Turkey Help

Gillfish3 · 01-14-2009, 08:04 PM

Hi everyone. I know turkey season is still along way off but my son who is 17 asked me if we could go turkey hunting this year. I have never hunted turkey before and I don't have a clue where to start. I live in McMinnville and we have several good flocks around here but they are all on private property and the land owners treat them like pets so they will not let me hunt them.

Any ideas and suggestions would be great. I would love to get my son a bird this year.

Thanks in advance.
George
Gillfish3

BlackTail18 · 01-14-2009, 10:08 PM

I'm in the same boat. I wanna go but dont know where to hunt.

Gillfish3 · 01-15-2009, 09:12 AM

Theres got to be someone here who can help

CombinationLicense · 01-15-2009, 09:38 AM

You have to do your homework guys. First off, search the IFISH hunting forum for turkey hunting threads and glean what you can for areas near you. Next scout for turkeys in a two pronged attack - if you see turkeys on private land then ask if you can hunt them. Not all landowners say no but sometimes you have to develop a relationship with them before you get permission. Next, get some maps and look for public lands that are adjacent to the properties where you've seen turkeys. Often times you can find the same "private land" birds on public land if you try. Lastly, spend some time scouting before the season in the national forest and/or adjoining timber company lands. There are LOTS of turkeys in Oregon but folks aren't likely to give up their special spot because there is also a LOT of competition.

I should also mention that there is a youth turkey hunting clinic coming up on April 4th. It's a family oriented full day event that's held over on the White River WMA near Tygh Valley. Beardbuster, Elkguide, myself and a few other IFISHers help out there and it's a great place to meet other turkey hunters and get the basics down. More details on that as they become available. Hope that helps -

"CL"

Benny · 01-15-2009, 01:15 PM

Scout scout scout...and then scout some more!
Its a pain in the butt to pattern these things and you're going to want to get to know them on an intimate level before the season starts.
It gets difficult in our area because a lot of that good turkey country has been converted to heavy conifer stands. Great for blacktail, though.
Start thinking south...

STRUTTIN-1 · 01-15-2009, 02:12 PM

And after much much much scouting.Have a back up plan.If you see turkeys chance are so have alot of other people.

QH's Paw · 01-15-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STRUTTIN-1

And after much much much scouting.Have a back up plan.If you see turkeys chance are so have alot of other people.

That's probably one of the biggest mistakes made by newbie hunters regardless of what they are hunting. Thinking you are the only one that knows, even though they saw the birds or animals while driving down a road.
Always have a back up plan or 2 or 3.
Also, don't give up too soon. Alot of birds are killed while others are back at camp or rig eating lunch.
Pack a lunch and stay with the birds when you find them.

xstreme357 · 01-15-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QH's Paw

That's probably one of the biggest mistakes made by newbie hunters regardless of what they are hunting. Thinking you are the only one that knows, even though they saw the birds or animals while driving down a road.
Always have a back up plan or 2 or 3.
Also, don't give up too soon. Alot of birds are killed while others are back at camp or rig eating lunch.
Pack a lunch and stay with the birds when you find them.

bingo, mike hit that on the head.

buglingobblers · 01-15-2009, 03:52 PM

don't forget about the youth hunt that is the week before regular season starts. there may be a few less hunters in the woods.

Benny · 01-15-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QH's Paw

Pack a lunch and stay with the birds when you find them.

Maybe a turkey sandwich would be appropriate?

QH's Paw · 01-15-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benny

Maybe a turkey sandwich would be appropriate?

Yep, I like that...smoked turkey.

beardbuster · 01-15-2009, 09:00 PM

seems as if you always have a turkey sandwich in your pack, you'll kill a bird.

Also, figure out where and how you want to hunt. Turkeys are a creature of habit and follow a schedule day in and day out until bumped, but then they will return to the pattern.

If you see a turkey in a spot at 3pm, be there tomorrow at 3pm. Be prepared to spread all day in the woods (in a good area). I have killed more birds between 10am and 2pm that were cruising for hens. And stick it out too, I have killed them on April 15th and last year we pulled a double on May 31st.

It is hard to break down all the specifics of hunting turkeys. If anyone is going to be up at the youth event on April 4th, bring your gear, calls etc and I will sit down with you and help you out. I'll be there all weekend and we usually take people out and teach them locating and calling tips in the canyons - you WILL hear birds.

BlackTail18 · 01-15-2009, 11:01 PM

I can't wait for the spring hunt.

pharmseller · 01-16-2009, 10:19 AM

You mean there's a season on these things?

We have turkeys like rats where I live, but it sure wouldn't be called hunting.

Most of these birds have lost the "wild edge" that makes them true game animals.
I touched off a short-barreled 12 gauge alley sweeper over the heads of a flock of about 12 birds. I just wanted to see how they reacted. They all went about 10 feet straight up, then calmed down quickly. Weird.

Pharmseller

ogrejager · 01-16-2009, 02:52 PM

Dear Pharmseller,

I am not opposed to a BBQ at your house, any time between April 15 and May 31. I will bring the main course and the beer. Oh, and my shotgun. I figure we'll set up on your deck up there--maybe drape some camo netting up on the railing to hide the cooler and grill--and have a good BBQ. The next week, you can come up to my place for smoked turkey!

I'm not sure which icon is more appropriate:

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