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Post by ihunt2liv on Apr 1, 2009 7:52:18 GMT -5
Alright I'm finally going to put some time in and do a little turkey hunting this spring. Heres the thing I've hunted everything Indiana has to offer but never a gobbler. I have great locations with tons of activity. I know I need full camo and be very still. What is a good basic call and do I need a decoy? If using a shotgun what is a good load? I will take any info or pointers you can throw my way. There are so many around my area I just can't pass it up anymore.
Thanks
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Post by HuntMeister on Apr 1, 2009 8:18:58 GMT -5
I am no expert but some things I like / do...
mouth calls, little harder to get the hang of but leaves your hands free
face net and a cap with a bill, pull bill down as far as you can to shade / cover eyes
decoys are good
shock call to locate em on the roost b4 daylight
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Post by turkeyscout on Apr 1, 2009 10:26:37 GMT -5
hey ihunt2liv, best advise i could give you!!! find a experience turkey hunter, or trial and error to get your own experience,or go to www.nwtf.org click on hunting then click on hunting tips and tactics, make sure you go thru the safety part...........lots of info on this site.....hope this helps you and good luck!!!!!!!!............turkey scout |
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Post by oggie on Apr 1, 2009 20:42:22 GMT -5
My best advice would be to not start. Because if you do you will forget all about anything else there is to hunt and probably have to start attending some turkey anonymous meetings. If you decide to continue with your pursuit of the thunder chicken then good luck and remember I warned you of the consequences.
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Post by oldhoyt on Apr 2, 2009 7:07:38 GMT -5
I'm no expert, but to start with I think a box call is hard to beat. About anyone can operate them, and with some practice you can make a variety of sounds. A slate call is good also. Friction calls in general are sensitive to water, so rainy days can be an issue. They do make box calls that work when wet. At some point you'll probably want to try a mouth call, but start with a single or double reed, they are easiest to learn on. They sell packages that come with instructional tapes/dvds so you can hear what you're supposed to be sounding like. A locator call like an owl, crow or even coyote is a good idea. Use them to find birds after they roost in the evening so you can target a particular bird, in the AM before they fly down, and even during the day if you are on the move.
As for a gun, a 12 or 20 will work. I shoot a 12, Mossberg 500 with standard full choke, and Win Super X 3" #5. This combo works fine out to 30-35 yds. There are so many loads out there it's hard to recommend one over another, and performance varies gun to gun. I would say that you don't need to buy the higher priced turkey loads to kill birds within 30 yds. Be sure to pattern your gun to see where it hits relative to your point of aim. Some guns throw a pattern high, low, or left, right. Once you figure out where the gun is hitting, a rule of thumb is a dozen hits in a turkey neck/head target and 80-100 pellets in a 10" cirlce for establishing your maximum effective range.
Camo and being still are important, and try to set up against a good backdrop like a tree that is wider than your shoulders. For a beginner, I recommend staying put at least an hour per setup. Even longer is better. I have found that birds often come in silent, and too many guys get up too soon to try another spot. Calling every 10 - 15 minutes is enough, don't over do it. If you get a response, don't keep constantly calling. The bird might just stop and expect the hen (you) to come to him. Make him look for you, with a little soft calling, then a good wait.
I have really good luck after 9:30 until mid afternoon. First thing in the AM, I think its about 50/50 (maybe worse) whether a Tom will come to you, or find a real live hen, so don't be discouraged if the bird heads off in a different direction. Once he's done breeding that hen, he'll be looking for another. Stay in his general area, and usually he or another Tom will respond (or simply sneak in without gobbling) later in the AM.
I consider a hunt a success when I hear birds. Seeing them come to calls is a bonus. Calling in a good bird is better still. Shooting a bird is icing on the cake. I'd tell a beginner to shoot any legal bird you call in. Later you can be fussy about not shooting jakes, if you like.
Above all, have fun.
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Post by Woody Williams on Apr 2, 2009 7:23:45 GMT -5
Great information guys!!
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Post by huxbux on Apr 2, 2009 7:39:13 GMT -5
Good advice from oldhoyt.
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Post by buster on Apr 2, 2009 16:01:51 GMT -5
All you need is a good set of binos and an accurate rifle!  |
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Post by jackc99 on Apr 2, 2009 17:24:01 GMT -5
All you need is a good set of binos and an accurate rifle! Now that's funny!!!! |
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Post by gundude on Apr 2, 2009 17:47:18 GMT -5
My best advice would be to not start. Because if you do you will forget all about anything else there is to hunt and probably have to start attending some turkey anonymous meetings. If you decide to continue with your pursuit of the thunder chicken then good luck and remember I warned you of the consequences. what he said.............................. |
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Post by mullis56 on Apr 2, 2009 17:50:03 GMT -5
buster - sounds like texas or at least it is legal there and in florida too! i don't know why they haven't changed rules/laws on this yet!
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Post by ihunt2liv on Apr 3, 2009 10:29:03 GMT -5
Guys,
Thanks for the info. It is much appreciated. How about specifics on calls. What brands are you using. What type do you have the most sucess with?
Thanks
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Post by oldhoyt on Apr 3, 2009 10:49:15 GMT -5
I use a box call that I made. I've had good luck with Hunter's Specialties mouthcalls (double reed). I have a Primos Crystal Freak slate call than can be strapped to your thigh. I haven't tried many others, but I don't think the brand is too important.
With turkey calling, it's all about the rhythm, because there is quite a bit of variation in the sounds of real turkeys. Get the rhythm right and a turkey will be interested. You can listen to real wild turkey sounds at the National Wild Turkey Federation website.
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Post by Ahawkeye on Apr 3, 2009 11:11:54 GMT -5
I like glass calls, while oldhoyt is right about water making these calls useless, it doesn't rain all the time. LOL I like calls from a company named Cody Calls their not real expensive but more than you'll spend at wally world Cabella's and Bass pro sell them. You also asked about decoys I'd say if you're hunting a field then YES! buy a decoy or two if you plan on hunting wooded areas I'd leave the decoy in the truck JMHO. Oldhoyt pretty much nailed it on all subjects I just don't like the box call that's just me?  |
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Post by dbd870 on Apr 3, 2009 11:40:30 GMT -5
All you need is a good set of binos and an accurate rifle! Now that's funny!!!! ;D So, he's one of troublemakers is he? |
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Post by schall53 on Apr 3, 2009 13:32:08 GMT -5
I use Lynch foolproof #101 box call as my main call. It has a great sound and is very simple to use. With a little practice you can yelp, cluck, cackle, purr, what ever needs to be done. I have 26 beards on the wall to prove it works. I have used other types of calls but always come back to it.
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Post by featherduster on Apr 4, 2009 8:17:07 GMT -5
SCOUT SCOUT SCOUT I take the week off before season starts. I wake them up every morning and I put them to bed every night.During the day I get my yard work and spring cleaning done.Opening day I usually have my bird by sunrise.
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Post by turk2di on Apr 6, 2009 19:39:58 GMT -5
You will kill turkeys you didn't earn & earn turkeys you didn't kill!...........Tom Kelly
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