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Member No.: 5321
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Hello Everyone!!!,
Its going to be my first time going after spring turkey this year and I would really appreciate some advice. There is a piece of public property that I hunt that I have included a picture of and I was hoping you guys could help me locate some possible roosting areas(Not sure if that's even possible with what is visible in the picture) I have blanked out the locations just in case someone else hunts there I wouldn't want to give out their spot, I hope no one gets offended by this. I have gathered all of my gear, A box call, A scratch call, A mouth call (which i have been practicing with). I have three decoys, one jake and two hens. And i'll be carrying an 870 express with a turkey choke and Remington Nitro Turkey 3'' #5. And i'll just be in regular deer hunting camo with a camo head net. I have scouted the area and found nothing but deer signs. I am not sure if I don't know what to look for as last fall during deer season, Turkeys showed up on the Trail cams frequently eating corn. We cant bait turkey so I was hoping you guys could give me some insight as to where to start to find these birds.
Any help is GREATLY appreciated and I hope you guys are excited for April 25th as I am.
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A couple visits to the property in the week prior to the season should give a lot of "intel" on the birds' habits. Try a call just before daylight and/or just before dark. Their reply will help you narrow down a starting location (near their roost). Also, during the hunt, your calling will let you know if they are around; if not, change location the next day(s) until you're on them. Don't be afraid to hang around throughout the day. They may move to your location later in the morning/afternoon. Look around the area for their "dust up" location; it looks somewhat like a deer scrap. They will return to this daily for a refreshing dust bath. Talking with the owner of the farm may also help out greatly -- most farmers are not in love with turkeys (unlike they can be with deer). No quick solution to finding them. Similar to finding and catching fish -- you just got to put your time in for success. Good luck on the hunt. And be careful..... Turkeys can be addictive!
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Member No.: 7181
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They Should be still Hearded up and Feeding at Dusk and Mornings anyhow. Do a Cruise at Dusk and See if you can see any out. They will break up come season, but tend to hang around the same food source. No shortage of Turkey. Big & Dumb Early Season, get alittle Smarter late Season lol.
As for your picture, stick to the crop Side, bush line. I don't use Decoys anymore either, just set-up and Wait. I use a Reed when they get close enough to stop them and Stretch out.
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Member No.: 5321
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Thanks for the advice!, I'm gonna try going out there before the season starts and calling some birds out with a crow call maybe? and try and locate them.
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Crow Call will get them to Sound Off (maybe) - If you wanna Locate a Roost, Ive always Found them High in hard Woods. Use a Tom Call as pictured. Works Way Better
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Id be VERY careful using a gobble call on public property. I personally never would. You don't know who else will be hunting in there the same time as you. You may go from hunting to being hunted...
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Walk & scout the property, look for turkey tracks in the mud, feathers and poop at & around the base of trees. Blow a crow or owl call to see if you get a shock gobble. I think its a bit early for toms gobbling as the weather is still cold & wet & the turkeys I see are still herded up in groups. I don`t recommend using a gobble call or tom decoys on public land, maybe not even hen decoys otherwise you`re relying on the safety and common sense of someone you don`t know.
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Never thought of that before, very good point. I'll avoid gobble calls altogether and I'll walk the property in a week or two. Weather seems to be getting warmer now and holding. Not sure if putting out some corn and a trail cam is a good idea to see if they're even there. The deer will probably get to it before the turkeys....
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Guess scouting means different things to different people. If you are unfamiliar with an area preseason scouting involves more getting to know the lay of the land and confirming permission. Once you know your property preseason scouting isn't as important. Best to have an idea a day or two prior to the hunt than a month before. Between now and the hunt the birds will have changed habits a few times.
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Member No.: 5321
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I am familiar with the area as I hunt it for Deer but I've never really paid attention to Turkey until recently. So i guess i have to go back and pay closer attention, hopefully they're in there
Spring Turkey
