THE WEATHER
Weather is a big indicator for how successful a specific season will turn out, according to DNR Rochester-area wildlife manager Don Olson.

"It's more of an indication of hunter activity than turkey activity, although sometimes the birds are not as active or might not gobble as much," Olson said.

If you check the detailed harvest information over the years, there are always time periods where the harvest dips. Last year, that dip came during Period D, which ran from April 29 to May 3. Periods C and E each had hunter success percentages around 30 percent, while Period D's success rate was a paltry 23.7 percent. Examine last year's weather records and you'll find that there was an extended period of rain during Period D. In 2005, Period G saw a dip because of cold and rainy weather. Last year, periods F and G also had a dip because of cooler weather.

The important thing to keep in mind is that weather influences the kill because it impacts the hunters, not the turkeys. But every weakness can become strength, and the savvy turkey hunter who has poor weather during his or her time period should only become emboldened to get out and hunt. The reduced hunting pressure will allow you to hunt those areas where there always seem to be other hunters. If it's raining, a blind can be dry and cozy, even if it gets a bit noisy with the raindrops bouncing off the roof.

TURKEY HOTSPOTS
OK, now that we have all that out of the way, let's talk about areas of Minnesota where turkeys thrive. Rochester Area

The woods and fields around Rochester are prime turkey habitat, a fact that is no surprise to Don Olson. As the DNR Rochester-area wildlife manager, Olson said this year is looking to be excellent for turkey hunting.

"We had a good hatch of birds last spring that should make for a good population of jakes -- something that's been missing the last few years," Olson said.

The Rochester area has many massive toms with lengthy beards and long spurs, but jakes -- 1-year-old male birds -- are the ones that are the easiest to kill.

"You need a few dumb birds out there to increase your chances at being successful," Olson said.

The entire southeastern portion of our state is looking good right now, Olson noted, with better numbers showing up by Red Wing and Owatonna. Permit Area 343, which occupies almost all of Olmsted County and the area around Rochester, is always one of the top producers.