Last day of season advice - got two roosted!

[Solid Snake]

I went out tonight to try some evening hunting and saw two in a hayfield - a jake and a tom. Do they not respond to a call in the evening?? This is the second time I've called to a tom in the evening and he will lift his head up for a few seconds but then go right back to picking at the ground. It's like they know my calling is total BS!

So they go from the field into the woods after a while and I go into the woods farther down hoping to cut them off and get a shot...well no luck on that strategy surprise, surprise right. Anyway I hung out in this section of woods I have permission to (a very small part of a bigger woods) and about 8:15 one of them takes flight through the woods, hitting branches and all, and roosts in a tree about 30 yards from me. Then the other one follows suite. Now it doesn't get dark here til 9:30 so I thought that was a little early but what do I know. I'm guessing they pitched up b/c of me?

They are about 25 yards from the edge of the field....do you think they will fly down through that much woods to the field or fly down the same path they flew up in the woods? I'm not sure if I should setup in the woods or in the field.

[joey46]

Field.  Good luck .

[n2deer]

More than likely pitch down in the woods then walk into the field. Im sure there is alot of green there also. I dont see them flying out into the field unless they can see it. If they can then that would be a safe bet.


But if you dont get them early expect similar results as yesterday evening. If calling doesnt seem to effect them, get on the field edge in front of them and just wait.

[VaTuRkStOmPeR]

Get in very early and set up in the area where they took flight along the travel path.

Leave your calls at home.

[TRKYHTR]

Set up between the woods and the field. Hunt them off the roost but make sure you are between them and the filed.

TRKYHTR

[n2deer]

Leave your calls at home.

I think this is important right now.

[magnus]

Let us know what happens!!   

[Solid Snake]

Really appreciate the advice guys! I freaking hate turkeys though!!!

I got in early and setup in the woods - the undergrowth is so tall I had to stand against a tree b/c sitting would be useless. Waited and waited and waited on them to flydown or gobble at least but nothing. I'm pretty sure they were spooked from the get go. So around 7:45 I figured they had changed locations so I walked that direction only to spook them out of their trees into the field, never to see again. They had moved closer to the field after I left last night. Normally I would have waited it out but I told my wife I'd be home by 8 being mothers day and all. It's frustrating especially when I know a lot of it's my fault.

Oh well, time to spend the day with the family!

[JPD298]

I know how ya feel.  I've done that more times than I'd like to admit.  Thinking they're off the roost because you dont hear anything, or see them, and ya start moving around. Next thing you know they're flyin off the roost to the next county!!!

[snapper1982]

did you use a flashlight and or make noise getting in there?

[Wingbone]

That's a drawback of late season hunting here too. If you commit to a rooster bird, you are stuck with that plan till about 8 o'clock whether it works out or not.

[Solid Snake]

did you use a flashlight and or make noise getting in there?

No flashlight. I'm sure I made some noise - the vegetation is thick already so it's hard to see sticks 

I know how ya feel.  I've done that more times than I'd like to admit.  Thinking they're off the roost because you dont hear anything, or see them, and ya start moving around. Next thing you know they're flyin off the roost to the next county!!!

Exactly!!!

That's a drawback of late season hunting here too. If you commit to a rooster bird, you are stuck with that plan till about 8 o'clock whether it works out or not.

I didn't know this, but I learned today!! Always learning something about these birds.

[WyoHunter]

Get in very early and set up in the area where they took flight along the travel path.

Leave your calls at home.

GOOD ADVICE!