New Turkey Hunter - 2016

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MGarner

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I have been deer hunting for several years now, and finally got my first buck last year...after a few years of rookie mistakes. I didn't grow up hunting, so I mainly learned to deer hunt from a couple of friends of mine and by using tips from this forum. But this year I am getting into turkey hunting because my 10 year old boy is FINALLY interested in hunting, but he seems focused on turkeys and not deer for some reason, which is fine. I am looking to this forum for advice. Since my boy and I have no idea what we are doing (when it comes to turkeys), I have done a considerable amount of scouting Cheatham WMA, which is where I deer hunt. I purchased a box call a couple months ago, and I have been practicing, and I would say I am just 'ok' at it...I mean, it sounds like a turkey to me. My boy and I are all set on guns and camo of course, and he recently completed his hunter safety class. Also, I purchased a couple of decoys, a hen and a jake. HOWEVER, I learned on this forum that there will be a lot of folks looking down on us for using decoys, which is a bit discouraging. Nevertheless, I think we have all we need.

I recently found a "dust bowl", which I believe is a large area of cleared leaves where the turkeys roll around, in the middle of one of the many pipeline rows on Cheatham WMA. I plan to hunt here on opening day with my boy, and naturally I am a bit worried about someone walking up on us. But we have prepared for how to handle other hunters crossing an area we have setup in.

Other than what I have explained here, I don't know what else to do to prepare. Can anyone offer any additional advice to a couple of rookies excited to bring home a long beard?
 
Get out and go as much as you can...experience is a great teacher. If you know anybody who has been hunting turkeys for years, try and get them to either take you or tag along with them while they hunt. I know my saying my next statement may be hurtful, but don't RELY on using decoys. Too many guys couldn't kill a turkey without them. I'm not saying don't use them, just don't make them be the reason you kill turkeys. You can get to know a lot about hunting turkeys by studying their habits and biology. Learn (if you don't already) good woodsmanship skills. LEARN THE LAND YOU ARE HUNTING!! Knowing the property and how it all lays out has given me the upper hand on many a hard to kill bird.
 
If I set up on a bird that is gobbling. I do not want to be able to see more than 40 yards in the direction I think he will approach. Reason being if he can see a long ways and cannot see the hen he is coming to he will hang up most times. He may still hang up, but for other reasons than not being able to see the hen. The easiest way to accomplish what I am suggesting is to try to be uphill from the gobbler. This is not always possible, but I have killed a lot of birds by hunting shelves of a ridge. Once they pop up on the shelf you are on their time is up. Hope that helps.
 
MGarner":nmfz1uaw said:
HOWEVER, I learned on this forum that there will be a lot of folks looking down on us for using decoys, which is a bit discouraging.
Click to expand...


Who cares? Don't worry yourself one bit about what others think. A memorable hunt with your son is all that matters.

There are so many variables when it comes to turkey hunting. It's hard to pick where to start.

Do you have a hunting blind? It would be great for the two of you to help conceal movement, etc., if you are planning to stay in that one spot.
 
One of the greatest joys of turkey hunting is calling. It takes a lifetime and then some so don't worry about not doing it right. Unless you are a turkey, no pun intended, you won't get it right. The important thing is to have fun. If you are starving for a turkey, well you know, you can buy one. Enjoy the learning process and don't get too frustrated. Think about it this way. You re trying to understand something with a pea sized brain that has survived because of its highly sensitive senses. The turkey does not know where it's gonna go next so you aren't going to get them figured out. Best of luck. You re gonna need some and start collecting calls of every kind!
 
Cheatam is a very busy are for turkey hunting, there is nothing wrong with using decoys....work better IMO earlier in the year, especially on public ground than later in the year. Patience and quieter calling as well. Woodsmanship, if a bird is gobbling, but not coming closer.....is there a barrier....know the lay of the land...and know that he just might be with hens. If you have the time to scout....go out, listen, they like to roost consistently in areas that they know are safe. They also like to fly down to areas that they know are safe......go to those areas. Don't over call.....and know that scratching in the leaves is a good call....just let him see you do that! Know that sometimes they downright are suicidal, especially if they don't have hens....and the next day they are as wary as any critter out there.....enjoy!
 
I wouldn't worry about using the decoy, you'll be a lot more patient than your 10 yr old so if it helps you get a bird in close then go for it... you both will have plenty of years to learn to hunt without one once you both are hooked after that first encounter...
Two new turkey hunters in the same house... man I hope your wife is an understanding woman...
 
