It’s April, and here in Idaho that means it’s time for spring turkey season and we can’t wait to get us some great looking toms! However, one key to getting that perfect trophy tom is taking time to pinpoint prime locations where those extra special toms are likely to be found. Taking the time prior to your hunt to scope out great roosting spots is definitely one of the most important preparations you can make to ensure a successful hunt. We also recommend having several potential roosting spots already chosen before your hunt so that if one of them turns out to be a dud, you have other options. This is also important because turkeys love to rotate roosts, so the more options the better. There is nothing more frustrating that having a poor hunt due to lack of preparation. So, in order to help you have a successful turkey hunt, here are some of our top tips to use when picking out potential roosting locations:
1. First off, you want to understand the bird in general. For the most part, you’ll likely have the best hunting near the first and last hours of the day (provided these fit within your legal hunting periods), and you should also remember that turkeys don’t like to roost near the crest of hills. Therefore, look for spots around ½ to 2/3rds of the way up a hill. Turkeys also love the sun, but hate the wind so look for hills, hogbacks, side-hills etc.
2. Understand where you’re hunting! If your terrain is flatter, look for meadows or tree clearings. If your terrain is hilly, check out knolls, if your terrain is more southern based look at areas near water with nice tree coverage.
3. Turkeys love to roost in big, old trees. Particularly on longer, larger branches. However, it should be noted that if no old growth trees are nearby, they will not turn up their beaks at a younger, skinny tree. Just look for branches that seem like they would make an easy perch. If you need help locating a potential golden turkey spot, make sure to check the base of your trees for evidence that it has been roosted in previously (like feathers, droppings, etc).
4. Look for areas with a good amount of food for the birds as well; remember turkeys are just like people and make sure to camp out near good feeding grounds!
Now that you know some awesome tips for helping you find your bird, the last key to success is making sure you are properly equipped. Make sure to bring outerwear suitable for the weather you’re hunting in, as well as potential rain or snow depending on where you live. Also make sure to bring snacks and lots of water. Turkey hunting is a game in patience, so you want to make sure you’re all set to hunker down for potentially hours. Last but not least, you want to make sure to bring your fully charged Pro-Tracker, ultimate tracking and recovery system. Turkeys are known to be wiley and smart, and you don’t want to risk finding your perfect bird due to a poor shot that allowed it to take flight. Even injured, a turkey can be speedy and an escape artist, so it’s important to have your Pro-Tracker system on hand to help you find your bird if your shot goes awry. Happy hunting everyone!