turkey time!

[matchset]

which area did you apply for?

and which time slot do u think is best for calling????

[DonBo]

Hunting the metro area. ANYTIME you can hunt turkeys is the best time to call!

Seriously, calling is such a huge part of the sport that I'll call anytime of the day, any part of the season. Some days just louder and more frequent than other times. Mostly I let the birds tell me how and when. I don't believe in "call shy" birds...oh sure, if you get busted in one area and continue to stay there making the same noises, your chances are pretty nile. However,real birds call all the time. No way are turkeys not going to come to calls made by turkeys. If they refused to come to calling, the species would perish in short order.

[sticknstring]

I hunt 218. I think part of the equation boils down to pressure. The farms I hunt have hunters each time period and by May the birds react negative towards dekes and aggressive calling. I've always had my best success with calling early in the season. Now if there hasn't been much pressure and those hens are on the nest, calling those roaming toms in late in the year can work so well, you'll swear you'll never apply early again. My vote would be for the first three time periods but it's definitely location specific advice, especially here at home where we have limited days to hunt. Hunting out-of-state, I like to wait until we've had some nice consistent weather, the birds start to break up, gobbling intensifies, and the calling/hunting can't be beat. Now you've got me thinking turkey!

[Hoyt4]

Hunting all of April and one week in May.

Cannot wait for the season to start. Bow is out and shooting. Getting the broadheads changed over for the turkeys.

I agree with Donbo I do not think I've ever ran into a call shy bird. There are times they just act different then the other and a hunter might think it's call shy. Just need to go through your bag of tricks and see what they like.One day they do not move and come to your calls next morning same bird comes running in.

Sure looking forward to those spring morning.

[matchset]

due to my school schedule; i've only been able to hunt the last two time slots.

maybe it was pressure, but the birds reacted negatively to deeks. 2 birds in three year...could have tried harder, but we found 50-60 pounds of morels in that time as well !

[goblueM]

yep i've found that late season birds *usually* respond negatively to aggresive calls and decoys. if you're going to generalize turkey behavior anyways, which is nigh on impossible

i've had pretty decent luck with gobbler calls in later season, and doing more running and gunning

i'll be curious to see how turkey hunting goes in the Blue Ridge this spring - locals tell me there are TONS of turkeys around but I've seen a grand total of four in 6 months. totally different ball game without ag fields!

[DanOmite19]

Applied for 462 late April(based on work sched.), a farm we hunt that is overun with turkeys. If not there, then late archery on a public hidden gem. Don't ever rule out public land, some fantastic spots out there.

The last couple years have been somewhat inconsistent in the areas I've hunted. Partially due to pressure and pressence of other hunters. They usually will always vocalize a little but some later spots they wanted no part of dekes or blinds that were not brushed in. Guessing they'd seen a few.

[Dave S]

Last year/late season was difficult and only found success when we changed locations. Managed to call in a nice tom and a bearded hen.

Mentoring the first weekend last year proved to be a hard fought battle but we eventually won with a jake. Had one of the biggest toms infront of us but he just wouldn't close the gap inside of 50 yards.

I didn't put in for this years lottery but may purchase an over-the-counter license and a new bow for this year and archery hunt.

[Gordie]

I will be hunting 223 and Donbo is so right on the money with calling.

My proplem is that I might even call to much

[paceman]

I applied for 239 E. Hoping less hunters applied for the weekday season.

[bluehat28]

I applied for 222A with a 3 preference points.I hope to get it.I also landed permission to hunt an 80 that hasn't been hunted for years. Can't wait.

[Borch]

due to my school schedule; i've only been able to hunt the last two time slots.

maybe it was pressure, but the birds reacted negatively to deeks. 2 birds in three year...could have tried harder, but we found 50-60 pounds of morels in that time as well !

If I used a decoy it'susually a jake or a strutting jake. They do seem to work better early in the year when hens are less willing to respond and toms are eager. Later on toms expect the hens to come to them. Especially the mature birds.

[mrklean]

i applied in kansas we usually toss a few locator calls ou and wait till we have them in the distance before we start calling heavy