Late Season Tips?

[MidTennFisher]

Turkey Pros - HELP!!

I'm new to hunting and tried so hard this Spring to get my first Turkey. Due to lots of work travel I only got to go 4 times and am 0 for 4. I scouted woods, found sign or heard gobbles, then never got one to come in. I stayed in Williamsport woods for almost 12 hours one day. I found some cut corn fields around JPP that have tracks all over the place. I hunted it twice and of course jumped two while moving spots and also saw one flying away from me that must have seen me coming a long way away...as I was moving spots again.

With this cooler weather I'm tempted to go tomorrow morning and try one more time, in the spot I found tracks since that seems to be the best spot I've found and I don't have access to any private land. Do any of you have success in late season and can offer tips about whether to even use a decoy and/or calling or just sit and wait? I know it's tough because I'm stuck hunting public land and all of these birds have been called to all season. Any advice helps, I really want to get my first one. My wife and I just bought a house and a mounted Turkey fan sure would be a nice piece of decor to add!

 

[Boll Weevil]

I'm no pro but at this point of the season, those are probably some of the most well-educated birds on the planet. Calling to them may even have an opposite effect; they more likely associate yelps with hunters vs. hens. Maybe even the same with decoys if they've been boogered or shot at after coming into to another hunter's setup earlier in the season. Turkeys are killable late in the season but honestly, I've never hunted heavily-pressured public land birds late in the season like you appear to be hunting. You're going at it right by reading sign to narrow down prospective areas but my guess is that this has become an exercise in blind-calling and patience.

Most hunters have probably been cranking out more loud calling than really soft stuff and not recognizing that most hens are way past all the cutting, cackling, yelping and keeping up all kinds of racket to find a tom like in the early season. If you made that one subtle change in your approach, it might be enough get a bird to ease in your direction. Just stick with the really soft stuff, call very sparingly, scratch in the leaves. With everything all leafed out now at least you can move around a little more stealthy-like.

You're already doing more than most folks that are trying to get that first bird this late in the season; that alone counts for something. Good luck to you.

 

[catman529]

I wouldn't use decoys or make a single call to a bird in a field on JPP this late in season. They have seen it all and if you can get lucky you might call one in the woods or spot and stalk one in a field. If you resort to stalking then try to get ahead of the bird and intercept him. Good luck, there are still gobblers looking for love ready to come to a call.


Sent from the talk of tap

 

[callemquacktn]

If you know where they are roosting then get as close to them as you can. Like inside 100 yrds. Don't make any calls until he is on the ground. Couple soft cluck is all you should need.

 

[Gravey]

I live very close to Priest but have not been on it this year other than one time where we went by boat. They are tough there so good luck. I know you probably want a fan from a bird you kill but if any fan will do I've got one from a bird I killed this year that youre welcome to.

 

[MidTennFisher]

I live very close to Priest but have not been on it this year other than one time where we went by boat. They are tough there so good luck. I know you probably want a fan from a bird you kill but if any fan will do I've got one from a bird I killed this year that youre welcome to.

I just now saw this. Thanks a lot for the offer but it's a fan from one I killed, along with the delicious wild meat, that I'm after. It's a lot more special hanging in the house that way, you know what I mean? Thanks everyone for the advice but I never actually got to go. My day off turned out to be almost a full day of work, that's how it goes sometimes. 2014-2015 was my first year hunting resulted in several doves and squirrels on the table but no Turkeys. I came home empty handed a lot but not without great memories of the woods. I learned a lot and have a lot more to learn. I still want a Turkey and will try again in the Fall.