So anyone else thinking this year is a bit atypical?

Yesterday came to the conclusion this season is turning out to be a bit atypical. By now toms should be alone and roaming and easy to pick off. Usually by now glad I'm tagged out as the bugs are crazy.
Well still not a mosquitoe out and the toms still with hens.
Morning broke yesterday bright and clear though still cold at 2'C. Counted 4 toms gobbling on the roost a little deep in the bush across the road. Wasn't to concerned as they usually cross into the open fields once they drop. Well when they did hit the ground they never moved, went silent, and disappeared. Mid morning had 2 hens come down from the opposite ridge of the field and setup in front of me. Watched them for the next several hours cruising around me. Periodically one or the other would crest a small hill and seemed to be scanning the bush across the road. Around 2pm one of the hens got to the top of the hill but now her head was glistening red. She sat down on a patch of green grass in the disked field. She sat there a good 20 minutes until a faint gobble caused both of them to practically run towards it never to be seen again.
I'm figuring the season is off by 2 weeks but at least don't have worry about the bugs.

I have seen the same thing here in the SW. I think the breeding takes place at roughly the same time, as seen in deer or moose. My opinion would be hens have lost their first clutch due to predation or hatches failed due to our cold and very wet weather..

I agree with you guys, it must be off by a couple of weeks. Called in two different toms that started coming towards me off the roast to only be with four hens that took them off in another direction. Bugs are not around either but I am not complaining.

Can't speak for all of Eastern Ont...but in 66A it's been a pretty normal year as far as Turkey behavior. I was surprised they were in the bush strutting with snow still on the ground. But like they say , the biological clock is ticking, can't wait for mother nature to co-operate.

Hens are nesting here, Tom's are doing the bachelor thing.

I'm in WMU 76 where I'm seeing fewer birds than in years past, and they're acting more shy this season.

Tonight near Paisley I saw a hen with 4 poults that were about 1/2 the size of a Grouse. The birds picked up breeding activity the last few days. Looking forward to hearing some hens calling again.

The colder weather seems to have an impact.
On the bright side, the lack of bugs is a big bonus.
I'm seeing enough birds around, including more Jakes recently.

The mosquitoes kicked my carcass pretty good yesterday. I thought I was home-free for bugs still. No Thermacell and only a face mesh and ball cap. My ears, temples and neck took a beating as I had a tom strutting with two hens about 75-100 yards for half an hour and did not want to move. He lived for another day. Long story, but I have determined to kill only this bird as I got a good tom early on and this is a 4 year old bird I think. He has great spurs and a distinctive fan I would like to see spread out on my tailgate. Cheers to those still braving it.

myself I notice less birds in general, more hunters and smarter birds! LOL.

I spoke to a couple of older hunters that have been hunting in my area for many years and they say that the numbers have been very low. They are locals and have better chance to monitor the area than I do. I remember I used to see birds crossing fields, roads and ditch lines after every hunt on my drive back, I rarely see a bird the last few years. I was told that the ice storms a few years back affected there numbers. I also know some people that hunt other wmus and that numbers seem consistent.

There have been so many heavy rains in the Ottawa valley this spring I think the hens are re-nesting at this point. Last year I saw no jakes all season, but this year I've seen lots of jakes in full strut and even breeding with hens, and I haven't seen many toms even on trail cam, so there can't be many around my hunting area.

general observation in 68B after the last two weekends is most of the hens must be bread as most of the birds I have seen were bachelor groups of Toms. (with the exception of the birds I was chasing Saturday morning)

In 73 I haven't seen a large flock in a week or two in the mornings. Mostly 2-3 male birds and 1-2 hens or completely solo/bachelor groups. (observed while driving to/from work)

78A is the same as 73. (observed while driving to/from work)

Seen a tom strutting with 2hens yesterday at 3pm. Also had a Jake with then that the tom was chasing off

I'm down on the north shore of Lake Erie west of Long Point and the black flies are horrible at times. What few warm/hot days we had meant farmers working my fields but I finally heard a gobble close by while cutting my asparagus. Too close to quitting time to run home and get my gear. Not sure about the turkeys clock but ours is up at 1900hrs. on Friday May 31 ! Then the fat lady can sing and we will cry in our beer while making Cream of Tag soup.

Had 6 hens walk in to find me today just inside the bush. They were on the otherside of a fence row when I quietly entered the bush. They jumped the fence and walked over to investigate the gentle walking noise. I swear turkeys can hear like deer.

No toms around and these hens are still in a group so obviously they aren't on the nest. Can't say I remember a year this late when hens are still not nested. I have bumped into toms but they're not really responsive. They'll gobble but they don't roar in to meet me. LOL.

I hunted 80, as I have for several years. This season there was tons of promise as birds were seen in areas I hunted during scouting and some bushes held more birds than normally early on.
Hunted opening day and it was bedlam, birds gobbling on the roost in the blocks surrounding us, toms and jakes running around chasing hens, fighting amongst themselves.
My son shot a beauty tom just after 730am......

And then almost like a light switch it all changed. Henned up birds throughout and right to closing. Very few sightings and some mornings, way too quiet. Worked a bird until 655pm on closing day and had a coyote finally chase it away.
Gotta love turkey hunting...

I didn't have alot of time to hunt this season with a new born coming two days into the season. Got out the last couple of days of the season and birds were gobbling and willing to travel to calls. The rest of the season was slow with not alot of birds seen in wmu 78 and 81. Managed a couple of jakes but nothing to write home about.

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Originally Posted by angelo

I didn't have alot of time to hunt this season with a new born coming two days into the season. Got out the last couple of days of the season and birds were gobbling and willing to travel to calls. The rest of the season was slow with not alot of birds seen in wmu 78 and 81. Managed a couple of jakes but nothing to write home about.

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congrats on the new born!