Do Toms prefer sunlit terrain?

[markliep]

Hi Wise Gangers

Quick question for those of you that are turkey experts:do Toms prefer to stay in sunlit open areas over moving into shaded areas?

Context is that with my blind in shadow (sun to my back) I called out a Tom within minutes, got him strutting to hen calls but could never get him to cross the field to my decoys - interestingly I got a porcupine 10m in behind me & two white tails up to 10m in front of me but the Tom stayed put all the while gobbling & strutting & feeding(to the left behind the deer).

I'm thinking of setting up a blind that's side on to the rising sun but would be curious what you experts have to say?

On the positive side after all the morning drama I came back & popped off some nice small groupings on the targets - guess I'll have to be happy with the consolation prize c/o Rod Jenkins course in March - M.  

 

[Friend]

No expert here but am a traditional-only gob predator.

Turkeys prefer to target drier sunlit grasses and clover in the mornings. ex...may have a hot clover field that has some growth yet won't be mobbed until much of the dew has evaporated.

On warm days with plenty of sunlight, turks may seek out shade and possibly lower cooler areas.

Gobs will still do what they are going to do. Often times they don't even know themselves.

[Shawn Leonard]

Totally agree about the dryness factor, sunlit not as much an issue.The birds don't like to get soaked on wet grass as nor do I! Shawn

[markliep]

Thx guys - looks like I'm heading to the dryer side of the field  - too bad the cover theres not nearly as good as I'd like ... Tbc - M

[maineac]

I think they like to be in the sun in the morning to show off.  However they will follow live hens anywhere.

[shallowobx]

The decoys may have had more to do with him not crossing the field than the positioning of the sun/shadows.  Did you have a jake out, or just hens?  If you only had hens out, he was likely waiting for them to come to him.  You can't get a turkey to go somewhere he has no interest in going, but there is a good chance your set-up was fine, just that the decoys hung him up.

[awbowman]

In Louisiana they roost in cypress trees over swamps for safety if they can find it.  Cypress trees also tend to have long straight branches which make good perches.  BUT, there must be a DRY fly down area.  

I have not seen any difference between sunlit and shady areas.  A turkey pretty much goes where they want to.  An old turkey hunter once told me that they travel like they have "no where to go and all day to get there".  Patience and knowing the terrain has killed more turkeys than anything.

[stiknstringer]

I am by no means a turkey expert but i've been working in Jersey for the past few weeks and have seen tons more birds in the fields on cool overcast days than sunny ones  

[fnshtr]

I'm beginning to think blind placement is THE critical factor in taking a bird with the bow.

I've taken bunches with firearms doing the "run and ___" and set up was always critical. It must be the same with the blind.

I'm going crazy trying to find the right blind placement.

If I figure it out I'll let you know.

Good luck!!

[markliep]

Thx guys - set up was a hen & a jake - he didn't even respond to a hen that was squealing in the forest behind him so maybe he was judt hsving an off day - looking at birds the last couple of days either they're way out in the middle of a field like geese or close to a sunlit forested edge - both cases mean that not getting seen's a challenge - think I'm going to try a couple of new locations thst offer better blind possibilities while I let a side on to the sun blind sit for a week out there  - glad those target butts that I shoot when I get home  don't have eyes - M

[soy]

I am by no means an expert but I have never had blind location nor lack of brushing in the blind be a factor in determining if the turkey comes in or not....I've set up right in the middle of a field and taken 1  

[Iowabowhunter]

I think its more of how much the gobbler is pressured. Early season or non hunted birds seem to like sunny open fields. Later in the year I get back into the timber near creeks with mature trees that provide shade and cover

[RC]

I do a lot of scout hunting till I figure some birds out. The swamp I hunt the most has a few islands in it. Maybe 100 yards long or maybe more. The birds will often fly down on one end and you cannot get them to come to the other. Fix for me was I put two blinds on the biggest. One on each end.If I`m able to roost them on one end I know I`ll have action there that morning.
   If you had turkeys in the field in a spot its because they like it. I would set up there next. If it looks like thats the case for most of the year I put my blind up in Febuary there for them to get used to it  for next year.
  Another crazy note is it seems I can get Turkeys to go where I want them more often after a 10:00 or so late morning. I`ve killed most of my turkeys after lunch.RC