First time turkey hunter

[phantomak47]

I have hunting rights, although I have never been turkey hunting. what type of call do I need and what is the most affective range for my 12 gauge for turkeys? Also where is the best place to set up, the terrain is hill, although I have seen a lot of turkeys on a food plot that I deer hunt on over the winter. I am I better on a food plot or in the woods? I am very new to this so all the help I can get it is appreicated. thanks

 

[Watchman]

There are many types of calls on the market. You'll just have to experiment and figure out which one suits you the most. The best thing that you can do is to go hunting with an experienced turkey killer and let him show you the ropes. He can keep you from making alot of mistakes and streamline your learning curve considerably.

A regular box call will make all the sounds fo the wild turkey, and they sound exellent...if you know what you are doing. Otherwise you will run every turkey within a 2 mile radius away. They take practice and are subject to humididty. They dont work well in the rain or when its real damp.

Diaprahams can sound good but take even more practice to use. The advantage that they have over every other type of call is that they are hands free. I've called more than one turkey to his demise while I was watching him over my shotgun barrel. Since a turkey has extremly sharp eyesight and they can see the hair on the balls of a gnat at 300 yards away, not moving to manipulate your call can be a great advantage. Even so, there are dozens of styles of diaprhams.

Slate calls work great too. There are several different kinds, some use glass,slate or aluminum. Some sound higher or screechier than others. The same slate ca produce different sounding calls with different strikers. I usally have at least 3 different ones, one made from cherry, plexiglass and rosewood. the slate can work well when its wet, some do better than others.

Turkeys like food plots and they like big open woods that they can see in. No matter where you hunt, remember that if you can see them they can see you. They ahve an uncanny ability to zero in on movement, be sure to give yourself some cover or use a big tree to sit in front off .

The best thing to do is to scout. Look for spots that the leaves have been overturned where they have "scratched". When you find patches like these, you know that they have been through there. Also , before the season starts, be in the woods at the crack of dawn to listen for gobbles. Theis will tell you that they are in the area. Be careful not to spook them or let them see you.

Your shotgun will usaully only be effective for 35-40 yards depending on your pattern. Get some turkey shells, go with 4,5 or 6 shot and pattern your gun. Use a turkey head silhouett. You can buy these at any Walmart. Start at about 25 yards and work your way out. When you get less than 7 shot in the head /neck area that will be the limit of your range. If you have am interchangable choke, use the tightest choke that you have.

Invest in one of the turkey hunting videos for tips and what to expect. Much can be learned from these, many video rental places rent them out. Read up all you can on the subject. If you know anyone that hunts, have them show you how to use various calls. The real trick is knowing when and when NOT to call.

 

[JShirley]

Watchman, do I understand correctly, that the looser the choke, the better it is for shooting very heavy shot? The Winchester 1300 I was using this weekend was hitting with more #2 shot than #4, at distance...

John

(Edit- sorry, forgot to mention tightest choke I had on hand at the time was modified.)

 

[Watchman]

That depends entirely on the gun ,the choke and the size and base metal of the shot. The newer Tungsten types usually prefer a more open choke than the standard extra full turkey choke. The reason is, it is much harder and does'nt deform like lead shot does.

Also, the larger shot sizes such as number two usually prefer a more open choke. When number two was legal here for turkey hunting a few years ago, my 870 patterened better with an improved cylinder choke than it did with any other.

The things is to experiment. I have shot litteraly thousands of patterns with various loads and various chokes. Since no gun will shoot the same, one must experiment to find the best combination of shot and choke for the maximum amount of range. It is work, and it hurts, there is no easy way to do it. Barring any expeirimentation, I would limit my shots to 35 yards for a clean kill if I had not taken the time to figure out what the best load/choke combo was for that gun.

With the right stuff, I have taken turkeys at 50 + yards and have seen several others do the same, but this was with specialized turkey guns that were patterened before hand.

 

[Arcli9ht]

I'd also be interested in hearing advice for this. Last year I tried for the first time (was alone, had only watched a couple videos... miserable failure )

I somehow succeeded in calling in a hen really close... ~25-30 feet, she was the only turkey I had located when I scouted (had no idea she was a hen when I scouted... just knew it was a bird... maybe). On the fifth or sixth morning, at a wet farm (very wet and very cold), I heard some gobbles, but they came from uphill and weren't interested in coming down.

I used the box call first, until I got a response, then switched to the mouth call, which I think I prefer anyway (I can hold the gun and call at the same time).

Nobody I know hunts anymore, and none of the old timers ever went for turkey.

At the end of the season last year, I told myself I wasn’t going to bother again... too cold, too much work, and I only saw one dumb bird. For some reason I went out and got my spring permit for this year. :banghead:

My questions:

Are there any tricks to scouting that I should know? I've got a hooter (gah, still makes me giggle), a crow call, and the regular turkey calls.

