Roosting a turkey is part science and part art. The science is basic ornithology: study the bird’s behavior, understand its habitat, and pattern its movements. The art is in pinpointing a gobbler’s specific location in a darkening forest, not to mention getting that tom to gobble in the first place.
More simply, roosting a turkey means identifying where the bird (ideally a tom) flies up into a tree to sleep at night. You do this by getting the tom to gobble once he’s on the limb. The next morning, you know exactly where to target him when he flies down. It’s important to know that roosting is not about shooting a turkey out of a tree. That’s illegal in some states, but it’s poor form everywhere. Turkey hunting at its best is about calling in toms and engaging with them at their level.
Whether you’re a new turkey hunter or an experienced gobbler chaser, these tips will help you have more productive morning hunts this spring.
Turkeys tend to roost in the same area (sometimes the same tree) for multiple nights in a row. But there are no hard-and-fast rules here. A gobbler might roost in the same tree for a week, and then not return there for the rest of the season. Or, a different tom might start roosting in the area. Sometimes a turkey will roost by himself. Other times a tom might roost near a flock of hens with several other toms nearby, too. In the open plains of the West, where good roost trees are few and far between, hundreds of turkeys might roost in the same area.
As a turkey hunter, knowing what a turkey roost looks like and how to locate one is an invaluable skill. Finding where turkeys are roosting at night allows you to set up nearby and ambush them as they fly down in the morning. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about what turkey roosts look like, where they’re located, and how to find them.
Ideal Roosting Trees
Turkeys prefer to roost in mature, open-branched trees that provide safety from predators as well as easy access for flying up into and down from the tree. Here are the characteristics of ideal roosting trees:
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Large, mature trees. Turkeys prefer large, sturdy branches that can support their weight. They tend to choose mature oak, hickory, ash, beech, and pine trees.
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Open, horizontal branches. Branches that are parallel to the ground allow turkeys to fly up and land easily. They also allow turkeys to see any threats approaching.
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Areas with multiple suitable trees. Turkeys roost communally so they prefer forests or woodlots with many properly-branched trees together.
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Evergreen trees. In winter when deciduous trees are bare, turkeys favor roosting in evergreen trees like pine, cedar, and spruce which provide year-round cover.
Roosting trees tend to have good-sized branches that lay parallel to the ground. There can be as few as one turkey or even dozens in a single tree. In the spring as males begin their search for breeding hens they can often change roosts many times and break from the larger flock.
Where to Look for Roosts
Turkeys prefer to roost near food and water resources Here are the top places to scout for roost sites
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Along rivers, creeks, lakes, and ponds. Turkeys like being near water sources. Focus on taller mature trees along the water’s edge.
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In bottomlands and floodplains. The mix of mature trees and undergrowth in bottomlands offers security, food, and roosting opportunities.
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On south or east-facing slopes. Slopes that face the sunrise allow turkeys to warm up quickly in the morning after cold nights.
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Near feed fields or food sources. Turkeys want to roost within a short flight of their feeding areas. Check tree lines bordering crop fields.
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In secluded hollows or hilly terrain. The more concealed and protected a potential roost site is, the more appealing it is to turkeys.
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On the leeward side of ridges. Ridges provide shelter from prevailing winds. Check the protected side of ridge lines for potential roost trees.
Signs of an Active Roost
To confirm you’ve located an active turkey roost, look for these signs:
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Turkey droppings piled up under roost trees. This indicates turkeys are using this tree regularly.
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Turkey feathers scattered around. Many feathers will accumulate over time as turkeys preen and lose feathers.
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Bare ground or matted leaves under roost. Heavy turkey traffic packs down leaves and vegetation.
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Wing drag marks in soft soil. The wing tips of landing turkeys can leave drag marks in mud or loose dirt.
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Roosting turkeys at fly down/fly up times. You may spot or hear turkeys leaving the roost at dawn or entering it at dusk.
Locating Active Roosts
Here are some tactics for pinpointing active roost sites:
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Scout in early morning or late evening. Try to observe turkeys flying up to roosts or down from them.
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Use turkey calls just before dusk. Locator calls like owl hoots or crow calls often elicit shock gobbles from roosted turkeys.
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Follow turkey tracks in snow or soft ground. Trails leading to a single tree indicate a roost.
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Use a rangefinder on shock-gobbling birds. If you get a roosted tom to respond to a call, take note of the distance and direction.
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Set up trail cameras on likely roost trees. Cameras can reveal if turkeys are using particular trees overnight.
Hunting Near Roost Sites
Once you’ve located an active roost site, you can set up nearby and intercept turkeys as they fly down at dawn. However, be careful not to hunt too close and accidentally bump the birds off the roost. Setup tips:
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Set up 100-200 yards away. This gives you room to call and pull roosted birds your direction once they hit the ground.
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Position yourself downwind if possible. Your scent blowing towards the roost could spook the birds as they fly down.
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Pick a spot with good visibility. You want to be able to see turkeys in the roost tree and as they fly down.
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Use the terrain to conceal your approach. Carefully slip into position before fly down time without disturbing the birds.
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Have multiple setup options ready. Be ready to reposition quickly if the turkeys go a different direction than expected when flying down.
Knowing how to identify turkey roosts and scout them out is a powerful tool for consistent spring turkey hunting success. Use the tips in this article to locate active roost sites near you and set yourself up for exciting mornings chasing gobblers as they fly down to greet the new day!
Ridge Tops and Hilltops
Turkeys will take the high ground whenever they get the chance. Ridge tops that are hard to access, have mature trees, and relatively open woods are prime roosting spots. Turkeys will also roost along the sides of ridges or hills. They’ll walk to the top, or almost to the top, and they fly horizontally off the ridge to roost in limbs along its side.
In cold, windy weather, turkeys will commonly roost in draws to get out of the elements. This is especially true in Western open country where the best roost trees are commonly found in draws.
Woodhaven Calls Custom Calls Ninja Owl
Barred owls are found throughout the East, Midwest, South, and Pacific Northwest and their “who cooks for you, who cooks for y’all” really gets turkeys to gobble. You can read all about why turkeys gobble at owls here. With a little practice, you can make realistic owl hoots with your voice. Don’t worry about sounding exactly like an owl; the turkeys don’t really care.
However, there are also a variety of owl hoot calls out there, with Woodhaven’s being among the best. Owl hoots and box calls are my two favorite methods for striking roosted toms.
How To Find Turkey Roost Locations
FAQ
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