Mississippi spring turkey season is into its third week and the first two weeks have been excellent. Lots of gobblers have already been harvested and the best time to hunt is quickly approaching.
It has been more of a typical turkey season so far with weather patterns as compared to the two previous seasons. We have been fortunate enough to have several of those cool and crisp high pressure weather systems with some still mornings that results in good gobbling activity. The good news—more good weather is predicted.
Gobbling expected
According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks’ 2021 Spittin’ & Drummin’ turkey report, last year’s peak of gobbling activity was from March 29 through April 4. Hunters can expect the same for this year and the peak may linger through the second week of April due to excellent predicted weather for the next two weeks.
What are the gobblers doing now?
Many hunters are experiencing good gobbling activity especially on the roost. After fly-down gobblers are quickly assembling with hens and following close behind and not gobbling as much.
Groups of gobblers have quickly diminished. If hunters see or hear groups of two or three toms together, it is likely two-year-olds or jakes. Older gobblers have established their territory and dominance in the pecking order.
Change is coming!
Mature toms are roosting near or with hens making early morning kills a little more difficult. This will change shortly as hens start to frequent nests and spend more time away from toms.
Hunters will soon find lone gobblers on the early morning limb. This will be the time to head straight towards a gobbling tom as quickly and quietly as possible in hopes of luring him in before hens fly-down and head his way.
Tactics and strategies
Set up pre-dawn and listen on hills or ridges to cover as much area as possible. When a gobble is heard, wait a couple minutes before you tear-out towards the first gobble—there could be others close by. After four of five minutes, if you haven’t heard anymore, go to him. If you hear multiple gobblers, try getting in between them and pick one to get closer to.
Sitting along the edges of fields or food plots during late mornings is a good tactic. Place a spread of decoys and stay put. This is the time of the year that turkeys are on the move and it’s better to post-up for a while as opposed to walking too much and bumping them.
Make your plans
The peak of turkey season is approaching, and it is time to plan any vacation or ‘sick’ days. Look at the weather forecasts for your area and pick the best predicted weather days.
Easter weekend could possibly be the best turkey hunting days that Mississippi hunters have seen in years—it may be the beginning of that magical time of turkey season when the gobblers come straight to a call and gobbling can be heard all day.
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