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New to turkey hunting
- Thread starter mjackson
- Start date
deerhunter10
Well-Known Member
dont over call. I suggest a slate call I think they are best for all people. and shot gun choke and shells and your be good. also watch videos on calling thatll help you out. its very fun hunting! goodluck
sellsman11
Well-Known Member
Scout your place thoroughly in the 2-3 weeks leading up to opening day. Know where they like to roost and where they like to go when they fly down. It's very hard to call a turkey somewhere he doesn't want to be. A ground blind and comfortable chairs goes a long way when hunting with kids. But, if you don't have a good idea of the areas the birds are using you won't know where to set it up.
Also, turkeys aren't like deer. You can set a blind up at lunch and kill a bird out of it that afternoon. Unless they see movement, they don't see it as a threat.
skillet
Well-Known Member
A good box call, pop up blind, and patiences. What area are you in?
where are you located? id be glad to help you out if we are close to one another...
mathews338
Well-Known Member
keep in mind that midday is one of the best times to be out there. i've killed more birds around lunch than any other time.
Depending on how old your sons are a blind is the ticket. My almost 10-year old killed his first and only turkey 2 years ago out of one. A turkey could care less how long its been there and will pay it no attention. As for calls get a slate call and start practicing. Find out where they roost and where they want to go and you'll be ahead of the game. Most importantly have fun and good luck.
buckhunter42
Well-Known Member
dont forget to pattern the shotgun also let son shoot also so they know what to expect when trigger is pulled on a bird.....also good shot placement on bird.....good luck
buckhunter42 said:
I disagree. No reason to expose them to all that recoil and risk flinching on a bird. Let him practice with the gun and some light loads. He'll be comfortable with the gun but won't be scared to shoot it.
Poor redneck
Well-Known Member
Comfortable boots to start.
Mike Belt
Well-Known Member
Camo up all the way and hit the woods. A turkey's not a real smart bird but they're very observant. You may get away with sounds but not movement. In fact I usually intentionally make noise like those of a bird flying off the roost or feeding birds scratching through the leaves. Make an unwarranted movement with a bird coming in though and it's likely the game is over. Also remember they can see that movement something like 270 degrees around them without ever moving their head.
Learn to call. A box or slate call will make almost any call you want and they're easy to operate. A mouth call(diaphram) is a little harder to master but sometimes essential to your success simply because you can operate it hands free involving no movement. Some of the worst sounding calling I've ever heard came from live birds.
Basically you want to be in the area of a roosting bird to hear him gobbling off the roost. Sometimes they'll repeat their movements and calling 2 or 3 days in a row but just as likely not to. The object is to:
1) Get him to fly down to you while you sound like a hot little hen
2) Get between him and where he's headed if he doesn't fly down to you
3) Get to where he's headed before he does, or
4) Catch him where he wants to be and work him into the gun
Sometimes you can anticipate where the birds are headed. For instance, typically after an early morning rain they like to head to open fields or pastures to dry out while hunting for food.
Decoys aren't necessary and a hassle to run and gun with but they can be fun to use...and beneficial
All in all it's sort of like a cross between playing chess and poker. Move and counter move, think several moves ahead, and know when to hold them or fold them (call or don't call). It's a ball when the birds are talking and cooperating. It's a test when they aren't.
Learn to call. A box or slate call will make almost any call you want and they're easy to operate. A mouth call(diaphram) is a little harder to master but sometimes essential to your success simply because you can operate it hands free involving no movement. Some of the worst sounding calling I've ever heard came from live birds.
Basically you want to be in the area of a roosting bird to hear him gobbling off the roost. Sometimes they'll repeat their movements and calling 2 or 3 days in a row but just as likely not to. The object is to:
1) Get him to fly down to you while you sound like a hot little hen
2) Get between him and where he's headed if he doesn't fly down to you
3) Get to where he's headed before he does, or
4) Catch him where he wants to be and work him into the gun
Sometimes you can anticipate where the birds are headed. For instance, typically after an early morning rain they like to head to open fields or pastures to dry out while hunting for food.
Decoys aren't necessary and a hassle to run and gun with but they can be fun to use...and beneficial
All in all it's sort of like a cross between playing chess and poker. Move and counter move, think several moves ahead, and know when to hold them or fold them (call or don't call). It's a ball when the birds are talking and cooperating. It's a test when they aren't.
We live in the chattanooga area. We have been fishing the last few years and now they want to try hunting to see if they like it. I know one of them will, but the other one has little patience at times, so we will see.
mjackson said:
Like Gravey said, a blind is almost a must if you plan to take both of them. If you have an open field that you are confident turkeys are using (preseason scouting will help here), put the blind up along with a cheap hen and jake decoy at about 20 yards. Just some simple yelps on a box or slate every 15 mins or so, and I like your chances.
The blind will help with the restless son. Take some things to keep him occupied. Once he loses interest, don't force him to stay. You might leave him at home next time and take the other one if that happens, though.
Good luck. I predict exciting times ahead for you.
