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Old 08-12-2005 | 04:59 PM
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Strut&Rut
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: SW Michigan
Default RE: When Turkeys Are Bumped ?

There really are many variables to this Q & A...

First off, how were the birds bumped. Were they literally scared off the roost, were they called to and shied away, or were they shot at...all three can have drastically different results.

Second...were these hens, gobblers, or mixed birds? Hens, IMO, will move on if they haven't started nesting. If they have started nested, they will be back. If there are any unbred young hens still roosting with mama, chances are the nearby gobblers you spooked will also return, just because they know that young hen is in the area...

Third, and probably most importantly, is how much area are we talking. Is this a 10,000 state forest, or is this a hundred acre state park surrounded by suburbia? If it was large, they probably have multiple roosting sites, and will probably abandon that roost until the Fall. If it's a small area, they may have no other suitable spots to roost, and will need to return, even if spooked severly. They will, however, go tight-lipped as BT spoke of earlier...

Fourth,the weather. If it's late into the summer, with growing fields and bludgeoning insect populations, they're gone. If it's early in Spring, they'll be back. They roost there for a reason, primarily the hens like to eat/drink nearby.

Fifth, finally, the breeding status and population in your area. If the population is high, you can bet some birds will probably roost there again, but it may not be the same birds. If the population is low, and you're late into the breeding season...I would suggest finding some new birds to hunt, because you just screwed the pooch with those birds...
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