Roost Question

Buckfever1613 · 04-05-2006, 07:11 AM

I have a group of hens and a gobbler that roost in the same area everyday. I have tried going in the morning but i cant get to close or i spook them and if i get to far away then the gobbler just goes with the hens. so i want to do a afternoon hunt. What time do i need to get into there roosting area and should i just wait them out or call periodically or what. thanks for any help

Bmac313 · 04-05-2006, 07:19 AM

The time you get in the woods depends on where the turkeys hang out during the day. Calling periodically and waiting should work.

Barth · 04-05-2006, 07:26 AM

id go out there two hours before dark

deeg1502 · 04-05-2006, 07:46 AM

Buckfever1613,
If I were in your shoes I would do one of the two things I'll going to talk about below.

(1) I would get an early start the next time you hunt and try to get as close as you can to the tree(s) the birds are roosting in. Once you're in the area of the birds, get comfortable and relax. Since you're probably hunting in Georgia a great time to start calling softly (purrs andsoft soft yelps) would be right around 7:00 am(now this is questionable since the new time change). I killed a big boy in Georgia opening weekend and I pretty much used this technique above. The only thing I did differently was put out 2 decoys around 25 yards from my setup. I bet you're wondering how I did this without busting the turkey's off of roost...well, when I know I'm going to use this technique I get out there a good hour and a half before daylight. This allows for marginal error (sound and crackling leaves) without turkey's being spooked. Remember, there are many other animals living out in those woods and they pass under those turkey's roosting areas all the time. As long as it's pitch black dark and you know this area like the back of your hand then it's an almost done deal. Make sure that if you use a flashlight entering the woods turn it off a good 150 yards from roosting sites. Personally, I don't carrya flashlight anymore. If you use a flashlight in the beginning then it's pretty difficult letting your eyes adjust to the darkness.

(2) If you use the afternoon method, try to get into the area a good 3-3.5 hours before fly up time. Normally, gobblers will return to the area once he has breed all of the hens. Once you're set up call every 30 minutes, but this can be a judgement call on your behalf. Sometimes, calling aggressivley (excited yelps followed bycutting series)will get do the trick. All, and I repeat all afternoon gobblers I've killed came right in. Once the hens hit the nest he's all lonely looking for a honey. You give hime some sweet calls and he'll be on top of you before you can blink. If you have any other questions feel free to contact me. Take care and hope you have a blessed week!

P.S. - where in Georgia are you hunting?

David Ellis

Goose 11 · 04-05-2006, 08:03 AM

Quote:

All, and I repeat all afternoon gobblers I've killed came right in.

Same expirence here. They are lonely and wanting some attention. And I also agree that you should get there as early as possible. I use extremly soft purrs and clucks. No yelping, nothing but soft purrs and clucks, and only about every 30 minutes. If you know their schedule, they are coming. It's just a waiting game then. But I know everyone likes to call them in. My Dad will sit and not even call until they are in sight. Then he just purrs them into range.

Let us all know when you get him and how it goes!

Trae

Buckfever1613 · 04-05-2006, 09:24 AM

thanks for the help everybody

Deeq1502 i am hunting in the middle georgia area

deeg1502 · 04-05-2006, 09:35 AM

Buckfever1613,
I hunt in Jasper, Morgan,Walton, Newton,and Oconee Counties. I also hunted in Rockdale county opening weekend. I'm originally from Conyers, so I know all about the area! Take care and GOOD luck!

David Ellis