turkeys in a roost tree

[qaqaw]

I've never spied turkeys in a roost tree. Is it common for them to all be in one tree, or a group of trees all nearby?

[GobbleNut]

As is usually the case, it depends on the circumstances. I have hunted places where there was only one suitable tree for the local turkeys to roost in...and they all roosted there.  Generally speaking, however, if there are a number of suitable trees in a location, my experience is that the turkeys will roost in several trees rather than a single one.

Most of the places I have hunted, the turkeys have been pretty loyal to roosting in the same group of trees...or at least the same general area...night after night. With enough disturbance, though, they will often relocate and roost elsewhere if other roosting habitat is available.

It also seems to me that, of the subspecies, Rio Grandes and Merriam's have a tendency to be more loyal to roosting in the same places than the others...at least that has been my observation in the places I have hunted.

[Davyalabama]

Easterns ---- Generally --- don't write this down as always, you may find several hens in one tree, especially in the spring as the buds start coming out.  Generally, gobblers aren't going to roost together.  You may have a couple jakes that roost right on each other, a couple trees over from each other. 

Now, that isn't written in stone, because we know terrain can dictate this too. 

[Western_Limb_Stalker]

It really depends on the roost habitat (trees) available, time of year, weather, and the number of birds frequenting a particular area. For example, during spring a mixed group of Merriam's in ponderosa pines will typically be in close proximity but not necessarily all in the same tree. With Rio's I've hunted areas with one available cottonwood suitable for roosting that held 10+ birds. During the spring months you may have a lone gobbler roosted solo (ideal for you the hunter) or during the summer and winter months you could have an 8 tom flock all piled into the same tree. There are lots of variables and the preferred sites and numbers of birds roosting can vary from day to day anytime of the year based on weather, predator interactions, and the mood of the bird.