Ideal distance from roost tree

[Gobble Doc]

OK, it's not a perfect poll.  I know there are a lot of variables.  Shotgun vs bow, blind or no blind, etc.  Mainly I'm curious about how close people feel comfortable trying to get to a tree without spooking birds.  I usually try to get too close. 

[turkeydancer]

I get as close as I can without being heard or seen (because then the game would be over or at least almost impossible) ... better to be a little further away than getting busted.   

This year was my closest when I set up within 20 yards of the roost trees in the pitch black dark ... I knew they were in the neighborhood, but didn't realize I was that close until they started lighting it up when owls started hooting ... 10 minutes later I gave a four note sleepy tree yelp to let them know their sweetheart was near ... then I shut up until legal shoot (10 more minutes) and then I added two hat slap flydowns ... almost immediately all 5 toms dropped down between 10 & 20 yards (close enough to count the individual beard "hairs") ... my buddy 40 yards to my left thought they had landed on my shoes again.  Picked out two and dropped them 1 foot apart about 4 minutes into season. Biggest was 22 lbs and had a 11-1/2 inch beard.  Yep, no accounting for pure, bliind luck ...
 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Closer the better?

[MtnMuley]

The terrain and bird pressure dictates how far I will set up from the tree.

[turkeydancer]

The further I get into their "kitchen" my odds tend to significantly increase, but you need to avoid getting busted no mater what.  I would rather setup further away that take the chance of getting busted.  Sometimes that has meant setting up 300 yards away and at other times almost in their lap depending on circumstances.  It really becomes a judgement call, but I will steal as much real estate the birds, terrain, and all other factors allow ...  without getting busted.

[yelp]

Wrote this on a different post:


I agree with most of you.  It is hard to say..it all depends on situation.

In my experience here is some info on Wild Turkey roosts.

Roosting Sites/Areas can vary.  There are many reasons why.  Time of Year, Biological,  Environmental, Disturbance, Pecking Order, Habitat Changes, etc. 

My observations:
In Winter, family groups will roost together usually near wintering sites.  These sites generally are located short distances from food sources.  Many orchards,  farming operations, corn fields, foodplots, cattle feeding sites, etc attract wild turkeys in the winter due to available food. 

Wild Turkeys that are habituated to a feeder/bait site in winter will continue to roost close to these foods until mid Spring, In this case many wild Turkeys will continue to roost in the same trees in a the generally same location.Wild Turkey diets also will begin changing as Spring develops and they will spread out from wintering areas.

As Spring Break up occurs in Feb/Mar pecking orders will begin among adult gobblers, the competition for hens can create different roosting areas.  Most Toms during this period will escort their hens back to the roost and usually be the last one up into the tree.  He puts them to bed.  Hens begin laying eggs in nesting areas in April/May, which can spread flocks out in an area. Nesting hens will pull Toms away from winter roosting sites to Spring roosting areas. Bred Hens that come back to roost every night will drop out and begin incubating. Hunting Pressure also can spread out populations of Wild turkeys. 

In late Spring May/June.  Immature hens maybe the only hens roosting.  Jakes/Toms are still around looking for available hens. 

General Location: A lot of Roosts are located off ridges and cliffs.  Turkeys can fly up into trees and then fly up to a suitable branch.  Turkeys find it easier to fly into the tops of trees from above.  Many roosts are located near water (Springs, Creeks, ponds, etc).  Look for roosts on edges of fields and forest openings.

Trees used: They will use what is available but some trees in winter offer Thermal protection better than others.  Ex.  Fir vs. Pine.  In eastern Washington trees can be Fir, Pine, Cottonwood, etc. 

Finding a Roost: Locating a roost is as easy as locating birds at dusk using a locator call.  Coyote Howl, Door Slam, Horn, this will usually make gobblers gobble. 

Why do you need to find a roost?:  Most hunters use the roost as a starting point.  I warn you that hunting a roost can ruin a roosting site.  What I mean is that if you continue to hunt a roost they will move out.  If you locate a roost and hunt area "gently" it can produce birds all season.  Public land roosts have lots of pressure.  These are usually the hardest to hunt.  Usually the best location to hunt the roosting areas are not to set up under a tree but to set up between the areas birds go after flydown. General rule is 100 yds from a roost. Not that setting up closer isn't doable but the closer you set up the more chance you have of a bird picking you off, One alarm putt is all it takes. Most hens after fly down have a morning scratch and poo will head for nesting areas.  Try and select these sites to set up.  Like said above roosts off of ridges hunt above the roost in the AM. 

Roosting Signs:  Look for lots of poo and feathers.  If this is what you find it is probably an annual roost or a wintering roost.  Usually a tom and a few hens won't leave a lot of poo and feathers in Spring roosts like the winter roosts.

Roosting ethics: Most hunters find shooting turkeys out of a roost unethical and not fair chase..  It however isn't illegal.

Miscellaneous:  Weather especially wind can change roost locations.  Roosts also will not be on a windy side of a ridge.  Logging/clearcuts can effect roosts.  Ridges on south facing slopes can be productive areas. Roosts on the westside usually are on edges of habitat change (ex. clearcut to reprod).

[deaner]

i like to set up IN the roosting tree, disguised as a branch,  then i just have a sock full of 3 1/2 inch no6 shot shells and hit em over the head with it when they land on me.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Very good info Yelp! Thanks. Gonna have a hard time not shootin em out the tree though?