Spring Turkey Hunting

[Domi]

I'm thinking of trying to hunt for spring turkey. Anyone have any advice for a newbie?

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[Markster]

Sit down against a big tree, sit still and don’t call too much.

[newbiehunter]

I'm thinking of trying to hunt for spring turkey. Anyone have any advice for a newbie?

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Pre-season scouting is super critical
(ideally find 2-3 spots where Turkeys frequent)
Identify approximate roost area and routine- means revisit those spots on sunrise/sunset and

Good places to find is where Turkeys go to drink water - you relocate late morning


During hunt:
If you happen to hunt close to roost:
When toms wake on tree, they will gobble for a while before fly down. Don't call too much during this period, just let him know that you are around (some yelps and then occasional clucks) - too much calling will keep him tree longer expecting hen comes to him


Calls: clucks and yelps is enough, pot call is super easy to learn, doesn't have to sound perfectly, as long as cadence resembles the calls is good enough.

The general strategy: when gobbler first responds in distance, sound excited, as starts to approach - quite down and less calling to avoid him hanging up

If he starts approaching and goes fully quiet , so should you (maybe occasional clucks) and don't move for at least an hour as he might take long to go find you
- that's the hard part for me personally, cuz naturally one wants to know where he is at all times

I think I heard primos guy say a very wise thing on YouTube at some point - successful is turkey hunt usually results in knowing when to shut up [emoji12]

[finsfurfeathers]

I'm thinking of trying to hunt for spring turkey. Anyone have any advice for a newbie?

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Good advice so far. I'll add two rookie mistakes (and I'll admit still can happen to me). Movement ends a hunt faster then anything. Look with your ears and only move the eyes. If you can see a bird he has already seen you. The other be aware of your shooting form. So easy to be mesmerized by his song and dance that when it comes time to pull the trigger you may find your self shooting at the bird and not aiming at the neck/head.

[FISH-ON]

Good advice so far. I'll add two rookie mistakes (and I'll admit still can happen to me). Moment ends a hunt faster then anything. Look with your ears and only move the eyes. If you can see a bird he has already seen you. The other be aware of your shooting form. So easy to be mesmerized by his song and dance that when it comes time to pull the trigger you may find your self shooting at the bird and not aiming at the neck/head.

to add when you have your spot, you might want to place some small branches upright into the ground at the 30-40yd mark so you have a good idea of how close/far your tom is away...and expect the unexpected when it comes to hunting
ps. not all toms are vocal

[genec]

Great tips!
Also, windy days are more forgiving if you happen to make any small movements….just do it VERY slowly.
On calm days, you gotta pretend you’re a stone and NO movement!
Have your gun braced and positioned for a shot, so gun movement doesn’t spook the bird.
On rainy days, field edges of wooded areas may be better than inside wooded areas, as birds seem to want better visibility, since the rain may impair their ability to see/hear predators.

[werner.reiche]

Pre-season scouting is important. You won't be successful if you're hunting where there are no birds.
I'd recommend a blind. If you're outside of a blind, you'll need camo and you'll need to stay absolutely motionless.
No playing with the cell phone, no coffee, not smokes, no snacks.
Turkey's have better vision than a deer and if they see you they won't be back the same day.
If you're not in a blind, don't get the turkeys in too close (inside 25 yards) or they will notice you.
The issue is if you get hens in too close and they spook, that can chase away a tom before he gets close enough.
Decoys work - I use a hen and a jake. Practice you calling before, not on, opening day.

[Matt86]

Strutter decoy is key to non veteran hunters, they work more then not and calling isn't necessary using them.
Don't give up after few hours off the roost, we kill piles of turkeys between 10 and 2, Id say out of my group of friends 50 percent or more die in that time frame.
You will be told to stay put and don't over call, but like any animal some like aggressive and lots of calling, they may come faster and harder, while sometimes that may make them hang up. They are all different and over time you find out how to read a birds attitudes with lots of experience
Do not be scared to make a mistake, best way to learn and most times. What works on a 2 year old tom may not work on a older bird specially once pressured.
If you bust one walking in mid morning don't just give up and leave, They get spooked by farmers all the time. Give it half hour start calling sometimes they come back, has happened more then once

[tom gobble]

There are no set rules to follow when turkey hunting. Some times calling a lot works and sometimes little calling works. Decoys work and at times decoys hang up birds. You can harvest birds any time of the legal hours and at times in some areas mornings might be best or afternoons. You almost have to read the birds as you hunt and take advice into consideration when obstacles come your way. Learn from mistakes you make and try something different the next time around. Don’t get stuck doing the same thing over and over just because it worked before. Enjoy your time out there the more time you put in the more you will be successful. Sometimes it might feel easy when things come together and sometimes you can go years before getting one and that has happen to all of us. I wish you good luck and make sure to post your experiences.

[FISH-ON]

Oh ya...don't forget the tick spray & ThermaCell