Hey guys - I'm in need of some help/advise. I hunt a small property here and it's somewhat secluded (meaning fences on three sides and road on the other. I have lots of deer that pass through as they can go under/over the fences but I'm concerned that turkey will not cross the fence. Also, I havent seen turkey on my property, just others around mine. Closest I've spotted them is about 1/4 mile away. So my questions are: Will turkey cross fences or avoid them if at all possible? How large of an areas do a group of turkey occupy or do they just basically free roam? Whats the best way to lure turkey over to my place if its basically surrounded with "obstabcles"? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! BTW - Love this site!!
Well i have seen it where turkeys will fly over fences but they typically wont do that unless they have a real good reason. I have also watched turkeys run into the fence move down a little bit and then walkinto it again. food is a good way to get them to come to your area but for this season your pretty much out of luck. You need to have food plots planned out in advance that green up in the spring. Only way you can find out is to get out there and scout. I would go out in the morning and see if you can locate some birds on the roost
Alright thanks, thats kind of what i was thinking... I had corn out earlier in the year and never got a single picture of a turkey, only deer. So I guess I need to have some food plots and give them a few years to get used to it being there and using it.
My experience with Rio Grande turkeys are that they are semi territorial. Once the hens are bred, they go on the move in search of food. That is in the areas 150 mikes west and a little south of Fort Worth. Down here, baiting is legal, and they will get accustomed to coming in to a feeder, but will go on the move when the mood strikes them. There are places where the turkeys just stay (south and hill country of Texas) Generally there isn't much in the way of predators or nest raiders when they really stay put. This is my observation. I believe that a whole bunch of their behavior is dictated by their environment. The whole fence crossing thing: I've watched Rio's duck under and fly over them numerous times. It depends on how motivated they are to get somewhere, I suppose. My grandfather can get them to act all kinds of wacky when he starts talking to them (he uses a wingbone call). The skill of the caller has a lot to do with how they behave. A really good read on turkey behavior is Illumination In the Flatwoods by Joe Hutto. He imprinted on a bunch of Osceola turkeys and lived with them until maturity. It was adapted into film called My Life As A Turkey. All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure - Mark Twain
