On my way home from work yesterday a drove past a small flock of turkeys. They included a tom covering a hen. In the middle of August. Has anyone out there seen that other than in spring? I have seen some pretty small poults in late June, which would indicate breeding behavior way into spring, but never in the middle of summer.

It was my understanding if a hen looses her nest she will re-nest. Often several times so it is plausible.

It's my understanding that a eastern will rarely renest and just waits for next year but Rio Grandes will try multiple times to raise a brood.

quote:

Originally posted by matt salm:
It was my understanding if a hen looses her nest she will re-nest. Often several times so it is plausible.

Well, they were definitely trying to make little turkeys. I have just never seen a poult this late in the year so I was pretty surprised.

I have seen Easterns re-nest several times here in Indiana.

Hey, would you pass up a quick lay just because it's not in the spring?

George

I was on a fall turkey hunt here in WI several years ago when I stalked close to a group of 6 or 7 toms. I couldn't get close enough for a shot so tried my best imitation of a slutty hen with yelps and clucks. Every single tom in that bunch gobbled and immediately went into strut and came right in. Surprised the hell out of me.

SO Matt: How many did you shoot?

Or would that be: Take, or harvest?

George

Only the one I had a tag for...no need to be greedy.