Roosting Birds...

[TurkeyHuntPA_NY]

Does everyone have the same problem I have in NY that you cant roost them at night???

I have only ever roosted 2 birds in my entire 15 years I have been hunting NY.

But it seems in the morning the choir boys sing, its like I go from hearing not a thing the night before to the next morning I hear birds all around me.

Anyone have this problem too?

If not what kind of calls do you use to light them up?

[G-Man]

I roost birds about 90% of the time. use a can owl hooter, if that doesn't work this will sound crazy but i blow an elk bugle! extreemly loud causes a shock gobble almost everytime you just have to really listen as the will gobble about 1/2 way through the call, if i think i heard one ill call again but cut it short. It helps a lot to have another person about 50-100 yards away to listen even using an owl call as they will cut into that call as well. or maybe my ears are just getting wore out and cant't quite hear as well as i use to.

[Lawdwaz]

Years ago we roosted lots of birds.  Seems like things have changed because we don't get many birds to answer like we used to. 

I guess, looking back we spent quite a bit more time trying to roost them because we had the time and inclination!

One time while monkeying around I got a gobble at 11:00 PM!!  (get your mind out of the gutter, it WAS a turkey) ;D

[Fantail]

Kind of hit or miss on this. used an owl hooter or a triple cut raspy mouth call with some rooting success. Not so much with the howler - seems to stirr up more distant yotes or domestic dogs.

[Pygmy]

I used to do it a lot, but don't do it much anymore....It's worth trying, if you have the time and inclination...

If you get a bird to sound off on the roost, at least you know he is there...

However, that doesn't mean he is going to GOBBLE the next morning..

Also if you DON'T hear anything, don't assume they are NOT there..I have tried roosting birds many times at night and heard nothing, and then returned to the same area the next morning and had birds gobbling all over..

[jr.deerslayer]

Its hit or miss for us to, birds must be very hot for us to get a responce.

I've found a goose call works good, most times better than owl.

I agree with Pygmy as long as you dont spook them it cant hurt, but if you believe turkeys are there and they dont talk on the roost, continue to the same spot in the morning, more often then not you'll hear one.Ive had them gobble from the road from accidently blowing my horn.

[nyantler]

a crow call has always worked well for me...