How early do you get to the gate?

[aclawrence]

So turkey season opens on my closest wma tomorrow April 1st. April 1st is a Monday this year.  This is great for me because I can go and I'm hoping it will knock down some of the road traffic and competition at the gates. I'm trying to decide how early I should be sitting at the gate. Even on a Monday I'm sure there will be some guys getting after it. How early do y'all like to "claim" your spot?  I know some people will completely ignore the unspoken rules of whoever is there first but hopefully they want run across me tomorrow. I found a few birds in a real accessible spot so I'm planning to tangle with them first before everyone else gets a chance!


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[BigSlam51]

If they are in a really accessible spot you can almost bet that you're not the only one that knows about them. Get there as early as you can, you can always nap in the truck.

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[bbcoach]

When dealing with public land and opening day, I would be there at least an hour before sunrise but an hour and a half would be better.  If you have an idea where the birds are (and I would put them to bed tonight) I would be setup on them at least an hour before sunrise.  Good Luck tomorrow, especially with the hunters.  STAY SAFE!

[aclawrence]

That's what I was thinking also.  Sounds like it's going to be an early morning haha. I'm probably not going to sleep well anyway. Literally the other night I woke up and grabbed my phone and was studying my maps. It's finally here.


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[LaLongbeard]

I'd be there 3 hours before daylight at least. As mentioned you can always get a hour or so nap in the truck and I start the hunt in the woods not at the gate so I walk in before daylight. Don't know we're you hunt but opening day could be Monday or any day and it will be a madhouse the first day were I'm at. I can guarantee when you drive up an hour before daylight and there's a truck at the gate you know has Gobblers you won't be sleeping in again

[Spitten and drummen]

I'd be there 3 hours before daylight at least. As mentioned you can always get a hour or so nap in the truck and I start the hunt in the woods not at the gate so I walk in before daylight. Don't know we're you hunt but opening day could be Monday or any day and it will be a madhouse the first day were I'm at. I can guarantee when you drive up an hour before daylight and there's a truck at the gate you know has Gobblers you won't be sleeping in again

This right here.

[tomstopper]

I'd be there 3 hours before daylight at least. As mentioned you can always get a hour or so nap in the truck and I start the hunt in the woods not at the gate so I walk in before daylight. Don't know we're you hunt but opening day could be Monday or any day and it will be a madhouse the first day were I'm at. I can guarantee when you drive up an hour before daylight and there's a truck at the gate you know has Gobblers you won't be sleeping in again

I agree. Early is your best option. When I lived in NY, season opened on May 1st and no matter what day it fell on, it was still a mad house.

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[Brian Fahs]

I do most of my hunting on public land in the northeast. Pressure is insane especially the first few days of each states season openers.

No matter when you get there people will pile in on you.

My solution is to park where I want the afternoon before and try to roost a bird that evening. I return to my truck and cook some food on the tailgate and sleep right there in the back of my truck. I usually am in the woods a full 2 hours before first light as tight to where I think birds are. I do this for as many days as it takes to tag out in whichever state I am in. It is a grind after a while but it works for me.

[High plains drifter]

Public land always has lots of inexperienced hunters.Also,  there are road hunting poachers driving the back roads of montana. These people use 22's, an d pellet guns to poach turkeys.They are low down scum, an d call it in, if you see them.They like small Japanese trucks,  with toppers.There is some good public land to hunt in Montana,  but there are always some idiots around, an d poachers.

[Spitten and drummen]

Public land always has lots of inexperienced hunters.Also,  there are road hunting poachers driving the back roads of montana. These people use 22's, an d pellet guns to poach turkeys.They are low down scum, an d call it in, if you see them.They like small Japanese trucks,  with toppers.There is some good public land to hunt in Montana,  but there are always some idiots around, an d poachers.
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Sounds like a good place to put some IED's.

[TauntoHawk]

As early as you think you need and then another hour earlier. I would get as tight as possible I like to be in close enough to see the birds in the tree so when another hunter comes bumbling along blow his crow and owl calls trying to move on the birds I can watch and gage their nervousness. It often only take a few clucks at fly down to get a bird like that to land Infront of you.

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[CT Spur Collector]

You have a hammock?

[zelmo1]

If you can park there overnight, I would kiss my wife and kids goodnight and head there tonight, lol. I am lucky, I hunt mostly private land

[Spurs]

Personally, I always get to the parking lot 2-2.5 hours before sunrise.  First off, it gives me plenty of time for Plan B/C.  Secondly, I like to know how many people I am competing with.  Typically, I won't even sit in the truck.  I usually sit just far enough down the road to observe the parking lot and avoid people.  Call me crazy, but I rarely have issues getting the area I want. 

[DumpTruckTurkey]

When dealing with public land and opening day, I would be there at least an hour before sunrise but an hour and a half would be better.  If you have an idea where the birds are (and I would put them to bed tonight) I would be setup on them at least an hour before sunrise.  Good Luck tomorrow, especially with the hunters.  STAY SAFE!

exactly what i do.  nailed it.  i hunt 90% public.