Turkey Movement Advice

[BerettaMan]

So, I was scouting the local WMA down here in Florida this week and, as I was leaving, I saw a couple of Toms crossing the road at about 4:15 in the afternoon (about 2 hours before sunset).  My question is: If I were to set up on them in the morning (during Turkey season, of course!), which side of the road would you set up, on the side they were coming from or the side they were going to?  At 4:15PM were they on their way back to their roosting area or were they still moving away from the roost? 
Thanks for your help... and infinite wisdom!

[Gamblinman]

Too early to determine. Need to set on them till dark to see if and where you hear gobbling. If not, then be there in the morning.

Opening day, WMA in FL, I want to be right under the tree he's roosted if I want a shot, otherwise, the other guy will be.

[guesswho]

I always try to set up on the right side.

[Happy]

I see what you did there...

[guesswho]

I see what you did there...

[born2hunt]

I always try to set up on the right side.

  Now that's some solid advice right there...

But really, two hours before sun set a turkey can still be way way away from their roost site. Heck, depending on the WMA they may cross multiple more roads before they get there. Or they could just make a loop and go back...its practically impossible to say.

[Spitten and drummen]

Most likely by the time season rolls around , they will have moved somewhere else.

[BerettaMan]

Thanks for all the replies.... even you jokers!

Yeah, I guess as a new turkey hunter, I am not really aware of their movements in general.  Do they tend to "live" in one area for a while or are they more nomadic, constantly moving from place to place.  I guess I have some more research to do!

Thanks again!

[Spitten and drummen]

They move around following the food sources season to season. Close to season find the hens. Gobblers will be where there are hens guaranteed.They will be close to a food source , water and good nesting area. Just because you have birds in the fall does not mean you will have them in the spring.

[Happy]

That's the thing. One sighting doesn't mean much other than turkeys are in the area. They might have been buggered and off their normal routine or they may cross that road daily. You have to keep an eye on things before you start to see patterns.

[GobbleNut]

Right off the bat, from your post I would assume you are new to spring gobbler hunting.  If that is indeed the case, you first need to understand the elements of spring hunting (and scouting) that are truly significant,...and those that are not.

While seeing a couple of gobblers in the afternoon is not worthless,...it does let you know that turkeys live there,...the importance of that event is way down the list of things to take note of.  ...And basing your hunting decisions on that sighting is pretty much a waste of time, especially a full month or more before the season starts.  The real value of your scouting at this point in time is learning as much as you can about the property you are going to be hunting when the season does finally get here.

Stick around here on OG and you will learn the real keys to spring gobbler hunting success from a bunch of very knowledgeable folks.  Much of it has already been discussed in detail in past discussions,...but I am sure we will be re-hashing it all again in the next couple of months.    

[g8rvet]

learning as much as you can about the property you are going to be hunting when the season does finally get here.

Unknown creeks cost me more birds than any other mistake I made when I first started turkey hunting.   I agree with this point very much.

[guesswho]

As season gets closer do some low impact scouting.  Scout with your ears a week or so before your hunt.   You can probably figure out then where you need to be.   I still say your odds are better if your go to the right side.