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Post by bomonster on Mar 10, 2008 16:15:31 GMT -5
As a novice turkey hunter. 3 years hunting and only 1 bird to show, I'm wondering how many different calls most of you take into the field on a outing? Plus, does anybody use decoys or not. Any and all response is welcome just trying for that 2nd bird, and could use the input.
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Post by turkeyscout on Mar 10, 2008 17:32:33 GMT -5
hey bomonster ........ heres' what i use , mainly slate and glass calls, i like them real well, good for loud calling or i can sweet talk, and sometimes i call in the whole flock,i like to hind behind a blind,to hide my movement, these calls require a lot of conditioning...i always use decoys, two hens and a jake by CARRYLITE...the good thing about decoys is when the hens or that big gobbler come in his eyes are on the decoys and not on me!!!! hope this helps ya!....turkey scout
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Post by huxbux on Mar 10, 2008 17:41:21 GMT -5
I sure don't consider myself an expert, just a guy who spends a lot of time in the woods and gets lucky once in a while. I carry as many calls as I feel I've mastered and some that I ain't so good on either.  I've found that what works one year, or on one bird, or in one area, may not be what works next time around. If your favorite call doesn't bring them in, try another. Like any other type of hunt, the way the birds react will dictate how you hunt them. I hunt high-pressured birds and I've had a lot better luck with very little, very low volume calling. I run and gun on public usually and I carry a Feather Flex decoy which is collapsible, very light and quick to set up. It's worked for me a couple times, when the Tom's attention is riveted on the decoy instead of where he heard the calling coming from and allowed me to get my gun up and on him without being detected. If I were hunting in a field setting, or where mobility wasn't as big a concern, I'd probably use something more realistic like the PB decoys. |
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Post by firelt72 on Mar 10, 2008 20:47:58 GMT -5
My arsenal is this, three-four mouth calls, 1 slate and 1 box call. I am a 80+% mouth call guy. I also carry two dekes ....well three this year (B-Mobile) I also like to run and gun a bit so I go vestless and carry all my stuff in a butt pack.
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Post by oggie on Mar 10, 2008 21:30:09 GMT -5
I carry 1 box call, 1 slate & 1 aluminum call, 3 strikers, 3 mouth calls, 2 owl hooters, 1 crow call, 1 coyote call, and 1 pileated woodpecker call. I also carry 3 hen and 1 Jake feather flex decoys and always put them out if time permits. For the last 5 years I usually short stake a hen in front of the Jake, this seems to work well. My vest with everything in it weighs in around 25 pounds. Let the bird's tell you how aggressive to be with your calling. If there quite then call soft to them, if there loud and aggressive then call hard and aggressive to them. Once they commit to you shut up and let curiosity get the best of them. Call with rhythm and feeling. Keep a positive attitude and keep after them.
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Post by bomonster on Mar 12, 2008 2:33:02 GMT -5
Thanks guys, got most of these calls started touching up on my calling last nite but still looks like a trip to The Sportsmans warehouse for me this week sometime. Got to get set up with some decoys and a good vest. Does the BassPro down by Louisville have a good selection of things i'll need, have to go to the truck show at the end of March and the hotel is next door to B.P. ?
Thanks for the input.
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Post by fftce67 on Mar 12, 2008 17:15:45 GMT -5
you really should visit Bass Pro Shop anyway. Nice Place there.
I try to go often just to look around if fund are short.
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Post by woodmaster on Mar 13, 2008 10:06:10 GMT -5
For a beginner I think a slate and a push button call are the easiest to use. Calling is over rated.
The biggest thing I've learned in my years of turkey hunting is patients. If you know a field that birds are using, set your decoys up and call about every 20 minutes. Sooner or later you'll have some action.
It wouldn't hurt to get some netting/brush to put in front of you so you can get away with some movement.
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I've found that what works one year, or on one bird, or in one area, may not be what works next time around. If your favorite call doesn't bring them in, try another. Like any other type of hunt, the way the birds react will dictate how you hunt them. I hunt high-pressured birds and I've had a lot better luck with very little, very low volume calling. I run and gun on public usually and I carry a Feather Flex decoy which is collapsible, very light and quick to set up. It's worked for me a couple times, when the Tom's attention is riveted on the decoy instead of where he heard the calling coming from and allowed me to get my gun up and on him without being detected. If I were hunting in a field setting, or where mobility wasn't as big a concern, I'd probably use something more realistic like the PB decoys. 
