Water

[Bowfin]

Down scouting 225 for a few days. Can't help but notice how warm and dry the spring has been this year. How dependant are turkeys on water sources? If this spring stays this dry will they relocate to wetland areas or river bottom areas for water sources as will deer?

What kind of areas are people seeing them in now as they scout?

[lindy rig]

At the Turkey clinic I was at last night the guys said to be within 1/4 mile of moving water during the spring season.

[DonBo]

Turkeys do need to drink water at some time during the day. Often it is early morning, sometimes not till later in the day. The water source doesn't need to be a stream or creek but they do seem to prefer that type of water to a stagnant pond or puddle.

All in all I'd still try to pinpoint a food source as opposed to water. They spend much more time feeding than drinking and I believe you can pattern them much easier while they have the feed bag on rather than trying to figure when they might get thirsty.

[Wanderer]

I would stick with food also, even though I feel better if I'm near water.

Turkeys can get some of their moisture requirements from plants that they eat. For example, in the Black Hills at the higher altitudes we look for Pasque flowers. They are moisture laden and the birds love em.

Dandelions seem to be a common forage in MN.

[goblueM]

i think being within 1/4 mile of running water is TOTALLY limiting yourself and way over-complicating your thinking procedures

sure, they need water, but early morning condensation/dew, plant water content, puddles, etc are all water sources.

but as mentioned above, rely on your scouting and hunt where you see/hear the birds

[mnhunter2]

I also would say that water is needed by turkey every day but in there daily movement they have so many sources to pick from that trying to use a water source to hunt by isn't a high priority, I would find cover that they like and somewhere they aren't pressured and forget about water in most situations, that being said I have had good luck hunting by stock pond when the conditions are really hot and dry.

[Wanderer]

Just coming home at 1:05, I saw a hen standing drumstick deep in a roadside marsh taking a sip.

And she was there at 9:09 Easter morning too. If she were a tom, she'd be an easy bird.