Usually start seeing some strutting birds and some type of smaller groups of hen by now. But this year so far the birds seem to still be in winter type flocks. And actually not seeing that many hens. At least not as many as usual.

February overall has not been as warm around here as it has been in years past.

We had some incredibly cold weather earlier in the year with ten inches of snow on the ground for nearly a week and temps never above freezing at any point. Hope it did not take a serious toll on the turkeys.

I’ve seen a few small (8-10) flocks of hens so far, but no gobblers yet around my spots. There’s usually a large mixed group of birds I start seeing along a creek where they roost every year come March/April
We didn’t have a bad winter around here so fingers crossed they show up soon.

Saw a long beard with hens for the first time this week. Strange as usually they are with hens much earlier down here.

Did hear agree gobble 9 am this week so something is happening. Have some interesting LB pictures from a game cam so there is hope.

Saw my first strutters this morning. Two Toms w seven hens

I've seen a few big groups with a strutter or two in tow.
Anecdotally, there seem to be less birds this year than last year in my area of the Commonwealth. Last year was the best year for me in Virginia in all of my 69 years on this earth. I called in multiple longbeards every time that I went out, highlighted by a morning that I called up 8 mature birds in one group.
I have been an infrequent visitor that last few years but I am going to try to be a regular this year.

Sounds like a great spot. Which county you hunting?

Just got my drivers privilege back 3 weeks ago.
Due to a turkey hunting accident 21 December. Yep chasing turkeys tripped in the woods and hit my knee on a limb and broke my petteli.

But now been running around on Quantico and hearing and seeing a few birds. My best gobbling mornings are in the temperature range of 27-34 degrees. One morning 29 degrees heard 10.
Been seeing the last couple weeks 1 or 2 LB strutting with hens.

Earl

Last year was an abberation. Usually a bird in Frederick County is hard-earned.

Saw several lone strutters last week. Tells me hens still flocked. Everything breaking and greening now so expecting more sightings in the fields.

I’m seeing lots of lone gobblers as well Mature birds strutting in fields, crossing large fields and roads.

And as Bird Dog says, one to three LB in fields with groups of 8-20 hens. Not completely broken up yet in lots of areas. But also seeing some lone hens mid day in large fields ,and likely those are started to full egg layers in a nest somewhere nearby.

Seeing more than I am hearing. Most of the mature birds I see have their breast all de-feathered, so they are fighting and getting that pecking order established. Seems like this season will be a little harder as not as many birds it seems like. It doesn’t matter though, because as long as a turkey is in the woods, I will be after him. Be safe everyone and most of all enjoy what God has created.