We could hear them but not see them

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   On the river looking for turkeys.We wend about 24 miles down stream working turkeys.
All the Islands with trees and every patch of trees on the bank we would stop and call, first for Turkey then for Raccoon.
Not one raccoon to be seen and about 18 miles down we has some turkeys respond. It was right next to a section of state trust land and across from an Island that is BLM.
We landed in stealth mode got out and climbed the brake to the flat on top hoping to entice a tom to two to come visit us. Maybe an hour we worked them. At a few points we could tell they where close but just would not come in to view. Many places State/federal lands are just a line on a map, no fence or sigh. You Have to have a GPS to be legit. I have no idea why there was turkeys there, no obvious food only some trees on the island, the rest is just brakes and sage.
Like I said we never saw them but heard at least two toms gobbling back. Not a farm for many miles around.
In the mornings we see turkeys in spots on the river and always wondered why. How far do turkeys fly/walk to roust and feed?
I could see a mile ore even two, but we are talking well over 5/10 miles for any type of Ag land or even real posturer land.

Farther down the river Pines replace the cottonwoods, the turkey eat the pine seeds. Where heavy grassing occur turkeys will eat the seeds and bugs under and in the cow poop. Maybe Grasshoppers but right now there are not many for a big bird to feed on. Just buffalo grass, sage, yucca, and pricey pear cactus, there are not even many deer in the big brakes.

What's up?

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d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9961	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: We could hear them but not see them Posted: 11 April 2021 at 12:45
	On the river looking for turkeys. We wend about 24 miles down stream working turkeys. All the Islands with trees and every patch of trees on the bank we would stop and call, first for Turkey then for Raccoon. Not one raccoon to be seen and about 18 miles down we has some turkeys respond. It was right next to a section of state trust land and across from an Island that is BLM. We landed in stealth mode got out and climbed the brake to the flat on top hoping to entice a tom to two to come visit us. Maybe an hour we worked them. At a few points we could tell they where close but just would not come in to view. Many places State/federal lands are just a line on a map, no fence or sigh. You Have to have a GPS to be legit. I have no idea why there was turkeys there, no obvious food only some trees on the island, the rest is just brakes and sage. Like I said we never saw them but heard at least two toms gobbling back. Not a farm for many miles around. In the mornings we see turkeys in spots on the river and always wondered why. How far do turkeys fly/walk to roust and feed? I could see a mile ore even two, but we are talking well over 5/10 miles for any type of Ag land or even real posturer land. Farther down the river Pines replace the cottonwoods, the turkey eat the pine seeds. Where heavy grassing occur turkeys will eat the seeds and bugs under and in the cow poop. Maybe Grasshoppers but right now there are not many for a big bird to feed on. Just buffalo grass, sage, yucca, and pricey pear cactus, there are not even many deer in the big brakes. What's up?
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

Wing master Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA StraightShooter Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 8029	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wing master Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 April 2021 at 14:07
	I don't know anything about turkey habits, but it's about as exciting as elk when you're calling them in. What kind of calls do you use? Wing master Edited by Wing master - 11 April 2021 at 14:07
	I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9961	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 April 2021 at 14:34
	We each have a box call and a gobbler. We have gobs of sounds on our fox pro but in MT we cant use electronic calls so we left them at home...
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

BEAR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Joined: 07 September 2013 Location: Appalachian Mtn Status: Offline Points: 14390	Post Options Post Reply Quote BEAR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 April 2021 at 09:00
	Might guess that the hens are there for food, maybe bugs from the wet snow melt. The Toms are there for only one reason.....hens! When I locate birds, I don't give up when they shut up, I just sit them out. An hour or two and a Tom often walks in quiet. Now I always use foam decoys. Often those birds saw the decoys, but also saw live hens and when and followed them..joy. But after the Toms have finished that first real bird, he remembers the sight of the hen decoys and heads back. Birds here are more vocal in the early morning and then seem to go quietly as the day/sun comes on. We don't start here till May 1, as they want the breeding to be well gone/done. makes it tough. Good luck, my sardine sandwiches don't seem to work on turkeys but they taste good to me.
	“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”