Here are some closeups to get you fired up.

2 year old birds, should be vocal and looking for love.

I have had 4 years in a row of poor hatchings. I have about 25 percent of the birds I did 5 years ago. I hope this trend ends soon. I quit hunting last year because there simply wasn't enough birds. I was afraid to kill anymore.

I have had 4 years in a row of poor hatchings. I have about 25 percent of the birds I did 5 years ago. I hope this trend ends soon. I quit hunting last year because there simply wasn't enough birds. I was afraid to kill anymore.

I don't know what to think about that type of soft data.

The data isn't soft, though... Kill numbers have been nosediving statewide over the past 3 years. Population IS down and will continue to decline under current liberal harvest regulations unless spring hatches improve.

I imposed a 2 bird limit on myself and those that hunt my properties several years ago. Even though we took 5 birds in the first 3 days of last years season (3 people), and I was done with the killing, I kept on hunting. Called in several other birds within gun range and just passed on them... which is just as fun to me.

GOOD FOR YOU ON PASSING BIRDS
Hunters like to complain when the numbers are down but they still continue to blast away.

It's not exactly the same thing, but instead of passing up birds, I just started bow only a few years ago. Last year, I called 6 gobblers within shotgun range. 3 of those came within bow range. I didn't get a shot at any of them. I don't have to pass them up - they pass ME up!

i remember seeing more poults survive thru late summer last year than i ever had saw before. this was in fentress county but i don't know if this was just an isolated case or what but i have high hopes of seeing alot of jakes this year and some pretty nice toms