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Location
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Minnesota
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Species
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Turkey
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Minnesota Spring Turkey Report - Transition
by Joel Nelson
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 Small Groups, Not Segregated by Sex There have been some reports of birds breaking up throughout the Southeastern parts of Minnesota. Large winter flocks of as many as 100+ birds are now turning into smaller groups of as few as a handful of strutters with their hens. While this has been happening off and on, with the recent weather patterns, I think it's safe to say that breakup is upon us in a bigger way.
 Mid-winter Gobbler Group Does it matter? Not that much, really, but it is a bunch of fun to track their movements/changes. Flock break-up usually happens around the middle-end of March here in MN from my experience, depending on weather. It simply means that birds will be venturing further away from their winter grounds until only one group, or sometimes no group, roosts there for much of the remainder of spring.
 Gobbling at Everything What it does signal is the start to another phase of scouting. While the winter birds were somewhat stationary in their movements, you'll hopefully start seeing birds "everywhere." This term is relative, as it still means they'll be frequenting only selected roost, strut, and feeding sites; but they'll be much more visible in more locations than they were previously. During this period, I ramp up scouting efforts a tad bit as I try to get some windshield time in, as well as some time out listening for early morning gobbling on-foot.
Wait until the forecast calls for a dead-calm morning with some good sun and mild temperatures, and get out there early! Try to position yourself in the center of a valley, so you can hear gobbling from all directions. Locate groups of roosting birds, and move on to the next valley! While it's wonderful sitting there listening to the gobbles ring through the hollows, your goal here is to locate as many groups of gobbling birds that you can. Ultimately, the goal is to have some likely roost locations should your birds clam-up come hunting season.
Ultimately, familiarizing yourself with patterns of movement, roost trees, and strut locations makes it much easier to hunt from a position that the birds want to be in.
Good luck and enjoy the weather,
Joel
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Rob Stenger
IDO Hunting Pro Staff
Reged: 07/14/03
Posts: 11769
Post Bucks: $99.48
Loc: Northern Twin Cities, MN
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Excellent report Joel! 
Now that the Deer Classic is over, it is time to focus on those Thunder Chickens! 
This report is exactly what I needed to push me over the edge! 
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Lip Ripper (aka Rob Stenger)
GameHide Pro Staff /
Northland Concrete & Masonry
BfishN Tackle /
Stone Construction Inc
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PierBridge
Member
Reged: 01/22/05
Posts: 1481
Post Bucks: $0.14
Loc: Mpls MN
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Quote:
Excellent report Joel!
Now that the Deer Classic is over, it is time to focus on those Thunder Chickens!
This report is exactly what I needed to push me over the edge!
Agreed!
I've got the Boat pretty much ready and now its time Scout and Prepare for the funnest Hunt of the year!
Thanks Joel! Good Stuff!
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Mike Pearson
IDO Hunting Reporter
Reged: 12/15/05
Posts: 3775
Post Bucks: $55.68
Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI
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Right on Joel...bring on the early morning gobbles! 
Rob, it really doesn't take much for you to get "pushed over the edge" when it comes to hunting now does it? 
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Mike "Dartman" Pearson
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Brad Juaire
IDO Pro Staff
Reged: 03/18/05
Posts: 4188
Post Bucks: $70.62
Loc: Maple Grove, MN
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Great report Joel! It's so easy to overlook the importance of scouting when it comes to turkey hunting. Thanks for the reminder!
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Brad "Grifter" Juaire
IDO Pro Staff
brad.juaire@in-depthoutdoors.com
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Steve Plantz
IDO Management Team
Reged: 05/17/01
Posts: 10956
Post Bucks: $29.54
Loc: SE MN
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Thanks for the report Joel
Man I can hardly wait! 
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To Let-em Grow You Gotta Let-em Go!!!
Bluffland Whitetails Association
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Steve Vick
Reporter
Reged: 06/23/05
Posts: 294
Post Bucks: $1.22
Loc: New London, MN
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I've never turkey hunted before, but after hearing them last fall in my back yard and seeing them this winter all over, I just may have to take it up. Thanks for the report. Very informative! Steve Vick
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