Posted: 1/31/2010 7:37:24 PM EDT
| I live in Southern Illinois and plan to take on turkey hunting for the first time this spring. Planned to do it the last few springs but something always came up. Have the permit, the shotgun, clothes and working on learing how to call. My big question is this. I deer hunt the same area where I plan to turkey hunt. I saw about a dozen turkeys while deer hunting and wondered if they will be located in the same area? I have hunted this area for over 12 years and seen the turkey within this area several times. Probably heard or seen them all but about every year almost. So will they be there this spring? I know it may not be the exact same spot but the general area? I was told to find out where they are roosting a few weeks before the season and hunt that area. Not sure I will have the time to do this on many occasions because the area I hunt is nearly 2 hours away. So my question to the turkey experts is simple. Do turkey stay in the same general area through the whole year? I know the area they hang out during deer season (third week of november), but not sure abou the spring. Thanks. |
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When I was hunting turkeys, they were much more sparse around here than they are today. Still they hung out in the same area. Problem is defining "same general area". They're not migratory; they also don't sit on their roost all day hoping to get shot. We hunted the way you're describing, in the areas we knew they frequented. They're known as big game birds, which gives you a hint on how to hunt them. Like deer, not like pheasants, grouse, or quail. Not even like ducks.
Finding out where they're roosting is very important. At least if you can hunt two days in a row, know where they are on night one and hunt there morning 2. |
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Quoted: I live in Southern Illinois and plan to take on turkey hunting for the first time this spring. Planned to do it the last few springs but something always came up. Have the permit, the shotgun, clothes and working on learing how to call. My big question is this. I deer hunt the same area where I plan to turkey hunt. I saw about a dozen turkeys while deer hunting and wondered if they will be located in the same area? I have hunted this area for over 12 years and seen the turkey within this area several times. Probably heard or seen them all but about every year almost. So will they be there this spring? I know it may not be the exact same spot but the general area? I was told to find out where they are roosting a few weeks before the season and hunt that area. Not sure I will have the time to do this on many occasions because the area I hunt is nearly 2 hours away. So my question to the turkey experts is simple. Do turkey stay in the same general area through the whole year? I know the area they hang out during deer season (third week of november), but not sure abou the spring. Thanks. www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=4&t=631944 www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=4&t=632260 |
| Definately put your time in scouting. Find where they roost and where they are feeding. Sit between them. Get out there a little later than you would for deer hunting and you'll hear them as they wake up and come down from the trees. After hunting both I would say that turkeys are more habitual than deer when it comes to a daily routine. |