How close is to close to a roosted bird?

[hootn]

the bird i missed a few weeks back was close on the roost. i knew which tree he was in. 60 yards from where i set up that morning, i had cleaned out a spot at the tree i set up at. i have  a total of three tress cleaned out within 50 yards of the roost tree. the one on the ridge above him i come around the ridge an climb up to it its not about 100 yards to get to the tree. the other2 spotsare at the bottom of the ridge. i use an old road bed to get to them. i come wthin 30 yards of the roost tree. i use a green light with it cupped in my hand to see where to walk, ths way there is little light that is seen. i try to be there at least 40 minutes from any light. he hasnt been there the last week i hunted him. and aint heard the birds gobbling across the road either.

scott

[Kywoodsman]

Alright, thanks everybody. I'll try to slip in on him opening morning and with a little luck, hopefully I'll be posting up some pictures on here come Saturday.

[Reloader]

Just go slow and don't use a light. I've done it several times w/o a hitchN but it must be done early and quietly w/o a light. Last year I slowly walked right underneath approx 25 birds to get to a different area. Told dad where to get on those birds bout 150 yds from the roost and he blasted a couple shortly after flydown. Deer walk by them all the time and I don't believe they could tell the difference in darkness.

I have spotted a pile of birds on the limb before light and ended up slipping in and killing many of those after flydown.

[J Hook]

I like getting in close,especially if their is hen's roostin nearby.I like 30-50 yards from the roost tree, PROVIDING there is good leaf cover from the canopy of the trees.Only bad thing is sometimes they fly down into your lap, and your shot pattern is no better than a single projectile, and misses happen, especially with a super tight choke.Play it by ear, and Dont be afraid to make mistakes and BUMP Birds, thats how you learn.God knows I have bumped a lot, pushing my luck, but,,, when you get it right,, there is no finer Rush!

Good Luck,,,Be safe!

[budtripp]

When you hear his wingbeats and about give yourself a heart attack, you got too close 

[TRKYHTR]

When you hear his wingbeats and about give yourself a heart attack, you got too close 

I was just getting ready to post this. I would also add that I would rather be 1 step to far than 1 step to close. That said I am always pushing the envelope.

TRKYHTR

[redleg06]

Lots of animals walk around in the dark, in turkey woods.  I think as long as you take your time and dont sound like a herd of elephants, you should be fine if you get there while it's still pitch black outside. Obviously dont use any flashlights in that kind of situation.

I think just being quiet and taking it slow is more important than them actually seeing you if it's pitch black.  It sounds goofy but you can tell when an animal is walking verses a human because animals rarely just walk and walk without stopping. Most walk a little bit and then stop to eat, look around etc. Try to ease a long like a deer or cow might. 

[OntarioGobbler]

some of my most stressful times (in a good way) have been when i am set up so close to a gobbler I can't move and you watch him spin around on the limb wondering will he pitch down at you or away from you. It's happened when I've set up not knowing he was right there or I was making my way to spot and suddenly see a gobbler on the limb and dropped to the tree immediatlely.

it's awesome when you wonder if you bothered him or not and then  he all of sudden struts on the limb and lets out his firt morning gobble and you know you're good.

I've also grunted and walked like a deer slipping away from the birds when I realize I've walked right under them.

I remember my first year hunting I slipped into a spot I heard birds gobbling the night before. I realized he was right above me when  a j-turd landed on the brim of my cap lol. that birds buddy in the next tree  landed 7 paces in fropnt of me and I learned how easy it is to miss at close range. d'oh!