Outside Iowa: Making the final push for gobblers
As long as it for spring to actually arrive, Iowa’s spring turkey season is drawing to a close. I love chasing gobblers, but I am also ready to catch up on some sleep and really devote my time to ripping lips. The season officially ends May 19, which means we’re more than half way to June already. Wow. If any of you still have a 4th season tag in your pocket, don’t pitch it yet. A final day bird is a good possibility if you are willing to work for it!
Typically, this time of year we are seeing near full foliage on many of the trees and bushes, but with winter hanging on though most of April, the bloom is behind. As far as I am concerned this is a good thing for 4th season turkey hunters as it can make locating a bird a much easier task. However, if you are a run-and-gun hunter, maneuvering on a gobbling bird is more difficult with out the cover of the understory.
Also, the birds have seen a significant amount of pressure thus far, so they may be more subdued in their calling when compared to the earlier portion of the season. Having said that, it is not uncommon to come across a hot bird that will come running the minute you give him any seductive hen talk.
The later it gets in the season, the earlier the hens leave the gobblers in the morning to go sit on their nests. This leaves the longbeards lonely and often desperate for love. If you can find a lone gobbler working his way across the countryside, chances are good you can kill him.
There are numerous ways to get a bird down this time of year, but don’t hesitate to be creative. I have killed a lot of late season birds by using the spot and stalk method; get in front of where he wants to be.
It’s no easy task and often can be more of an in-depth chess match than any running-and-gunning or calling situation you will experience. It takes intimate knowledge of the property and an abundance of woodsmanship skills to successfully sneak up on a wild turkey. Keep a mouth call readily available in case they begin to veer from where you anticipated them to end up. A little bit of encouragement will keep them on course.
This is also a great time of year for a quick morning roost hunt, especially if the foliage is becoming denser. If you can roost a bird the evening before, get in tight on him early the following morning and wait. If you are in the right spot, you might have him land in your lap. Click, bang, tag filled, the end.
As their breeding season is drawing to a close as well, these birds have a tendency to get back on a consistent pattern. If possible, watch their morning routine from a distance. It is likely—especially if the pressure has been low in particular areas—that he will land in the same spot and head the same direction every morning. Your scouting time is as important now—if not more so—than during the preseason!
Finally, if you know of a favored strut zone, pack a lunch, pop up a blind and wait him out. They will usually end up in the same spots by mid to late afternoon this time of year, and if you are there waiting, dump him as soon as he shows up.
Late season can be tough. So don’t feel bad if you have to boil up some tag soup, only 20 percent of Iowa’s spring turkey hunters fill their tags every year. It’s not an easy game, but with the proper scouting efforts and keeping a few late season tricks up your sleeve, a late season bird could end up on your grill.
Good luck and don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Live It Up!
Thomas resides with his wife and two children in Guthrie Center. He is the Managing Editor with North American Fisherman, official publication for North American Fishing Club. For questions or archived articles please visit www.outsideiowa.com; tha481@gmail.com.