My mornings were starting about 4am, but light was already breaking by the time I got to my spot, should I be getting out there earlier?

Does anyone pack hot soup out to keep warm or anything?

Do self respecting hunters use temporary blinds? Is it worth it?

Do you bother with ear protection? Is it possible to get muffs on without being spotted by the bird?

Is there time to snap the SG up to your shoulder before they drop head and run? Or should I have slowly brought it up to shoulder before (or when they’re behind cover)?

If you spot another hunter walking by, is the spot screwed for the rest of the day? What about hikers? Should I identify myself or just continue being part of the tree and leave later?

If I've been in 1 spot since dawn and haven’t heard anything in hours, should I just move?

If there has been no sounds at all, what is a good interval to call at? 5 minutes? 15?

I'd be going back to upstate New York, about an hour west of Albany (friends that live up there). If there are any of you within say 4-5 or so hours of NYC who would be willing to show a well behaved newcomer the ropes, I'd jump at the opportunity.

I have the hardware side of this down, a gun that patterns well, all the calls I can carry, full cheapo camouflage from Wally world and one of those blaze orange turkey bag things so I don’t get shot on the way in and out. (I think I'm going to add a little stool to that list, was a little cold sitting in mud all day)

/Arcli9ht

Also, is it a very bad idea to scout armed? I would be camping at the time... no place to stay upstate, but I have a feeling I could get in trouble for attempting to poach (having calls and a gun off season).

 

[Watchman]

Arcli9ht...

Ill take a shot at answering your questions as to how I do it. Understand that Ill tell you what works for me, your birds or terrain or methods may be quite different from mine. The key is to figure out what works and use it.

Since I hunt in the Ozarks in Arkansas, I'll relate how it works for me...

Are there any tricks to scouting that I should know? I've got a hooter (gah, still makes me giggle), a crow call, and the regular turkey calls.

Ive used coyote squalls and a silent whistel with success. With that being said, Ive used everything at one time or another. I have heard birds gobbling their heads off...only to shut up when a hunter a ridge over started hooting. What you use must be natural. There are times when a bird will gobble at a large fart...and other times when they will not gobble for any reason.

mornings were starting about 4am, but light was already breaking by the time I got to my spot, should I be getting out there earlier?

The key is to be their at first light...this is when the toms are most vocal. There isnt much use getting there too much before dawn.

s anyone pack hot soup out to keep warm or anything?

Cappacino or hot coffee works for me..

Do self respecting hunters use temporary blinds? Is it worth it?

I have used makeshift blinds out of limbs and used natural blinds behind rocks. A blind will alow you movement with less of a chance of being spotted. Yes, they can be worth it. Its just one more tool to use in the hunt. I prefer to use natural vegetation, less stuff to carry.

Do you bother with ear protection? Is it possible to get muffs on without being spotted by the bird?

No. When the big tom walks up your concentration is so focused that you are suprised when the gun goes off. I want to be able to hear a twig snap 75 yards away.

Is there time to snap the SG up to your shoulder before they drop head and run? Or should I have slowly brought it up to shoulder before (or when they’re behind cover)?

Yes and no. If you think you know where the tom is coming from, have your gun resting on your knee. Be ready to shoot. Do it with as little movement as possible. If he spots you first(been there done that)and is in range, when he tucks his head is either gonna fly or run. If you are out of position your only chance is a snap shot. Ive killed several this way, and I've missed some too.

If you spot another hunter walking by, is the spot screwed for the rest of the day? What about hikers? Should I identify myself or just continue being part of the tree and leave later?

No and no. If its another hunter always call out for safetys sake. More than likely he''ll leave the area. IF there are birds in the area, I may stay put. Last year I whacked a tom about two minutes after a converstaion with my son. He left and I sat back down. I heard some racket behind me and three bigs toms tried to walk right over top of me. Only two walked away...

If I've been in 1 spot since dawn and haven’t heard anything in hours, should I just move?

Probably so. Ill move around till I get some response.

If there has been no sounds at all, what is a good interval to call at? 5 minutes? 15?

I'd give it 15. If a tom is interested ,sometimes it takes awhile for him to get to you. Ive sat on a ridge and watched them take over an hour to move 200 hundred yards. If they arent that hot to begin with, sometimes theyll take their sweet time but they will mosey on over to you.

I'd be going back to upstate New York, about an hour west of Albany (friends that live up there). If there are any of you within say 4-5 or so hours of NYC who would be willing to show a well behaved newcomer the ropes, I'd jump at the opportunity.

Your terrain is probably much like mine. Never hunted Yankee birds though, they probably act different...

