First Season Turkey Hunter, Any Advice?

BHC said:
Sounds like your changing able of striker or pressure of striker midway through call try making a Ipside down J motion...

That seems to work a little better. I think I may be holding the striker to close to the end. Could this be a factor or am I just over critiquing myself lol.

BHC said:
I have a question, sorry not to hijack your thread, but this thread is about learning so I'll ask it here... A few guys have said let nature be your locating call, etc. basically don't use an owl call. Why? I am jus curious.. I have always used an owl call and many times get another owl hooting, which many times. Keeps the bird gobbling as I ease on in closer.. And if not I many times hoot 10-12 times to really really pinpoint the exact location of the bird I'm after. I'm curious what you guys do and why... I don't do this of course when birds are hot and gobbling like crazy on the roost...

No prob! I had the same question, just not got around to it yet lol.


whiskey said:
Any tips for getting a good purr with the slate? I have watched several youtube videos, but just can't get it just right. It will start out sounding OK then it stops purring and just sounds like a solid tone.

what slate call are you using? I have some that don't purr good then some that do it just depends on the call and striker.

lighter pressure and a constant angle for your striker. I sent a slate a striker in the box and they purr really well together. Try going in a straight line, then try it with a little arc to your line. Move closer to the center to learn the purr, then move towards the edge to get the pitch you like. Make sure your striker hand is rested on the call, not floating around.

The angle is where I believe I am having trouble. As 'm pulling back I believe I am creating more of an angle with the striker.

oh yeah have I said thanks enough for the goodies? lol been watching the driveway like nuts for the big brown truck. Feels like Christmas haha.
 
New question: From everything I read/watched it seems a lot of guys try to hunt edges of clearings. Any path of least resistance that the bird could travel.

What kind of advice would you guys give if I am unable to find such an area. If I hear a gobble coming in close and im in the middle of the forest, how would y'all take cover? Just post up on the nearest tree or try find brush?

If you cant tell im not used to hunting from the ground. Tried it this past deer season and was completely unsuccessful.
 
You wanna be able to see and shoot, cover is good as long as it doesn't obscure your vision or shot. Find a tree preferably as wide as your shoulders,. If not find a small tree that has brush behind it to break up your outline. You'll find out every situation is different, sometime you may have time to cut a bush or place something in front of you.. Sometimes you better jus find the nearest cover and get down or your done for... You'll figure this out quick.. If you are in the process of setting up and have already got him to respond to a hen call just note just because he isn't gobbling at you at the moment doesn't mean he isn't already headed straight for you... Always wanna be quick and quiet is all I can tell ya
 
I sometimes get in too big of a hurry when setting up on a turkey that is close when I strike him, especially early in the season when I am rearing to go. I usually try to find a location where I am in the shade or have some good cover to conceal myself and the turkey has to come over a hill or around some type of cover or other terrain feature to search for me and will be in range when he gets there. Also, I try to set up where the sun is not directly in the turkey's face when coming in. Just take it slow and learn from the turkeys. Good luck this season.
 
You need to set up where he can't see where your calling from. It doesn't always work out that way though. If possible, try to get a hump or some kind of rise between you and him, prefferably when he sticks his head up he will be in range. It is very hard to call them up if they can see where you are calling from.

I think the mistakes some begginers most often make is setting up on a bird in a spot that you, the hunter, can see a long ways and see the gobblers approach. That is a no no, if you can help it. That is usually when you hear somebody say "he hung up at 60-80 yards." He could hear that hen calling to him, and could not see it, so he just stood his ground. Plus, in nature the hen goes to him anyways. We are pretty much breaking the turkeys rules when we call up a gobbler.

If you can see the gobbler, I suggest to not call to him. If you can see him, he can for sure see you. He also can pin point your location in 2-3 clucks. so if your setting there looking at him and you call, he will immidiately have you pin pointed, probably realize there is no hen there. He will either spook, or strut and gobble until he sees his hen. Lots of times when this happens he calls up a real hen, and it is usually over. When they hang up, just quit calling. He may loose interest and walk away, or maybe he will wonder what happened and come looking for you.

There are always exceptions, you never know what will happen.

Saw some of your pictures on the picture forum. looks like you at least have some turkeys to shoot at.
good luck to you.
 
Sounds like its going to be a lot of trial and error!

I'm glad someone pointed out about trying to not have a huge line of sight. Being a deer hunter I'm always looking for long shooting lanes and I know I would have made that mistake for sure.

I cant wait to get out there. Going to do some scouting in the morning. Really just going to get a feel for the land. If I get a gobble or two that will just be a plus.

Hoping to find a spot off the beaten path. Kinda nervous about hunting public land.
 
Choot'em Jroberts ! Choot'em ! Your gonna love it. Its not to cold, everythings turning green, and when the gobbling starts, woo weeee it gets exciting! Nothing like waiting for the birds to fly down at sunrise.
 

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