A buddy and I are new to turkey hunting and just returned from our lease after opening day here in North Carolina. We know birds are on the property since we've seen them on our cameras and have seen tracts, but while trying to roost/scout the birds the night before the season opened, we came up empty. Opening morning we were forced to pick a spot close to where we've seen them and picked a time which they've sometimes shown up. As soon as daylight broke I started throwing out calls to hopefully elicit a response but heard nothing and never saw a bird.

Long story short, does anyone have any advice on how to get the birds to us and how to hunt a smaller (54 acres) and hilly property?

Any help would be hugely appreciated!

Best,
The newest turkey hunter on the block

Spend as much time out there as you possibly can. You will find yourself learning something new about them every time you go.

At first light try letting him gobble on his own if you dont hear him try a locator call. If you get him responding to your calls, call just enough to keep him interested. Dont overcall or he could hang up wanting the hen to come to him.

What were you using to locate the gobblers on the roost? Not all locater calls work all the time.
I have been set up on roosted gobblers listening to hunters using calls to locate the gobblers and the gobblers never responded.
Your spot may just be a place they happen by once in a while, if your not hearing or seeing any.
Check with places near there and get permission to hunt. Try getting high on a hill and call you should hear a gobbler even way off, if you don't get one on the roost that way I would give up on your spot.