Finding his exact tree.

[MickT]

Finding where he wants to go after leaving his tree is more important.


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This. I'll take the right side of the wrong tree over the wrong side of the right tree any day.


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[Cut N Run]

We had a grove of trees on the ridge top at the old lease where gobblers regularly roosted early in the season and the hens were often roosted nearby.  I got in there extra early on Opening Day morning of 1999 or 2000 and set up across from the clearing they usually flew down into. I'd watched them fly down into that same spot for 3 mornings in a row through a spotting scope.  I was being so quiet that morning, I could barely hear myself move.  Well, that morning, they were roosted right straight above and behind me about 60 yards from their regular spot.  The gobbler flew down into the fire break behind me and the ladies towed him off the property, no matter how much sweet talking I tried. I never saw the first bird. Right area, wrong set up.  I had a suicidal 2 year old run to the gun about 9:00 that morning.

Jim

[born2hunt]

Thanks for the replies.

It seems that most have mixed results as well.. mainly due to birds moving around.

I know that where he was one morning does not mean he'll be there the next, but it's a good location to check in the evening. Its just another part of scouting that I enjoy and I definitely feel it can give an advantage. The closer I can pinpoint the roost the better odds I have of knowing where or being where he may fly down, especially in thick woods where glassing from a distance is not an option. It also gives me a chance to plan the quietest entry as possible for the next morning.

[Kylongspur88]

Where I hunt in Kentucky they typically roost in the same locations throughout the year but not necessarily the same tree. Best bet is to roost one night before.

[Bowguy]

Why not locate the areas he uses early season and locate his exact tree the night before roosting? It's much easier

[BB30]

Why not locate the areas he uses early season and locate his exact tree the night before roosting? It's much easier

Our birds don't gobble a whole lot in the evening. At least where I hunt in MS. Generally the only time I am able to roost a bird in the evenings is if I am hunting in there close to where they decide to fly up for the evening.

Our birds generally roost in the same bottom but it could be on one end or the other. Most of my success in the evenings has come from being in the general area of where he is going to fly up and soft calling every so often. Usually he will sneak in silent right before fly up or if he doesnt show I know he is more than likely on the other side for in the morning.

I think the biggest thing is just knowing the land you hunt. I personally don't prefer hunting the roost just because I like working a bird and generally in the afternoon at least at our place they don't say a whole lot. I will usually  wait until the end of season to hunt a roost as they get a little more vocal later in the season.

[GobbleNut]

Expanding on this topic a bit, the discussion has been mainly about zeroing in on a roost tree for a morning hunt.  For those who can hunt all day long, knowing the roost location can make for a productive late afternoon/early evening hunt situation, as well. 

To preface my comments, however, you should understand that disturbing a roost site in the evening is a good way to get birds to abandon that roost, at least temporarily.  If you are going to shoot birds in the evening as they are headed to the roost site, you better have some alternative options for future hunts because it is a sure way to get them to change their behavior.

Okay, so having said that,...there are times when, if you really want to kill a turkey and perhaps time is short, figuring out where the birds are roosting and making an evening set-up there is a great way to fill a tag.  Gobblers that hear a hen yelping near the roost will often show no hesitation about heading your way. 

One thing I have found in setting up near evening roost sites, though, is that turkeys are very wary of any perceived changes around the roost.  I learned a long time ago that just sitting down against a tree and being still near the roost site isn't good enough.  For whatever reason, they seem to be able to pick out that unusual blob that hasn't been there before very quickly. 

If you are going to hunt an evening roost, take the time to make a natural, and inconspicuous, blind and choose your set-up very carefully.  If you don't, they will very likely notice something is amiss long before they get close enough.

[born2hunt]

Why not locate the areas he uses early season and locate his exact tree the night before roosting? It's much easier

You are correct, that is the best bet if you are hunting local land, have the time and the terrain and tree cover allows it. But some times I cant be there the evening before and sometimes you just cant get close enough to find him with out risking blowing him out. Looking for a roost site after he has flew down and moved off is simply a low impact tactic that can give a better understanding of an area you may not wish to approach with birds in the trees and cant be watched from a distance. As we all know, even knowing where he is roosted is not a guarantee but the more details I can learn about the birds I'm hunting and the woods they're in makes my odds of being in the right spot at daylight just that much better.