When the old Tom flies down from the roost tree and heads to water, they say that they will almost always feed back up the hill, not very often they will feed down the country. How much truth is in this?? And is water the first thing they feed to after fly down?? I am going to learn this game, I drew my first Turkey permit. Thanks, Shed horn

shed,,A turkey can drink at any time. I would not think there is a rule about water other then maybe a hen on a clutch, to me the first thing they'll head for is that cute little Hen, for some reason I don't think all that gobblin's for finding water ! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>...BT

I like them with Long Sharp Spurs....

Agree with BOSSTOM. Their first priority is finding their hens to breed and work up a thirst. Those first 2-3 hours are critical to call him in making him think you're a hen. After that, a setup along travel routes to water might be right.

Old tom has very little to do with feed during the rut,and has one thing on his mind this time of year and thats as BT said those little ladies!!An old tom either has hens already with him in the roost or heads to his strutzone immediately thereafter leaving the roost!I have seen a dam on a pond be a strutzone before but the water had nothing to do with him being there!From my past experience if he leaves the roost and heads directly to water its because his hens have taken him there!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Monarch isn't a butterfly it's the King of the Spring!