Turkey Hunting Crash Course

[HoustonHunter]

Morning folks,

My brother and I are going to be turkey hunting next weekend thanks to a generous offer from Boomerang to allow a military veteran a free hunt.

Thread reference:

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=519736

I've been a hunter my whole life but we don't have turkeys in ETX so I've never had the opportunity to hunt them.

I've done lots of research and read lots of information on turkey hunting but I'd like to hear yalls tips/suggestions as the TBH hunters always provide the best info based on experience.

So, what tips/hints/suggestions do yall have on calling, decoying, scouting, etc. Anything and everything is helpful.

Thanks guys. Looking forward to the hunt.

[gingib]

Here is some info I was told weeks back for the same ?

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=519954

[SB09]

HoustonHunter do you happen to own or know somebody with a Foxpro? For a first time turkey hunter they're fantastic at bringing them in.

[HoustonHunter]

HoustonHunter do you happen to own or know somebody with a Foxpro? For a first time turkey hunter they're fantastic at bringing them in.

I own a Primos Alpha Dog that has lots of turkey calls.

[SB09]

I own a Primos Alpha Dog that has lots of turkey calls.

That will be your best bet calling them in. If you haven't practiced with a box/mouth/slate call I would think your chances would be reduced trying to use one on this short of notice.

[Deathrow Jethro]

My only advice would be to:
Set up and call them to you. (Do NOT try to stalk them)
Have your gun ready as any little movement will tip them off and they will be gone.

[CSF45]

Turkey hunting is my favorite, it's intense. I prefer to stay mobile, carry one hen decoy and a cushion to sit on. Full camo is crucial as they have great eyesight. I like to walk around calling until I get a response, then I'll try to get closer to them and set up. I call a couple times every 5-10 min. If you have one gobble close by, then you better set up quick because sometimes they come in on a dead sprint.

[Playa]

Scout... If you can't be there a couple of days in advance, at least get there the afternoon before, get out an hour before dusk, and find a spot where you can hear and see well. Birds are noisy going to roost. Identify where they are roosting. That gives you hunting spot 1 for the next morning.

As for calling, the FoxPro is a good tip. A secondary option is a good push button call. They are easy to work and learn. Check out this site to learn all of the various sounds that wild turkey's make. I always appreciated Primo's tagline of "Speak the Language", its very true in turkey hunting. They have a language all their own, and each sound has a meaning. Learning this will not only help you communicate with a turkey, but also interpret what they are saying which in turn lets you know somewhat what they are doing.

I can never say this enough. Call less than you think you need to. About 3 yelps is all you need for a tom to know where you are. after that its just waiting for him to come in. If its calm, I might scratch in leaves just to have some 'live' sounds. If he's inside of 100 yds, 1 sound (call sequence) may be all it takes.

Camo. Get covered, head to toe. Along with camo I like to have short knee high cover in my foreground, and taller cover in my background. But mask, gloves, long sleeves, hat etc are a must, they have very keen eyesight.

Get out early. The earlier you get set up, the better your odds are of getting them off the roost. They wake up and 'have morning coffee' long before they leave the roost. That's to say they are awake even before the 1st gobble thunders off. if you are moving around trying to set up, they will hear you and know something is up.

Hunt all day. They move as long as the sun is up. Mid morning and early afternoon birds can be and often are the easiest to call up. They are lonely have departed from the "morning hen" and are looking for an "afternoon delight" I like to go fishing, keep my turkey gear with me, and if I hear one calling, I set down the rod and reel and go after him.

its a blast. If I ever had to choose just one thing to hunt for the rest of my life, it would be spring gobblers.

[HoustonHunter]

Are the best hunting times morning and evening just like deer?

Should I be in the blind before first light?

I plan to hunt out of a pop-up, moving it accordingly when needed.

[SB09]

Turkey hunting is my favorite, it's intense. I prefer to stay mobile, carry one hen decoy and a cushion to sit on. Full camo is crucial as they have great eyesight. I like to walk around calling until I get a response, then I'll try to get closer to them and set up. I call a couple times every 5-10 min. If you have one gobble close by, then you better set up quick because sometimes they come in on a dead sprint.

This is a great tactic and more natural to the turkeys. A lot of people will tell you that the Toms seek the hens. It's actually the opposite. The Toms are telling the hens where they're located and the hen travels to them. By being mobile like this you are actually making yourself seem more natural to the Tom because you are moving towards him.

[Playa]

oops forgot to past the link. http://www.nwtf.org/all_about_turkeys/calling_tips.html

[SB09]

Are the best hunting times morning and evening just like deer?

Should I be in the blind before first light?

I plan to hunt out of a pop-up, moving it accordingly when needed.

Typically yes. They still respond mid day just not as much. A lot of times in mid day you have them come in without ever hearing them gobble.

[Playa]

Are the best hunting times morning and evening just like deer?

Should I be in the blind before first light?

I plan to hunt out of a pop-up, moving it accordingly when needed.

All day.

Personally not a fan of the pop up. I like to use native cover and covered in camo. allows me to be mobile. turkeys are keen, a pop up can be a eyesore to them.

[HoustonHunter]

There are rattlesnakes in the area and I'm not used to having to protect myself from them. Can snake chaps be used vs buying snake boots? They seem to be much cheaper which is good cause I'll only use them this one time.

[CSF45]

Are the best hunting times morning and evening just like deer?

Should I be in the blind before first light?

I plan to hunt out of a pop-up, moving it accordingly when needed.

I have killed turkeys all times of the day. They are usually more responsive in the mornings or evenings, but I've killed them around noon also. I don't get up quite as early as when I deer hunt. I'm usually headed to my starting spot just as its getting starting to get light out. A lot of times they will be making a lot of racket around this time before they come down out of the tree so it's a good time to locate them if you haven't the night before.