Here in central Bama. Im curious, do turkeys seem to prefer a pine thicket or a hardwood flat/hill or bottom to roost?

No rhyme or reason. They like over water and big trees but sometimes I’ve found em in pines others in big oaks.

In my limited experience in hunting mixed oak-pine forests in Alabama I found that birds liked to roost on older pines (especially longleaf) in a hardwood dominated forests. I'd say 60 % on a hillside, 5% on top, and 35% in the bottom as an estimated guess of where Ive hunted. Which is probably about the sum of percentages of those land forms.

I tend to have the best luck with birds roosted at the head of draws (if that helps).

I guess it matters what you consider a pine thicket. They usually like to be able to see the ground somewhat. If it’s really thick I would say they would choose the hardwoods where they can see a little

I’ve had a few fly down and try to land on my boots and I about crapped in my draws

If you have hills they like to hop/launch off the hill top or hillside into the trees

depends on the weather .

Whatever has the greatest vertical height and good horizontal limb structure.

yeah ,,, theyll fight for those best spots too . lol

Water common - gobs will choose hardwoods over pine thicket - also like fields - but water most common. They love fresh clearcut r thinned

Later in season - common to get them roosting around few year old clear cut - following hens to nest - common hen nest on few year old clearcut - gobs follow

I find them in hardwoods typically. The hardwoods thing might just be because they are in draws of smz’s which are areas of water.

In the early season, I expect to find them roosted in a pine due to the protection it gives them from owls. It doesn't have to be a pine thicket, just a pine tree. Once the hardwoods get their leaves it doesn't seem to matter.

This

Never thought about protection from owls on the roost. That’s interesting. Thanks for adding that.

Creeks and branches

Thanks guys. I havent done much turkey hunting in a while. And I am not very good. Haha. Trying to think this thing out.

The hardest part of turkey hunting for me, is going in knowing that your great plan to call him to the gun is going to all go to crap when it goes down. The best part of turkey hunting is shifting plans on the fly and watching him flop.

The only plan I have on any given situation is where to park the truck. Weather is the biggest factor for me on roosting sites and as mentioned above leaves on oaks. When it comes to a plan to get him down the gun barrel, I don’t make them. Too many factoring into the situation, just have to be ready to change as needed.

some times where they hit the ground is more important than where they roost . just because you know where he roost dont mean hes gonna fly down and come to you .