Let's talk spring safety first and then I'll put down my latest turkey/morel forecast thoughts. Most outdoorsmen and women are as serious about safety as they are about hunting. Recent discussions in outdoor forums across the entire Midwest have touched on the debates between different groups of outdoor enthusiasts concerning rights to property and even what to wear for each activity. It happens almost every year.
The Iowa DNR (linked in my favorites section) has always recommended to ANYONE walking through the spring woods to wear at least a patch of hunter's blaze orange. It doesn't matter if you're a hiker, turkey hunter, Morel seeker or even a fisherman walking the bank or jumping ship to grab some driftwood for a shore lunch. We should all consider that the woods are getting more populated with our friends and neighbors seeking some "green time" outdoors. So quit playing the blame game for who would be at fault for an accident. We all have the right to enjoy the outdoors on public ground and private property if granted permission. Not only is tresspassing illegal, it is a selfish way to tarnish the reputation of respectable outdoorsmen everywhere. So please don't do it.
The forecast for Morels still holds water, although I doubt we'll be firing any up until the overnight lows get back into the 40s/50s with daytime conditions either sunny 60s or 70s. The latest cold might brown the edges almost like a burn, but most mushrooms that have fired within the last week will still be edible and around by this weekend! I am anxiously awaiting some time off work, but the good news is, once conditions get going, we should see our usual 2 to 3 week window of favorable weather for Morels. I'll keep you posted.
As for turkey hunting, many folks have been successful, but I've heard of others really struggling through the rainy and cool weather issues. Starting Wednesday and lasting through at least Saturday, the conditions will be getting much better and I expect a big boom in turkey activity (and hopefully from your shotgun). The toms have been taking advantage of any little break in the weather, but breeding has been slowed up and tough for them too. Cold, wet nests = dead baby turkeys or poults. The hens instinctively know this and I would expect to see a flurry of turkey activity the next 4 days! My pick for the best day will be Friday April 29th! Good luck!
Great read about the morels. Your forecast was spot on with the conditions I experienced this weekend. Went and did turkey and morel hunting. I was successful at one of the two. Had a great time looking for morels, and found about half a bag full of both big and small morels.
ReplyDeleteTurkey hunting wasn't as successful, had the decoys setup, called, but we never got any response back and didn't see a turkey.
When do you think the morels will start popping up in great quantity? What days will be best weatherwise for a turkey hunt this week?
Tuesday and Wednesday will both be fantastic days to turkey hunt as a nice, quiet high pressure moves overhead. Expect light winds, cool mornings and warm afternoons! The Morels are just beginning, for the next 2 weeks, it only gets better from here! I'll blog the specifics either today or tomorrow! Thanks for the comments David!
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