I hunted Southampton county with an outfitter this past Thur-Sat and had a fantasitic time even though no one in my group scored. Out of the three of us hunting, my buddy missed a jake standing at 20 yards (yes, he's still hearing about it). There were plenty of birds on the property however we had 20-40 mph sustained winds everyday which really screwed us up. It was also in the 30's in the mornings and the gobbling was nonexistant. It was still great to get away and I look forward to hunting VA again next year.

On the last day of the hunt (at around 11am) I came across a dusting area which I have never seen before in the woods. It was made that morning right on top of our tire tracks from the afternoon before... lol. I was wondering if anyone knows why the dust themselves?

I am under the impression that turkeys will gather and dust themselves at these 'dusting bowls' to help get rid of fleas and ticks and/or other insects that are bothersome in their plummage. They also make great places to ambush a gobbler that may want to hang around and strut for hens that are dusting.

Other than that, I am not sure what they are for....

TBurt is correct. It's real cool to watch a turkey dust... it's like looking at Pig-Pen from the Peanuts with all the dust flying.

What Tburt said.

dont they also dust to cool themselves off possibly???? i may be wrong.. but i thought i heard that from somewhere!!.. turkey experts help me out on this one.. wrong or right??

You heard from the Master Turkey experts Tburt and Freddy Case closed