how much land is needed to hold turkeys

[muskieswen]

I have access to 53 acres of bluff country type land that we hunt. Last fall while archery hunting for deer we saw many turkeys cruising through. We have never turkey hunted before and are going to try our hand at it this spring. The question would be, is 53 acres enough land to hold turkeys in that area? How far do they travel from fall to spring? Are they territorial? I am assuming there are many variables to this question and am hoping to learn from those of you in the know.

[Ufatz]

Well, couple thoughts for you: we are surrounded by several hundred acres and they will appear and disappear at will. One morning they will be in the back yard and then ten days of no turkeys.

Second, I'll just bet if you check the DNR HSOforum there will be some basic information on turkeys and a quick on-line search will surely produce much information on their habits, range diet etc.

And I know it may seem quaint, but there are surely some really good BOOKS on turkeys, species, ranges, forage and all the rest.

And there are lots of fellas on here that hunt turkeys and surely they will pitch in to help you out.

[DonBo]

Turkeys are not very territorial at all, except maybe in the spring, toms might have a strut zone that they prefer over any other spot in the woods. Most all of the bluff country you describe will hold turkeys at some point during the spring. 54 acres is plenty, just plan on not moving around much and scaring them onto neighboring properties. No telling exactly what your land will hold until spring, even then, they will move with the progression of the crops in the area.

Try to scout some a week before your season, set up where you hear most of the gobbling and hang on, you're well on your way to the most exciting hunt of your lifetime.

[muskieswen]

Thank you for the advice. Ufatz i actually am doing some searches and reading. Nice to have as much information as possible when in my situation we are going in completely blind.

[Borch]

Even on larger properties turkeys will just vanish. This is more prevalent when they are still group up. When they spread out you'll have a better chance of seeing them more frequently. No matter what I'd work on gaining permission to other properties in the area so if they are gone you have options. Unless you do archery they may not be on your property during your 5-7 day season.

[Powerstroke]

well, 54 acres is plenty to hold turkeys and plenty to hunt turkeys, but turkeys don't know the land boundaries and they will travel a long ways to find food and shelter, especially if they get busted off the roost or spooked by a hunter.

I would spend some time scouting a 1-2 mile area around your hunt spot and learn where the birds are and where they move to. My buddy owns 70 acres and the turkeys visit during the day for food, but they do not roost on his land and they rarely hang out there. If I could pattern them better, I might hunt out there, but the point is turkeys will move where ever they want to find what they need. The warmer it gets, the more spread out they will become.

It used to bug me when I was a new turkey hunter and the books and videos talked about hunting on hundreds and thousands of acres. MN just doesn't offer many places with that kind of public land. My favorite MN spot is about 500 acres and I can cover it in a day because half of it is open. There are generally 3-4 different groups on birds on that 500 acres, but when you bump them, they will move where you can't hunt and then you are out of the game.

SO, I would learn the land you have and then search out other options within 5 miles of your place. MN is an all-day hunt state so having a backup plan will make the difference between a long day of nothing or several hunt opportunities.

[IlliniWalli]

if the turkeys roost on your place you've struck it rich or if they roost close by on one of the neighbors, you still got a good spot. get out and listen at sunrise for gobbles a couple weeks before season to find out where they are roosting and plan your hunt from there

i have a place that sounds a lot like your spot - 50 acres or so on top of a big bluff that extends a few miles in either direction. turkeys rarely roost on my property but there are almost always birds on one of the neighbors', who dont allow hunting

i have pulled in several toms off the roost but have shot quite a few other birds there by being patient, calling softly (sending out a louder series every now and then), moving slowly and calling in a cruising tom from midmorning to quittin time at 1

toms almost always travel along that big north/south ridge rather than the crop fields to the east or river bottom to the west

[Hoyt4]

Good luck that is plenty of land

Last year I was able to get my MN bird off 22 acres. I knew they roosted on the land next to us. I called a ton waited them out. The weather was not the best had some snow so they stayed in the field were the snow was less and melting and all the girls were at. Once the ladies left I was the next best thing and they came running into the woods to me. If it's the right 50 you will have success or at least a chance. Get out and scout like above post suggest. Try and get out and see if the neighbors will also give you permission. Try and have a plan b if you can.

Cannot wait till turkey time. Supplys are on the way to me should be all ready for spring just need a few broadheads and shells and that is it.

[muskieswen]

All great information. Thank you for taking the time to teach a real newbie.

[rkhinrichs]

Spend time in the woods scouting and running trail cams! Trail cams are not just for deer.

[muskieswen]

rk,we were on the property coming up 4 weeks ago. We walked the whole property. Even that dang hill that kills me every time i have to go up it. Anyway we saw no sign of turkey. We did put two cameras out were we thought looked liked a good place but really more than likely a guess. Going back next weekend to change batteries if needed and change cards. Sounds like for scouting we are a bit early in the season but heck it gets us out of the house in the woods so i is all good.

[rkhinrichs]

muskieswen sounds good to me! your on the right path!

[DonBo]

Be aware of too much scouting. This early shouldn't matter, but if you spook birds in one spot a couple times, they may not come back.

[muskieswen]

Again thanks to all for some good insight. My son and i are going to go to the property this weekend and ask some neighboring property owners if we can have permission to access there land for turkey hunting. Just one yes would by the way it sounds help out plenty. Good luck everyone.