"Early season" behavior is more about the weather and less about the dates on the calender. I felt compelled to mention that based on the current weather. I also will be hunting the end of March in NE and as an old timer told me, plan for temps from 10-80 degrees from sun, snow or rain. Its all true.
Two years ago I shot my first bow bird on Mar. 26th and the temp was 12 degrees that morning. It has snowed the day before. By the time we left 2 days later, it was 45 degrees. Now this spring, its already 60 degrees down there. I expect another cold snap and maybe some more snow between now and then, but it will likely be warmer this year.
If its still cold and the birds are flocked up, you can use fall technicques. Another tactic that works well is to ambush the travel routes. The birds will still be in their winter patterns and are fairly reliable to pattern. We had a great 4 days of hunting doing that because it was cold and snowy. Tracks and scratching for food were easily located. That and the birds will be using more thermal cover such as evergreen trees on the lee side of hills.
Bring activities and a blanket or sleeping bag for the boys. They will get cold and want to nap and thats lots easier than packing up to go home. I will be heading out in April with my 12 yr old daughter. She shot her first bird last year and is ready to do it again this spring. Good luck. Those are my favorite memories.
