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

You got it right.Find the feed and you'll find the turkey.Once the snow is gonea nd it's easier to get to the feed they may come back. BUT,If they have feed,roostin trees,and are not bein bothered where they are,they'll have no reason to leave that area soon.

What is this stuff you call &quot;snow&quot;?<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

American by birth...SOUTHERN by the grace of God!!

Ya know &quot; THE SKYS FALLING &quot;<img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

New soft deep snow will inhibit their movement quite a bit. Once the snow firms up so they can get around without falling to deep, they will go further. Then is a good time to go looking around spring seeps where the snow doesn't stay and they can forage around. Just like these birds and the story of the pics:


More pics here:

http://community.webshots.com/album/60575427xTZPhk

I got these from game-cam. I had spotted some birds while traveling to take cam out of woods (decided not to bring it home then lol), and backtracked to see where they had been. Found they had been hitting a couple weeps pretty hard with the snow on the ground, so I put cam near one place un-traveled by people (other place was popular with snow-shoers and skiers). First week they didn't go back due to new soft snow, but after a couple breezy days followed by a couple melting days, then colder, the snow pack firmed up nicley and got them moving again. Saturday I ended up spooking them out of traveled area (whoops) and they hadn't been been by cam, but I went back sunday (and spooked them again dern it), and they had used up entire roll of film. Have to wait and see if I can get a gobbler or two ( I did see one J dropping in area)

Well season closes this coming thursday, so that will be my last chance for a fall bow Turkey. Thanks for the info folks!!!!!!