Turkey Hunting Questions

[FishingwithJake]

I am a first time Turkey hunter with many questions. I will be hunting in the Motley area on some private land. The last two years we have been seeing Turkey's on our land so I've decided to hunt them this Spring. There are a few general areas where I've seen them but am curious to find out when is the best time of year to scout areas for Spring? What should I be looking for? Does anyone have any recommendations on books/DVD's for Turkey hunting info or should I just continue to bug you guys? Any help or general Turkey hunting info is greatly appreciated.

[brittman]

I would scout a few days before your season starts. Listen in the morning and evening for gobbling and try pinpoint their roosts. Best to try hunt about 100 yards from the roost or pattern the birds and "ambush" them when they are on their daily rounds.

Before your season begins ==> Do not call to them and educate the gobblers.

You can scout late winter, but I have found that birds winter zones - do not translate to spring time success. Birds often form huge winter flocks, but disperse widely as weather turns to spring.

[FishingwithJake]

Brittman - Based on your experience, what are their typical daily patterns? Do they feed in the mornings along side a field then head into the woods for cover? Do they prefer "higher ground" for protection during the day?

[Borch]

Quote:

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I would scout a few days before your season starts. Listen in the morning and evening for gobbling and try pinpoint their roosts. Best to try hunt about 100 yards from the roost or pattern the birds and "ambush" them when they are on their daily rounds.

Before your season begins ==> Do not call to them and educate the gobblers.

You can scout late winter, but I have found that birds winter zones - do not translate to spring time success. Birds often form huge winter flocks, but disperse widely as weather turns to spring.

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Very good post and right on the money.

If you do early scouting be looking possible barrier that may hang up and bird like fences, creeks, heavy brush, etc.

[brittman]

I am a run and gun type turkey hunter. If I do not peg a gobbler on the roost, I walk the ridges and look for a tom to respond.

BUT - last spring I learned to sit my butt down and wait, wait, wait. The biggest gobbler I have shot came to me about an hour after I started to work him. He came 10 mintes behind the hen that walked by me first. He was initially henned up. He came in quite until he gobbled 15 feet to my left - then went into full strut - spit'n and drum'n.

I would say. Sunrise (+/-) gobbling on the roost. Fly down and assemble together. If gobbler is alone - good chance he may come to your call.

If gobbler has hens - he will stay with them. I have called in the hens (not often), but eventually hens leave gobbler to feed - gobbler will go crusing for a new girl friend.

Birds feed until mid morning - then head for cover. High ground? Not always. They will frequent swamps too. May feed in late afternoon then back to roost near sunset.

Rain or high winds => birds may stay in open longer / all day.

If you are hunting smaller woodlots - you can successfully pattern these movements. If you hunt big woods - tougher to do. I believe big woods turkeys are more random in nature - feeding and roosting where they end-up and not always loyal to the same spots each day.

[FishingwithJake]

Thanks Brittman for the info.