The days are numbered for turkey hunters, but they could also be numbered for that big Tom. Especially if you can put the weather patterns on your side. High pressure, like the one we have overhead, can be one of your best allies on patterning a Tom. When the sun is shining and the air comfortable, turkeys can settle into a bit of a routine with little disruption from the weather. Use these days to the fullest!
Once the heat sets in, think cool. The black feathers absorb sunlight so turkeys often head for the shade of forested river valleys. Try to use small breaks in the jungle-like tangle of our mid-May flora rather than field edges to set up your decoy spread. Tilled fields, devoid of vegetation, can be 15-20 degrees hotter than surrounding forest or a green pasture. Old logging roads in the shade of Oak trees or savanna landscapes with old growth canopy and stunted undergrowth provide a cool umbrella of shade and the visibility a Tom needs to show off. These are great spots to stalk during the heat of the day.
The end of the season will feature a low pressure system moving in and bringing with it a chance for some strong storms. Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning a band of scattered showers and thunderstorms will form in western Iowa and then march across the state. When this line hits, it could shut activity down, especially if the storms are heavy in your hunting area.
It never fails. You clear your schedule for a time to hunt and there's a chance for storms. While it's never a good idea to be outside during a storm, I've seen Toms strut right through the rain up until the worst hits. If you decide to stay afield and endure the storm, listen for "shock gobbles." The sound of thunder can actually betray a Tom into giving up his location. If it's raining before daybreak and it doesn't look to let up until mid-morning, you might be better off hitting snooze and sneaking in right before the rain ends. Good luck!
No comments:
Post a Comment