Afternoon Strategies

Like roosting birds, but with a shotgun if the opportunity presents itself. I slip in as early as I can and get set up in a likely area. Might do some calling, might just listen. A couple years ago I was listening and heard a gobble, after calling back I ended up having 5 longbeards come in at 6:30pm and I'm convinced they gobbled every other step of the way. Last year I got some good intel on a bird and got him the next morning. It can be just as great as the morning hunt. Enjoy!

You almost have to experience it once or twice to believe it, but they can come in cranked right before fly up

It wasn't 5 seconds after we sat down last night that a bird gobbled behind us. Property lines, a thicket, and a fast reacting hen kept him safe, but it was a prime example of how exciting the evening hunts can be.

We have had most of our success hunting where we know birds roost. We kill 2-3 every year that way. All have come gobbling hard. Several have just come strutting and quiet

For many springs before afternoon hunting was legal, I would get to the roosting area an hour before fly up and mostly just wait and listen. Sometimes I would call a bit with just soft talk. Had to hide many times from horned up toms trying to find me. Had them roost in the tree above and around many times. If we have a thunderstorm in the afternoon, then the sun pops out, it can really turn the toms on.

Trolling can work well in the afternoon if we can get a lonely Tom or 2 to hear us, and us hear them.

Also a good locator call is worth its weight in TSS as well in the afternoon.

As a personal preference I do not kill at a roost sight prior to fly up. Think it has a negative affect to the site. Mornings are different. If we stay back and hopefully above them and they come,well, it's on them. If we shoot before fly up at the roost, more than likely it will have them roosting elsewhere. Maybe even out of ear shot.

Turkeys may be dumb, but they can be very sensitive especially about where they sleep.

One more. So I was just dating my wife at the time. I roosted every evening a few weeks prior to season. I think she either thought I was nuts or had another girlfriend. She started questioning me like maybe I was up to no good. I asked her to go roosting and see for herself.
She had camo head to toe. Even camo face paint. Took her to the best roost site. I mean rite there. The birds came, 8 of them, 2 hens came 5 ft from us. They all flew up around us. It was awesome. Told her that not many get to experience that and that's why I did it so often.

Another time I told her I was talking to the owls. She was an unbeliever. Took her the next night and called to Barred owls to a tree 20yds away hooting and laughing. It was great. She pretty much believes what I tell her now.

Kip Feroce said:

Hunted a bird that has had hens, early today. He stayed on posted grounds for as long as I could take, and I left.
Went to another farm and trolled about a half mile loop. Nothing but dried tracks.
Thought of another spot not yet visited and went there. Sat next to a powerline a good while to listen. Heck of a breeze muffled hearing, so I went trolling. 1/4 mile or so later I heard him down in a large deep hollow. Each cluck I gave him he answered. He must have had it in high gear cause he was on me pretty quick. Good one. 1 inch spurs. Good heavy bird. What a beautiful day in W PA woods. Afternoon hunts can be great. Temperatures today were perfect. View attachment 214748 View attachment 214749 View attachment 214759

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Congrats! What time did you get him?

2:10 pm. Went back to camp to work in the garden. Ate lunch and when I walked back outside, and the wind had calmed, I wanted to be hunting. Off I went. Great day. Today is the same. My Toms were on fire this morning. They could hear gobbles that I couldn't and were responding.
I wasn't sure until I heard the shot about a half mile or so away. I bet they could hear the hunter calling as well.

Kip Feroce said:

2:10 pm. Went back to camp to work in the garden. Ate lunch and when I walked back outside, and the wind had calmed, I wanted to be hunting. Off I went. Great day. Today is the same. My Toms were on fire this morning. They could hear gobbles that I couldn't and were responding.
I wasn't sure until I heard the shot about a half mile or so away. I bet they could hear the hunter calling as well.

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Prime example of how you can catch em in a vulnerable moment any time the sun is up. Sounds like a great day!