Turkey on ridge tops

[bowmike]

Just wondering what everyones oppion is on how to set up on turkey that are roosting on the side of a ridge. The gobblers are roosting flush with the top of the ridge, and hens are on the first bench. I haven't been able to stay long enough to get a bead on where they go after fly down.

How do you all set up for these birds. Are they more apt to fly on to the top, or hit up the benches. I don't want to be in there that much and have decided that I am only going to listen from the bottom of the hill to keep tabs on them. I just don't want to set up on them only to have the do the opposite. I know they may be different on any given day, but just wanted to see if anyone has any experience with this type of set up, and how you go about figuring them out.

Thanks,

Mike

[Dtrkyman]

I rarely do well on the tops, I like to be below ridgeline 15-20 yards or on the first bench, typically up in the timber birds will fly into a hillside and linger around there for a while.

[Tennessee Lead]

I killed 2 on top this weekend. Called another across a holler and I had dropped over the side. As committed as he was to coming to the hen I believe he would have came to the top if I had tried it.


Sent from my iPhone that I ain't smart enough to use with tapatalker

[Cutt]

I would setup 100 yards down the ridge line, or a bit closer if you are sure of their location and don't spook them. And I sit right on the crest of the hill facing the roost, so I can see both down hill and out on the top. If they go they other way, next hunt, try 100 yards out  the same ridge and setup on the opposite side of the roost area.

[woody328]

I would set up above them on the ridge line. Have had a lot of luck that way.

[Cut N Run]

I always look for a saddle in the ridge and set up on a bench just below that. 

Jim

[eggshell]

I have seen them come to the ridge and the bench, it's hard to predict. If there is a saddle, as Jim said, that is killing ground. Look for the end of a bench coming up to the ridge top or good crossover points, these are good set ups. An old gobbler likes a view, but he also likes a quick get away. I have watched a lot of them stay just over a crest then pop up right on you. If your hunting a bench set up so you have a sight line down the lip of the bench, more times than not they will travel the edge so they have a quick exit. . Look for deer trails and old roads as a key. An old gobbler is as lazy as the man huunting him, he'll walk the easiest path to where he wants to go. So I have no rules about ridge tops. If it is a well traveled ridge top I will go down to the bench, because they will associate the ridge with danger.  Oh I forgot that would be pressure and that's a myth.