Another Turkey Question...........

[gasman]

Do turkey's move up in elevatio withthe snow or stay in there home range year round?

Inquiring minds want to know, or should i say "Newbee" to turkey hunting.


Thanks for your responce ahead of time.

[NWTFhunter]

Some birds will move with the snow line, some will be in it all winter.   There really isnt a deffinate answer, the best you can do is scout them out and watch the best you can with as little contact as possible.
There are some areas that we hunt that the birds get in the valley floors during winter and dont really travel up much higher during spring.   Some birds just want to be where the hens are and feel safe and comfortable.

[gasman]

Do you find more bird on the hill tops of the valley bottoms (or is about 50/50) ?

[yelp]

NWTFHunter is correct.  Some of the birds will move up in elevation...This is good to remember...Most hunting pressure occurs at lower elevations...Also at higher elevations you will usually find more public ground..the transition areas usually valleys, draws and ridges will assist turkeys to gain elevation.  Most winters birds will come down and then they will go back..Hens usually nest in the same area and they usually will drag toms with them to higher elevations.  The best thing to do is roost birds..go up as high as you can and listen at dark  Make sure you are in a good spot to hear a good distance...I like a ridge top where I can hear into either canyon...this will tell you what elevation the birds maybe at..I have seen turkeys up high in May...If we get a warm spring those birds will move...Sometimes hunting pressure will move birds too.  Good luck.

[gasman]

Thats good information.

Is there a preferancs on slope dirrection? (Do they perfer the noth slope over the south slope of a hill side?)

[ICEMAN]

Find the food. That side of the hill. IMHO.

[yelp]

North facing slopes will offer more secure cover and nesting cover, south facing slopes can also offer secure cover in the way of openess and being able to see predators..they like to use open hill sides in hilly country to display.

ICEMAN is right..if you find the scratchings (made from feeding)..usually benches, riparian (creek or draw bottoms).  Also look for feathers and *censored* under likely roosting areas...usually where you hear them gobble at dark...These are all good spots..Turkeys love springs and seeps.

[NWTFhunter]

Dont forget that they prefer a south facing slope to catch all the sun they can.