The Best Time of Day for Turkey Hunting
You can hunt turkeys all day. But these birds do shift their behavior between sunrise and sunset. A better understanding of turkey attitude and altitude can help location them.
What you need to know:
Morning (Dawn to Mid-Morning)
Prime Time: At first light, turkeys immediately leave the roost and start looking for food. Gobblers are most active at this time, calling and responding to hens.
Tactic: Get near roost sites before sunrise. Look for tall trees next to an open field or meadow where they might be enticed to fly down and strut. When calling, start with soft tree yelps or clucks, then escalate as they respond.
Peak: Sunrise to 10 a.m..
Midday (Late Morning to Early Afternoon)
Normal Mode: Post-morning strut, gobblers quiet down a little, but they will still be vocal and respond to calls. Hens may be nesting or still looking for food.
Tactic: Scout strut zones or travel paths. Call and listen for responses. Setup around open fields if available, especially next to wooded areas with tall trees. Use subtle purrs or light yelps and remain patient for a wandering tom.
Window: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..
Afternoon to Evening (Late Afternoon to Dusk)
Why it works: Toms tend to perk back up, hunting hens before roosting. Less hunter pressure might make them bolder.
Tactic: Target feeding areas or roost routes. Crank up cuts or yelps to grab a gobbler’s attention. Look for more remote locations with possible less hunter traffic.
Peak: 3 p.m. to sunset.
Key Factors
Time Of Season: Early season favors mornings; late season opens up midday and afternoon as hens nest.
Weather: Turkeys tend to roost during rain so it may not be worth getting soaked.
Pressure: Hunted-out birds may dodge midday, so consider quieter hours. Could be a great time to grab lunch or spend a couple hours fishing.
Recap
Early in the season, first light is your best chance for spotting turkeys because they come down from their roosting trees to look for food and mating opportunities. Later in the season, you might see afternoon activity pick up more. But turkeys really move around from sun up to sun down. So, if you’re hunting, pack a lunch and enjoy the weather.