A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to considerable cloudiness and fog after midnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable..
Tonight
A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to considerable cloudiness and fog after midnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable.
A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to considerable cloudiness and fog after midnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable..
Tonight
A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to considerable cloudiness and fog after midnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable.
One of the reasons I enjoy spring gobbler season is that the woods are delightful to explore during that time of year.
Spring offers a much different experience and feeling than in the fall. The songbirds at dawn seem so excited to announce to all that can hear them that a new day is being born. Their enthusiasm is contagious simply by being in their presence.
In addition to the birds, the forest is teeming with signs of exciting new growth.
The winter dormancy is being broken right before your eyes in the form of wildflowers and understory plants bursting into bloom, hustling to catch all the sunòòò½ÊÓƵ™s rays before the hardwood canopy of summer closes in on them.
Spring gobbler season is a lively time of year in the hardwoods.
At daylight, the gobble of an adult tom turkey can often be heard, triggered by the calls of owls, crows, pileated woodpeckers and hen turkeys, and other sounds that prompt turkeys to respond. It is frequently a rush to get within his range at first light to set up to use your calls to mimic what he is primarily interested in òòò½ÊÓƵ” hen turkeys.
Sometimes, it works perfectly, but most often, it does not.
When it doesnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t work òòò½ÊÓƵ” either the real live hens beat you to him or you got too close in your attempt and ran him off òòò½ÊÓƵ” you are left with just your thoughts and what to do next. For someone like me, who hunts in large hardwood forest sections, it means walking and listening for the next opportunity.
While walking to where you think turkeys should be heading, you often find areas within the woods that just feel right.
Call it a hunch or a place where you have periodically seen turkeys or their signs; either way, itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s someplace ideally suited for you and a nice little spot to sit for a while and call.
After the pre-dawn hike, I often find a sunny hillside to warm my hands and face.
It is during this time of the morning hunt that we can turn our attention from turkeys to natureòòò½ÊÓƵ™s glorious bounties and wonders. Donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t get me wrong, a gobbling turkey would not ruin the moment; after all, he is the reason we got out of bed way too early.
But just like most hunting situations, the activity has ebbs and flows.
Generally, during this time of the hunt, I make my most significant discoveries.
When we are truly present while hunting, all our senses are on high alert, letting us focus entirely on the world around us. At this time, it is also curiosity about what lies over the next ridge, what is hidden in the deep hollow or where the ridge leads.
Walking to a good view or listening spot to make a few hen calls can lead to discoveries that only springtime affords òòò½ÊÓƵ” a patch of ramps, a few morel mushrooms or a grove of my favorite springtime wildflower, trilliums.
Not all mornings pursuing the male wild turkey have to end with your tag punched to be considered successful òòò½ÊÓƵ” the odds are too great that they wonòòò½ÊÓƵ™t. Some of the best mornings end with a few ramps or morel mushrooms, followed by brunch at the kitchen table and a late-morning nap.
It is a privilege to walk the hills of home in the spring òòò½ÊÓƵ” I know of no place like it on this earth, and there is no place Iòòò½ÊÓƵ™d rather be.
The spring gobbler season opens here in West Virginia on April 21.
Chris Ellis is a veteran of the outdoors industry. His book “Hunting, Fishing and Family from The Hills of West Virginia” is available at . Contact him at chris@elliscom.net.
