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Things I know now that I didnt know then

I would have tried to get in front of bird that went with hens. Or left and came back around mid day , I do that often. I have done just about everything to kill a gobbler , crawling swimming, etc.. but will not sit in a blind for 3-4 hours. Not that its not a good method its just not for me.
 
Don't be afraid to call. I use to think you could only call every 30 minutes. I like to talk to them. To me calling is "TURKEY HUNTING".
 
turkeyhunter said:
I would have tried to get in front of bird that went with hens. Or left and came back around mid day , I do that often. I have done just about everything to kill a gobbler , crawling swimming, etc.. but will not sit in a blind for 3-4 hours. Not that its not a good method its just not for me.
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I totally agree its not for everyone. But I am not as stealthy as some.Its just easier for me to be patient than it is to make something happen.And I should mention it dosnt bother me to sit all day deer hunting so I can sit a long time.
 
Another for the new guys that i think is important but have yet to learn to my father in law. Move through the woods without alarming other animals. You cant walk like your on main street. My wife picked this up in about three trips but my father in law never has. lol if you can maneuver aroung and not spook birds and squirrels you are on the right track.
 
Things I have learned, always always always get as close as physically possible before making the first peep to a bird.

Set up where I can see about 40 yards, and try not be able to see "a long way".

Be natural with your calling, very very rarely do hens stand around cutting and yelping at the top of their lungs. They usually do most of their communication with almost inaudible yelps and very low lucks. In other words calling softer was a huge thing I learned.

The most important thing other then getting close, is to be patient. Turkeys are in no freaking hurry usually, I have killed probably 30-40 birds in the past 10 years that years ago I wouldn't have, simply by putting my calls down and just waiting for 30 extra minutes after a bird went silent.
 
Setterman said:
Things I have learned, always always always get as close as physically possible before making the first peep to a bird.

Set up where I can see about 40 yards, and try not be able to see "a long way".

Be natural with your calling, very very rarely do hens stand around cutting and yelping at the top of their lungs. They usually do most of their communication with almost inaudible yelps and very low lucks. In other words calling softer was a huge thing I learned.

The most important thing other then getting close, is to be patient. Turkeys are in no freaking hurry usually, I have killed probably 30-40 birds in the past 10 years that years ago I wouldn't have, simply by putting my calls down and just waiting for 30 extra minutes after a bird went silent.
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Good sound advice from the Captain right there
 
You can't beat some soft purrs and tree yelps right at daybreak. If hes excited and cuts you off shut up! He's interested! Any extra calling at this point tells him your interested in comin to him. Patience. He is likely coming, this is the hard part, cuz you wanna know where he's at. He will gobble because he wants to know where you are just as bad! As soon as he gobbles cut him off with some soft yelps. You want to be the first thing he hears when his gobble cuts off. Soft and content though you don't want to make him think your interested in coming. After this a simple purr at most is all you need to do.
This isn't fool proof but in my short turkey hunting career, it's the most effective "calling" method of killing turkeys! If its rainin be on the fields before daylight, because that's where they are headed. I cut only when I'm having to compete with other hens, or use it as a mid day locator call for tough birds. This yr I'm Gunna gobble quite a bit to pull in birds to bring em in. But that'll be an experiment for me, as I've never done it.
That's my tid bit I've learned, ive only turkey hunted for 3 yrs, called in 7 or 8 birds and killed 4 so I'm still learning every yr! I appreciate all the advice that gets piosted
 
Woodsmanship beats calling any day. Do your homework, know your ground and your birds, and have a good time without the constant manuevering of running and gunning
 
I know alot more now then when I started but the one thing that sticks out big time is how not to over call. How to get that ol gobbler riled up and then shut up and make him hunt you while you just sit and wait to jelly that head lol
 
Pateince has led to many a gobblers demise.....I think one of the best things a hunter can do to be successful is to learn the ways of the bird...After you learn their habits and instincts its not hard to hunt them..I am not saying its always easy but learn the habits of the animal and when you know ahead of time what he is going to do or what they like you are way ahead of the game. By knowing what they like to do in different situations, I have been successful in hunting places that have alot of pressure and new places I havent hunted before. An ol timer once told, "Once you learn the ways to the gobbler, he will tell you how to hunt him." Took me along time to figure this out. Calling is a very small part of your success in my opinion.
 
One thing that I have learned over the years is how to set up on a gobbler. I always set up with the bird off to my left if possible. I shoot right handed and found out if you face directly toward him and he comes in a bit off to my right, it is almost impossible to turn fast enough to get a shot. If I set up with him to my left side I can cover more area without having to move as much. Movement is your enemy.
 
As others have mentioned, patience is key. Last year, I found their scratchins and poop (the weekend before the opener) and knew where I was going to sit the following weekend....No matter where or how many were gobbling, I was staying put. I knew where they were concentrating most of their time. I killed 2 gobblers that opening weekend. Both mornings, I got to my destination 30 minutes before it got light, set my decoys up, and got in my natural blind I built out of cedar and oak limbs. I had the goods to sit there all day...beenie weenies, water, sandwich, etc...

It took them till after noon to show up both days. And both days, I only called twice each day and soft calls at that. After about noon, I thought it was never going to happen. Both were shot at 12:30 both days. 9 bobblers came in that Saturday and 3 gobblers came in that Sunday.

Point is, I knew where to go from my scouting and I trusted my judgement even when it seemed like it was a failure.
 
Lot's of good stuff here...especially the one about not setting up in open woods...that one beat me for several years, too.

I'll add one. If you have a tom gobbling at you, but he's obviously henned up, listen for that old boss hen to answer your calls. Be ready...if just one time one of those hens starts yelping back at you, you may have a shot at calling the whole bunch over, towing the tom with them. When you get a hen yelping back at you, cut her off...hard. Then get real aggressive. Every time you hear her yelp, cut her off. If they start moving toward you, shut up and get the gun up, cause you ain't going want to move with a dozen sets of eyes looking for you. Most of the time the tom will be at the back of the pack.
 
Some great posts on this thread! I have been turkey hunting for several years and I'm not going to lie I still struggle with the two things that you all have talked about the most. I have to many knee jerk reactions while hunting. Something will change and I will instantly want to jump and run to another spot. My other problem is I tend to call to much and to aggressive at times. This works for me sometimes, I will have them come in on a string for the kill but I know if I would be more patient and let the gobblers curious nature do the work I would be much more successful.
 

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