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Post by lugnutz on Mar 7, 2013 18:20:32 GMT -5
Every year i consider trying to turkey hunt, think i'm gonna give a go this year. I haven't even attempted to go since my mid' teens, some 20 years ago. Any advice that you fellow hunters can give me would be much appreciated!
Other than camo, and gun i have nothing. I know i'm gonna need to purchase some calls, but which ones-no clue....
Thanks!
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Post by GS1 on Mar 7, 2013 18:29:38 GMT -5
Get a good glass call and some mouth calls. The glass is easy to use and the mouth calls are fun to learn on.
Scouting is probably more important than anything else. Not necessarily scouting the birds themselves, but the property in general. Know the woods well and you will kill turkeys.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2013 19:22:05 GMT -5
The best thing you can do is find an experienced turkey hunter and tag along for a few trips. Too much emphisses is put on calling and all the gadgets that are available. A rookie does not need them, later you can buy them all and find out that most of them are not needed. For starters, get a simple push-pull call or a box call. Learn a few basic calls, mainly a yelp buy watching utube or some videos. Do not over call, real turkeys don't so why would a hunter want too. Once you set up in an area, stay at least 30 minutes after you think you need to move. Resist the urge to go to the goobler on the next ridge when one may well be heading your way in the silent mode.
As for scouting, it's over rated. If you know the lay of the land, particularly places that may cause a tom to hang up, and you know that the land has turkeys, stay out until you can hunt. No sense giving them reason to move somewhere else. If you scout, do so remotely and early or late listening for gobbles or hens.
Buy you a turkey vest and good butt pad.
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Post by MuzzleLoader on Mar 7, 2013 19:47:09 GMT -5
The best thing you can do is find an experienced turkey hunter and tag along for a few trips. Too much emphisses is put on calling and all the gadgets that are available. A rookie does not need them, later you can buy them all and find out that most of them are not needed. For starters, get a simple push-pull call or a box call. Learn a few basic calls, mainly a yelp buy watching utube or some videos. Do not over call, real turkeys don't so why would a hunter want too. Once you set up in an area, stay at least 30 minutes after you think you need to move. Resist the urge to go to the goobler on the next ridge when one may well be heading your way in the silent mode. As for scouting, it's over rated. If you know the lay of the land, particularly places that may cause a tom to hang up, and you know that the land has turkeys, stay out until you can hunt. No sense giving them reason to move somewhere else. If you scout, do so remotely and early or late listening for gobbles or hens. Buy you a turkey vest and good butt pad. This ^^^^and wait 30 minutes more after the original 30 mins is up. Because as soon as you stand up, there he will be. They come in quiet more often than gobbling. |
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Post by dbd870 on Mar 8, 2013 5:30:04 GMT -5
I like my slate call the best; I've tried a couple of box calls and just can't seem get as good a call from them as my slate (could be me). I tried a mouth call once - immediately saw I had a learning curve there; and my gag reflex is VERY strong, always has been. I didn't pursue that.
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Post by lugnutz on Mar 8, 2013 10:55:31 GMT -5
thanks for the advice given so far! I'm thinking learning what call to use when, is gonna be one of my biggest obstacles.
When you hear a Tom gobble, how close do you guys like to get before you get set up?
Also what round(s) work well? I've got an old 870 with a screw choke that i bought from a genleman in Georgia. The choke was designed for a light 2 3/4 used a spot shoots. I've got other turkey chokes laying around in the cabinet, but i've never tried patterning them with any heavy loads. I don't believe i own anything that takes a round bigger than the 3" mags.
Thanks again
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Post by GS1 on Mar 8, 2013 11:27:56 GMT -5
As close as you can get without spooking him. Sometimes you don't know how close that is until you are too close, but it happens. Every step closer you get to him is one less step he's gotta take toward you.
Learn to cluck and purr. Hens cluck and purr all the time. When they are feeding, looking for other birds or just walking through the woods. You can do it at anytime.
There are a boatload of shells available and I would opt for a 3" round. I have friends that load some 2 3/4's that are just as effective as some 3", but the shot size is not legal in Indiana. The only way to know your effective range is to pattern the gun you intend to use. 2 3/4" will work, you are just going to have to have them closer. Which is better.
Patience sometimes kills turkeys. My buddy who has killed several hundred birds told me the other day that he loves patient hunters. While they are setting an extra hour waiting on a bird, he has already found one willing to work and the bird the patient hunter is waiting on will probably still be there tomorrow for him to hunt.
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Post by elmo on Mar 18, 2013 6:00:44 GMT -5
 dbd870 |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2013 9:23:26 GMT -5
If you have trouble with mouth calls, trim them or buy youth sizes.
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Post by js2397 on Mar 18, 2013 18:56:48 GMT -5
All good advice but the best way to kill a turkey is by getting out and hunting. I'm not a very good turkey hunter but I kill one almost every year because I spend a lot of time in the woods and put a lot of miles on my boots looking for turkeys.
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Post by elmo on Mar 19, 2013 5:19:20 GMT -5
I just know where they like to be. I set up and make a few soft calls at daybreak and wait on them to show up.
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Post by waynecountytrio on Mar 27, 2013 14:55:14 GMT -5
Patience....patience....patience.....patience.....patience...patience...oh yeah,,,and more patience>>>>>did i mention patience....that is the best thing to have in your turkey arsenal!!!!
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