I have been bowhunting turkeys in the fall and winter and only have until Jan 16th when season ends.I was just starting to get these turkeys patterned and had 2 close calls in their roosting and feeding areas when the snow started flying. Since the snows I havent had any luck finding these birds, no tracks, no droppings or feathers, no scratches etc. I went out last week and even used a couple of decoys with some content clucks in an area I know that they love to feed at in the afternoons on a regular basis, well after hours and the roosting time came I packed up and left. On the way back I walk a cliff overlooking the river and on the oppisite side of the river on non huntable land I glassed and located the birds feeding on their way to roost along the cooling ponds where there is no snow.
My question is, Is it normal for turkeys to change the patterens in the winter? Do they relocate to a area with less snow for ease in feeding and locating food? Am I barking up the wrong tree by continuing to try and hunt them in the areas that I have previuosly patterened them in?
The snows have now melted but its bitter cold do you think the birds will now return to there regular areas and patterns?

Edited by - Lady Forge on 01/11/2003 08:12:41