On rainy days, especially cold rainy days, gobblers go quiet. Turkeys will opt to stay in the roost longer. Once they do fly down, they will alter their daily routine. Rainy evenings and mornings can also produce fog.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=isWviT-EmUQ
Will Turkey come out in the rain?
Understanding Turkeys: Do Turkeys Move in The Rain
If the day begins stormy and heavy rain is falling gobblers and hens may opt to remain on roost well after daylight. But, as the storms move on and the rain subsides, the turkeys will leave their roost position and begin their day.
What do turkeys do in the pouring rain?
Although feathers guard against rain, turkeys still tend to seek shelter during heavy downpours. Once the weather calms and the sun peeks out, however, toms will resume gobbling, strutting, and seeking hens in open fields with short grasses. They’d prefer not to drag their feathers along the wet, muddy ground.
What is the best time to roost turkeys?
Start by slipping into an area in mid-afternoon where you’ve heard birds before — or maybe just by targeting decent habitat. Scout open areas positioned not far from stands of big-branched trees. Sit calmly and quietly, listening as turkeys move into a likely roosting spot.
Will turkey gobble on the roost in the rain?
On rainy days, especially cold rainy days, gobblers go quiet. Turkeys will opt to stay in the roost longer. Once they do fly down, they will alter their daily routine. Rainy evenings and mornings can also produce fog.
Where do turkeys go when its raining?
Where do birds go when it rains? Hunt open fields, like pastures and short alfalfa. In wet weather, turkeys would rather walk in short vegetation so that their feathers won’t drag through sodden grass and underbrush.
Do turkeys like the rain?
Think like a Bird
The wild turkey is the only creature in the woods that likes rain less than you do. Their otherwise puffy and iron-clad chainmail of feathers becomes about as useful as a soppy down blanket when soaked.
Where do turkeys roost during storms?
They will often stay in their roost tree until visibility improves. “Sometimes turkeys will gobble at a thunderclap,” Phillips advises. “Thunder can cause a turkey to shock gobble and give away his position.”
Do turkeys roost in the same spot?
Overall, the answer to the big question is that turkeys do not always roost in the same place. Turkeys are much like deer in that they shift to different parts of their home range throughout the year. That said, they do seem to favor certain ones, and spend more time roosting in favored locations than anywhere else.
How long before sunset Do turkeys fly up to roost?
In the woods I hunt the birds are entering slightly before sunset and are usually flying up as the sun hits the horizon–almost to the minute! Remember, too that SPRING hunting hours end 1/2 hour BEFORE SUNSET…which normally takes a true “roost” out of play.
What time do turkeys fly down off roost?
As stated above, both male and female turkeys will leave the roost sometime between 5:00 to 9:00 a.m. The largest factor that determines the exact time during this window is the weather. If the weather is clear, the birds will leave the roost earlier. The gobbler will usually fly down right around first light.
What trees do turkeys like to roost in?
Turkeys also prefer pine trees to any other types of trees. They offer cover year round and often a clean forest floor to take off and land on. A single pine tree will do the trick if it is big enough, but clusters of them are best.
How do you hunt turkeys when they are not gobbling?
Another tactic after you hear a gobbler gobble once, or spot one, is to call only once. Then grab a seat and drop that call onto the ground or into a turkey vest pocket. The silent treatment on gobblers seems to get the best of them. You simply sound off and go silent after you’ve moved in as close as possible.
What to do when turkeys stop gobbling?
When the gobbler quits gobbling, look at your watch, and force yourself to stay on your stand. Don’t move around for an hour after the bird has quit gobbling. If you’ll use this strategy, you’ll see more turkeys, and you’ll take more turkeys.
Does barometric pressure affect turkeys gobbling?
Researchers showed that when the barometric pressure dropped below 29.7 inches the birds were much quieter. They probably like to watch movies on rainy days too. Back to the turkey science. In the studies, wind direction didn’t change the rate at which turkeys gobbled, but wind speed did.
Is it good to hunt in the rain?
Damp conditions on the forest floor enable you to move quietly through the woods, making it ideal for still-hunting or spot and stalk. While damp conditions seem to benefit a deer’s sense of smell, a heavy rain works to a hunter’s advantage by washing away ground scent.
What is the best turkey hunting weather?
Because turkeys are most active during times of mild weather, it’s been estimated that they are the most vocal in temperatures of 60-69 degrees Fahrenheit. Much like humans, too hot or too cold and their activity slows down.
Is it good to hunt after a rain?
Shortly after a rain can be one of the best times to be in the woods. Everything starts to move again and because of the rain, their senses can be a little bit impaired. Deer can not hear as well and their sense of smell is challenged by the humid air and challenging winds that come along with rain.
Does weather affect turkey hunting?
Because turkeys are most active during times of mild weather, too hot or too cold weather slows their activity. It has been estimated that turkeys are most vocal in temperatures between 60 and 69 degrees fahrenheit. On a hot day, the birds are still out there, but might be biding their time in shaded cover.
Where do birds sleep when it rains?
When bad weather hits, birds generally seek shelter from wind and rain in dense shrubs or thickets, next to heavy tree trunks, and on the downwind side of woods and forests. Cavity-nesting birds hunker down in nest boxes and natural cavities to ride out storms.
Will turkeys gobble the morning after a storm?
They’ll shut up when the storm gets close. If the storm rages early evening and stops well before dawn they seem to gobble well especially if they have consistently that season. If it lasts well into the early hours, they seem to stay on the roost late.