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Post by voodoofire1 on Mar 14, 2008 9:04:26 GMT -5
I Just purchased my first ever turkey license, I have a couple blinds, 3 different calls, an assortment of weapons....and that's about it......I found a lot of turkeys last fall deer hunting, and I'm hoping to concentrate there this spring......it opens 4-23, and I have 3 days... sun-up til noon to hunt... any advise for a turkey virgin???..............Thanks,Steve
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Greg Krause
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Post by Greg Krause on Mar 14, 2008 10:31:01 GMT -5
Turkeys are a blast! I have only hunted spring toms for a few years and it is so much fun.
My tips:
Get yourself a large cut BH. The vitals are small and a bigger cut helps make sure you catch them. I'd look for 1.5" or bigger in a 2 blade or as big as you can get in a 3 blade. these critters are tougher to take down than deer IMO.
I'd start with a good slate call and box call. they make great sounds and are easy to use. Diaphrams are great but a real pain to use until you get them down
A decoy helps but is in no way needed. Same thing for a ground blind, but turkeys are very tough to draw on without one. You best bet will be to hide behind a large tree and wait until the turkey walks behind a tree to draw. with deer slow steady movements are key.....a turkey will see these. quick movements when his vision is blocked is the only way to go.
Your best bet for finding turkeys is to scout like you would for deer to find a good area. look for scratchings, droppings, feathers ect.
Once you have an area picked out head to it the evening before your hunt right before/at sun set. try and locate the birds by using owl hoots, crow calls or peacock calls. You can use hen calls but i only use that as a last resort. the birds that espond will either be roosted or near their roost. this will give you a good idea of where to set up in the AM. If i think i know what way they are traveling I will set up a few hundred yds in that direction from the roost. If i have no idea I jest get within a hundred yds or so of them.
you will hear them calling as they wake up, give a few calls and then sit quiet. after you hear them fly down hit them with a few more calls. The key is to not call too much, just keep him interested. You'll get a feel for what he likes and let him come looking for the hen. It will be very hard to call him over a fence, stream, road, so try not to put anything like that in between you.
I do pretty much the same thing the morning of teh hunt if i have not located the bird the night before. I just call with an owl or crow as the birds are waking up at very first light. Once you find one get set up as fast as you can and don't try to get as close because they will be able to see you in the morning light
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Post by voodoofire1 on Mar 15, 2008 6:24:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips, this is going to be fun........
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smj
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Traditional Council
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Post by smj on Mar 18, 2008 8:26:45 GMT -5
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kipohio
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Live to bow hunt
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Post by kipohio on Mar 18, 2008 19:34:34 GMT -5
Practice useing your calls, and do not call to the birds before season. This will educate them for when they come in and can't find the bird that they thought was talking to them or see you instead they will remember.  Next time that they hear that call they turn and go the ohter way. I have been hunting for turkeys for 6 years now and in the past two years I started using a bow for a new challenge. The first year I tagged a jake with my bow. :DLast year I missed at 15 yards the biggest bird I have seen. I did get a few feathers though.  Turkey fever.  |
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Next time that they hear that call they turn and go the ohter way. I have been hunting for turkeys for 6 years now and in the past two years I started using a bow for a new challenge. The first year I tagged a jake with my bow. :DLast year I missed at 15 yards the biggest bird I have seen. I did get a few feathers though. 
Turkey fever. 