Turkeys on the move?

[HDoutdoors]

This is going to be my first season hunting turkey, and I was wondering how much they move throughout the course of the year? I located a decent number of birds at a pretty low elevation on the land I am wanting to hunt a few weeks back, and I was wondering if you guys think they will stay around the same area, or push up to higher elevations when it warms up? Any tips help! Thanks guys

[Mfowl]

Your location says SW Wa, is that where you are hunting? If so you are chasing the Eastern subspecies which is hands down the most challenging in the state. If you located some already you're a step ahead. By all means get back in there. Be patient, they are a subtle bird compared to the other subspecies. They may break up into smaller groups as the breeding season progresses and the hens start nesting. From what I understand they prefer certain habitat and are less effected by rising snow lines. If you are headed NE there's a good chance atleast some of the birds you located will be breaking off and headed for higher elevations as the snow melts. Don't let that discourage you though as there are always gonna be some birds in the lower elevations, even year round. Once the hens start nesting/laying they aren't gonna be ranging terribly far from their nest sites. This will also keep the Tom's in the same areas.

[nwwanderer]

Through a year?  More like an elk than a whitetail.

[baldopepper]

Birds on the eastside move up when things green up and insects start to show up, but always a certain few flocks that never really move.  They're motivated by food, water and sex (sex for only a short period)  Birds and animals don't move just for the heck of it, they move when they have to or food and water are in better supply.  Snowline doesn't have a lot to do with it, some years when it's really cold with little snow the birds move down simply because the cold weather has killed the greenery and insects off up higher. Following or hunting the snow line only comes in to play when its coincidental with things greening up.  Flocks break up when they separate to mate and bunch back up in the winter when feeding areas are limited.

[HDoutdoors]

Thanks for the help guys!