After a solid first week of the spring turkey season, I went into the weekend with a forecast of unseasonably cold temperatures and a higher-than-average wind speed.
On the sixth morning in a row of waking up at 4 a.m., it would have been easy to pull the covers over my head, go back to sleep and head out for a midday hunt. Not only was I tired, I knew the weather conditions were going to be less than ideal. My enthusiasm for the morning was lower than usual, and I was trying to find excuses for why I should not go hunting.
That morning two things pulled me out of bed: the plans I had made to hunt with a good friend and the fact that I had two unfilled turkey tags in my pocket. With the wind blowing and the temperatures in the low 30s, we made our way down a wooded fence row that typically was in an area that turkeys roosted. As we made it into the region where we had planned to hunt, we had yet to hear our first gobble. After using an owl call, we continued to have no luck of a gobbler answering us.
We elected to sit down on the fence row with no located turkeys found and make a few calls in hopes of a gobbler getting fired up. After ten minutes of silence, except for the howling of the high winds, I was shocked to pick out two gobblers who were roosted in the same tree approximately 100 yards through the timber. The two gobblers had never made a sound all morning, so I was surprised when my eyes adjusted to the low light to see them roosted.
After calling periodically with no response, it was now 7:40 a.m., and the two toms were still on the roost after a solid hour of daylight. Finally, the first gobbler leaned forward and pitched off onto the ground, followed by the second tom. With my diaphragm call still in the side of my mouth, I made two soft yelps. The two toms walked directly towards my buddy and me as if they were on a string. They were a mere 20 yards when they reached the fence row where we were sitting. The only problem was that I was the only one who could shoot from where they entered the fence row. After shooting the first tom, the other ran down the fence and then out of sight. The entire occurrence left my friend and me wondering why they had never made a sound and what had just happened.
You must go hunting if you want to harvest a turkey. Hunting turkeys in bad weather can have several different meanings. Windy and cold days like my friend and I experienced can be considered bad weather. Often the spring season can have multiple days of rain forecasted. Hunting in the Midwest, mainly in Missouri, you never really know what the weather will entail; I have even hunted turkeys in the snow during April. No matter what the weather conditions may be, I know the spring season only lasts a few weeks of the year, then you are left waiting for another 365 days to do it all over again. Whatever the forecast may be, one thing is required to harvest a bad weather gobbler: patience.
As a turkey hunter, I live for those perfect spring mornings when the sun is rising over the treetops and the woods are ringing with gobbles. However, we all know that mother nature doesn’t always cooperate More often than not, spring turkey season brings plenty of wet, soggy days Many hunters take rain days as an excuse to sleep in or stay home. But you don’t have to miss out! With the right strategy, you can absolutely hunt turkeys successfully in the rain.
Why Hunt in the Rain?
If you only hunt on sunny days you’ll end up missing a good chunk of the spring turkey season. Here are some great reasons to embrace hunting in wet weather
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Turkeys are still active, looking for hens to breed Rain won’t stop them from going about their mating activities
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Less competition. Fair weather hunters will stay home, giving you more undisturbed access to gobblers on public land.
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Changes in turkey behavior can work to your advantage. Birds often get out of the woods and into open fields in heavy rain.
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It builds your skills and makes you a better all-around turkey hunter. Adapting to the conditions separates successful hunters from the rest.
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Some of my most memorable hunts happened in soggy, miserable weather. The challenge makes it so much more rewarding when you succeed.
How to Hunt Turkeys Successfully in the Rain
Here are my top strategies and tips for tagging a longbeard when the weather is wet:
Adjust Your Schedule
I don’t rush to the woods before daylight if I wake up to pouring rain. Hens and toms often delay fly down time in heavy weather. Instead, I’ll sleep in a bit and wait for the rain to lighten up or stop completely. Then I get out there to catch the anticipated midday burst of activity. However, I won’t wait too late in the morning. You still need to be out there to hear birds sound off.
Use the Rain to Your Advantage
The soft ground and wet leaves make it easier to sneak into position without making excess noise. Take advantage of the conditions to slip in quietly when you located a receptive tom. The rain also masks little sounds that might normally spook birds. I’ve had more success sneaking right up on turkeys in the rain compared to dry weather.
Focus on Open Areas
Turkeys don’t like hanging out in wet, brushy woods. They prefer to be out in open fields and clearings where they can see any potential dangers approaching. In a downpour, concentrate your efforts on getting set up in fields, logging roads, forest openings, and power line cuts that turkeys are known to frequent.
Use Blinds and Decoys
Hunting mature toms with a blind and decoys can be highly effective in the rain. The birds often concentrate in fields to feed and wait out storms. Set up your decoys and blind where you expect turkeys to emerge. The blind helps conceal your movements and shields you from the miserable wet conditions while you wait on birds to come within range.
