Turkey seasons are closed in most of the South, yet the Northern Tier may still have one week left. In some ways, hunting can be more advantageous at the end than the beginning of the season, but you can’t capitalize unless you are in the woods. Here are five advantages:
Reduced Hunting Pressure
The really good turkey hunters have tagged out by now, and those not-so-good have probably given up and are thinking of deer season. Less human activity in your turkey area can help bring the woods back to normal. With few or no human encounters, turkeys will return to their normal travel and mating habits.
Tree Cover
Approaching a roost tree in early season is difficult because the terrain is filled with sticks and dry leaves, and your movement can easily be detected as you try to sneak in. Trees are in full foliage, and you won’t spot a roosting gobbler even if you are standing by the trunk. You can still use your seductive tree calls, just be more patient and know that your shot will be closer due to thick vegetation.
Nesting Hens
A tom with hens is a difficult hunting situation, early on. Pulling a gobbler from one or more hens is challenging and usually ends in frustration. In late season, most hens have bred and are incubating their eggs, spending most of the day on their nest. As a result, toms are actively searching for a hen and may come on the run.
Later Fly Down
As May progresses, the days get longer, yet the overstory and thick vegetation may cause turkeys to stay on the limb longer. Unless they fly into an open field, they risk landing among predators lurking in low light. Additionally, some states open their afternoons to hunting, allowing chores to be done in early morning, late morning, or early afternoon. An afternoon gobbling tom is very susceptible to calling, so if you can fire one up, you’d better have an arrow knocked.
Increased Enjoyment
Early season is a beehive of activity. Cardinals chirp, birds of all species call to mates, and turkeys gobble, hopefully. Late season is remarkably quiet. By then, birds have mated and are nesting or feeding young. Flowers bloom, especially mountain laurel, which can light up a mountainside in its brilliant white blossoms. It’s a time for extra patience. Temperatures are warmer, grasses grow under your feet, and fawns may drop. This will be your last chance to hunt before deer season, so don’t miss this opportunity.