Spring Turkeys

fishuntr2 · 01-08-2002, 12:54 PM

I want to try turkey hunting for the first time. Friends at work have access to property past Hood River where a lot of turkeys have been seen. So we need some advice for beginners. We all have read about how wily wild turkeys are and would appreciate any thoughts on getting started. For instance, a good call type with perhaps a tape to study/pracice with? Any and all advice will be welcomed!
Thanx
Bob

Lured In · 01-08-2002, 01:13 PM

You will LOVE turkey hunting! It is everything I love about both big game stalking and waterfowl calling.

My advice is make sure you scout right up to the day before the hunt. Scout don't scare them. Ideally you should try to find their roosting tree and "put them to bed" as they say. All the gear and calls in the world won't help you if the turkey's aren't there. I hunt private land down is S. Oregon and have made the mistake of locating them a week or two before the season and then they weren't there on opening day.

Camo: Go with what you like that is comfortable and matches your surroundings well. I use either MO Breakup or Advantage. Depending on the hunt, make sure you layer as the spring mornings can be cool to start and warm up quick.

Calls: As a first timer I would get a good tape, I used the HS Strut instructional tape. It will get you in the ball park. I now use primarily a diagphragm call and a box call. This gives me the flexibility I need while keeping my hands free. You may want to try one of the new push button yelpers as they sound decent and are really easy to operate. Someday I will get around to learning how to use a slate or striker style call.

Choke: Full, Xtra Full or Turkey. I use a factory full without problems.

Loads: 3" or 3.5" Copper Plated steel or Hevi Shot in 5 or 6.. I will probably use Hevi Shot this year.

Free advice: I make no warrantee's to this advice. Study turkey behavior and it will drastically help you. Tom's gobble so hens will come to them, not the other way around. You have to play "hard to get." Once you call, he knows you are there and knows exaclty where you are. Don't overcall! He may just keep gobbling and stay put waiting for this hot hen to come'a runnin'. If you scout and you know where he is at, you have 90% of the battle won. Get there before they fly down and set up quietly within 100 yards or closer if possible. You should be able to see them and definitely should be able to hear them.

Sorry for rambling, you just got me a little pumped!

birdhunter · 01-08-2002, 05:19 PM

Excellent, excellent advice Lured In.

Like he said: Location, location, location. Put them to bed the night before. If you don't, you might be better off spending the morning covering the countryside and locating flocks. THEN pick one of them and put them to bed.

You need to get close without scaring them. You also need to know the area. Turkeys are notorious for hanging up along obstacles. It's really tough to get a tom to cross a fence, creek, road, etc.

Again, don't overcall. I use a slate and love it. True, both my hands aren't free, but I've never had a problem. You shouldn't be calling too much anyways. You want them to come looking for you. Just let them know you're still there.

I'm in the minority here with my pick of shot. Most people would tell you to use turkey loads of 6's or 4's. I prefer BB's. I've used them for years and the bird always drops stone dead. Just make sure you shoot them in the head, like any other turkey hunter. I know it's a goose load, but trying to take down a flying turkey is NOT a good idea. Even if you break a wing, they can run like hell and will assuredly get away.

Last year I had a bird that put two small firs between him and myself. Although he was only 10 yrds away, he wouldn't go around them for anything. I could see his head through the branches, just didn't have a wide open shot. When his head got to a little opening I took the shot. Dead bird. I don't think I would have been able to do that w/ 6's.

Good luck. Turkey hunting is a blast and really addictive. Nothing gives you an adrenaline rush like starting to cluck and hearing that unmistakable gobble of a stutting tom.

sliverpicker · 01-10-2002, 04:46 PM

fishuntr2,

The guys above pretty much covered the bases. I would suggest a good boxcall and slate type friction for a beginner. To my ears a slate has the most realistic turkey sounds, but a turkey will come to any and all calls. Another bit of advice, PATIENCE! If you have a bird answering your calls, and he quits gobbling, don't panic. The toms gobble alot to try and get the hens to come to them, when the hen (you) doesn't go to the tom he'll sometimes sneak in and have a look for himself. If you catch him strolling toward you, cluck or yelp softly once or twice just to convince him you're still in the neighborhood and he'll usually come on in. I've been hunting turkeys since 1984, and I'm still learning new tricks every year. Good Luck!