Rain tactics

natimage · 04-15-2010, 07:18 PM

I'm sure this has been asked before and I understand turkeys will stick to fields in the rain...but I'm looking at the weather for next week and they're calling for rain my whole season! I know they're weatherman and odds are it won't rain since they're saying it will but I need to prepare myself just in case they're actually right.

As far as turkeys coming off the roost, do they stay up later than normal? If it's a steady rain will they still gobble off the roost and go through their normal strutting and breeding behaviors? Should I still put out my jake and hen deeks?

Right after the roost should I just sit on the on the edge of a field with the decoys out and hope they come in? I know where the birds roost but have NO idea where they go after they get down from the roost. There are many different different fields all separated by little forests or tree lines. Also some taller prairie grass areas around.

What should I do if the weathermen are right???

Wingbone · 04-16-2010, 02:23 AM

My season is next week too. The birds will stay on the roost longer if the rain is heavy. Light rain doesn't seem to affect their schedule much. Typically the first thing they do when they get off the roost is head for water. Then, if it's raining, they'll head to an open field to feed and the tom to strut. If there's lots of puddles, they won't have to go far for water. If you have hay fields greening up, they'll prefer those. Lots of bugs in hay fields this time of year. Good luck to you.

BigBuck95 · 04-16-2010, 05:02 PM

In my experience, all with eastern birds, they don't mind the rain in the least as long as it's not a driving, sideways, windshield wipers couldn't keep up rain. It's more wind that affects their movement patterns. They may stay on the roost a little longer and they MAY be a little quieter, but they'll be there. Good Luck,
BigBuck95

cjgjr · 04-16-2010, 06:16 PM

Big buck95.Bet me to it.Thats exactly my experience with eastern birds also,Ive killed many on wet steady rain mornings,But if theres wind,and heavy rain/down pours stay in bed,and wait it out