Hunting Turkey in Colorado

[NickEllis]

This is my first turkey season in Colorado, moved in from Tennessee and wow its a new deal! Been hunting turkeys successfully for several years back east, but I've never hunted Merriam turkey before, and obviously the elevation's a different ballgame. Would anyone care to offer some advice to a newbie? 12 days until opening day! Spring turkey is one of my favorite times of the year, and I'm looking forward to learning something April-May.

I've thought of heading down south to the San Isabel Ntnl Forest, just southwest of Walsenburg/La Veta, just because I've camped and hiked down there before. Never seen any birds though. Good place to start?

Nick

 

[XDKingslayer]

I can't give you any advice on Merriam but I can giving you advice on switching turkey breeds.

I moved to Florida from Pennsylvania and learning the Osceola turkey has been a challenge. They have different sounding calls and sometimes they aren't as vocal as Easterns and are pretty hesitant.

You need to start over. Get out there and scount. Learn their routines, learn their schedules, learn their language. I had to do the same thing. If you can, find someone who has a game feeder that holds turkey and go out there, sit near it and observe. That was the best thing I ever did. Take your call with you sometimes and see if you can call them away from the feeder. I would even go as far as to put a digital recorder on the feeder so you can listen to their calls any time you want and duplicate them on your calls.

I had to put an immense amount of work into learning Osceolas and I'm still learning.

 

[MutinousDoug]

Biggest flock I have ever seen was on the east slope of the Wet Mtns some years ago. At least 30-50 birds; I thought it was a flock of black sheep at first. I know two guys who have had good luck hunting Pueblo Res. in the Spring.
Good luck.

 

[NickEllis]

The Wet mountains are down in the general area I'm heading, so that will be an interesting place to explore. Beautiful country, that.

Plus, I could hit one of the rifle shoots down at Raton. Sounds like a good week!

 

[moosehunt]

The area you have chosen can be pretty good; I've had success there. It is also the only place, in 60 years and hunting all over North America and that world, that I have ever gotten lost! These turkeys definately live in a different environment from what you are used to, but the basics are the same. You will do a lot of up and down. The population will be much less dense and more spread out than you are used to. The calls and techniques are pretty much the same, though. It is generally a lot harder to find the birds, harder to find a bird to roost, but if you can, same principles as you had back east. Finding a water source can be important. The success rate will generally be much lower than what you are accustomed to. Have a good time, good luck!

 

[NickEllis]

Thanks, some good hints there moosehunt. If I'm out there camping out, do the principles of finding a roosting a bird (hoot-owl, etc) still apply? Seems that would help hone down the area a bit.

 

[moosehunt]

Technically, yes. But, odds are not like back east. Chances are good that there won't be a gobbler close enough to hear you 3 out of 4 times, but the principle is the same. If there is one in hearing range, he'll gobble, just like what you're used to. So, you travel more, i.e. more shoe leather express!

 

[NickEllis]

Thanks, I'll be sure and take the owl calls then.