Best strategy for field turkeys

[fairchaser]

Other than fanning and reaping, is the best strategy to sit quietly in the corner of a field and wait or what?

 

[Boll Weevil]

A few things you might try:
1) Scout from afar with binocs. Either in the evening or as you move around during the day, if you can get a bead on how they're using the field might be able to get a leg up.
2) Try to setup so he has to come closer to actually see you. A little jog in the field edge, a low spot or hump, off the field a little piece...any. place he has to come investigate to see the hen.
3) Resist the urge to overcall especially if he's already in the field. A turkeys ability to pinpoint sound is absolutely uncanny. If he can SEE that there's no hen where the sound is coming from he's done.
4) If you can, setup where you won't be pinned down. One series of big fields I regularly hunt is bordered by a creek on one side. If I'm careful, I can slide off into that creek and move on a bird undetected. Setup on the other side, and it's almost a guarantee to eventually get pinned down.

I deal with field turkeys a lot. They're killable, just gotta try to think a few steps ahead.

 

[catman529]

Stay on them till they either come by in range or go to roost. If they go to roost then call into work and set up under them the next morning. Of course this depends how much cover is available around the field to move on them.


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[Bone Collector]

If it were me, i'd try to figure out where they were roosting. Go in from the back side if you can and set up such that when they come to roost you are waiting. Assuming they come into the woods to fly up, you can get him when he comes in. You just have to be careful, because if he has Hens they will most likely come in first, so you will have to avoid being seen. I've done this a few times and it works.

 

[Roost 1]

Figure out where the first bit of shade hits in the morning and then in the evenings. On a hot day beat him to that spot.

 

[Setterman]

30-06

 

[Andy S.]

Take me..... :tu:

 

[PalsPal]

So, some don't want to fan or reap, but ambushing is "OK"? Interesting op: ?

Field birds can be very tough. I have had some success getting the hens fired up enough to investigate dragging him into range, but that normally doesn't work.

Some are practically unkillable without ambushing or using a decoy/fan. They can be VERY frustrating!

 

[fairchaser]

Take me..... :tu:

I'm going in the morning. Can you limp about 1/2 mile?

 

[Mike Belt]

In the past when I've known turkeys to frequent a particular field (especially when they weren't gobbling and I had no idea where to find them and/or they were known to roost around that field) I've set up on a field and just waited. It can be a long, boring sit but it's worked out a few times. If the field narrows down in a spot 40-65 yards or so I try to set up there.

 

[String Music]

Field turkeys are the least exciting to hunt. Decoys and ambushing are the best methods to use if you aren't opposed. I've had very little success calling field turkeys.

If you go the decoy route, a semi-strut jake and hen have worked the best in the past for me.

If calling, stick with clucks and conversational yelps. Aggressive calling usually results in the flock going the opposite direction.

I'll sometimes bust the flock up before they roost and watch where the gobbler flies. I'll be between him and the field the following morning.


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[Roost 1]

So, some don't want to fan or reap, but ambushing is "OK"? Interesting op: ?

Field birds can be very tough.!

They are a lot easier to call in when you are where they want to be... not necessarily a bushwhack... :tu:

 

[catman529]

So, some don't want to fan or reap, but ambushing is "OK"? Interesting op: ?

Field birds can be very tough.!

They are a lot easier to call in when you are where they want to be... not necessarily a bushwhack... :tu:

that sounds like some of my fall hunts, did I really call them in, or did I just intercept the flock like I was trying to in the first place.


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[String Music]

Figure out where the first bit of shade hits in the morning and then in the evenings. On a hot day beat him to that spot.

To bolster this tip:

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[catman529]

Figure out where the first bit of shade hits in the morning and then in the evenings. On a hot day beat him to that spot.

To bolster this tip:

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yes they love shade trees and I've noticed this weekend they also like to sit under trees when it's raining.


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