how close is too close

[tom gobble]

There is a piece of land I hunt, and the only access to my hunting spot is past the roost. Some times I have walked right by them and some times they spot me and fly off before I spot them. Sometimes I wait for them to fly down and try calling them back or do an afternoon hunt but I looking for better options. So the question is how close is to close to the roost? What would you guys do if in this situation.

[fratri]

Get there early and setup 70-80 yds or more from the roost or you can get there super early and setup right on top of them, lots of options, obviously the closer you are to the roost the earlier you got to get there and being really quiet is essential, rainy windy days are probably best for that. Myself I would just get there a little before legal light and setup somewhere where they couldn't see me and go from there. Turkeys are creatures of habit so you can always find their pattern (feeding route) and set up accordingly...
Best of luck

[tom gobble]

the problem is my hunting spot is past them and i can't go around because its someone else land. So the only way i could get 80 yards away from them is to walk by them first.

[Super_Nova]

Put up some photos of your spot so we can get a better idea of how to help

[MikePal]

I'd hunt that spot late in the afternoon.....they will come back around mid day on and hang around the area. So sneak in around noon.

I've hunted less than 20 yrds from where they roost in the aft knowing they would be back. For morning hunts you have to be very quiet, I was always leery of trying to sneak in, so I would set up a good 100 yrd away and then let my calling bring them in.

You should do some recce and find out where the flock goes everyday, they do pattern themselves. I have one spot where my pop up is that is basically an ambush site. It's along a trail they use to go from one field to another, don't have to call, no decoys, just sit and wait till the walk by.

[JMatthews]

I'd hunt that spot late in the afternoon.....they will come back around mid day on and hang around the area. So sneak in around noon.

I've hunted less than 20 yrds from where they roost in the aft knowing they would be back. For morning hunts you have to be very quiet, I was always leery of trying to sneak in, so I would set up a good 100 yrd away and then let my calling bring them in.

You should do some recce and find out where the flock goes everyday, they do pattern themselves. I have one spot where my pop up is that is basically an ambush site. It's along a trail they use to go from one field to another, don't have to call, no decoys, just sit and wait till the walk by.

I agree. Try hunting your spot later in the morning to see if/when they return and stay there until 7:00 pm.. Good luck!

[tom gobble]

thanks guys for some info

[MarkM]

If you get in after fly down and they disperse you could hunt late morning when the hens have gone to nest and the gobblers are looking for more action. Mid day hunt might be alright but you will bump them off the roost if you are their at fly up.

If you get in an hour before legal shooting light and can slip by fairly quiet you should be alright. If you can swing a little further out then the better. But again risk of bumping them.

My favourite spot where I have killed alot of birds is about 50 yards from the roost. My biggest bird I have taken was on a field that I had never been - walked in in the dark and found a spot under a tree. Shuffling around to get positioned, turning on the Thermacell and day light comes and there I am sitting underneath the roosting tree.

[NorthernGrouse]

It is certainly possible to walk under the roost without spooking them, but it takes some finesse. Know the route like the back of your hand, get there a couple of hours before legal. Wait until your eyes are well adjusted to the darkness and then move slowly through the roost area, stop briefly every 10 or 20 yards. The hardest part for me is keeping my breathing under control ... the excitement/anxiety really get the old heart going. :-)

I rarely use a flashlight in the woods unless I am new to the area ... it is surprising how much you can see and sense when you are focused.