Another Turkey Hunting Question

[Quailrus]

Yes, still new at this. So I found where a turkey is roosting (the specific tree). Now what? Haven't got very good at calling yet. Thanks for the help.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

get within a 100 yds or closer if you can do it with out bumping off the roost.

 If you can get in and set up a blind in the middle of the day that would be great. He'll come back to roost there more than likely. so you can get him coming or going.

 Set your decoy up at around 10 yds or so of your position, make a few some soft calls (clucks and purrs) and don't overcall him. If you are not confident in your calling skills, Less is more.

 If you know where he goes to strut first thing in the morning you might just want to be there waiting on him.

 If I had a bird roosted and had a pretty good hunch that he was gonna be there this is what I would do.

 Good Luck and let us know how it goes for you.

 I didn't have anybody teach me much in the turkey woods other than just telling me what to do in certain situations, it took me 4 years to harvest my first bird and I harvested a bird every year since. I learned alot in that first four years from the birds schooling me for sure but I had blast and look forward to spring gobblers more than anything. Not to mention I get a pretty good lesson every season. I'vehad more birds beat me than I have beat them, that's what keeps me going back.

 Kris

[wisconsinteacher]

If you get close to the roost and he gobbles to your call be quiet.  If you keep calling he will gobble wanting you to come to him.  All you are doing is making him call more which is cool, but while he is doing that, real hens will be coming to him and taking him from you.  A few quiet calls to let him know you are there is all you need.  If you don't get him off the roost, go find other birds, but be there three hours before dark and call him in before he goes to roost.

[OkKeith]

Tate,

Kris is right on. Usually when a bird flies down they land out in a field or clearing, quite a ways from the edge just in case there is something along the edge that might eat them.

They don't like to get near deep shadows until the sun is up a ways (again in case there is a predator lurking) then when the sun gets up they like the shadows to hide in.

Toms who are strutting, like bucks in rut, will throw caution to the wind and strut their stuff right out in the open.

Like Kris said less is more when calling. Once you see the bird and he is working to you stop calling. If you are like me and simply CANNOT resist the impulse to call, pitch the call out of the blind or in the creek! If you have more self control than I do, only use soft purrs and clucks if the bird hangs up and refuses to move closer.

I'm not an expert, never played one on TV and my stay in a Holiday Inn Express did nothing for my turkey hunting, but for what it is worth there's my advice.

Have fun, that's the most important thing.

OkKeith

[Quailrus]

Thanks for all the help, knew I could count on the right answer here. Will try to get him this weekend.

[Friend]

Normally I don't hunt birds on the roost due to hunting on public land. Hunters continuosly calling them and hens being in between myself and the Tom. Seems like 9 times out of ten the gobbler goes the other direction. My strategy is to set-up where they want to go in the 1st place. This strategy may not be the best but has paid big dividends over the past 15 years. I will hunt roosted birds on unpressured private land.

[wollelybugger]

Don't get in too close unless there is some leaf cover, 100 yards is close enough. When it starts to get light make some flapping hitting your hands on your chest. Make a few soft yelps and scratch the leaves. He should gobble and will have you pinpointed, if he is going to come he will come right off the roost. You got too give him time but if he heads a different direction go to plan B.  Good luck.