LONG BEARDS IN FIELDS

[Tommy]

I HAVE KILLED A LOT OF LONG BEARDS IN FIELDS & IT SEEMS IF THERE ARE 2,3,OR MORE THAT COME IN, IF YOU TAKE JUST ONE, IT SEEMS I NEVER SEE THE OTHERS IN FIELD THE REST OF THE SEASON. WHERE OR WHAT DO THEY DO . RELOCATE? MOVE TOTALLY AWAY FROM AREA? ANY COMMENTS OR SUGESSTIONS

[davisd9]

Have killed birds in a field in the morning and then saw some others in there a few hours later. Not sure why you are experiencing what you are.


Sent from the Strut Zone

[Ozark870Hunter]

Had a miss on a field Tom trio. The next day the 3 were still there, but not as eager to come in. A subordinate came in from behind though. So idk?

[CMBOSTC]

Do you stand up when they can still see you?

[g8rvet]

Do you stand up when they can still see you?

Amen.  When you shoot, don't move.  Start calling and settle them down.  Do not get your bird until they are gone.  I did this and the bird settled down and proceeded to gobble and strut in the same field.  Got some really good pics and called him back in to shooting range.  I then stopped calling and he eventually wandered off. I killed him 2 weeks later (maybe three) in the late morning and he had not gobbled, but I knew we was still around.  Came in quiet, right to me.  Called every 10 minutes or so.  I know it was the same bird because I thought he was double bearded, but it was just an oddly curled beard that looked like two beards. 

[CMBOSTC]

Do you stand up when they can still see you?

Amen.  When you shoot, don't move.  Start calling and settle them down.  Do not get your bird until they are gone.  I did this and the bird settled down and proceeded to gobble and strut in the same field.  Got some really good pics and called him back in to shooting range.  I then stopped calling and he eventually wandered off. I killed him 2 weeks later (maybe three) in the late morning and he had not gobbled, but I knew we was still around.  Came in quiet, right to me.  Called every 10 minutes or so.  I know it was the same bird because I thought he was double bearded, but it was just an oddly curled beard that looked like two beards.

Exactly, the gun shot doesn't spook them nearly as much as seeing a human.

[jims]

What is the "home range" of the turkeys you hunt?  Some may live and die within a mile square area while turkeys in other areas may winter in one area and literally migrate 10 miles away for strutting/nesting, etc.  If you happen to shoot/spook birds that are in the transition period from winter to spring zones...it may send them over the edge and disappear to their strutting/roosting areas.  As an example;  I hunted a spot in late March  and had over 200 turkeys roosting in a line of trees one day....shot a tom and there were only 20 turkeys in the same line of trees from that day on.  I literally watched groups break up, scatter, and head several miles to their spring strutting/nesting grounds.  I've also noticed that merriams in areas with lots of predators act pretty funky....are quiet and move considerably if pressured.

[Tommy]

Thanks guys. First time on turkey forum. Yes I sat there and called bird back in but couldn't get a clean shot so I wouldn't shoot. Waited Til he finally walked off. Don't think that he saw me, but maybe he did. There is a lot of acres and they have a lot of land to roam on. This has happened in several fields. I appreciate all the information. Been turkey hunting a lot of years, but I'm a believer that you can always learn something no matter how long you've been in it. Is there any guys out there that this is their favorite hunting of all??? Lol