Be Ready for midday Action
Some of my best hunts happened around midday after a morning downpour. The damp morning suppresses turkey gobbles and movement. But as the rain stops and the sun comes out, be ready for fast and furious action! Toms will be fired up and eager to reconnect with hens. Plan to be out there ready to hunt when the weather improves.
Pack Dry Clothes and Rain Gear
The right rain gear, like breathable outer layers and waterproof boots, makes sitting through downpours much more bearable. Always bring extra dry clothes to change into after the hunt. Few things feel better than dry socks and pants after a wet turkey hunt!
Don’t Give Up Too Soon
When the rain is relentless, it’s tempting to throw in the towel early. But remember, conditions can improve quickly. Some of my best hunts happened after terribly rainy mornings that made me want to quit. Hang in there, and you might just be rewarded with ringing gobbles and beelining toms once the weather clears.
Be Flexible and Mobile
If I’ve hunted an area hard with poor results in the rain, I’ll pull up stakes and try another location. A neighboring property or different part of the same land might be holding more receptive birds. Stay nimble and don’t get too stuck on plan A if it’s not working.
Do Turkeys Gobble as Much in the Rain?
Turkeys can still be very vocal in wet weather, but hard rain often suppresses gobbling activity. The best vocalization tends to happen as storms are clearing up or passing through. However, don’t rely too much on hearing gobbles in rain. Instead, concentrate on likely turkey hangouts and being set up in the right places to intercept birds.
How Do You Stay Dry While Turkey Hunting?
The right rain hunting clothing makes a huge difference in comfort and success. Use layered synthetic or merino wool tops to stay warm without getting soggy. Choose softshell pants with DWR finish to repel water. Waterproof boots and gloves keep hands and feet dry. A packable hooded rain jacket like the First Lite Vapor Stormlight Jacket seals out the wet. And a waterproof seat like the ALPS OutdoorZ Honey Badger can keep you from getting a soggy backside!
Final Thoughts on Hunting Turkeys in the Rain
Bad weather turkey hunting definitely adds difficulty, but that makes success so much sweeter. With the proper mindset and techniques, you can absolutely tag a tom in the rain. Don’t let drizzle or downpours deter you. Instead, embrace the challenge as an opportunity to become a better hunter and make the most of spring turkey season.
Cold And Windy Days
When the temperatures are cold and windy, a spring gobbler is no different from humans; they are a little slower getting out of bed. I think a turkey knows that it is a battle to fight the wind and stay warm after they fly down. It is common for gobblers to stay on the roost for an extended period, as with my hunt. Even when it is their breeding season, they lose their ambition and stay on the roost where they have been relaxing all night. S
taying on the topic of the breeding season, hens are another reason for a slow start when the weather is cold and windy. When temperatures are colder, hens often stay on their nest to keep their eggs warmer, and it is probably warmer for them to stay there as well. Fewer hens out wandering around means less activity for the gobblers to encounter, thus being the reason behind breeding activities being slower when the weather is terrible.
The key to lousy weather hunting is not to let it deter you. Instead, use it to your advantage. It may take more time, yet gobblers will respond to calling. When hens are on the nest, gobblers get lonely. When hunting in colder, damp weather, it is vital to dress the part. You must face the elements and stay in the woods to harvest turkeys. Wear a warmer garment such as the new Blocker Outdoors Silentec jacket and pants in Bottomland. Garments such as Silentec keep you warm and comfortable when waiting out a slow-moving gobbler. Plus, the soft outer layer keeps you quiet when turkeys are in close range, which is a must when spring turkey hunting. Outlasting mother natures elements means you will be ready whenever a gobbler decides he is ready to play.
Turkey Hunting in the Rain
FAQ
Is it worth turkey hunting in the rain?
Will wild turkey come out in the rain?
How to hunt turkeys on a rainy day?
Do turkeys respond to calls in the rain?
Can you hunt a Turkey in the rain?
There are no rain delays in the sport of turkey hunting. If you want to squeeze the most opportunity out of a short spring season, you’ll need to develop a few strategies to outsmart a gobbler in the rain. The following tips could be helpful in bagging that tricky water-logged longbeard, even if his fan won’t be Instagram-worthy.
How does rain affect turkey hunting?
The aftermath of light drizzles or intermittent rain prompts turkeys to head for open fields, affording hunters increased visibility and likelihood of spotting them for a successful hunt. Therefore, utilize the rainy weather, including light rain, to your advantage by concentrating on these areas.
Do turkeys scout if it rains?
Scouting remains an integral part of turkey hunting, even during rainy and windy conditions. Rain can affect turkey habitats, making scouting key to successful hunting. Turkeys often gravitate towards open fields and pastures during rainy weather.
Why do turkey hunting calls sound so bad in the rain?
Rainfall creates a natural background noise that can drown out your calls. To combat this, it’s necessary to adjust the volume and frequency of your calls. Using calls that maintain quality sound in wet conditions is key for successful turkey hunting during rainy weather.