I’ve been turkey hunting for sometime like many of you. Thinking back I’ve noticed that most of the birds don’t fly down on the east side of the tree unless they’re spooked. Now the only reason I can figure they don’t like the sun in their eyes when they fly down. Is it me, or have you noticed the same thing?

I think it has more to do with the lay of the land than the sun . they usually take the fastest and easiest way down from what I have seen .

So then, if a bird has as option to fly down hill, up hill, or cross hill(and land at the same level in elevation as the roost tree), which way will he go?

I saw a possibly spooked bird fly downhill to the east this am.

Generally if they are roosting half way up a hill they will fly down to the uphill side of their tree. That way it is a shorter distance than downhill and they can just glide off the roost.

Most of the time turkeys will fly to the up hill side or the closest side. If it is flat it will probably be the clearest path. I have seen many turkeys fly down to the east.

this bird and his buddies flew uphill to me EAST of their roost tree because of the open pastures behind me and the highway to their west.i would not have known that if i had not invested two days of scouting.i normally will set up on the west side because the birds like to feed away from the sun.
Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 09:39 am
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got mine at 6.02am.9.5" beard,1" spurs and about 20#.had two of his buddies in tow,but he was the only one strutting.classic hunt,first bird with my A500G browning with 22" barrel and carlson's .670 choke tube using 3"x4 hevishot at 45 yds.


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quiet time with nature is the most restful peace there is.

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Posts: 18 | From: sardis,ms | IP

IN general, I go by this rule...they will flydown in the direction they want to go

There are so many factors...where is the closest food source, where is the nearest water, where is the best & closest strut zone, who is the most vocal hen in the morning and where is she located, number of birds sounding off, the precipitation & humidity levels, the events just prior to roosting the previous evening, temperature & barometric changes...

So many more factors & variables, just too many to list...that's why if you want to bag a boss tom, you have to put in your time and scout...