Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Eric B]
#6224136
04/22/18 08:08 PM
04/22/18 08:08 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,536 NW Illinois
Kevin Stake
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,536
NW Illinois
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Get as close as you can to the roost sights at sundown. and sit and listen for them.
It is more blessed to give than to receive
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Matt28]
#6224249
04/22/18 10:10 PM
04/22/18 10:10 PM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,530 Fingerlakes New York
robert.d12
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,530
Fingerlakes New York
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Coyote howler will get them to bust off. I was coyote hunting once and a a tom gobble ten times in a rows when my call started.
The beauty of the second amendment is it wont be needed until they try to take it. -Thomas Jefferson
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Eric B]
#6224288
04/22/18 10:50 PM
04/22/18 10:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,847 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,847
Wisconsin
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Spooking birds off the roost can ruin your hunt.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Eric B]
#6224325
04/22/18 11:33 PM
04/22/18 11:33 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,912 Central, SD
Law Dog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,912
Central, SD
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Locate them later in the day a see where they head to near dark!
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Eric B]
#6224450
04/23/18 07:37 AM
04/23/18 07:37 AM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 748 Michigan
Fur Hanger
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 748
Michigan
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Turkey's will usually roost close to water. The first thing they do in the morning when coming off the roost is get a drink.
Fur Hanger
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Eric B]
#6224493
04/23/18 08:31 AM
04/23/18 08:31 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 269 Central MN
Eric B
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 269
Central MN
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Well, found the bird last night, dumb luck as he wasn't replying to anything, but spotted him late. Snuck in this morning and had a bunch gobbling, but he was the only one close. He slowly worked his way in, but hung up at 45 yards because he was scared of my avian x strutter. Would have left that in the truck, cause I know they're hit and miss, especially this early, but male interaction is the most fun part of turkey hunting imo.
Last edited by Eric B; 04/23/18 08:31 AM.
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Eric B]
#6224562
04/23/18 10:01 AM
04/23/18 10:01 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,847 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,847
Wisconsin
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There Isn't any water around here where I hunt so I wouldn't count on water. And the birds around here will not respond to any owl hoot. They just seemed to have stopped responding.
Find a food source that the hens are using and wait them out. The gobblers will not be far behind. I gave up hunting the roost areas a long time ago. I would rather run and gun and call.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Eric B]
#6224576
04/23/18 10:24 AM
04/23/18 10:24 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,369 N.C MO
TONY.F
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,369
N.C MO
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age of the turkey population is a big factor on the shear amount of gobbling! In my area the old boss gobblers might only gobble once or twice on the roost, then pitch down and silently hunt down hens. they seam to spend a lot of time cruising clearings just looking close lipped! If you want tons of gobbling find two year olds they Are bucket mouths! When I take someone that's never hunted turkeys. I seek out those birds they put on a academy award performance. For a challenge find a boss gobbler that's surrounded by 5-6 big mouthed jakes. But be prepared to sit along time! And be well hidden the jakes will come in multiple times before big boy will commit! But I guarantee you will get your fix on gobbling
LIVE LIFE LIKE THEIR IS NO TOMMORROW
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Eric B]
#6224616
04/23/18 11:50 AM
04/23/18 11:50 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,912 Central, SD
Law Dog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,912
Central, SD
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They love steep hillsides also I know a place in WY where they roost about every year in a 300 yard radius on a hillside.
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Fur Hanger]
#6224629
04/23/18 12:15 PM
04/23/18 12:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,168 B61-12 vicinity, MO
TreedaBlackdog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,168
B61-12 vicinity, MO
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Turkey's will usually roost close to water. The first thing they do in the morning when coming off the roost is get a drink. I have never observed this in Missouri - killed over 30+ gobblers and guided at least another 20+ - never have I seen roosted birds go get a drink before assembling in the morning. Not going to say they won't, but I have never thought a water source was more important than an initial assembly area or strutting zone.
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: TreedaBlackdog]
#6224652
04/23/18 12:55 PM
04/23/18 12:55 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,649 Philippines, s.e. asia,ohio
west river rogue
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,649
Philippines, s.e. asia,ohio
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Turkey's will usually roost close to water. The first thing they do in the morning when coming off the roost is get a drink. I have never observed this in Missouri - killed over 30+ gobblers and guided at least another 20+ - never have I seen roosted birds go get a drink before assembling in the morning. Not going to say they won't, but I have never thought a water source was more important than an initial assembly area or strutting zone. im sure u will see different opinions on this in varying country,same as differences in terrains habits varying to some degree etc. Always seems to be the way it works.
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Eric B]
#6224677
04/23/18 01:30 PM
04/23/18 01:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,971 Oklahoma
Matt28
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,971
Oklahoma
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Well, found the bird last night, dumb luck as he wasn't replying to anything, but spotted him late. Snuck in this morning and had a bunch gobbling, but he was the only one close. He slowly worked his way in, but hung up at 45 yards because he was scared of my avian x strutter. Would have left that in the truck, cause I know they're hit and miss, especially this early, but male interaction is the most fun part of turkey hunting imo. 45 yards is good for me I will kill them at 55 if i have to. What are you shooting.
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Eric B]
#6224894
04/23/18 06:29 PM
04/23/18 06:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,847 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,847
Wisconsin
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And that's what It's all about.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Eric B]
#6225016
04/23/18 08:47 PM
04/23/18 08:47 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,396 MT
snowy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,396
MT
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Roosting turkeys >>>> I set up blind (bow hunt) each year in one of two places. Turkeys seem to change up some from where they roost from year to year. Where I set up though I'm about 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile from where they roost usually. I don't get all hung up on being close to a roost because these birds travel a long ways each day any way. I very seldom hunt early and if I get there by 8 am that is early. I let them do their thing then hunt them into late morning and evenings. I'm not saying this is the right way to hunt them but it works for me and evenings are the best IMO.
On Sunday I missed one at 10 am because I ranged the wrong distance. I must of picked up on the tall grass 23 yards bird was at 30 yards.
Last edited by snowy; 04/23/18 08:50 PM.
Give me a fish, I will eat for a day. Teach me to fish, I will eat for a lifetime
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Eric B]
#6226019
04/24/18 11:00 PM
04/24/18 11:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,558 Henderson, N.Y. Jefferson Co.
walleyed
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,558
Henderson, N.Y. Jefferson Co.
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How do you tell the difference in age once they're mature toms? Beard length Is Not An Accurate Gauge of A Turkey's Age. Spur Length Is The Way To Judge Age. w
"Provisional/Interim" member of NYS Trappers Association Jefferson Co. Fur Harvesters
I Support Non-Resident Trapping
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Eric B]
#6226030
04/24/18 11:21 PM
04/24/18 11:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,396 MT
snowy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,396
MT
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^ >>>> might be the best way but here the rocks and tough country wear those spurs right down to dull stubs. Not sure it would be the way to age them here because birds can be older but spurs are wore right down.
Give me a fish, I will eat for a day. Teach me to fish, I will eat for a lifetime
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Re: Roosting turkeys
[Re: Eric B]
#6226251
04/25/18 09:46 AM
04/25/18 09:46 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,692 S.E. Ohio
M.Magis
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,692
S.E. Ohio
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How do you tell the difference in age once they're mature toms? Seems to me birds in my area are 6-8" beards at 2, but I've never understood how to tell past 3. Seems every Tom around here is 9-10". You can't, beyond a WAG.
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