Turkey Hunting 101

[Roy Steele]

Sorry about that.And only hunted selfbows for the last 12 years.I've killed 9 with selfbows 1 recurve 2 compound and 31 with a shot gun.I've never killed and with a rifle.I was taught this not calling in your gobbler.As well as in grew up not useing a decoy.But learned it's almost a must when bow hunting.My granddad didn't believe in anything but calling in his gobble.I learned from my granddad he lived to be 90 and saw over 80 seasons.And was a master with any calls.So he was my hunting parter for the first 10 years.
   I was taught on a slate.The reason was you can call to loud and sound more natural.Theres a time to call loud.Most people learn there calls but never learn to use it solfly [natural]
  But where to set up and when to set up there is much more important.Yuo must be where a gobbler either wants to go ors not scared to go.
  This brings us to the most important thing SCOUTING.Yes you can go to a place locate a gobbler call him up and kill him.
  I like to know where he roosts and most important which way he's headed when he going when he flys down.Then a you have to do is get in his way.He'll likely come to any turkey sound.Your calling just went from good to great.
  I like after 9 or 10 the gobbler already finished with his morning hens.And is looking.Find nesting areas there great to call from now as well as water feeding areas.Dusting areas are all good places to call from.Call soft purr alot just sound like a hen needs to be there.There's a 1000 varables.
  I'm not a fan of pop up blinds.I don't want to be in one spot all morning it the gobblers are some where else.I made a gillie in 79 to deer hunt with but soon found out it's killer on gobblers.
  Sorry about the leanth I could talk forever.

[Charlie Lamb]

PDK25...

1. I have a package of 3 bladed magnus bull-head blades.

The Bull Heads will work super if you hit the head or even miss close. Probably most effective from a blind where you have time to wait for the shot (head up standing still) and take a deliberate shot.

2. Would I be better off with a big snuffer?

The Snuffer is a great broadhead for turkeys. Maximum damage really helps on shots that can end up being marginal.

3.I'm not certain which bow I will use.

That will have to be your call. Which do you shoot best?

4.Best advice for quickly learning the basics of calling?

By a calling tape or CD. Play it on your way to and from work or anytime you are in the car alone... trust me!

[mrpenguin]

Originally posted by Chris Shelton:
o I left out something VERY important, if you are using a decoy on public land, use common sense!

TRUE THAT!  I had 3 guys loading shotguns 20 yds from my blind when they saw my decoys... that's a heart thumper!

[Shakes.602]

I will be watching this thread as well!! I have Hunted Turkey for 4 or 5 Years, and all I have to show for it is the Empty Tags and Licenses!! I Hear them, and I  THINK  I saw one, Once.     Usually I figure they are all together somewhere Just Laughing Histerically and Rolling On The Ground!! "Hey Y'all, watch This Fool!"  

[koger]

I use a permanent blind most of the time, made out of natural elements, and use some pop ups too, both work really well with turkeys. If you have decoys out, and,or the turkeys are coming in shut up, #1 mistake is calling too much. I use my Whitetail set up, those wing feathers can  slow a blade down quick! I use Ace standards, 150g. with inserta dn Wensel woodsmans, 150gr. total. I am usually sitting in a fold out camp chair or a Double Bull Magnum 3 legged stoo. I rest my bottom limb tip on my left boot toe, usually just pick a spot, raise the bow about 4 inches, draw anchor and whack. String tracker works, I have never used one but lots of guys on here do. Try to focus on the one turkey you just shot, and ingore the others. I took all 4 Birds last fall here in KY using these tactics, on the ground, 15 ft-15yds longest shot. Main thing is dont get rattled. I also wore a Ghillie suit in theser natural blinds and one day had a hen come into the blind looking for acorns that fell in with me, within 10 inches of me, found the acorns then went back out. 30 seconds later I shot a bird, talked about pumped up man.! HOpe this helps.

[pdk25]

Thanks Charlie.  As far as the bows go, I probably shoot the vortex a little better, but I was wondring if using the shorter bow might be advantageous.  Particularly if I wind up in a blind.

[BTW]

I've chased these crazy birds around for quite a few years now, so I'll add a few observations, tips. I hunt hardwood mountains with grassy field bottoms, meadows, or food plots.

