Weird Fall Behavior?

[lifeandlongbows]

Hey Gang!

I'm new to this. Started in the spring. I'm a traditional bowhunter and have the turkey bug BAD, and I've had a LOT of action this year. Almost all of it spot and stalk. I've missed 3 birds at ranges of 15, 20, and 30 yards and BARELY. In fact I just just missed a Tom yesterday because he jumped OVER the arrow while working a hen. Some brush had something to do with it too. It's been difficult but a lot of fun.

Anyway, the reason why I'm posting this is because I'm seeing what seems to be fairly weird behavior out of some turkeys in my area. At least I've had people tell me what I'm seeing is weird. It may not be. I'm asking you...

The other day I had a Tom fly down from roost between a group of yelping hens and looked to be mating with them. I mean he was jumping on them and everything. I heard turkeys don't mate this time of year. What else would he be doing? I saw the SAME thing yesterday. Those same birds were in a small clearing on a ridge and the Tom was working the hens. In fact, when I shot at the Tom he was jumping ON to a hen.

Is this typical behavior? If he isn't mating them...what is he doing?  

[jmck]

First- I am in no way a seasoned fall hunter as quite a few are here,,,
I have not seen that behavior in my time in the fall woods- if he's really breeding, why would the hens be in heat so to speak- wouldn't think they would be receptive to that behavior, like to see it though- wander what the veterans can say about this ??
I respect your approach to hunting-ya can't make it much harder than your approach-
Do you think the e bird is just practicing-  - he's got it figured out I would say 

[Shadetree Callers]

Practicing ...thats funny stuff right there !!!! Turkeys spend their lives sorting through the ''pecking order'' and are constantly fussing with each other . I suspect that has something to do with what you saw.  Either that or just hopeful thinking on the gobblers part.

[Will]

I'll begin by saying I'm no expert but last weekend was a special 3 day muzzleloader season for Maryland and on Thursday morning I had a hen pitch down from the roost not 20 yards behind me. Soon as her feet hit the dirt she began calling. I then watch a hen and young gobbler come running into her. When he was within 5 yards he broke out into a full strut and the hen let him have it. She jumped on him and beat him with her wings ithat sent him running where he came from. The hen that came with him stayed and fed while 4 other hens came in. Once grouped they walked off. I'm thinking along the lines of Shadetree, it's a pecking order kind of thing. If be curious to hear what the more seasoned guys have to say as well.

[lifeandlongbows]

 A pecking order with the hens too? I haven't seen another male bird.

[firedup]

Hard to say really unless you can peak into that little walnut sized turkey brain but I would go with dominance and pecking order also.  ALL turkeys, hen and gobbler flocks establish and order and know who is the 'top dog".  You can easily see mixed hen and gobbler flocks this time of year and on up into the winter on food sources.  They normally will travel to and from and roost separately tho.  Sounds like to me the gobbler was showing his dominance over the hen(s). But every time you think you got something figured out....they go and act just like turkeys again.....so who really knows....

[West Augusta]

Nick, wait until you hear a fall turkey fight.  While deer hunting several years ago, a large flock had three knock down dragout fights during one day.  It was extremely loud and I heard every turkey call that I had ever heard of plus a few new ones.    I almost needed ear plugs it was that loud.

[Gobbler Commander]

pecking order ive seen many times 40 60 80 birds fighting  yelping kee keeing gobbling all morning till they get together and walk away .Its funny when a flock of mature gobblers
    gobble hook up and walk away lot less nonsense .You never know what a turkey going to do heck he dont till he does it .ive been hunting fall birds over 30 years

[lifeandlongbows]

Very interesting stuff guys. Thanks! I learned something.