I wanted to share an experience I had last spring while scouting for gobblers. I hunt mainly 2 different farms and one of the farms while scouting and listening is one of my main spots that I have killed several turkeys over the years.I have killed gobblers in this field - spot coming in as singles and I have had multiple gobblers come into this same spot. This spot is approximately a 25 / 30 yard shot for myself. Back to scouting last year,while sitting at this spot listening and waiting for daybreak I could hear gobblers in the area sounding off in different directions on the farm. While watching and listening I see movement at the end of the field which is just over 300 yards to another wood line that separates 2 big fields. I had not heard of a gobbler - gobble in the wood line at the end of this field.I was sitting in my usual hunting spot listening and watching and just enjoying the morning. After seeing this movement at the end of the field at the wood line with my binoculars I see this gobbler coming up the field right to my killing spot that I have killed multiple gobblers over the years. This gobbler came within that 25/30 yard range and started gobbling / spitting / drumming and strutting for approximately 20 minutes before easing off into the woods behind me. I had NO turkey calls with me,because I don't want the temptation of using them while scouting.
So are turkeys creatures of habit?
MY question - was this gobbler one of the multiple gobblers that had come into this kill spot with other gobblers? Or was it just a coincidence? Did he think in past years he had heard hen sounds from this same location? Have you ever had this scenario happen to you while scouting? We know turkeys have the same roosting / travel / strut zone, but in all honestly I feel over the years those magical strut zones of days of old have become a lot less. I feel pressure / predators have taken away these magical strut zones / areas.
