[GeoLoon]

I have been out doing some scouting for fall turkeys, and I must say, it's certainly seems a bit more difficult to find birds in the fall versus the spring. I've been scouting public land and have only found minimal sign, although the nut trees seem to be producing very well. Areas where I find plenty of sign in the spring are showing no signs of birds now. Most of my public land scouting has been low, not on mountain tops. After stomping the woods for an hour or so, I will make a lap around the local farm lands and have yet to see a bird in the fields.

Is anyone else experiencing the same as I, or am I looking in the wrong areas for fall birds. As this is only my second season of fall turkey hunting, I am inexperienced, and some tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[TrashPanda]

The main thing that I look for is tracks, scratchings, feathers, droppings and of course the birds themselves. If they are feeding heavily in an area, it will be obvious.
You can also go out in the early mornings or late evenings and listen for them. They will call when flying up in the evening and off the roost in the AM. I've heard gobbling three mornings so far this archery season.
If you find them, try to stay on top of where they are. Once hunting season begins on public land, they can get bounced around.
Before the leaves drop, the scratches may not be obvious. If there is plenty of mast and the food is laying on top of the ground, then all they do is walk along picking it up. But they do still inherently scratch. After the leaves fall and the food gets covered, the scratching will be more prominent.

 

[mauser06]

Keep walking till you find the sign...


In the fall they tend to flock up and hammer the food source...you'll know when you find it...unless there's farmland and they are eating waste grain out of the fields..


If you find just a little sign it could be a group of longbeards which often group up separately...weird.. sometimes they are with the big flock.. sometimes there's 2-3-4..sometimes a bunch..


As was said if you listen in the mornings you might locate the roost..but if you're in the big woods and they are flocked up there might not be a bird for a mile or more..

 

[.257]

Keep walking till you find the sign...

X2

 

[GeoLoon]

I was out today and spent about two hours scouting the area I plan to hunt opening day. I did find feathers, droppings (both hen and gobbler), and an area that looks like someone went through it with a leaf blower. Hopes are definitely higher than when I made my original post early this morning.

Thanks for your replies guys, much appreciated.