Roosting a turkey is an essential skill for spring turkey hunters. Finding where a tom flies up to sleep at night allows you to set up right under him at fly down the next morning. This puts you in prime position to call that gobbler in close.
Roosting takes knowledge of turkey behavior excellent woodsmanship skills and the right tactics. Follow this comprehensive guide to master the art of roosting gobblers.
Why Roost Turkeys?
Turkeys fly up into trees in the evenings to sleep safely away from predators They prefer mature trees with big horizontal branches Roost sites offer protection from the elements as well,
Turkeys are vocal on the roost gobbling and making soft tree yelps. At first light, they fly down to start feeding. They often return to the same roosts night after night.
Knowing exactly where a tom roosts allows you to set up right underneath and call him in at fly down. Even if you don’t kill that bird, you’ll learn his patterns and can hunt him again.
Where Do Turkeys Roost?
Turkeys seek safety and shelter when choosing roost sites. Ideal roost trees are found in these areas:
- River bottoms and pond edges – Open landing zones and predator protection
- Field edges – Quick access to feeding areas
- Ridge tops and hillsides – Good vantage points
- Mature pine stands – Shelter from wind and cold
- Hardwood draws and hollers – Protection from weather
How to Locate Roosted Turkeys
Use these proven tactics to pinpoint where turkeys are roosting:
Shock Gobble at Night
The most common roosting method is to shock gobble turkeys once they are in the trees. Right before fly up or early in the morning, use loud calls that trigger a reflexive gobble:
- Box call – Loud, aggressive yelping
- Owl hooter – Barred owl call gets great response
- Coyote howler – High pitched distress sounds
- Crow call – Sometimes works when others fail
Listen for Fly Up
On calm evenings, listen for the loud wing flaps of turkeys flying into roost trees. This confirms they are roosting in that area.
Spot Roosted Birds
In open country, spot turkeys in trees using binoculars right at last light. Watch exactly where they fly up.
Look for Sign
Droppings and feathers below roost trees help identify active roosts. Turkeys return to the same spots annually.
Tips for Roosting Success
Use these expert tips to master the art of roosting:
- Triangulate gobbles to pinpoint exact tree
- Approach roost carefully to avoid detection
- Play the wind right to hear well
- Use owl and box calls first to strike birds
- Stay late – turkeys often gobble after fly up
- Listen from high points to hear distant gobbles
- Bring a buddy to determine direction better
- Don’t roost near roads to avoid educated birds
Hunting Roosted Turkeys
Here are tips for hunting a roosted tom the next morning:
- Slip in well before fly down using no lights
- Sit quietly without spooking birds
- Let tom gobble on his own before calling
- Assume he’ll pitch down near the roost tree
- Stay ready as he may come in quickly
- Be patient and stay all day to draw him away from hens
Consistent Success Through Roosting
Locating a gobbler’s roost is half the battle. You’ll gain invaluable insight into his habits and patterns.
Even if you don’t tag that bird right away, your odds increase significantly by hunting turkeys using roosting tactics. Master these skills and fill more tags!
Factors That Influence Roosts
Protection: The primary factor that influences a turkeys choice in a roosting site is its level of protection from predators. Turkeys prefer to roost high above the ground, in trees with a lot of foliage to conceal themselves from predators.
Water: Turkeys need water to survive, so the proximity of a roosting site to a water source is important. Most roosting sites are within 200-300 yards of water.
Habitat: The habitat structure is another key factor in turkey roost site selection. Adult turkeys prefer to roost in larger trees that they can easily and quickly fly up into. These mature trees also provide, as mentioned, security. Temperature: Turkeys consider temperature when selecting a roosting site. When a cold night is in the forecast, you’ll find they often choose roosting sites with southern and western exposure to grab what heat they can and avoid chilly north winds.
To scout out potential roosting sites, look for feathers or droppings under likely roosting trees. In the evenings, listen for gobbles and cackles. A hen, and sometimes even a tom, will cackle when it takes off for flight. You can get gobblers to respond on the roost with a shock gobble call.
Early season, turkeys are a little easier to see on the roost. Come full bloom and youll only be able to hear them.
Here are some tips on how to identify potential roosting sites:
Mature trees: Look for trees tall enough to provide adequate protection from predators, and with branches spreading out widely, allowing turkeys to perch securely. Some common roost trees include oaks, pines, cottonwoods, and large maples.
Look for feathers or droppings: Depending on where you hunt, turkeys could use the same roosting site multiple times throughout the season and year. Finding feathers, droppings, and scratching is a good sign.
Listen: Listen for gobbles and cackles. If you don’t hear anything, try to make a tom shock gobble by hitting either a crow, coyote, or owl call.
Trail cameras: scout before the season with trail cameras to get a general sense of turkeys’ coming and goings.
How to Roost Turkeys
FAQ
How long before dark do turkeys go to roost?
Every night as the sun sets turkeys will go to roost.
What’s the best way to roost a turkey?
Roost aggressively. Start about 30 to 40 minutes before sunset — not too early — at a good listening spot near where you’ve encountered turkeys before. High ridges, knolls and ridge tops are ideal because turkeys can hear your locator calls from such spots, and you can hear gobbling.
What to do when you hear no gobbles?
If you don’t have a bird roosted and there are no gobbles at daybreak, consider heading straight to one of your good fields or strut zones immediately after first light. You want to make sure you beat the birds to the spot. Once there, set up and call softly for 10 minutes.
Do turkeys roost in the same area every night?
Turkeys may use traditional roost sites night after night but they generally use different sites and move from tree to tree.