I have the hardware side of this down, a gun that patterns well, all the calls I can carry, full cheapo camouflage from Wally world and one of those blaze orange turkey bag things so I don’t get shot on the way in and out. (I think I'm going to add a little stool to that list, was a little cold sitting in mud all day)

/Arcli9ht

Also, is it a very bad idea to scout armed? I would be camping at the time... no place to stay upstate, but I have a feeling I could get in trouble for attempting to poach (having calls and a gun off season). :

Im always armed. I carry at least a .45 for personal protection. Up in your neck of the woods, it may be illegal. Here we cant carry a longarm if there is no hunting season unless its for target practice. I dont think the wardens up there would like it if you were carrying a shotgun. They might think you were trying to get a head start. And remember, with game wardens you are guilty until proven innocent.

 

[DigMe]

I think I'm going to add a little stool to that list, was a little cold sitting in mud all day

Nothin' warms you up like sitting in your own stool.



brad cook

 

[Arcli9ht]

Watchman- wow, cant ask for a better response than that, thank you.

Digme - I almost lost my drink on the monitor for that one.. haha, thats pretty foul.

/Arcli9ht

 

[Greybeard]

It's rather pricey, but Remington #4 Hevi-Shot patterns quite well from my 870 with modified choke tube.

 

[Kilgor]

Turkey vision

Having never hunted turkey, but seeing a lot while deer hunting I don't know that I agree that they are the keen eyed devils they are portrayed to be. I am in Northwest Arkansas. At Madison county WMA while wearing full blaze orange and guting a deer a group of 20+ turkeys came within 25 yards of me. This was in a wide open, mature forest so visability was good for a ways. I quit working on the deer and watched them after I caught a view of them out of the corner of my eye when they were about 40 yards away. They didn't notice me until I stod up and hollered "yahhh." A flock of flying turkeys is startlingly loud. I've also come across a few serval times while scouting and I got reasonably close.

Maybe they know when turkey season is and become much more wary then?

Watchman,

Where are you in Arkansas?

Kilgor

 

[Michigun]

I can 2nd Greybeard’s suggestion for the #4 Hevi-Shot.

Here’s a past thread with more info (& pictures) on the 2 turkeys I took (using Hevi-Shot #4’s) for last years season here in Michigan.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=51955

Spring turkey doesn’t start here for over a month… Can't wait!

 

[Watchman]

Russellville.

 

[hd1.]

Any comments on the fiber optic sights that clip on the vent rib?

 

[Michigun]

“Any comments on the fiber optic sights that clip on the vent rib?â€

Yes, don’t buy the one that is held on by a magnet… you’ll just loose it in the woods anyways… ask me how I know!

I personally use a fiber optic front bead only… got it from Cabela’s… it replaces your front bead on your shotgun & it’ll work really well for everything! In other words, it’ll still work well for bird hunting, waterfowl hunting & etc., etc… the fiber bead sits no higher on the end of the barrel then your original bead, but it is about a ¼†long. Mine has been on for years now & I can attest to its ruggedness! I got the one wrapped in steel with steel threads.

Here’s the one I have… not bad for $5, eh?
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...ntent/Pod/01/88/53/p018853ii01.jpg&hasJS=true

Here’s another one like mine… don’t see why it costs more however…
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...catalog/pod-link.jhtml_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712

Here are all the fiber optic sights Cabela’s has to offer… pretty good example of what’s out there…
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...og/category-link.jhtml_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712

 

[Guyon]

I like the Tru-Glo sights. Bought a set for this year that is fully adjustable. I had the magnet set and never had any trouble out of them, but that set is not adjustable. The new set allows me to dial in the tightest part of my pattern.

#1 skill for killing turkeys?

Patience, pure and simple. Lots of folks see the hunting shows where the hunters are constantly moving around. However, you'll be amazed how many birds you'll see if you can sit still for a good long spell. I've only been turkey hunting a couple of years, but I killed three birds the first year and two the second. (I guess that means this year I'll kill only one, but I'll be happy if I can get just one. ) I was successful, I think, because I could sit in one spot and not move. Two of those birds never made a peep. Another tom gobbled but then didn't show up for about forty-five minutes. Patience.

As for blinds, HS Strut and other companies are now making little portable fold up blinds. I got one to try out. They're lightweight and get pretty compact. Think small umbrella sized.

 

[cdbeaver]

Carrying a stool to sit on can be bothersome because it probably will get in your way walking. I take a rubber-backed throw rug along and sit on it. The rubber backing prevents ground moisture from seeping into your clothing and the rug is easily tossed over your shoulder like a scarf.

Turkeys have phenomenal eyesight. I had a big tom strutting towards me in full bloom when he apparently saw my glasses (I hadn't moved). At a distance of about 40 yards, he dropped his strut, turned away and began to walk (not run or fly) away.

I gave him two barrels of heavy-duty shot. I could see the dust erupt from his feathers. As far as I know, he's still going.

One suggestion: If you're hunting in canyon country, keep to the top of the ridges. Turkeys seldom, if ever, range in the bottom.