I would say that it’s a matter of how much flashlight and where and when.

I’ve been as close as 80 yards to a gobbler and hens and not had an effect on him. I was hunting amid dense cedars and I was coming in at first light. I was also keeping my flashlight pointed at the ground. If I had done it much later, or if I’d flashed it their way or if I had been in more open woods, I’d probably spooked them.

I can also tell you that probably everyone who comes here has spooked turkeys off the roost, and oft times done it with a flashlight in their hands. They don’t flush when you’re 300 yards away, nor 100. They wait until you’re right under them and then bust off the limb and leave poop on your hat. That could mean:

1) They aren’t afraid of a flashlight unless it’s right under them.
2) They’re scared stiff as soon as they see it, but don’t panic until they think there is no hope of survival unless they bust at the last moment.
3) They’re being cagey and they want to suck you in so they can poop on your hat.

I don’t know which it is, but I do my best not to tip my hand.

This post has already been read 875 times!

Views: 0

Related posts:

Where do pressured turkeys go? Scouting Turkeys with Google Earth Deep Woods vs. Fields for Turkeys So you want to hunt turkeys, huh? Where Turkeys Go After Flydown? Turkeys in the Rain Scouting for Turkeys — PT 2 PODCAST: Where do the Turkeys Go?