The bell curve of turkey breeding

[RxHunter]

This was taken on March 5th. I am pretty sure this isn't the normal breeding time for my area of West TN but guess someone has to kick things off. I thought it was worth sharing. Anyone else seen one breed this early?

 

[woodsman04]

I think it's about normal really.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Perfectly normal.

 

[Hymie3]

Breeding in Hamilton co

 

[Harold Money jr]

Saw a hen on 11 eggs April 9 last year. I think they breed earlier than most of us think. At least it's earlier than I thought! Lol

 

[Southern Sportsman]

Totally normal. Here is the actual bell curve from the 2022 Annual Wild Turkey Status Report (released in Jan. 2023). They haven't released the report for 2023 yet, but these numbers don't change much. There are always a few lucky gobblers who find a receptive hen in early March, or even late February. But the vast majority of breeding is yet to come.

 

[muddyboots]

This was taken on March 5th. I am pretty sure this isn't the normal breeding time for my area of West TN but guess someone has to kick things off. I thought it was worth sharing. Anyone else seen one breed this early?
View attachment 219444

Yes. See it every year

 

[Kelljp]

Gobblers groups started busting up last week here in East Tennessee, getting vocal. About 2 weeks earlier than previous years here

 

[Biggun4214]

This was taken on March 5th. I am pretty sure this isn't the normal breeding time for my area of West TN but guess someone has to kick things off. I thought it was worth sharing. Anyone else seen one breed this early?
View attachment 219444

Practice makes perfect.

 

[Andy S.]

From a friend in SE TN. These photos taken Monday morning (3/11/24) with a good frost on the ground.

 

[Kelljp]

Maybe we'll see some poults this year.

 

[Andy S.]

Maybe we'll see some poults this year.

Fingers crossed. Hot and dry May-July will influence the outcome more than most want to believe.

 

[Southern Sportsman]

Fingers crossed. Hot and dry May-July will influence the outcome more than most want to believe.

Yep. Praying that we don't have any ill-timed backwaters here on the west side.

 

[Livin2hunt]

Seeing some breeding happening in northern Middle TN. Got a pic of some breeding activity in Illinois a few days ago also. Did think that was a little earlier for up there.

 

[Sasquatch Boogie Outdoors]

Gobblers groups started busting up last week here in East Tennessee, getting vocal. About 2 weeks earlier than previous years here

Gobbler groups??? I'm in east Tn and I'd love to see a gobbler and would jump for joy to see a group!!! Congrats your season is already a success.

 

[Andy S.]

Gobbler groups??? I'm in east Tn and I'd love to see a gobbler and would jump for joy to see a group!!! Congrats your season is already a success.

Which county you in?

 

[Kelljp]

Gobbler groups??? I'm in east Tn and I'd love to see a gobbler and would jump for joy to see a group!!! Congrats your season is already a success.

They stay with the cattle around the silage this time of year, see them most days on the winter.

 

[muddyboots]

Maybe we'll see some poults this year.

I see poults every year before season ends

 

[Popcorn]

This year is different for us. Hens are tight grouped and quiet, young males are ganged up and lookin lost, the few mature gobblers I have seen recently are out on a stroll by them selves and nobody is gobbling yet. Most are still in the woods.

 

[Joe2Kool]

Gobblers groups started busting up last week here in East Tennessee, getting vocal. About 2 weeks earlier than previous years here

They obviously didn't read the regulations this year. Just like last year, they've got two extra weeks before the season starts!