1st, turkeys have certain areas that they prefer in the spring year after year. I don't even bother with certain areas, hollows, sides of mountains, etc. because from experience I know they won't be there. You can start to figure this out with early spring scouting if you're just starting or hunting a new area.
From year to year, within those "preferred areas", some spots will be better mainly because of available food. Let's say a particular area has a bunch of leftover acrorns from last fall or a standing corn field still has some seed left. They might hit that area good in the beginning of the spring, then switch over to "greener" areas as the season progresses.
2nd, I have found that for the most part turkeys have "circular" travel patterns. Meaning, they might roost in a certain area, travel a particular direction for the day, and circle back to their preferred roost area. Or they might be on one side of the mountain one day, work their way around to the otherside. Spend the next day over there, and end up back on the same side the next.
3rd. Location! Location! Location! You need to be where the birds want to be. A lot of this is common sense. Along field edges, a nice flat bench they like to travel, an old logging road, etc. Most of this is learned through trial and error. After a while, you just get a "feel" for it. Pay attention in your scouting or while hunting. Gobblers will only come to certain "setups". For example, it's tough to call birds downhill for the most part. So don't setup downhill of a roosted bird or one you hear expecting him to come down to your calls. Get level with him or above. The same for thick cover or streams. Get them out of the equation. Move or setup so the birds can travel to you easier. Some gobblers will get on a distinct travel pattern where they will be in a certain "strut area" at the same time each day. Lots of different scenarios with setups.
Lastly for now, patience is the number one thing you need for spring gobblers. One day they might be gobbling to "beat the band", and the next the woods is dead silent. I know a lot of hunters that like to "move about" and call from setup to setup. That can certainly work. But the patience comes in when you can stick out a certain setup, giving it some time to "produce". If you know the birds are around, trust me they definitely will hear your calls. A lot of times, hunters will call, not hear anything and move on. Meanwhile a gobbler or two is working their way to that spot hoping to "hook-up" with that lonesome hen. Not calling at all till they get closer. For bowhunting, I definitely think you need some kind of manmade or natural blind to setup. Turkeys eyes are just too superior. I like the bottoms or field areas from mid-morning on. Especially the rainy days. Gobblers love to work their way into these areas looking for a lonesome hen or to feed. Especially the older guys. If your patient, and can sit awhile, a longbeard or jake might come strolling by:)

[mdrecurve]

im far from a pro at turkey hunting been at it a few years and no luck yet but i have found a good article on bow hunting them in the march 2010 bowhunting america magazine it includes everything from blind and decoy set up

[wollelybugger]

Well here it goes, Ive been chasing these birds since the 60's. The best advice I can give you is to watch the Truth series by Will Primos to learn how to call. He also shows you how to set up and what calls to make.

  In the Spring the goblers come off the roost and gobble a few times. The hens fly down and he rounds them up and away they go. It is hard to break up that pattern. Sometimes you find a younger gobler that has no hens or the hens leave the old boy and go to their nest. When that happens goblers will come to you calls easily. You can still get Goblers with the hens but you have to call the hens in. They will come in and lead the Tom right to you if you know how to cut and challenge her.  

   Blinds are the greatiest thing for archery. Goblers do not associate a blind with danger. You can call them in close and shoot without them seeing you. If you are not using a blind shooting a bird is a lot harder. Not impossible but very hard. I like to set up with large trees around so you can move when the birds are behind them. I also like to call birds uphill, seems easier. I use a stool and practice shooting off it. I like the stools that turn so you can line up on the bird when he is coming in and pull to anchor with the least amount of movement. A bird will give you about two seconds to shoot so you are going to have to learn to shoot fast and accurately.  

   String trackers are a great tool and nice if your bow is set up for one. I have a Bear Kodiak that I can screw a string tracker in where the stabilizer screws in. I have shot right through birds and still not get them. They are really tough and hard to kill.

   Jack Brobst is the best Turkey hunter who has ever killed turkeys with Trad. equipment IMO, he has written a few books on the subject. He is from Pa. and is still alive. He sold me a few mouth calls and taught me how to set up for birds twenty years ago. I also learned off a old turkey hunter named Charlie Oaks who took time and taught me how to call and how to hunt them. This was before videos and you had to find a mentor to teach you how to hunt. The best way to learn is from the turkey themselves. They will teach you every time  you hunt them. Good luck and be patient, and when you have a bird coming in shut up. Turkeys take a long time to come in, sometimes over a hour and as long as two hours. Be Patient. Learn to call softly. Just because a bird  isn't gobling doesn't mean he has left, Good luck.

[mrpenguin]

Great thread so far... let's keep this one going!!

[el_kirk]

ttt

[bshunter]

I have been lucky the past 2 seasons with trad, but I have hunted and observed turkeys all of my life...consequently, I have made every mistake a man can make and many have given you "golden" advice already. #1 - USE a BLIND!!!!! it can be done with out one....but why make it soooo hard. Also, blinds are necessary if you want to take your wife or children, trust me, it will make the hunt more enjoyable for everyone. #2- stay as long as you can, especially if you are in a "known" turkey hang-out...I have goofed on many a boss, by not paying attention from 10a to 12.