| Author |
Message |
Maverick
| | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 4:39 pm: | |
Hello -
In evaluating a large piece of
mountainous terrain, where do you start looking for turkey activity/roost sites? I am a Texas hunter coming to hunt the VA mountains for the first time this spring. I anticipate hunting the Jefferson National Forest near Blacksburg, as well as Mt. Rogers Nat'l Rec Area. Any information you can provide will be appreciated. Thanks. |
GN
| | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 5:30 pm: | |
A couple of thoughts, as this is a difficult thing to do with precision off a map.... not like a lot of Texas where if you find water you can find turkeys, for example. I will say I have had surprising success "killing one off a map" though. My first step going in blind would be to see if you can get an updated National forest inventory that shows where the most mature hardwoods are and the general age species/class of hte woods in your target area...Generally, if you find old (no recent selective or clear cuts)hardwoods in flat places in ridges or more gentle slopes spines of the moutnains you will find turkeys...north side of the mountain better than south side in the spring, look for creeks and seeps in high mountain mature oak forests, avoid extreme cliff areas...load the gun. Surprisingly., looking at maps for a place called "chesnut ridge" or "big oak ridge" or something like that can leadyou to some good places. There are good arial photos and topo maps on Topozone.com and at Terraserver.com..but the tree inventory is the critical piece I think. If you cannot get one throug hthe national forest , ask somebody at the NF office to point oput for you the areas...also, park at the bottom of a main gravel road artery in to the heart of a targeted NF area at 4:30 am and follow the first pickup truck that goes by ....or trade a Texas hunt to somebody on here ... |
turkeypicker
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 12:14 am: | |
GN: I can tell by the 4:30 AM comment you are without a doubt unscrupulous....so when are we going hunting...LOL...just kidding. I wonder if all public land turkey chasers are liars...or all liars are public turkey chasers? I would suggest getting to the public land area early. If you don't hear birds early ride the gravel roads alot. Make notes of where the same vehicles were 2 mornings in a row and go there extra early on the third day...GN see you've corrupted me!! Freddy's going to boot us out. We're just kidding Maverick...don't do that! Take GN's advice about maps and forest stand types. Hit one of those long VA ridges and walk, walk, walk. Good luck. |
swampgobbler870
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 6:14 am: | |
Hey Maverick,
Welcome to the site. What part of texas you call home. I used to be stationed in kingsville, did some good turkey hunting down there. Miss going to freer to the escondido ranch catching gar in the tanks and chasing javalina's. You'll get some great info about turkeys out in the mts of va. from this site. I hunt the south eastern part of the state so i chase the swampers. Those mt birds are tough ! Have your hiking boots ready ! |
Big Bird
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 4:32 pm: | |
Howdy Maverick,
Welcome to the board. I hunt those areas quite a bit. I have been thinking hard about chasing some Rios this Spring as I am going to be down there smack in the middle of turkey season. I would love to swap a hunt with you. What part of Texas?
Big Bird |
Maverick
| | Posted on Monday, March 11, 2002 - 11:33 am: | |
All:
Thanks for the reponses, sorry I haven't been back to the board. Work calls, you know how it is. TopoZone.com has proven invaluable in my research.
Unfortunately, my hunt-trading options are limited due to the private land I hunt. Would have to get permission from a friend of a friend, so to speak.
Swamp, I live in the Bryan/College Station area of Texas, which is right in the break between Eastern's range and the beginning of Rio territory. So, no turkeys in my county, but 1.5 hours east I can hunt Easterns on public land, and 1.5 hours west and I can hunt Rios on the private tract I mentioned.
Big Bird, where are you going to be in Texas? |
Big Bird
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 12, 2002 - 9:45 am: | |
Maverick,
I will be down there April 19-24 for business, mostly. I get to Houston on 19th then up to DFW on the 22nd. Email me and we can hopefully work something out for both of our trips.
Big Bird |
|