If possible, go out there this weekend and listen for some gobbles at sunrise. That will let you know where to hunt.

I'd guess more hunters use decoys than don't. Every turkey hunter I know uses them. The only time I have heard them bashed is on hunting forums...

I'd suggest trying a pot call too. For me, the pots are easier to learn how to make a full range of yelps, clucks, and purrs.

Mimic the calls you hear real turkeys make. If you don't hear any turkeys, then just Yelp now and then. You can over call or under call and still kill a turkey. The margin for error is wide on some birds. As the season goes along, I'd about stop calling on a WMA. The birds will get call shy.


"So he cocked both his pistols, spit in the dirt, and walked out in to the street."
 
Don't listen to what people say about decoys. They are a matter of preference. You're hunting some wooded hills so you could just as well use the terrain to your advantage when you set up to call a bird in - set behind a rise so he won't even be visible till he's almost in range.


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Just get out there and hunt. Don't be afraid to call. Some off the worst sounding calls I've heard come from hens. Decoys can work to help bring one in and if your using the foam ones, they make for great seat cushions or back rests.
 
The best teacher you can get is the turkey. Once you hear a bird head towards him and don't call until you get within 100 yards of him while staying concealed. As mentioned, it pays to know the terrain of the area you hunt. This may help while trying to advance on a turkey's location but it will also help in determining where a bird might travel and as important, where he won't. If you get a bird working lay off the calling as long as he is approaching. If he's interested he'll approach and they have an uncanny way of pinpointing where the hen sound came from. If he's coming in be set up and ready to shoot without making any movement. They have exceptional eyesight and detect movement more than shapes and can see something like a 270 degree radius. Have fun.
 
MGarner":10yglo1c said:
I recently found a "dust bowl", which I believe is a large area of cleared leaves where the turkeys roll around, in the middle of one of the many pipeline rows on Cheatham WMA.
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with "sit and wait" but if you/son are up to it, might have better luck burning some shoe leather and finding a bird to work. At nearly 21k acres, Cheatham is plenty of room to roam but as others have stated you'll likely have company. Good luck to you and stay safe.
 
use decoys don't use decoys makes no difference to me. from my personal experience i have found decoys to hurt more then help especially when it comes to rookies. thats an extra item to carry not to mention an additional 20-30yds you will have to try and cover in order to put the decoy out all the while your chances of getting busted are growing fast. People want to think they work all the time or the idea of "it can't hurt to have them out" but it can in fact hurt or ruin a hunt really fast.

i personally don't care to use decoys unless there is absolutely not other option like hunting a GIANT field you are trying to get them to land in a certain spot from the roost but even then i hate using them because in that situation once you have put them out you are committed to that spot and are pretty much stuck.


as far as new hunters, just take it slow and don't get in a hurry or get to aggressive until you start to feel comfortable with how turkeys act and react to things. Be patient and prepare to be frustrated lol.
 
Decoys are strictly your choice. I'd be more inclined to carry one if I knew I was going to hunt a field/s that the birds were flying into to than if I was running and gunning timber and ridges. However, I have used them in a field and the birds not fly into it. After a while of listening to them work their way away from the field I've gone after them while leaving my dekes set up in the field. After unsuccessfully hooking up with them I've made my way back towards the field only to have birds feeding and working around my dekes. The stalk to get within shooting range or working them into wherever you're close enough to set up can be fun.
 
Good luck to you and your son. The only hesitation I may have if it were me with the decoy use would be the fact that you are on public land and that could create a safety hazard with other hunters sneaking around the woods. Other than that, I have no problem using them on private land that I hunt. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. Just depends on what kind of mood I'm in that day.
 
Be patient don't over call and listen. IMO its good to listen to real hens listen to what they do and how they sound and their cadence some of them sound terrible but its still a good learning tool. I am one of those that don't like decoys. Use them k don't care but I've seen more turkeys scared by decoys then anything. Its just more things you have to worry about while hunting. I would also look into maybe a pot call so you can have a back up call. I'm.not one to call really loud either. Just learn it's not as easy as it looks but it is highly addictive so you've been warned! Good luck and be safe don't be scared to ask for help on here either there are some heck of some turkey hunters on this forum that will help you any way they can. Another good way to learn is with a buddy or someone you know that is a turkey hunter that may be able to show you the ropes a little bit.
 

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