HOWATTANDHAWKEN
PMA Member
From my experience, I would say right after sunset and before darkness, I see them or jump them out of the trees during midday every now and then. I would guess something spooked them there or maybe just taking a nap after filling thier bellies.
K
KennethJr
Guest
I have found that the birds are usually within 50yds of their roost site about a hour to a half hour before sunset.
jkratz5
Well-Known Member
I think these guys have it right. Usually right at sunset until dark you can hear them flying up to the roost. I went out last night to try to figure out where some birds were roosting on a new property. Heard them start to fly up about 6:45 and continue for about 15 minutes.
These guys are right on. Birds will work their way towards their roosting site during the early evening. The flocks I hunt tend to roost in the same place every evening.
It's a lot easier to go to a property you intend to hunt and listen for gobbling in the morning. Return late in the day and watch them roost from afar to where you heard gobbling that morning. This is especially productive when you're hunting an island of timber surrounded by food sources.
I've had success roosting birds in larger tracts of timber by watching a ridgeline at dusk. I think the birds like to be as high up as they can and prefer the elevation a ridge offers over the surrounding landscape. Glassing with good optics at dusk, especially before the trees bud, can be a great way to cover a lot of acres of timber and dial in a flock. I will say that birds in larger tracts are harder to pattern...they will use more roosting areas.
It's a lot easier to go to a property you intend to hunt and listen for gobbling in the morning. Return late in the day and watch them roost from afar to where you heard gobbling that morning. This is especially productive when you're hunting an island of timber surrounded by food sources.
I've had success roosting birds in larger tracts of timber by watching a ridgeline at dusk. I think the birds like to be as high up as they can and prefer the elevation a ridge offers over the surrounding landscape. Glassing with good optics at dusk, especially before the trees bud, can be a great way to cover a lot of acres of timber and dial in a flock. I will say that birds in larger tracts are harder to pattern...they will use more roosting areas.
180class
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
dbltree, do you have an open room for rent?
[/ QUOTE ]
No...but I do have "room to roam"!
It's really not that great...nobody goes by but the mailman...and sometimes I have to walk all the way to the back 40 to call in a tom...
[/ QUOTE ]
I officially hate you!
Just kidding man. I am jealous as can be!
[ QUOTE ]
dbltree, do you have an open room for rent?
[/ QUOTE ]
No...but I do have "room to roam"!
It's really not that great...nobody goes by but the mailman...and sometimes I have to walk all the way to the back 40 to call in a tom...
[/ QUOTE ]
I officially hate you!
Just kidding man. I am jealous as can be!
LoessHillsArcher
PMA Member
I can't say I have ever roosted a bird, they are in the same roosts everynight and it never fails me!