Lets Talk About Weather

[eschatts]

What effect does certain types of weather have on turkey?
For instance does a turkey stay on roost longer on a cloudy day than a sunny day? What does a turkey do in the fog?
Where will they go in a light rain? Where will they go in a heavy rain? What effect does the wind have on their movements and habits?
Overall what effects does weather have on the tureky?
What have you learned and what can you pass on to the novice hunters here.

Ed

[chadwimc]

The first turkey I got was at the end of a morning thunderstorm. The storm scared off my friend. I sat in the truck until I was reasonably sure the lightning was past. The fading thunder caused all kinds of shock gobbles. Of course, that bird was stupid. He didn't follow *ANY* of the experts advice. He flew across a flooded section of Harsha lake. Then he came uphill to find me. He hopped a fence (admittedly where a tree was lying on it). He has been shot before. I found healed over #6 copper plated shot in his chest. The only thing that stops me is very high wind or very heavy rain...

[OHBOW76]

From my personal experience hunting public land I would have to say there is one scenario that I pray for the most. I like it to rain throuhout the evening and night the day before I hunt, and then break up as dawn is approaching. This is the most consistent pattern I have found in regards to hunting turkeys. The morning following the storm they hit those fields soemthing fierce. Even birds that wont normally come into the fields, come into them on mornings like that. I think it helps for a few reasons, one the woods are wet and the cant hear danger as easily so they rely on their eyesight in the open fields.I think they also like to come into the fields so they can dry off some, and I also believe a nasty storm the night before will scatter the birds a little and a Tom will end up with no company in the morning so he is all worked up. I cant say these are all definite facts, but I have always had my best days hunting following these conditions. A light steady drizzle is good as well but high winds are terrible.

[eschatts]

I believe that what you have said about rain and birds going to the open fields is correct.
I am not sure what effect wind has on them.
I believe that they will stay on roost quite a bit longer if it is foggy. I think that they will stay on roost longer on overcast days as well. Not sure if rain drives them off the roost early or not.
I am sure that someone here can clear these questions up.

Ed

[DLC]

What if the land your hunting has no feilds and it's raining? Do you look for openings: logging roads maybe???

[CritterGitter]

Logging roads are good if it is rainy and there are no fields around. Again, it gives the birds an opportunity to dry off and rely on their eyesight a little more. Logging roads can also be good when it is not raining. Also, windy conditions are tough because the birds don't hear calls as well. I don't know if wind changes a turkeys behavior much, but it certainly affects calling and whether they can hear the calls or will respond to them.

CG

[10Gauge]

I stay in bed when it is raining!

Like DLC, my hunting areas are very, very, very heavily wooded with little if any openings....even the logging or mining roads are almost covered with dense canopy. I tend to find birds in the biggest pines I can locate and prefer a dense stand of pines along a ridge top when it is raining.

Seriously, sleeping in or having a few cups of coffee in the truck and going out after those late morning birds on rainy days has paid off on several hunting trips for me!