Species

Wild Turkey

Spring gobblers; calm, clear, mild mornings under a building high. Here’s the behavior the score is built on.

How it behaves

Peak gobbling runs late April into early May; toms answer calls through the breeding season.

Calm, clear, rising-pressure mornings; an incoming front shuts activity down.

Wind drowns out gobbles and makes birds nervous, so calm mornings are best.

Forest, fields, and the edge between them: the ground public wildlife areas and forests are ranked on.

Mild-weather comfort. Happiest in the crisp early and late stretches, not the temperature extremes.

Early season (late April). Toms still flocked with hens; henned-up gobblers can be tough.
Peak (late April–early May). Hens slip off to nest and lonely toms hunt for company; best calling.
Late season (mid May). Second-wave gobbling as hens go to nest; run-and-gun.

Calm, clear mornings under a building high are the classic setup; wind and an incoming front are the killers.