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Full Setup
Jan 30, 2022 22:06:41 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by BigJLocke on Jan 30, 2022 22:06:41 GMT -5
So sadly, I never been turkey hunting. This year, I’m applying for hunts, using public land and private land to see what I can do. I am finding it very difficult to find a lot of the information I think is probably pretty important, but I have no idea. Do you need decoys? If you use them, do you need hens or jakes or strutting toms? Are they necessary? What works best? Do you have to buy the super expensive ones or do the birds not care? Do you use a blind? Or do you just sit at the base of the tree? Let me know what your set Up looks like.
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Post by span870 on Jan 31, 2022 7:05:07 GMT -5
So sadly, I never been turkey hunting. This year, I’m applying for hunts, using public land and private land to see what I can do. I am finding it very difficult to find a lot of the information I think is probably pretty important, but I have no idea. Do you need decoys? If you use them, do you need hens or jakes or strutting toms? Are they necessary? What works best? Do you have to buy the super expensive ones or do the birds not care? Do you use a blind? Or do you just sit at the base of the tree? Let me know what your set Up looks like. No blind. No decoy. Sit at base of tree. Only use I see in a decoy is if you are hunting fields. Woods there is no point. Don't make it harder than what it is. Spend your time practicing calling. Importance of ability is determined by how hard the birds you are hunting are hunted. Private land birds that don't get hunted and you can get away with a simple cluck and purr. If you're hunting birds that get hunted then you need to be able to tell the birds what they want to hear.
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Post by parrothead on Jan 31, 2022 7:31:05 GMT -5
go to Old Gobbler website and read away.
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Post by sculver7 on Jan 31, 2022 8:27:07 GMT -5
I've always said, turkeys can be the smartest stupidest animals in the world. Sometimes you kill them easily while making tons of mistakes, sometimes you can't seem to kill one even while doing everything right. My advice: get proficient at calling, when to call, and when not to call. You don't need decoys unless you are hunting a really open woods or field. Just get out there and figure it out. Beyond that, any advice I could give would do you no good as every year, every spot, and every bird will take something different than the last to be killed. Hope you enjoy it and good luck!
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Post by esshup on Jan 31, 2022 10:46:16 GMT -5
If you can scout and pattern them, you can hunt them just like deer. You don't even need to call them, they will walk right past you. No need to worry about wind direction, but they can see a grasshopper @ 40 yds. If you are in a blind they don't care, sitting at the base of a tree you better have your gun in place where they will walk or they'll see you move it.
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Post by stevein on Jan 31, 2022 16:37:25 GMT -5
Get a box call, a pot call and some diaphram calls. Search for an instructional video on youTube. I have a CD put out by Cody Calls that is recordings of real turkeys. Listen to it and try to imitate the calls on it. This can be helpful when a hen with a gobbler in tow fires back at you. Make a serious effort to learn the mouth call. Hands free and I always have one in my mouth ready to go at any time.
As far as draw hunts go if possible pick one that has noshow draws. It can get you in the field more. Scout them out a lot. You will need more than two spots to hunt on any public land hunt. I like putting in for the 3 day draws. And if they are during the week it is that much better. If they do no show hunts if you have a popup blind go on days when it rains. There are often a lot more that do not hunt those days. The draws will start soon, just keep watching here. You will need a Spring Turkey License to apply. You can only apply for 1 hunt. (I think)
If you have access to private ground that holds turkeys I would concentrate there.
I use a shooting stick to support my gun. I have practiced enough that I feel it helps.
I also carry a set of pruners to get twigs out of my way.
It would be helpful if you could put the general area you are located in too.
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Post by parrothead on Jan 31, 2022 18:10:53 GMT -5
I would decide your ammo now. Its hard to find ammo anyway and the longer you wait it will be even harder.
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Post by BigJLocke on Jan 31, 2022 19:09:27 GMT -5
I would decide your ammo now. Its hard to find ammo anyway and the longer you wait it will be even harder. Everyone thinks I’m crazy, but I’m kind of planning to use my recurve bow.
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Post by tine-n-spur on Jan 31, 2022 21:00:02 GMT -5
I certainly would not call you crazy however I think it would be pretty tough to kill a turkey with a recurve bow. Considering the length of the bow and the amount of movement it would take to draw on a turkey at the needed range to do so. I know it’s nowhere near the same thing but, I did kill a nice long beard with my crossbow from a ladder stand. If that’s what you decide to do I wish you luck and hope you’re successful.
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Post by deadeer on Jan 31, 2022 23:16:31 GMT -5
I would decide your ammo now. Its hard to find ammo anyway and the longer you wait it will be even harder. Everyone thinks I’m crazy, but I’m kind of planning to use my recurve bow. You will have the best chance from a blind with a bow. That goes for any weapon. Best chance, certainly not only chance. Their eyeballs are like binoculars, only a thousand times better. As said, any movement and you are toast. They are the funnest things to hunt, but will make a fool out of you more often than not. Have patience and dont give up. Very rewarding when you connect.
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Post by omegahunter on Feb 1, 2022 14:37:58 GMT -5
I would decide your ammo now. Its hard to find ammo anyway and the longer you wait it will be even harder. Too late, never did come back in stock.
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Post by schall53 on Feb 1, 2022 14:47:10 GMT -5
If you master all of the information everyone above told you, you should have a good start. One thing about turkies is about the time you think you have them figured out they will do the opposite. The only thing I would add is DO NOT OVER CALL!
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Post by BigJLocke on Feb 1, 2022 18:14:01 GMT -5
If you master all of the information everyone above told you, you should have a good start. One thing about turkies is about the time you think you have them figured out they will do the opposite. The only thing I would add is DO NOT OVER CALL! This forum is a wealth of information for everything. The more I read, the more excited I get. Hopefully I’ll have some pictures to post when the season gets here!
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Post by parrothead on Feb 1, 2022 18:28:09 GMT -5
I know Apex has some in stock if you shoot TSS. I load my own TSS so i am set
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Post by Woody Williams on Feb 1, 2022 18:52:35 GMT -5
I know Apex has some in stock if you shoot TSS. I load my own TSS so i am set I’m down to a half dozen MagBlends and one old Nitro 4X5X7… Since my grandson might need a few I need to buy some MagBlend.
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Post by parrothead on Feb 2, 2022 6:45:07 GMT -5
Those old Nitro's were ahead of their time Woody. That is what I started out using years ago.
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Post by tomthreetoes on Feb 2, 2022 7:22:50 GMT -5
I didn't read the whole thread so I may be repeating something. How you set up on a gobbler is very important. Try to have the sun to your back, some time you can't but at least get in the shadows. This is number one to me, set where you can see the bird as soon as he's in range. A turkey can pinpoint your calling location from a long way off with amazing accuracy. If there isn't a hen in view he's gonna get nervous real quick. Calling is overrated, just get the rhythm right but setup is key in my book.
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Post by BigJLocke on Feb 3, 2022 9:27:49 GMT -5
I didn't read the whole thread so I may be repeating something. How you set up on a gobbler is very important. Try to have the sun to your back, some time you can't but at least get in the shadows. This is number one to me, set where you can see the bird as soon as he's in range. A turkey can pinpoint your calling location from a long way off with amazing accuracy. If there isn't a hen in view he's gonna get nervous real quick. Calling is overrated, just get the rhythm right but setup is key in my book. Everything I’ve read or been told, that’s the first time I’ve seen it suggested to have the sun behind you out in the shadow. That makes a ton of sense!
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