Turkey hunting basics

[WhiteKnight]

A friend and I were recently granted permission to hunt on some land about an hour's drive from our city.

We're planning on attempting turkey hunting for the first time (neither of us has ever done it before) and so we're both pretty much clueless on how to do it.

I'm online reading about every single article related to turkey hunting that I can find.

Season opens up April 10th, and we're planning on heading up

Could someone please explain to me the basics? How exactly does one go about it?


Do I need any new gear (some of these high-tech "turkey" vests, super-duper calls, face masks, etc)?

What kind of gun should be used? (I have a 12 gauge, but it only chambers 2 3/4 shells)

Any other tips?

 

[D_Burchfield]

WhiteKnight,

The first thing you need for turkey is camo. Don't forget a facemask and gloves. Turkeys have great eyesight and can spot you at 100 yards. In order to get a gobbler in range you need to call. I started out with a simple slate friction type call. Easy to learn the various calls with a little practice. Knight & Hale and Primos make good ones. If you've never heard turkey hens in the wild, watch some turkey hunting videos or get an instructional cassette to learn what they sound like. If your enthusiasm and budget allow, you may want to invest in decoys. Your 12 GA should be fine if you can change the chokes. Screw in the Full-Choke tube and load it with #5 Turkey Loads. Federal and Winchester Supreme are available at Wal-Mart. You may want to get a butt-pad so you can sit on the ground for a length of time. Read what you can about tactics and strategy. Then get out there and have some fun.

Don't be discouraged if you don't even see a bird the first coupl of times you go into the woods. They are smart, wary and very unpredictable quarry. I've been after longbeards for about 5 years now(ok, only seriously for about 3 years) and this season's opening day I harvested my first bird. It was only a Jake but he had some size. They are praised as the wiliest of game birds and I can attest that they are a thrill to hunt. I still consider myself a novice turkey hunter. The great thing about it for me is a chance to hunt during spring.

Hope this helps some and I hope you don't get hooked like me.

Good hunting,

Doug

 

[MeekandMild]

The first thing you need for turkey is camo.

I have only been turkey hunting once, many years ago when I was a teenager long before there was civilian camo on the market. I shot a turkey, wearing regular clothes and an orange hat. The trick was that I found a stump hole to sit in, so all the turkey could see was the top of my head.

 

[cdbeaver]

One of the great secrets of successful turkey hunting, while "still" hunting and calling from a stationary position, is to MAKE NO MOTION.

The turkey has uncanny eyesight, and movement of any sort will draw his attention. If you can see him, he can see you . . . and probably will unless you make a real effort to remain motionless.

Another secret to successful hunting is to get the turkey close before you pull the trigger. And take head shots wherever possible. If you're hidden well enough you can probably get your tom to come to within 10 or 15 feet . . . if you don't move. That bird's head is very small, however, so aim carefully.

Longer body shots are problematical. Those body feathers are like armor plate. I've given toms two barrels at less that 30 yards, hit them hard enough to knock them rolling, and have them get back up and run away before I could reload my two-row.

There are many more "secrets" to successful turkey hunting, but I'm sure you'll want to learn them yourself through experience. Every day can be a revelation in itself.

 

[labgrade]

Turkey's are pretty big birds & require a decent payload of rather hefty-sized shot - nothing smaller than #6 & I prefer #4s, just because that's what patterns best outa my 12 gauge.

Your 2-3/4" will work, but I do suggest patterning with the heaviest load you can get. Most of the premium turkey loads are all 3" so that leaves out some flexibility, but a #4 1-1/4 oz load should do you just fine - just might limit the range some.

 

[redneck2]

Camo EVERYTHING..socks, face, etc. Camo the gun front to back so that, if you hold it against you, it blends in. When you sit down against a tree your socks show above the top of your boots

Use a face mask that has a cut-out. There are some that have "see-thru" camo netting. They don't work. You can't judge distance thru them in the shadows

No movement. They can literally see you blink at 40 yards.

Turket vests are nice because they have a flip down padded seat. It you don't have a cushion your butt gets soaked.

Take good bug spray. Hard to hold still while getting eaten by skeeters

I'd start with a box call. Pretty easy to make decent sounds. Slate is a little harder but not bad. If it's raining keep your calls in a zip lock bag. Useless when they're wet.

Buy or rent videos and pay real close attention to what they're doing.

More guys get shot during turkey season than any other time. If you get a bird, put orange surveyers tape on it. Never use a gobbler call

Roost the birds in the evening and get back out well before daylight. Get no closer than 75 yards but as close as you can without spooking them. Remember, they're up in a tree and have excellent vision and range

I use a silent dog whistle to get them to gobble. Works well. HTH