Poult Reports

[charlie elk]

Well it is never too early to start obsessing about the next season and what better way to keep some excitement going that to post when you start seeing the first poults and update throughout the summer.

I have not seen any poults yet.  Found 2 nests yesterday with 9 eggs each. One the nests had its eggs moving around a little so it will not be long before hatch. 

First nest I found was mid March, that one did not make it I am sure she re-nested.

[charlie elk]

Saw a hen with 4 tiny poults this morning.
Anyone know--
Do the hens stay on the ground with their poults during the time they can't fly up with mom?

[Brian Lovett]

Yes. From Lovett E. Williams Jr.'s Wild Turkey Hunting & Management: "The new brood sleeps at night on the ground under the body, outstretched wings and partially spread tail feathers of the hen, usually concealed in vegetation or at the base of a tree."
Flightless period is typically about 14 days.

[charlie elk]

In the predator rich environment around here that is a long time to spend on the ground blinded by the dark.  These birds continue to please me with their ever increasing numbers. Sure hope it continues.
Thanks.

[charlie elk]

Saw a group of 3 large poults with a hen on 6/4.  To my surprise the poults looked about the size they would be at the end of August 3-4 pounds. About the 2nd week of March this year I had found a nest alongside a logging road.  The nest did not survive. These poults must have been born very early; sometime late March? 
Given favorable spring time conditions how common is a March hatch in a northern tier state like WI?

[joeturkey]

Hey Charlie: RE; Poult sightings. I have been in richland county only about 3 days since the end of 6th turkey season with zero poult sightings! In my home area of Waukesha county I keep seeing same flocks and mixed flocks of birds with no poults in tow! Last week noticed a couple of toms still strutting for attention! Deer are quite active though and fawns are everywhere. Joe

[charlie elk]

joeturkey keep you eyes skimmed poults should be showing up.  The ones arournd here are down in the low areas apparently feeding on insects. They can keep eating away too.[:D]
Found some nests along the edge of a cornfield this morning next to some  blowdowns.
Deer are everywhere and the fawn drop looks like it was very productive again this year. Got farmers calling me making sure I plan to deer & turkey hunt on their land this fall.

[charlie elk]

Last weekend
Saw a flock of 9 jakes; think that is a little unusual for jakes to be flocked this time of year?

In a field 3 lone hens accompanied by a strutter.  Suspect they lost their nests and are attempting to renest.
No poults.
Weather has been constant rain and cool highs 58-62.

[charlie elk]

Until we got 10 inches of rain Saturday the poult numbers being seen were strong.  I have not seen a poult since.   Lone hens are out in the bean fields; assuming they are bugging.  Good numbers of jakes in flocks of 4-8 birds.
Last Tuesday(6/22) & Sunday(6/25) saw a gobbler with about 12 inches of fletched arrow sticking out of his back just below his wings.  [>:]Assuming that arrow was shot during the season it has been in him over a month now, evidence of how tough gobblers are.  He has been walking around in a field along a busy county road - not good advertising for us hunters. [:(]

[gutpiler]

well its mid july and believe it or not I just saw my 1st poults of the year! Very tiny and not ready to fly yet.While mama was keeping an eye on me a sharp-shinn hawk swooped down and almost got one! Guess I'm not the only one whose been waiting for them!