Home Forums Birds & Dogs Turkey Hunting Almost ran over hen...

I was working around my dad's farm last week on my fourwheeler and while driving through some brush and vines I damn near ran over a hen. A couple of feathers were even lost it was so close. I was bearly crawling at the time so as not to hit a hidden rock and turn over but I just did not see the bird...

I went back the next day to see what I'd done. I was curious if I'd run over babies or eggs maybe (didn't occur to me at the time). Right in one of my tracks were 10-12 (didn't touch to count) eggs, IN PERFECT CONDITION... No way I ran over them and they made it, they were either moved there after the fact or laid after the fact. The hen was nowhere to be found this time (early afternoon).

My question is are these eggs a lost cause? Since the eggs have either been moved or laid since my 1st visit I don't think she would abandon them but what do I know... Can anyone fill me in on turkey behavior in these situations?

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> IMO the eggs were not moved. It is my understanding that once the hen is bred and incubation occurs, she will lay one egg per day until the entire clutch is complete. She will sit on the clutch in the cooler morning hours and once the sun warms things up a bit she will leave the nest late morning and early afternoon to feed and dust etc. This is why MOST states I am familiar with, only allows hunting in the springtime in the morning hours. By doing this, hunter contact with hens will be kept to a minimum. She will return to the nest later and repeat the process till the clutch hatches or is disturbed or destroyed. If that should happen, and it is the first attempt at hatching, the hen MAY lay a second clutch. I don't think you have done any harm yet, but IF you feel the urge to observe the hen, surpress it. If you just can't do this, watch from a LONG distance through binnoculars or a spotting scope. Turkeys need privacy to nest. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the reply... No urge to see the hen again though with her choice of location it would be easy with binoculars.

With the recent increase in turkey population close to home, I'm going to have to be more aware of these situations in the springtime. Let's hope the make it...