|
|
Post by april on Dec 11, 2003 21:57:25 GMT -5
I've been turkey hunting a few times....never really was that serious about it because I come from a "deer hunting family". I want to get serious about it this year....and I don't know a whole lot about it. I've killed turkeys before....but....I guess I'm just asking for "tips" and "things I should know". So........ anyone wanting to "tell a gal what it's all about"....my ears are open, and I'd like to hear what ya'll have to say as far as tips and the like.
|
|
|
|
Post by Flhawghuntr®™ on Dec 12, 2003 8:02:39 GMT -5
I've been turkey hunting a few times....never really was that serious about it because I come from a "deer hunting family". I want to get serious about it this year....and I don't know a whole lot about it. I've killed turkeys before....but....I guess I'm just asking for "tips" and "things I should know". So........ anyone wanting to "tell a gal what it's all about"....my ears are open, and I'd like to hear what ya'll have to say as far as tips and the like. I would start with using a slate type frction call or Box call as they seem to be the easiest to master. Be patient don't call alot and don't move your head move your eyes and keep your ears open as them ole wise birds can slip up behind you quietly when you least expect it. |
|
|
|
Post by april on Dec 13, 2003 13:42:58 GMT -5
Thanks, FHH! And, yeah, slates and boxes are a cinch!  |
|
|
|
Post by Gobblerstopper® on Dec 17, 2003 21:48:19 GMT -5
april, scout, scout and then scout some more. I would say that calling contributes to only about 15% of killing a bird. I have heard some really bad sounding hens that eventually stole a gobbler away from me. Knowing the terrain, the areas the birds prefer and any pattern that they may be on is more important.
Scouting for turkeys is a little different than it is for deer. For comparison, for deer, you try to get as close to where you think they are going to come through as possible. Since most of the time you are calling turkeys to you, it is more important to know what is going to be between you and him. Thick areas and creeks are a couple of things to look for. Most of the time a turkey will avoid thick areas that limit his visibility and usually won't cross a creek to come to a hen. There are always exceptions (I had one fly a 150 yard ravine once), but it is better to be safe than sitting there hoping this will be the one that is not the norm.
I look for areas that don't get a lot of pressure. This usually means hunting different woods each season to leave the hunters behind that follow parked vehicles, but it works. If I am planning on hunting a new woods that I know holds birds then I will go early in the spring. At least a month before season. I scout the terrain. When opening day arrives I want to know exactly what is between me and the gobbler or any obstacles that I may need to avoid to get to the bird. Closer to season, usually 3-4 times a week for the last two weeks before season, I will go to the woods at first light and listen. Sometimes it is from the truck and other times I find a spot deeper in the woods that I know I can hear well and won't spook birds on the way in/out. You will want to listen after the birds fly down and see which direction they travel. Usually a gobbler is with hens or knows where they are roosted and that is where he is going. This is especially true during the early season and that is the side of him that you need to be on.
Set-up could be the most important part of being successful. You have to be where the gobbler wants to go. Again, scouting will play a major role in where you plan to sit after you hear a bird. I try to get close. Real close. I have spooked many of gobblers off the roost and I have also set down and looked up to see him sitting on a limb 75 yards from me. The lesser the distance between the two of you the lesser the chance of something going wrong (obstacles, hens...). Depending on how open the terrain is you may not be able to get within 150 yards of a bird. If that is as close as you can get then it will have to work. I like to be within 100 yards. It is usually easier later in the spring when there is more foliage. Be sure to sit up where you can see the direction of the bird farther than you can shoot. You don't want a bird to come in sight within gun range. You are taking the chance of having your gun no pointed at him and moving is most of the time next to impossible on a gobbler that is looking for a hen. Be sure to sit up against a tree that completely covers your silhouette. Not only will this help camo you, but it will also be safer in case another hunter comes up behind you.
Calling is something that will most likely have to be done, but doesn't have to be perfect. Watch most turkey hunting videos and then throw out about 2/3 of the calling. I have called birds in for more than a few people with less than 5 calling sequences. I seldom cutt, cackle and most of that other stuff that you see on TV. Clucks, purrs and scratching the leaves have brought a lot of birds in for me. Learn the basics and don't try to overdue it. Copy the hens that are in the area. If you hear a lot of hens calling constantly then that may be the better choice, but I prefer to be the horny shy hen (<----that didn't come out right.lol).
Sure that I left out some things like hunting later in the morning and not giving up if you don't kill one off the roost, but my fingers are sore. I'll have to catch ya up later.
|
|
|
|
Post by april on Dec 19, 2003 3:26:27 GMT -5
Thanks, GS...those are some things I wanted to know. And thanks for taking the time!  |
|
|
|
Post by Gobblerstopper® on Jan 7, 2004 23:44:30 GMT -5
I am not done yet. Fingers got sore. I will have to re-read it and mention all the things I thought about while I was typing, but forgot before I got to them ;D |
|
|
|
Post by april on Jan 18, 2004 3:11:42 GMT -5
Well, like I say, I appreciate it.....and I'm always ready to listen and learn something new.
|
|
|
|
Post by SCtrkyhntr on Feb 9, 2005 19:30:25 GMT -5
Don't call too much to a gobbler that is already coming to the call. It's fun to hear them gobble but calling too much will cause the gobbler to hang-up out of range and he will expect the hen (you) to come to him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Morgan on Feb 14, 2005 11:53:13 GMT -5
Call to kill em....not to hear him gobble....the learning process is a great deal of the fun....
|
|
|
|
Post by addiction_to_spurs on Feb 14, 2005 12:25:00 GMT -5
Call to kill em....not to hear him gobble...... Now thats a lot of good advice rolled into one small statement. I like that.................I'll be heard saying that sooner or later. |
|
|
|
Post by izaak23923 on Mar 18, 2005 17:07:14 GMT -5
dont call to much,
it can scare them
|
|
|
|
Post by George Ackley on May 4, 2005 20:02:57 GMT -5
Confidence in your calling you don’t need to sound like the guys on TNN
Just keep the rhythm. And be safe.
A decoy can help in calming a tom down .
Don’t always try to call the toms work the hen and the tomes will follow.
Pattern you gun with different loads see what’s best .
Last but not least have a good time it all about the hunt the harvest is a bounces ;D
best of luck
George
|
|
