How early do you get in the woods?

[BuckMaster]

How early does everyone get in the woods when turkey hunting?

This morning The Deer Hunter and I got in the woods around 6am and I think the turkeys were already on the ground. I've heard from a few people that they like to get back there like if they were deer hunting, (1hr before sun up).

Thoughts??

[osprey]

If I know where I'm going I get in when it's DARK! Was in the woods at 5am today, set up by 5:20, and at least two vehicles were already empty at the parking lot when I walked in. I've been hearing the first gobbles lately at 5:45 - 6AM, tapering off drastically by 6:30.

[Hardcorehunter]

I go in an hour before light. Slowly, taking my time, listening. In at 5:30 set up by 5:45 today.

[Huntin'Fever]

I get to a "field edge" around 5:45. I really don't like to tromp around in the woods until I know where the turkey is. Osprey is right though....around 6 am and they'll likely gobble on the roost. I wouldn't try shock gobbling much earlier than that. Between 6 and 630 is your time to make a move and get set up.

I remember a couple years ago I tried to set up on a bird before hearing him gobble since I "roosted" him the night before. I was a little off on my accuracy on where the bird was and ended setting up like 30 yards from him. He quickly left the area when he flew down from the roast and I never had a chance.

As a result, I tend to play conservative in the morning. There's a lot of hunting before 12 pm. After all, a wise man once said, "you have to feel out the temperature of the turkey and play him accordingly. It's like getting to see someone's poker hand before making your bet!

Can't wait until Saturday. Is it going to be DHextremecb's first turkey???
Let's hope so.

.....Fever

[captwahoo]

I usually wait till I can silouette the top of the trees, I hate to jump them out of the roost. If I can get up the night before, and know where they are roosting, I will head in about an hour before sunrise. I like to get in before the first tweety birds start singing.

[mudduck]

I normally do the same thing as you captn. I also do not like to hit the owl call too early either.

[Huntin'Fever]

You know, I guess my field edge thought only works if the turkeys aren't "Way in the Woods." (Typically the case where I hunt)

After listening to captwahoo, if the birds are deep within Hardwoods it would be much like deer hunting. Get in early and don't make too much noise. Good "intel" is a must though.

...Fever

[nybuckstalker]

I have wasted countless hours of sleep getting to the woods early and not kill a turkey until after 8:00. The only reason I go early anymore is to beat other hunters to the woods on public land. Theoretically, if I had a big piece of private land and the day off, I wouldn’t go until after 8:00, but I like to be in the woods when the sun comes up. Personally, I like my odds after the real hens have been bread and Mr. Horny Tom goes looking for some strange.