Turkey Hunt Newbie

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So yesterday was the first time I ever went turkey hunting. Was down in Raleigh for work, and a work acquaintence invited me to hunt turkey's on some game land he manages.

I had my shotgun, but he let me use his turkey gun; showed me how to use the call; took me out on one end of the field to glass turkeys from 600 yards away (and called a few to show me); then set me up in an overgrown ditch underneath a roosting tree at the edge of a field.

That was about 4pm. Sure enough, by 4:30, I saw my first band of turkies about 400 yards away emerging from a wheat field. I thought it was 7 hens, a big puffed out and angry Tom, and 2 jakes that were staying back and rolling in the dirt. Ended up being 7 jakes and 2 hens. Watch, and tried to lightly call, they stopped fighting with the Tom (who went off with both hens) and then started moving perpendicular to me diagonally across the field, before turning back in and struting right up to me clucking and yelping on my right side (behind them, about 2 hundred yards off where another half dozen turkeys).

As they did, I hear birds come in from behind me gobbling like crazy and then some other jakes came in from my left and started getting real loud, slowly coming in my direction.

It was one of the most intense moments of my life. WOW.

And then I realized my shotgun was on the ground next to me - so I SLOWLY - picked it up and finally took a shot about 6 o;clock, some 90 minutes after starting my first Turkey hunt.



So, I am totally addicted and will hit his club when I'm back down in a couple of weeks from the NRA Annual Meeting.

But have some basic questions.

1st, how is a Turkey gun different. He had a Mossberg 500 pump with camo paint job. He had a day glow fiber optic sight on it, and a turkey choke.

I assume a turkey choke is a full (or perhaps tighter) choke. Could I just use a regular full choke? He said the gun was dead on out till about 60 yards, though my shot was only about 25 yards. What other differences are there?

Does it make a difference between magnum and 3 inch shells?
What size shot is best for turkeys?

As a total newbie, is there a call I can use to attract a dominant Tom and keep the jakes from surrounding me?? I felt like I did something wrong - from a trophy perspective, not a food perspective - by getting swarmed with jakes while the Old Tom headed the other way. What kind of call makes him want to fight??

It was totaly cool

 

[jbkebert]

Alot of guys are using 3 1/2" turkey howitzer guns. I am not really to in that. I have been using a 870 wingmaster 3" full choke for several years now. My gun seems to pattern very well with Fiocchi #5 shot or Winchester Premium 3" in #4 shot. A turkey choke is a extra full and is usually capable of dropping a turkey at 35-40 yards with a 3" shell. My son has dropped one and I have as well with a 20 ga 2 3/4" #4 pheasant load and a modified choke.

From a trophy stand point setup on the edge of the flattest grass you can find and set alot of hen decoys. The big toms love to show off and drag their breast on the ground. They also will puff up and dance and drag their wing tips. It is all about showing off to the ladies for these toms. A large bird will hang up at the edge of your decoys and expect them to come to him. Be prepared for a fairly long shot depending on your setup. Hunting in pairs usually works well set up on opposite edges of the decoys. Lightly purr, cluck, and yelp to each other. These big birds will be very keen of movment so keep your gun close.

Also congrats on your first turkey. Spring season is very addictive calling them in is cool. Fall season is fun but not nearly as much as spring.

 

[Dee]

I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, I have not yet hunted turkey but does anyone ever use a handgun to hunt turkey? On my property I have had several turkey that it seems that I can get within pistol range. The guns that I was considering was between a XD-.45 and a .357 SP-101 3"model, leaning towards the .357 perhaps loaded with .38's in it. I do have a shotgun as well but is a short 18" barrel with no choke on it so it probably wouldnt be too suitable to hunt turkey with unless I get a longer barrel with a choke tube. It seems like a pistol round would do less meat damage though anyway it would seem.

 

[Alabama2010]

I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, I have not yet hunted turkey but does anyone ever use a handgun to hunt turkey? On my property I have had several turkey that it seems that I can get within pistol range. The guns that I was considering was between a XD-.45 and a .357 SP-101 3"model, leaning towards the .357 perhaps loaded with .38's in it. I do have a shotgun as well but is a short 18" barrel with no choke on it so it probably wouldnt be too suitable to hunt turkey with unless I get a longer barrel with a choke tube. It seems like a pistol round would do less meat damage though anyway it would seem.

