Don't Get Too Close To Toms

It was an epic failure. My turkey hunting knowledge was limited, and I figured the closer I could get, the better my chances of jellying a head with a load of No. 5s. I'm a slow learner, and it took bumping at least three different birds to learn you don't want to press too close to a roosted gobbler.

Roosting birds and pinpointing where one or more gobblers are sleeping for the evening is a good thing. If you know a bird's location, you can make a smart morning plan. Sadly, too many hunters, especially new turkey ones, make the mistake of trying to press in way too close. Here's how to seal the deal on a roosted tom.

Finding A Roosted Bird

Boy birds love to fire off for a few minutes once they hit the limb at the close of the day. One of my favorite tactics for finding them, especially on a calm evening, is gaining some elevation and simply listening. A small hill, ridge or plateau will work just fine. Have a seat about an hour before the western sky swallows the sun and relax. If a bird pops off, take note of his location. If he's gobbling on his own, let him roll. Typically, a tom will gobble a few times on his way to the roost, so if you hear a gobble before sunset, don't get up and leave. Stay put. The tom will likely gobble more once he gets in the tree. If not, make him gobble. This is where a good locator call comes into play. Use a crow call, owl hoot, or hawk screech—all are easy to use—and get the bird to talk.

If the sit-and-wait game isn't your style, or if birds don't seem to be gobbling, don't be afraid to drive perimeter roads or walk old logging roads with a locator call in hand come evening. A few squawks on the call will often get a bird to go. Regardless of what tactic you choose, mark all roosted toms on a digital mapping app.

Make A Game Plan

Once you know where toms are located, pull up those spots on your app. Set it in a 3D aerial image mode, and then start looking at the landscape. Is there an ag field nearby? How about an open pasture or secluded meadow? Is there a long, open ridge surrounded by heavy timber? Upon pitching down, toms will move to more open areas called strut zones to puff up and look pretty for the girls. If toms are with hens, they will likely scratch around in the timber for a bit and then follow the hens to a food source. Your job is to predict where the birds will likely move after flydown and be there well before the break of day. Obviously, this prediction is much easier if you can put in some boots-on-the-ground scouting time in ahead of your hunt.

Execute

It's important to point out that turkeys have excellent eyesight, and when in an elevated perch, their field of view increases greatly. Turkeys are under constant scrutiny from predators and miss very little. Don't try to push the envelope. Typically, I like to setup 150 to 250 yards off the roost. Closer can be better, but only if you're certain the birds won't bust you. Pick a setup spot and mark that spot on your digital mapping app. Use the app's measuring tool to check the distance between your planned ambush point and the roost.

Use the landscape and available cover to disguise your approach. If you must use a headlamp, be sure to set it to a low-glow green or red LED mode and aim it toward the ground. Move slowly and methodically to your pre-marked location. Upon arrival, set your decoys if you’re using them, and then get a good backdrop and snuggle in. Keep the sun at your back if possible and stay quiet.

This isn't the time to start blowing a locator call. You don't need to locate the birds. You already did that. Sit tight and listen. It's common for a lone tom or a tom with some hens to get vocal on the roost. If you're certain the tom is alone, let out a few soft yelps before flydown. You want to let him know where you are and check his temperature. If you can hear hens, I recommend waiting for the birds to fly down before you start calling. Stay patient and rely on your position, calling, and decoys to seal the deal.