I just got on a new deer lease in Archer County and have been told there are turkey. All I see on the place are Mesquite trees and very few hardwood trees. Will turkey roost in Mesquite? My experience has been they roost in large trees along creeks, etc. Just wondering what others have experienced. Thanks in advance.

Is there a creek on the property? A water source? Neighboring property that has a creek with larger trees? The times I have hunted Texas, I have never seen turkeys just roost in a mesquite. I have always seen them roosted in larger hardwoods along creeks, rivers, or ditches. However, I have talked to people that said they have seen them roost in smaller trees near tanks, but I can't confirm this as I have never seen it firsthand.

There is a group of oak trees just off my driveway here. I've always thought turkeys roosted in trees but multiple times I've seen a group of about 20 turkeys squatted on the ground under those oak trees very early in the mornings. I watch them from a window and they are sitting on the ground, not moving around, apparently roosted on the ground. About half light they perk up and move off.

It is not common, but I have seen them roost in mesquite trees on the levee of a fairly large pond, but (IMO) only because they were too far away from the double pole power line they usually roost on. I've seen buzzards roost on one pole while the turkeys are on the other. Pretty easy to tell the difference.

Thanks guys. Like I said...new to the lease and I'm sure by this time next year I'll have them figured out....;-)

Wherever or whatever the roost is....make it a sanctuary. Hunt them away from the roost if you want to keep turkeys on the property.

Very true statement

I hunt in in the Rio Grande Valley in Willacy county. All we have are mesquite and huisache's. We have a nice group of Rio Grande's that roast in the larger trees.

They will roost in big mesquites, especially during the spring as they spread out, but as you say, they much much much more prefer big trees along creeks, etc... even if those creeks are dry. You might check out google earth or something and see if there is a roost area just off your property. In the spring they may come off the roost and immediately or during the later day head pretty far to preferred strutting and nesting areas. That may be what you have on your place if you don't have a roost area. Great luck to ya!