Flock of Turkeys, Big Flock

[sdcaller]

I live at Horseshoe Valley and over the years have seen a lot of turkey flocks--especially this time of year.

Hadn't seen any in the area this year at all, until today, Saw a flock of 40-50 birds while driving into Barrie.

SDC

[Disco]

Winter flocks are still together and haven’t broken up yet. There are some massive flocks around.

[Jesse]

Not too much longer and we will b back chasing birds

[sabmgb]

they don't winter near where my bushes are so never see any in the winter. Be almost another month before they break up I'd think. The farmer and I were talking couple weeks back and we both were saying that the number of turkeys is down from 5 years ago. I used to get my 2 birds with no issues, now I have to work hard to get one.

[ORH]

Have a flock that winters beside me that is close to 200 strong. I find the turkey population is steady to inclining. But that is thanks to aggressive coyote, raccoon and other nest predator trapping and hunting and creating some quality nesting cover for hens. Year round job but pays huge at the end for poults and fawns

[Disco]

Last year on opener my tried and true Turkey spot had 2 birds on opening day. Down the road a few Kilometres on opening days was a huge 100 bird flock that still had not broken up. I waited a few days and that flock broke up finally. Then my field had its normal 15-20 birds that then again break into smaller groups but stay local to the property.

Can’t wait for Turkey this year but I need to find some more property like many hunters.

Just going to throw this grouse pic up for a funny story. I shot it last fall and my mother knowing zero about hunting asked me if I shot a baby Turkey. 😂😂😂😂

[Dayfat]

That’s a good one Disco LOL

Also, took at look at the regs last night and saw that the opener falls on a Tuesday this year, anyone going to get out or wait to the weekend? I don’t see why they can’t leave it on the weekend like the trout opener

[Disco]

If I find a new spot I will be out. I can shoot one with it the first couple of hours and still work all day.

[IRFERG]

Opener for Turkey has always been April 25. Mid week starts are my favorite. Less competition.

[sabmgb]

I personally like that it opens during the week even when I was working. Way less pressure splits up the hunters on opener. I always booked opener off work and usually the next week a day also so could get my birds without any other people around then concentrate on the walleye. Now I just go on good days during week or if private property will go on weekend depending on the fish.

[rayray89]

I prefer the mid week openers aswell. Can't wait!

[RAM3500]

Cant wait.

[sabmgb]

I was reading an article this morning about turkey populations, in the US mind you. They were saying the population is way down from 5 years ago. Were saying survival of the pullets by August was down from 3.6 to 1.5 I thing the numbers were. were saying predictors, habitat and hunting were the issues for the decline.

I have noticed around here the numbers are down where i hunt, the farm thinks the same thing. I used to see shootable birds every time out, may not have been close enough but would see them. Now it a good day if a see a hen, last 2 years it took me to almost end of season before I saw a bearded bird, at least I got the one I seen.

[Fishnhunt]

I saw a huge flock Saturday morning with three stutters in full strut. Nice to see so early.

[sabmgb]

Saw a really big flock along the 401 today. To far from where I hunt to help me, but almost in shooting range of a county forest with hunting.