As the seasons change, so too do the factors that influence wildlife behavior. For hunters, understanding the forces that initiate things like breeding seasons or hibernation can give them an edge to finding success during these crucial times of the year. One such factor that plays an important role in influencing wildlife behavior is photoperiod.

During a recent episode of the National Land Podcast, CEO of Turkeys For Tomorrow Jason Lupardus appeared to discuss the importance of this concept and the ways that it applies to turkey hunting seasons.

Here’s what to know!

What is Photoperiod?

Photoperiod refers to the amount of time in a day that an organism is exposed to sunlight or artificial light. It’s an important environmental cue that has a myriad of effects on the biological processes of both people and animals. Sensitivity to changes in photoperiod also allows organisms to synchronize biological functions to the changing of the seasons. 

For example, less sunlight in the fall months starts sending biological signals to animals that engage behaviors like migration, reproduction, and hibernation. Understanding how these changes in light level impact game behavior and learning to take advantage of them can lead to higher success rates for hunters.

Advice for Turkey Hunters

Fall is an exhilarating time for turkey hunters as changes in photoperiod lead to significantly increased turkey activity. According to Lupardus, this time is perfect for new and seasoned hunters alike to sharpen their skills.

Lupardus stressed the importance of listening and learning during this time, stating, “We’ve got this window where we get a lot more activity, more vocalization, the whole nine yards. That’ll last for about a month and after that, they start settling back down. You’ll still hear them in the morning and at night, but during this window, you hear a lot of vocalization during the day. 

So this fall turkey season can be a very exciting time to get out in the woods and do some calling. For anyone who wants to learn more about birds and turkeys, what they do, how they talk to each other, and what gets them going, the fall is a great time to do that. And you can take that knowledge with you into the springtime and be pretty doggone proficient at getting those birds.”

Learning how to time these seasonal changes in photoperiod in your state and region is a great way to create more opportunities for success during turkey hunting season.

If you’ve got more questions about turkey hunting or want to learn more about how photoperiod can influence game behavior, get in touch with Turkeys For Tomorrow or reach out to your local Land Professional today!