Follow Up To Calling In A Tom From Where My Set Up Is p

[Fourteen14]

I posted a question about a week back asking if I could pull a tom in from across a deep ravine where he and a flock of hens were roosting . The consensus was no . The tom and hens would pitch down on the other side and not attempt to fly across it . I returned this am later this morning thinking they would be a ways from the tree and decided to get above it where the birds were roosting by driving up the road about 150 yards past the tree and setting up there . As I was climbing the road all the birds appeared across from the ravine where I was told they would not fly down and then they wondered off . I proceed to set up close to where I spotted them thinking they would return back to the roost later on in the day at dusk . After about an  hour my son left our blind to retrieve some things from the car . On his return trip back he spotted the birds coming back from where we had saw them earlier and spooked the flock, I believe , and they flew back up into the roost tree which I thought was very unusual in the middle of the day . Is this normal behavior ? The birds  were still on the roost when we left which was about an hour and a half later . My plan is to return in the dark this coming week and set up where we first saw them this morning . Does this plan make sense ? What are the odds the birds will move to another roost tree away from that area when I return ? I am hunting on private property and there is no pressure as far as I know .

[Karl Blanchard]

If that is a roost tree they use historically they aren't gonna change just because they got bumped once. Birds get bumped around by every variety of predator there is. They pitched up early like that because that roost tree is their safety net. They feel secure there so when your son bumped them that close to the roost they pitched up.

My advice is continued pressure near a roost tree will eventually cause them to find a new one.  If you're blind hunting try setting up between where they go to feed and strut and their roost (closer to strut zone than roost tree). Use decoys and non aggressive calling ie putts and purrs.  Remember less is more when calling good luck and keep us posted on your progress

[TheStovePipeKid]

To piggy back on Karl's post, a little scouting will give some information on where they are going after fly down. Turkey's need water soon after waking up, as well food after drinking. Then they loaf around all day and strut for the ladies in Spring. If the terrain around the roost isn't suitable, pick a spot between the roost and wherever they end up each morning. The more you hunt the better you get. Keep at it and good luck. Once you kill one you're addicted forever.

[hunter399]

I'm not gonna tell ya what to do.
You do you.
Keep after it, you'll out smart them and nail one!