Home Ranges....How far do gobblers move during the spring?

[redleg06]

How far do you guys think Gobblers range over the course of the spring season?  Add on to that, how far do you think they move in an average day during the mating season? 


Out west (Tx, Ok, etc etc) I know rio's can go miles in a day, looking for water, good food sources, hens, etc. and then usually back to the same roost (or close to it).  From winter to spring-break ups flocks can completely change areas depending on needs and available resources. 

Easterns are a little more of a mystery to me...   

What do you guys think?  How far do you see a birds range change, not just from winter to spring but also just moving day to day?

[highwaygun]

I have hunted easterns in arkansas for along time and from my experience they don't travel very far during breeding season. Unless the take a ride in someone's pickup.

[Tail Feathers]

My experience on Easterns is that they frequent the same areas each spring unless clearcutting or something else runs them off.  As far as range each day, it's dependent on food, water and nesting and how far they have to go to get each.  My guess is, generally under a mile radius each day in wooded areas, at least in the spring season.
Look for suitable roosts with good nesting areas and water nearby and it's a good place to start.

[turkey_slayer]

A lone Tom looking for company has been known to travel 5 miles in a day. A tom with hens has no reason to leave other than doing their day to day routine

[turkeygod4]

At our ranch in south texas I have called in birds in one spot and the next day see the same bird nearly 6 miles away as the crow flies. I don't always shoot the birds I call. We have hundreds of them and I do a lot of photography.

[Deputy 14]

Most of the birds here stay within a couple hundred yards of their roost. Generally in the same hollow or draw. As long as there are food and hens they stay put for the most part.

[darron]

The birds around my property use a couple hundred acres it seems. Right now I  have a flock of 20 toms running on my place. I just hope some stick around. I have plenty  .  Of roost trees and water. I was lacking nesting cover but I hinge cut some areas on my farm for deer and turkey cover.

[lonnie sneed jr.]

I hunt WV and VA 90% of the time, if there hens in an area, the gobblers are not going far.

[Greenshed Longbeard]

During the breeding season where I hunt the gobblers go far enough to keep from getting beat up by the dominant tom. When the pecking order is established there may be a gobbler on every ridge. The subdominant toms location will vary until they establish their home range trying to lure the hens to them.

[tomstopper]

My experience on Easterns is that they frequent the same areas each spring unless clearcutting or something else runs them off.  As far as range each day, it's dependent on food, water and nesting and how far they have to go to get each.  My guess is, generally under a mile radius each day in wooded areas, at least in the spring season.
Look for suitable roosts with good nesting areas and water nearby and it's a good place to start.

^^This but my guess would be within a 2-3 mile radius......

[Gamblinman]

Rio's out here..you better have your best game ready..they hook up and do some travelin everyday.

5 to 6 miles is just a warm-up for these birds.

Gman