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Post by parson on Feb 2, 2008 10:37:27 GMT -5
I wanted to jump into turkey hunting last year but was not able to. So, hopefully, this year I will get to.
What are the most important things to focus on between now and the opening day?
Thanks.
parson
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2008 14:28:15 GMT -5
My advice is to not over scout your area.....just know that turkeys are there and leave them alone.
Also, find an experienced turkey hunter to take you along a few times to see how it's done. Most newbies call to much.
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Post by huxbux on Feb 2, 2008 15:23:24 GMT -5
Good advice by timex. I don't bother to scout, because I already have an intimate knowledge of my area and birds in the area I hunt almost never roost in the same spot two nights in a row.
I would settle on what calls I would be using and spend a lot of time practicing on them.
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Post by Sleazy E on Feb 2, 2008 16:15:45 GMT -5
being new to it myself....(this is only my 3rd year) I can not offer anymore advice than you are getting from hux and times..... Practice, practice, practice.... not only the calls... but also practice setting up your blind (if you are using one) in the dark with out a flashlight....
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Post by turkeyscout on Feb 2, 2008 17:02:08 GMT -5
hey parson, ...eventually you need to pattern your shotgun before the season comes' in,and go to a safe place to pattern your shotgun!!!! this is the way i do it , i buy some turkey targets, also some white paper the size of a newspaper will do, staple the turkey target to the white paper then i staple or tape all to a big cardboard box, i pattern my shotgun off a bench rest with sand bags, i usually start at thirty yards with a twelve gauge, three inch magnum with federal shells with six shot,, i aim for the middle of the neck, after i squeeze a shot off ,its time to check the target to see if the pattern is in the center ,not high or low or right or left, i highly recommend using a tru glow sites thats' are ADJUSTABLE!!!! especially if you are not grouping your pattern in the middle of the turkey target, you want to get as many b.b." in the neck and head as possible!! i also write on that target when i remove it ,then put on another target, ..... if i "m satisfied with that pattern , then i move back to forty yards, if satisfied there ,i shoot one at ten yards...then your good to go,when the season comes' in.... this will help when that big gobbler is coming to your set-up...try to rest your elbows on your knees while sitting againts a tree and slowly squeeze ..hope this helps you....turkey scout
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Post by Ahawkeye on Feb 2, 2008 17:35:50 GMT -5
While practicing your calling is important don't worry if youdon't sound so good if a tom is hot he'll come to you beating your boot aginst a tree (well not really) if you've ever heard a flock coming down from the roost they hardly sound like the guys do on tv in fact they sound like cr@p. I'd say knowing your ground is tho most important tool you have but I'll give you a quick rundown of gear
Turkey vest w/ a GOOD THICK pad
face mask
a friction call either glass slate or box call w/ prep stuff ie chalk or sand paper
a mouth call if you can get good at it
your gun and shells
bug repellant
toilet paper
That should get you started!
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Post by firelt72 on Feb 2, 2008 22:37:03 GMT -5
I take wet wipes instead of tp, multi use....that is the best suggestion....leave the leaves out in the woods. On a more serious note, I also take some Advil or Tylenol type of product. When I started I also watched a lot of the DVDs on the market (Primo and HS were the most helpful). One word of caution or two, first safety when patterning (Get that safety on after each shot) and then about the vest, don't over load your vest, you will tell the difference after walking up and down hills all day. Trust me, I had more stuff in my vest my first hunt, my wife's purse had less stuff in it. It was brutal. I now use a butt pack and a web style seat. light and fast. Parson, what area of the state you hunting? If you are central or south central, I'd be glad to help out of I can.
