Turkey

I have killed a couple of birds minutes ... in one case 10 seconds after they hit the ground flying down from the roost. I have watched Toms strut and gobble from limbs that I thought no way could that limb hold a 24-pound bird. The time I shot the Tom 10 seconds after fly down, I never called once. Sat against a tree ... Tom flew down opposite of the hens ... landed 10 feet from my lap. I had to let him scoot out about 15-20 yards before I dropped him.

I have also spent many a morning listening to hens and gobblers talk in the trees a bit. Then watching a hen or two or three fly down 15 - 100 seconds or so before that gobbler. Running about like their head is cut off, but far enough from me that it was likely over. 90% of the time that Tom flies down to that hen(s).

Adrenaline rush of that morning sit when near a treed gobbler is great, but too often now I wait until that 8 - 2 time slot. Easier on the brain, easier if trying to work some too, easier in the sense you do not have to be out there to roost them the night before either.
 
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I would say Toms either see you or hear you if you get too close no matter how dark it is. Full moon ?

Sometimes you have that gobbler roosted, but you stumble past a hen or a jake or two or three and that can end the gig rather abruptly too.
 
Some guys swear by using green light flashlights. I am lucky that my night vision is actually pretty good and if in an area with any "light pollution" at all ... never use a flashlight.
 
BRITTMAN said:
Some guys swear by using green light flashlights. I am lucky that my night vision is actually pretty good and if in an area with any "light pollution" at all ... never use a flashlight.
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One time I made the mistake of driving too close to where these turkeys were roosted, and they disappeared. I think they know when hunters are in the area, just like pheasant s know.
 
I don't roost birds much these days. I used to but my success has been minimal at it the last couple decades. I can't count the times that I've gotten in close, did everything right, then he goes 180 degrees away! Lots of times it's happened with the same bird. I believe that it's not the Tom that decides to go the opposite direction, It's the old hen who he's made passionate love to every morning for days. She hears a voice that's not familiar and jealously pulls him in a different direction. I have had some luck pissing her off until she comes in and chews my ass out. Sometimes Tom will follow, other times he stands just outside my 20 gauges range and struts. It's still a cool experience. It also seems to me that they are evolving. I used to have my birds early and be home for breakfast. Not so much anymore. Maybe it's just me. I've also hunted old Toms who very rarely gobble. Maybe the guys who don' gobble live longer and pass those genes on. I've hunted them a long, long time and all I can say is nothing is a definite! As far as eyesight, many times I've had them come in and either see me or see that something is not right, turn and walk off. Is it because they don't see the hen, or a sixth sense? I don't know. I also believe their hearing is superior to ours. I've seen them respond to a call, walk hundreds of yards with no further calling, walk right up to me and look me right in the eye. They knew within feet exactly where I was. They are a fascinating bird for sure. To me nothing has compared to a big Tom sneaking into 20 yards behind you and gobble!!
 
Turkeys cannot see at night. That is a fact. You can look it up in any science document or ask a wildlife biologist. That's why they sleep in trees.

There may be an element to their vision where they can detect movement in the dark or see in front of them like we can, but they are daylight critters. Not night time ones like deer.

That being said, if you are going to your spot in the dark before sunrise, don't walk underneath the roost. Take the long way around.
 
My spot now, I don't get there at zero dark thirty. I used to. I'm sure there's days it's the thing to do. I suppose I'm lucky in that it's a perfect spot to show up and sneak in after sunrise. A hayfield with woods on 2 sides, open gravel drive on the 3rd, and a treeline on the fourth with a nice natural meadow behind it. The turkeys are either in the hay or the natural meadow. I can drive the private gravel road in my truck and half the time see turkeys in the open. Then I use the treeline as cover to walk in. If there's no birds in sight I just setup and wait. Everytime I've ever hunted there I've seen a bearded bird.

Now I wish I could lock down a pheasant spot that is as loaded as my turkey spot.
 
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