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Post by brettgerhart on Apr 10, 2008 18:50:47 GMT -5
I am planning on taking one of my students out this saturday. How exactly does rain effect turkey hunting. Do they stay in their roost longer or just not react to calls? Or... the answer I am looking for..... Do I just need to call louder than the rain. Any infor would be great!! Thanks in advance!!
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Post by Hardcorehunter on Apr 10, 2008 19:42:27 GMT -5
First off if your using a slate call make sure it will work if it gets wet. Most friction calls don't produce any sound when wet. Second if its a down pour or heavy raining, wait it out. Turkeys arn;t going to move or even hear a call in heavy rain. A drizzle is o.k., I have seen movement and turkeys respond to calls in a light drizzle. The best time if you can time it is right after a heavy rain stops. Then you should get in and be ready for the birds to be very active trying to make up for lost mating time because of the rain.
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Post by brettgerhart on Apr 10, 2008 20:19:16 GMT -5
Makes sense! Thanks!!
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Post by branson on Apr 11, 2008 13:54:03 GMT -5
Last year I had a tom gobbling like crazy during a steady rain (more like a drizzle than a downpour). I agree with Hardcore in that they'll likely stay on roost a bit longer. I've always heard, though, that once the rain stops they're more apt to hang out in fields and open areas. Best of luck to you and your student.
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Post by mudduck on Apr 11, 2008 14:40:04 GMT -5
From what I've heard, read and witnessed your best bet would be to hunt a field. Especially one you know they like to feed and congregate in. I would recommend a pop-up blind so you can stay dry.
Last weekend on my Tennessee turkey hunting adventure I watched about 40 turkeys feeding in a steady rain. There must have been a good half a dozen toms strutting. Best of luck to you guys!!
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Post by bowhntrtom on Apr 11, 2008 16:37:09 GMT -5
Im my experience they only one bothered by the rain was me. The birds had no change in habits.
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Post by The Old HairyHead on Apr 11, 2008 17:01:13 GMT -5
I am taking my son out in the morning. It looks like there is only a 30% changce of rain in the morning. Hopefully it's not raining. I haven't had any luck in the rain, so I don't normally bother. But since its youth day I will take my tent just in case.
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Post by brettgerhart on Apr 11, 2008 17:40:13 GMT -5
I didn't get a chance to put out my blind. It is set up behind my house and I took it down but never got down there to take it..... I need more time to prepare. I have been a last minute hunter ever since my son was born!  I'll see how lucky I can get tomorrow!!! Good luck to all that are going and thanks for all the advice. I will stick with my motto that I tell all my deer hunting friends who want to go eat at 10 am or leave cause it is raining, You can't kill them if you are not in the woods. |
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Post by davep on Apr 12, 2008 7:11:50 GMT -5
Heavy rain, I've seen them stay up roosted as late as 10:00.
Light rain, they seem to head for the fields/open areas. I THINK that they do this to avoid predators: can't hear them coming when things are wet, so they head for the open and let their eyes do most of the work.
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Post by bucksathome on Apr 12, 2008 9:09:33 GMT -5
Im my experience they only one bothered by the rain was me. The birds had no change in habits. Whats up Tom, what happened to the little honey on your profile ? I like both. On the rain tip , i noticed they sometime hang in the roost longer. I once saw a turkey fly out as late as 8:30 am. |
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I'll see how lucky I can get tomorrow!!! Good luck to all that are going and thanks for all the advice. I will stick with my motto that I tell all my deer hunting friends who want to go eat at 10 am or leave cause it is raining, You can't kill them if you are not in the woods. 