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Post by hoosieroutdoorsman on Feb 3, 2008 9:32:46 GMT -5
Everyone has given some top notch info,,if you use everything offered here you will definately up your success rate  The basics to keep in mind are keep yourself hidden back in a shadowed area if you are hunting a field edge as the birds will be less likely to see you. Use a couple of hen decoys, if you are going to scout if you aren`t real sure what all is in your area do so from a distance with binoculars,, specially in the evening try to find where the birds are roosting, if you know where they go to roost at the last light of the day you will know where they will be come first light  |
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Post by freedomhunter on Feb 3, 2008 16:33:49 GMT -5
Hunt with someone who has a lot of experience, there is no substitute. If someone had not been gracious enough to show me the ropes (after two years of trying on my own), I would still be bangin my head. I've progressed enough to go with archery equipment this year. Get the short mesh chair and a good back pad.
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Post by parson on Feb 3, 2008 17:02:40 GMT -5
I appreciate all of the advise. I am hoping to go this year. I know that the area I deer hunt in has a pretty good turkey population.
One big problem that I've heard about is the addictive nature of hunting them. This won't lead to a "12 step program" will it?
parson
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Post by huxbux on Feb 3, 2008 22:28:07 GMT -5
This won't lead to a "12 step program" will it? parson Yes. |
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Post by Sleazy E on Feb 4, 2008 8:44:13 GMT -5
LOL Parson it is addictive..... my first year I went out on my own and hated it..... (only went twice that season) had no idea what I was doing.... read up over the off season and practiced with my calls.... next year I went out and opening day got that first gobble..... I was hooked
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Post by danf on Feb 4, 2008 9:05:26 GMT -5
This won't lead to a "12 step program" will it? It'll only lead to a program if you admit it's a problem.  ;D |
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Post by dadfsr on Feb 4, 2008 12:39:24 GMT -5
Something to consider is if you know the lay of your land and know that you can call birds in then try to set up somewhere that the birds won't see you until they are in range-setting up back from the edge of a small hill or back from a squeeze point in the terrain will give you some natural sight blockage before they get in range.
BUT never shoot at them at edge of the hill since you can't see your background-wait for them to get over before you think about shooting-ALWAYS be sure of your target and the background. SAFETY FIRST!
Problem with addictiveness-No such thing!! I'll deny it to my last dying second ;D
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Post by Ahawkeye on Feb 6, 2008 9:55:19 GMT -5
It'll lead to a million step program before it's all said and done! I've never taken just 12 steps to kill a turkey, usually a good 5-6 thousand steps |
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Post by huxbux on Feb 6, 2008 15:18:13 GMT -5
It'll lead to a million step program before it's all said and done! I've never taken just 12 steps to kill a turkey, usually a good 5-6 thousand steps Hence, the screen moniker? |
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Post by oneshot on Feb 7, 2008 8:55:18 GMT -5
The secret to turkey hunting is doing your homework and having patience and confidence in your set up.
Know where turkeys want to go and be there waiting for them.
Do not underestimate a turkeys eyesight or hearing.
Good luck.
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Post by parson on Feb 7, 2008 10:51:31 GMT -5
Rather then start a new thread, I'll ask another question here: Anyone use a scope, or red-dot sight on their turkey gun?
parson
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Post by Woody Williams on Feb 7, 2008 10:58:35 GMT -5
Rather then start a new thread, I'll ask another question here: Anyone use a scope, or red-dot sight on their turkey gun? parson Yep.. everything I've got is scoped including my crossbow. My turkey barrel (swaps back and forth with my deer barrel) on my Remington 870 has a Simmons Pro-Diamond on it. When I get the gobbler's head in the diamond he is meat in the pan.. Mine is the 2 X 32.. www.simmonsoptics.com/Riflescopes_MS_PD.htm |
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Post by Woody Williams on Feb 7, 2008 11:29:19 GMT -5
BTW - Both my tureky barrel and deer barrel have the scopes mounted to the barrel via a cantilever so that they will not lose zero in the switching process....
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The basics to keep in mind are keep yourself hidden back in a shadowed area if you are hunting a field edge as the birds will be less likely to see you. Use a couple of hen decoys, if you are going to scout if you aren`t real sure what all is in your area do so from a distance with binoculars,, specially in the evening try to find where the birds are roosting, if you know where they go to roost at the last light of the day you will know where they will be come first light 
;D
