While I am not sure where he is hunting and I have my own areas.. 2 things come to mind here. 1st he states down by the river.. With being stated we have had an awful lot of rain and most all streams and rivers are at or over flood stage. If this field is located on the river's edge it most likely would be covered with water. ( or pretty near it ) 2nd if other hunters are aware of it the turkeys maybe harder to find because of it. So I would choose the woods in this case without knowing all the facts to it. Also he had stated during the fall in which case he most likely should of scouted the area out before heading into it.. That is just my opinion and nothing else based on what is being stated..