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What do 17-year cicadas have to do with wild turkeys?

They hit at the exact moment poults need protein the most, and they distract predators at the same time by giving them a stable food source. When the woods are covered in cicadas during hatch, young turkeys grow faster and more of them survive because predators are busy gorging on bugs instead of raiding nests.

Now look at the two years that matter most right now…

In 2025, Brood XIV emerged across Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. If weather cooperated, that should have produced a stronger poult class, and those are the birds you’re chasing this spring (2026).

Now in 2026…

Another emergence is expected in parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. If conditions line up, this year’s hatch could get the same boost, setting up better hunting in 2027.

So look at the bugs if you want to perdict next year’s hunting!

Aaron B. Futrell, Author|Owner, Delong Lures

God is great !

Hope all had a great Thanksgiving

Today we want to take a moment to remember the 13 service members killed a year ago in Kabul. Freedom is not free.

Top Row from left: Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, and Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco. Middle Row from left: Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana, and Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas. Bottom Row from left: Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri, Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming, Navy Corpsman, Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio, Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee and Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Roseville, California.