[Fieldzy]

I've located some birds that roost somewhat in the middle of a steep, long hill. I told a friend about them and he said make sure you setup on the uphill side of them and not below them. He said it's easier to call birds uphill then it is to call them downhill. Is there some truth to this?

 

[Goosehunter]

True

 

[hdt]

Almost always the case.

 

[GobbleBuck]

If these birds consistently roost in the same spot then make sure that you pattern where they like to fly down to. If you can, that is the general area I would try to be in. I am more of a fan of being on the same level than up or down.

 

[Borden811]

Sometimes yes. It ll depends on where the turkeys want to go. Turkeys will be turkeys, but I'd say 3/4 of the time, you're better off uphill than down, based on my experience.

 

[sq32]

I roost a lot of birds and allways start above them or on the same level.A Lot depends on where i think the bird or birds are going.

Scott

 

[F-Troop79]

in my short experience it was true

 

[Fairchild #17]

I've seen some birds though that would go downhill every morning to water.....before coming back up the hill to feed on the ridges. I can't remember if it was a particularly dry year or not, but they would do it every day .
It was a frustrating thing to figure them out.

 

[Fly Guy]

Yes it is true, but turkey can move downhill despite what some say. They are weight forward and move in a zig zag pattern depending on the grade of the hill. It is difficult travel and sometimes it is easier for them to glide down the hill. I agree to find where they want to be and get in between the roost and point A. Me personally I would stay on the same level. I hunt an area when the birds come of the roost they stay just below the ridge line and if the feel threatened they can fly down hill or run up to the top of the ridge and away. Hope this helps

 

[Fieldzy]

It is frustrating to figure out where their going to go, but that's hunting. I guess i'll keep an eye on them to see what they favor more, uphill or down. Some days there are 10 birds in the tree and other days i see 2! I'm using binoculars so i can keep back and also not calling to make them use to my calls.

 

[Farflung]

generally true, as others have said. Most noteable exception around here is if they are near a open field on the botton of a hill. They will often fly off their roost into field.

 

[Farflung]

generally true, as others have said. Most noteable exception around here is if they are near a open field on the botton of a hill. They will often fly off their roost into field.

 

[Moss]

He said it's easier to call birds uphill then it is to call them downhill. Is there some truth to this?

Yes and No..I've called in and killed many gobblers calling them downhill, the one I killed last year was downhill.

 

[PA boxcall]

Sometimes yes. It ll depends on where the turkeys want to go. Turkeys will be turkeys, but I'd say 3/4 of the time, you're better off uphill than down, based on my experience.

Agree.

If you have patterned to the same roost area, next step is carefully pattern them after fly down. Once you know where they typically go once on the ground, up hill, down hill, side hill doesn't matter. Be there.

 

[G2CDeer]

That seems to be the case, but it also could be an old wise tail.

 

[browny7492]

IMO being as close as possible to the roost is more important than being up hil/down hill. However if I have a choice, up hill would be my first choice.

 

[Denny Emery]

Don't get hung up on you can only call them uphill. If the gobbler is interested in what you are offering him, you will kill him.

 

[WildTigerTrout]

The only absolute in turkey hunting is there are NO absolutes! Never use the word never or always when dealing with wild turkeys.

 

[dce]

When a turkey is moving up a hill,it has to search for you and they gererally won't hang up as much because they can't see far.When they're coming down a hill,they can see much farther and it they don't see what they expect,they'll hang up easier and not committ.There's still no absolutes.

 

[Uncle Johnny]

About half the turkeys killed by me or others in my favorite turkey spot have been taken when they came down the hill. The other half are about split between same level and coming up from below.

Just hunt.