You may want to check your state hunting laws. I'm not aware of any states that let you hunt turkey with centerfire cartridges- but I only know about a few states for sure.

 

[countertop]

Virginia lets you hunt with a centerfire during the fall deer rifle season

 

[Dee]

Well as it turns out TN is no exception, I guess we are limited to shotguns as far as firearms go with #4 shot and smaller. Oh well it was just an idea I had

 

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Dee

I'd suggest getting a shotgun anyway (well, regardless of turkey hunting - I always suggest getting more guns. But a shotgun, well . . . all the shotgun sports are SOOO much fun and they are very versitle for hunting) and getting out turkey hunting.

This really was the most amazing hunting experience I ever had. I love duck hunting, and deer, and quail and pheasant, but in none of those did I ever feel so "a part" of my prey's natural world.

It was unreal to have all these turkeys descend on me, and talk back and forth, at a distance I could reach out and touch. And unlike ducks, who swoop in fast, these guys gradually came in and as long as I was still, would have hung around for a long while.

 

[Dee]

Yeah I would like to try it sometime, it does sound great. Congrats on that gobbler. I do have a shotgun but it's more of an HD setup with an 18" barrel, no choke, I guess it would only be a matter of finding a longer barrel that is threaded for a choke. Thanks

 

[augustino]

Hey I'm new, real new to turkey hunting also. I've got a choice between my Ithaca 37 Deerslayer and/or my Winchester 1300 long barrel with choke. Which would be the better choice for turkeys?
Thanks!

 

[natman]

Hey I'm new, real new to turkey hunting also. I've got a choice between my Ithaca 37 Deerslayer and/or my Winchester 1300 long barrel with choke. Which would be the better choice for turkeys?
Thanks!

How exactly are the barrels choked? The Deerslayer would be great IF it accepts a turkey choke. If it's a fixed cylinder or IC choke it will be too open for turkeys. The long barrel is less than ideal for turkeys, but if it has a tighter choke it would be the better choice.

The perfect barrel would be 20" long, have sights and take screw in chokes.

 

[augustino]

The 1300 has a MODIFIED screw in choke and I assume I can buy and install any choke pattern that's available.

The 37 isn't choked at all.

I also has a Mossberg 500 with a "C-LECT" choke as they named it, that you can turn clock-counter clockwise for an array of choke modes. But don't ask me how that's supposed to work cause I don't know. I bought it cause it looks good and was only 130.00 bucks. Couldn't let it get away at that price.

What's really wild is that I've heard turkeys can be ellusive and not just come out & hang around when people are present. Yet on the interstate near my house back in the city!! There's a group of turkeys that walk along the side of the interstate right at the exit. When traffic backs up waiting to get off you can roll your window down and toss them corn! They aren't concerned that just 15 feet away is a line of cars/truck/whatever! Go figure.

 

[natman]

The 1300 has a MODIFIED screw in choke and I assume I can buy and install any choke pattern that's available.

The 37 isn't choked at all.

I also has a Mossberg 500 with a "C-LECT" choke as they named it, that you can turn clock-counter clockwise for an array of choke modes. But don't ask me how that's supposed to work cause I don't know. I bought it cause it looks good and was only 130.00 bucks. Couldn't let it get away at that price.

What's really wild is that I've heard turkeys can be ellusive and not just come out & hang around when people are present. Yet on the interstate near my house back in the city!! There's a group of turkeys that walk along the side of the interstate right at the exit. When traffic backs up waiting to get off you can roll your window down and toss them corn! They aren't concerned that just 15 feet away is a line of cars/truck/whatever! Go figure.

Use the 1300. The long barrel is a minor minus, but the replaceable choke is a major plus. You'll need a Winchester/Browning Invector/Mossberg turkey choke.

There's turkeys and there's wild turkeys. It's not to difficult to get close to suburban turkeys that associate people with an easy meal. Getting wild turkeys to come to your call is a bit more challenging.