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Post by hooyah765 on Mar 30, 2011 17:22:57 GMT -5
Well as it says Im needin some advice on turkey hunting. I just returned to Indiana and just got out of the USN. I live in Sweetser In and am planning a turkey hunting trip. Me and 2 buddies are going down to the hoosier national forrest. Ive only backpacked down there and never hunted. i was just wanting some advice on where to set up down there (a general area) or just what to look for in a good set up area for turkey. I appreciate all the help I can get! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR THE HELP!
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Post by Ahawkeye on Mar 31, 2011 5:11:02 GMT -5
The turkeys kind of tell you where to set up. Walk in before daylight and stay on the trail wait for a gobble and go after it what part of hoosier are you planning to hunt?
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Post by hooyah765 on Mar 31, 2011 5:51:03 GMT -5
Well thats really what I was looking for an answer too, what part is best to set up in?
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Post by 76chevy on Mar 31, 2011 7:35:17 GMT -5
I suggest you go down and scout it out a few mornings before the season opens up.
there are lots of good areas--good luck!
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Post by stevein on Mar 31, 2011 7:50:51 GMT -5
You might try the areas you backpacked in. That way you would have some idea about the terrain. If possible do a day hike in and look for sign. Tracks in the mud, dusting bowls, scat and scratchings in the leaves. Ray Eye had some excellent videos out on turkey hunting, I loaned mine out and it never came back. Do any of your buds have any experience.?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2011 8:55:13 GMT -5
Tips --1. Go early before opening day and listen for gobbles. If it's close to a road, you'll likely not be the only one that has heard them. Seek out hard to access areas, ex. rough terrain or even a creek that you have to cross. You'll need to locate several toms before hand, in case you can't hunt one particular area on opening morn.
2. Stay high on ridges, so you can hear better, then try to get close before you set up. Don't call till the bird flys off the roost.
3. Don't over caqll or call before the season opener except with a locator call.
4. Always set up and adjust to shoot in the last known direction of the tom, but also be aware that a bird may come in silent, especially on public land.
5. Find an experienced turkey hunter to show you the ropes.
6. Nothing works all the time with turkeys. Expect the unexpected routinely.
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Post by hooyah765 on Mar 31, 2011 9:23:34 GMT -5
Thank you for all the posts everyone! We did plan for some scouting days on this trip. We are leaving the 25th and staying till the 28th, so we will have 2 days to walk and scout around. I would love to hunt the areas that I know, but sadly I have never jumped a turkey or even heard a single turkey? Maybe it was just me, but I always tend to be quiet so I can come across wildlife. Also my 2 friends have hunted turkey the past 2 seasons with great success but that was on private land down in KY and sadly the landowner passed this year and his wife wont allow hunting anymore. Again thank you for all the posts.
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Post by dsayer on Mar 31, 2011 10:08:08 GMT -5
Just because you haven't seen them doesn't mean they aren't there. I hunt a state park right outside of Fort Collins, CO. Most of the "regulars" to the park have no idea there are even any turkeys there. Turkeys have excellent color vision and will easily spook at the first sign of movement. In my experience, you're unlikely to stumble across turkeys in the woods unless you're either really looking or really lucky.
I would stick to the areas you already know and get a locator call like a crow call or owl hooter and spend some time on the ridges as was already mentioned. Good luck!
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Post by hooyah765 on Mar 31, 2011 12:57:59 GMT -5
Thank you for the advice I think I might try that. One last question for everyone though. Is all of the hoosier national forrest huntable? I know the private property mixed in isnt, but is the rest huntable?
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Post by Ahawkeye on Mar 31, 2011 15:26:40 GMT -5
There are a few safty zones around some lakes and camp grounds but other than that you should be good to go just know your property lines good luck
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Post by turkeyscout on Mar 31, 2011 17:05:34 GMT -5
........................there is a forester office near Bedford on highway 37, they have a good map that shows all of Hoosier National Forest boundries, use to sell for $3.50. i highly recommend this for your scouting adventure........   ..............turkey scout |
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Post by hooyah765 on Mar 31, 2011 17:39:58 GMT -5
Wow im smart, not once did I think about the possibility of a map. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Im deffinatley going to stop by the post on my way down. Again thank you sir.
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Post by dsayer on Mar 31, 2011 18:02:08 GMT -5
........................there is a forester office near Bedford on highway 37, they have a good map that shows all of Hoosier National Forest boundries, use to sell for $3.50. i highly recommend this for your scouting adventure........ ..............turkey scout Another good idea would be to ge the USGS Quad map for the area you end up deciding to hunt. They're the the most detailed/accurate topo map you can get. |
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Post by stevein on Mar 31, 2011 18:40:23 GMT -5
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Post by turkeyscout on Apr 2, 2011 6:31:08 GMT -5
Wow im smart, not once did I think about the possibility of a map. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Im deffinatley going to stop by the post on my way down. Again thank you sir. ............ your Welcome..hooyah765............thats what we do on this great hunting site and more........even with a map ,you still could get lost , so bring a compass......... ............turkey scout |
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..............turkey scout