DougMD

Where I hunt in the mountains the land is sloping with some steep areas, but also has some thick laurel and/or foot and a half to two foot high huckleberry brush in MOST areas, along with some rather mature forest, open areas. Seems to me the turkeys would prefer the flat and open to thick. GENERALLY speaking, is this true? If that's the case, I can eliminate a lot of the area and focus on where they are more likely to be. Sign is sporadic and there aren't a LOT of turkeys around (big woods).

mobow

From what I've seen, the only thing they don't like is to go downhill. I know they frequent the same areas alot, and take alot of the same travel patterns to get there, but I don't think they follow any real terrain feature as say a deer would. IMO

BSTNFREEK

I typically see them in the open fields first thing in the am, then about 2hours after they come off roost, see them in the woods, but less than 100 yards deep in to it. I think the cover makes them feel safe, but still like the quick opportunity to fly if need be.

MDManiac

I've seen em come downhill on many occasions....typically, one set of birds i hunt roosts on top of a hill and goes down on a regular basis...

DougMD

There aren't really any fields where I hunt, except one 1/2 to 3/4 acre field with short grass in it. I was thinking they'd rather stay in the open forest and try to avoid steep areas and places choked with mountain laurel and huckleberry bushes.