Turkey hunting zones???

[livintofish]

I have never hunted wild turkey before, and want to give it a try this spring. My ? is do they have zones or anything where hunting is allowed or can you hunt anywhere? I know you need to apply for the permit, but was just curious about where you can hunt em. I would be hunting private land South of Isle MN. Also are the chances of getting drawn for a tag pretty good, any expierience? Thanks

[DonBo]

Yes, there are a bunch of zones spread across Minnesota. Each zone has several time periods.

Isle is quite far north in the range of the Wild Turkey. Not sure how many permits are available in the area. The MN DNR web site will show you the zones, permits available, success rates for each, etc. Permits for the spring seasson are due Dec. 10th.

[livintofish]

Don

I checked out the DNR HSOforum, as I also did before I posted and finaly found a map of turkey zones, only for fall though and my area is one county North of where you can hunt. I couldn't find a zone map for spring turkey though. Does anyone know if spring turkey uses the same zones??? Thanks

[DonBo]

Yes, the zones are numbered the same. There are a lot more zones open to spring hunting then there is in the fall. I believe Isle is in an open zone for spring hunting. Keep checking the MNDNR web site. More info should go up soon.

Land owners get first dibs on tags, after that a preference system is in place. You may have better luck applying for a later time period.

Good luck! Turkey hunting gets in your blood in a hurry.

[livintofish]

Thanks!! I'll be checking continuously. One more ? for ya are diaphram calls pretty easy to learn, or should I stick with a striker or box? Thanks again.

[Powerstroke]

You should still be able to find info on the spring hunt. Look further down the page. There should be the harvest report. Click on spring '07 nd you can get an idea of the zones. Isle would be in 157.

[Powerstroke]

I would say diaphragm calls are the most difficult, but can be learned. I prefer a slate, but they do involve movement. ALso the problem I ran into this year was making a call when the birds were very close to make them come that last couple feet. I had to make rest the gun, pick up the call, make it, then put it down and hold the gun again. Being able to use mouth calls would have been helpful.

[Borch]

Using the diaphram calls is an advantage for close in calling due to little movement required. However, there are some tricks for one hand operation of slate calls. You generally do not get the same volume, but it's not necessary for close in calling anyways.

I believe you're looking at permit area 157 which had 20 permits available for each season. I do not know the odds of getting drawn. I do know that there are plenty of turkeys in that general area though.

Good Luck!

[Greybeard53]

Welcome to turkey hunting!!! Powerstroke is right, you're probably going to be hunting in zone 157 if you're hunting fairly close to Isle. I'm from around that area originally, but I'm not sure how easy it is to draw a tag in those zones since they're fairly new. In the zones I hunt now, you can get drawn almost every year if you hunt the late seasons. About every other year for the early seasons. And for archers, you can buy an over the counter license for the last two seasons.

The box call is definitely the easiest to pick up, and there are also several good push button type calls that are extremely easy to use and make the basic sounds you need to pull in a gobbler.

Diaphragms take a little time to get used to, but don't let that keep you from starting off with one. They are really the bread and butter of turkey calls. They are only a few bucks. Pick one up and give it a try.

I killed my very first gobbler with a diaphragm call almost thirty years ago (man, am I getting old). Now I own about every type of call there is, and still use the diaphragm about 95% of the time.

There are lots of experienced turkey hunters on this site. Definitely a good resource.

[DonBo]

All good advice. I also use a diaphram most of the time. Just remember, practice alone in the car, not in the house, your wife will NOT be impressed.

You can use a slate call resting in your lap or on a knee with one hand, leaving your other hand to hold the gun.

About the archery over the counter license, this is only available if there are 50 or more permits available per time period.

[livintofish]

Hey Thanks a lot guys, you have all been very helpful. 157 it is, nd looking at the past data, and with whats been said my chances look pretty good of drawing a late tag. Is the early part of the season much better, or is it more that people just want to get a jump on everyone else?? I will definetly pick up a diaphragm to practice, since they are cheap and if I don't have it down pretty well by spring, I'll stick with the slate. Sounds like a good time, can't wait. Oh and what size shoot do you use....I know I need a full choke as well.

[DonBo]

Use an extra full turkey choke if possible. Also stick with turkey loads. Mostly these are copper plated buffered loads in 4-5 or 6s. There are also many new heavy shot options available, but they are EXPENSIVE.

You definetly want to attend a DNR seminar. They are available all over, usually right before the season, again check the HSOforum for these.