Northumberland County and the rest of the Northern Neck continue to endure an almost historic drought. Farmers and timber harvesters may be the most impacted, but the lack of rainfall can also have an impact on the success of local turkey hunters.

The 2026 spring gobbler season is approaching its 3rd week, with some turkey hunters considering a shift in both tactics and location. All wildlife are affected by a lack of water. When creeks, ponds, and other freshwater sources start to dry up, the birds and beasts of the forest move elsewhere to find it. The Eastern Wild Turkey is no exception. They may relocate or alter their daily survival routine to ensure that a source of water is available.

Turkey hunters who have hunted through previous droughts can utilize tactics that allowed them a level of success. Their knowledge of where wildlife go when they need to be closer to a water source and how those species react to dry or unseasonably warm weather helps them refocus their hunting strategies.

Roosting, Forage, and Water

Wild turkeys usually roost in areas close to where they can fly down to food and water sources. They have no problem flying, but they usually minimize the distance traveled from roosting sites to sources of food and water. The farther they fly, the more energy they use. Thus, if they find water and a place to forage for food closer to another roosting site, they will move to that new location.

Know the Roosting Sites

Knowledge of multiple roosting site locations is one of the best strategies a turkey hunter can have. During times of drought, it is a wise assumption to expect turkey roosting sites to be a closer fly down distance to available water.

Listening Early

Getting in a pre dawn listen before turkeys fly down off the roost can provide information on where they first go to ground. Hearing the tree talk—and especially some gobbling—tells you the stand of trees, usually mature pines, that wild turkeys are roosting in.

If you are able to set up quickly and quietly nearby, that can be the best advantage. The problem is that scenario is not always a likely same day outcome but may help determine where you set up the next day of hunting. Even if you listen to a roosting site that obviously no longer has turkey in it, you gain valuable information by knowing they have moved.

In the Glades

When it comes to food and foraging locations, wild turkeys will almost always prefer a site that has an abundance of mast crop acorns. Mature oaks include limbs and leaves that create canopy cover. This can make a forested area cooler and somewhat of a secluded place that also has acorns. Later this season, wild turkeys may also go bugging in this kind of area for insects and worms. These cooler forested locations are a comfortable alternative as a hunting setup location.

Stay Aware of Fire Risks

While we all wait for an end to the ongoing drought, remember to be extra careful when outdoors in the woods and fields. Be especially careful in how you discard any hot tobacco products and avoid excessive idling of motor vehicles. Hot cigarette butts and the undercarriage exhaust systems of cars and trucks can easily ignite dry grass and underbrush.

Most importantly, adhere to the ongoing outdoor burn bans. Information about how wildfires start and how they can be prevented is available at the Virginia Department of Forestry website: https://dof.virginia.gov/wildland-prescribed-fire/firedanger/ fire-weather/