So anyone else thinking this year is a bit atypical?

[finsfurfeathers]

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.

[rick_iles]

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..

[tom gobble]

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.

[MikePal]

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.

[ninepointer]

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

[JMatthews]

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.

[G.S.]

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.

[KennyT]

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.

[ihunt]

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.

[Mcfasio]

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.