get the gobblers fired up a little earlier but the hens won't be receptive until the same time as usual.

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ttracker

Hens have the ability to delay nesting, and this ussually is a result of weather. Research has shown that a cold spring can result in delayed nesting. In several long term studies, esspecially in the south, nest chronology (timing of nesting) can vary significantly from year to year. Also, research is showing us that when nesting is delayed the hens have a reduced probablity of nesting successfully. A theory why... because predator densities and movements are at their lowest in early spring. Esspecially black rat snakes who can be a major predator of turkey nests.

Mr. Longbeard

Thanks for the replys guys.

wacker

J-bird,I have'nt seen any turkeys here but I hear stories of people seeing a few.I hunt in zone 39. Maybe with a few more winters like this one we'll a few turkeys here.

Bobgobble2

Thats a good question Mr.Longbeard and no doubt what ttracker says is true.Certainly a real key to all us turkey hunters is to know the timing each spring when the majority of the hens go to nest.I have seen jakes in the same flock that obviously were older than some of the others among them meaning thier mother was bred early.I've also seen hens a gobblers both still in the breeding pattern in May which is anywhere from a month to 2 months after the birds were already breeding around these parts of the U.S.Theres no question in my mind that not only weather but pecking order has alot to do with the effectiveness of breeding.Active hens seek out dominant gobblers and if these male birds have not determined who's boss by the time turkey season starts they get harrased continually by hunters.When the birds are left alone such as on private property,and that time frame before and after season is when much of the breeding is done.I always hope that most of the hens are bred by the time turkey season starts,because not only does it make for more vocal gobblers,but it benefits the flock knowing most of the hens have been bred.But it seems like theres always that one hen that screws everything up.I've been chasin toms for about 25 years around these parts and to say exactly what week most of the hens go nest is a toss-up.I just stay in the woods and let nature take its course! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>