Question for KS Turkey Hunters

[tracker1]

I have never hunted KS during the early archery only April 1-9 Turkey season.  What can I expect?   I'm sure the weather will play a big factor in the turkey activity.  Are the turkey usually still grouped up in flocks or are they broken up???  I'm wondering if the turkeys will be responding to the calls or if it will be more like a fall turkey hunt where you will have to hunt turkey travel routes.  Any help will be appreciated.  Thanks.  Burton

[bretto]

Yes, Yes and Yes. Unless we have un-seasonal weather which we have had the last 2 yrs. They will be flocked up. 12" of snow on the ground right now but it is supposed to be in the 60's by next week.

If You have time to scout and know their travel routes you are ahead in the game. You can hunt until dark here use the afternoons to your advantage.Lots of Gobblers are getting killed going back to roost in the early season.

 Just remember that the youth shotgun season is open at the same time. Be careful and Good Luck

bretto

[tracker1]

I will be hunting my deer hunting property and i see them using their travel routes during deer season so I hope this helps.  Thanks for the input bretto

[Jake Fr]

That early hunting here has never produced much in my decoys if I have a struter out they normly go the other way but anything could happen heck it's still early and im pumped for em

[tracker1]

Jake Fr that is why I'm trying to figure out if I should go during the early archery season or wait and go during the regular general turkey season. I will be hunting private land.   I would like to see them working the decoys and coming into the calls.   I have hunted turkeys here in Michigan for 30 years but have never hunted them that early April 1st.

[Cocklebur]

I think that if you have private land where they don't get hunted much you will find they will call better the last of April or the first of May. I think they are easier after most of the hens are bred and they are on the nest.

[snakebit40]

Well I'm no expert but I've always had my best luck the first week and last week of the season with calling. The first week or so, in normal years with weather, I've found the birds are still figuring out the pecking order. A Jake decoy I would guess would work great, I just got one this winter so I'll let you know on that. I've had great luck the with a lone hen decoy also though. As far as being bunched up, again in a normal year, they are in big groups and very vocal. These are just my experiences though.

[Jake Fr]

I hunt as soon as it opens here just to get out but do best at end of april but its a rush I would hunt turkeys over deer if it is supped to be warm then it would be worth it

[tracker1]

Thanks for the input guys keep it coming.  I'm still trying to decide to go early or in the middle of April.

[tracker1]

TTT

[backyardbowhunter]

It all depends on the weather. Last year they were strutting in March. This year with snow on the ground...maybe not. Come on out. Even if you don't see a thing, you'll still see things you never saw before.

[tracker1]

I think I'm going to play it safe and come out on April 15???  Yes there plenty of coyotes to look at too

[bretto]

What part of the state are you going to be hunting?

[tracker1]

North East corner Brown county

[mountain lion]

Hey traker1, I live in Atchison county which buts up to brown county. Feel free to look me up if you want!

[TRAP]

The gobbling, cackling and fighting purrs are worth the price of admission on those frosty clear mornings in early April.  

The jake decoy strategy should work well.  I used a strutter decoy the first day 2 years ago and birds kept their distance.  Replaced it with a jake decoy on day 2 and had  success.

Trap

[tracker1]

Thanks for invite mountain lion and the input trap