It's Almost Spring Gobbler Season In Virginia

Discussion in 'Pets & Critters' started by John Brunner, Mar 28, 2023.

  1. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    Many areas with sizeable turkey populations and light hunting pressure start their spring turkey season in March. Because Virginia's turkey population is not that great, and there are [relatively] a lot of hunters, the state starts the season in April...later than most. Our Department of Wildlife Resources (nee Department of Game and Inland Fisheries) has an interesting write up on the turkey mating season, mating habits, mate selection, egg-laying cycles and such here. The hens are very selective and will hold off mating until the dominant male gets an opening on his dance card. They start off laying an egg every 2-3 days, and then one per day for 10-14 days...that's a pretty large clutch. I heard a gobbler near my house just last Sunday, so they're establishing the 2023 pecking order.

    I've always had a ton of turkeys on my property.
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    A couple of years ago around this time I took this pic through my bedroom window (so it's not too clear.)
    IMG_20200331_112450837 reduced.jpg


    Here's a better shot when they moved to the back yard.
    IMG_0484 reduced.jpg
     
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