RE: can you turkey hunt from a tree stand?
I wound not turkey hunt from a tree stand for a number of reasons.
1. Turkeys look for the source of calling, and you will be much more easily seen sitting in a tree stand rather than on the ground. Sit in front of a large tree and take the time to cut some fresh branchesto break up your outline. Wear good camo including facemask and gloves, get a good comfortable pad, be still, and you don't have to worry about being seen.
2. Hens and gobblers leave the tree at daybreak and spend the rest of the day on the ground. It would be unnatural for you to be calling up in a tree at any other time after flydown. Gobblers would likely smell a rat and could hang up on you rather than coming on into gun range.
3. The fun of turkey hunting for me is the cat and mouse game played after the turkey gobbles. After hearing the first gobble I am always reminded of what my buddy and turkey hunting mentor frequently said, "now the game's on". Many more times than not I've had to reposition myselfmultiple times before getting the turkey to gun range. This is the fun and challenge of hunting this grand bird.
4. Gobblers often roost near the hens after following them the previous afternoon. At flydown they will gather together and he will strut around (and occasionally gobble if you're lucky) and follow them for awhile until the hens leave to go prepare nests. At that time he is alone and susceptable to calling. You have to stay in touch with the gobbler in this situation by following himwithoutbeing seen or detected. You can't do that from a stationary position in a tree. I've taken many birds near noon after changing positionsseveral times and waitingthem out. Often this has taken me quite a distance from my original position at flydown. Once at Land Between the Lakes in Tennessee I ended up taking a great turkey almost a mile from where I first sat down to call to him on the roost. The turkey gobbled from sunup until I killed him at 11:45, and I was emotionally and physically exausted from the excitement. I was one happy and proud dude walking back to camp with that ol' boy over my shoulder, and I will never forget that morning for the rest of my life. This type of hunting is what makes me passionate about the sport and keeps me awake at night in the summer thinkingplaying the gameagain.
Good luck