minni
Junior Member
Posts: 44 
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Post by minni on Feb 8, 2021 7:09:30 GMT -5
Bought a turkey tag for the first time, also a friend from the service offered 800 private acres in New Mexico for turkey hunting so it’s safe to say I’m gonna be into turkey hunting pretty deep. I’ve got a turkey gun already and am slowly getting camouflage, but have no calls or decoys. Basically just wanting to hear from the dedicated gobbler chasers about what they wish they knew their first few seasons and any tips/pointers would be greatly appreciated.
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Post by parrothead on Feb 8, 2021 7:16:31 GMT -5
Minni been after them for 26 years and learn something new everyday/year hunting them. Get your calls now and start practing. You getting a store bought or custom call?
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minni
Junior Member
Posts: 44
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Post by minni on Feb 8, 2021 7:27:37 GMT -5
Minni been after them for 26 years and learn something new everyday/year hunting them. Get your calls now and start practing. You getting a store bought or custom call? Likely store bought for now. Should I start with the reed or box or slate call? |
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Post by parrothead on Feb 8, 2021 8:30:24 GMT -5
Box and slate would be easiest to start with. Custom calls are not to much more than store bought ones. ALso follow
Old Gobbler
Gobbler Nation 2 really good sites
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Post by genesis273 on Feb 10, 2021 19:35:34 GMT -5
First thing, every hunter has their own opinion on how to hunt turkeys. These are just mine. Read as much as you can about turkey's. Listen to turkey vocalizations as much as you can. Practice, practice, practice with your calls. Call with confidence once you get the hang of it. A hen decoy and 1/4 strut jake are good choices if you decide to use them. You'll have to decide if you're going to be a run-n-gun (I recommend packing light) turkey hunter or sit and wait (take everything you got). Although weather plays a big role in how I hunt turkeys, I do prefer run-n-gun. Having big parcels of land to hunt also is a key factor. I've used both, custom and store bought calls. I definitely prefer custom calls for my pot and box but, store bought calls are just as good as custom when it comes to mouth calls IMO. Here's a link to my favorite custom pot calls. kaiserkalls.com/Turkeys are smart and have exceptional vision. Move cautiously. Pattern your gun at several different yardage with whatever turkey load you decide your gun likes best. These are just a few things I can think of off the top of my head. Experience and time in the field will teach you much MUCH more. Good luck and hunt safe!!! |
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Post by oldhoyt on Feb 11, 2021 10:20:56 GMT -5
There are lots of good turkey hunting videos on YouTube and elsewhere. I watch videos from the Hunting Public, Shane Simpson and Catman Outdoors. My recommendation is that you try to find some videos from guys that are hunting in the general region that you will be hunting. New Mexico has 3 subspecies so it would help to focus on the birds present in the part of the state you will be hunting.
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Post by sculver7 on Feb 11, 2021 10:30:11 GMT -5
There are so many different ways to successfully hunt turkeys. You will just have to put the time in and figure out what you like the best and what works in the areas you're hunting. I've killed 3 turkeys sitting against the same tree and each time, the behavior of the turkeys was completely different. You just have to figure out what is working because what might work one day could totally run them off the next. It is fun trying to trick these birds.
One thing I will say is that for me, a strutter decoy is a game-changer. I had 4 toms sprint past my hen and jake decoys not even paying attention to them. Once they were back in the woods, I snuck out and put a strutter decoy up and within 15 minutes, I had a 24 lb longbeard dead on the ground.
Good luck chasing these awesome birds!
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Post by deadeer on Feb 11, 2021 13:38:39 GMT -5
The 100% easiest and most predictable info you can know, is that they are 100% unpredictable. What works on Mon, may not work on Tues and Wed, but will again on Thurs. Lol. It is such a rush! Highs and lows, ups and downs, a full season has it all.. Good luck.
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Post by genesis273 on Feb 11, 2021 20:02:36 GMT -5
The 100% easiest and most predictable info you can know, is that they are 100% unpredictable. What works on Mon, may not work on Tues and Wed, but will again on Thurs. Lol. It is such a rush! Highs and lows, ups and downs, a full season has it all.. Good luck. Well said |
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Post by HillBillyJeff on Feb 17, 2021 17:40:42 GMT -5
Do you have any info on the lay of the land. Waterways? They are creatures of habit, but old toms will hang out and eyeball a patch for a long time before they go in. They will also have the hen go in first. Their keen eyesight can tell something is off even if you're completely camouflaged. A small jake deke with a real jake fan helps. Not sure if easterns are out there or rios or what, but you might want to match the tail. Not sure how much that matters. Remember turkeys are dumber than owl  , but have great eyesight and are afraid of their own shadow. |
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minni
Junior Member
Posts: 44
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Post by minni on Feb 26, 2021 17:05:09 GMT -5
Do you have any info on the lay of the land. Waterways? They are creatures of habit, but old toms will hang out and eyeball a patch for a long time before they go in. They will also have the hen go in first. Their keen eyesight can tell something is off even if you're completely camouflaged. A small jake deke with a real jake fan helps. Not sure if easterns are out there or rios or what, but you might want to match the tail. Not sure how much that matters. Remember turkeys are dumber than owl , but have great eyesight and are afraid of their own shadow. The spot I typically hunt has some pretty steep hills going down to a creek, heavily wooded is some areas, on some parts of the trail open up to a wide green area of grasses with scattered trees. Have another one with a pond (no flowing water) and lots of grass and mild hills |
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