How Do You Hunt Silent Turkeys ?
#1
How Do You Hunt Silent Turkeys ?
Where I have been hunting turkeys.
I know turkeys are there because I run into them.
The problem is they see me just a secont or two before I see them.
They make no sounds at all.
On the way into where I intend to hunt today.
I get almost to where I am going and I bump into a Tom.
He flys away as fast as he can.
It catches me by suprise and I have no time to react.
By the time I releize what happened he is to the moon.
Then I go on toward where I am going to hunt and
I come to a field where I intend to set up.
I am thinking I better sneak in guietly.
So I am sneaking in as quietly as posible.
And what happens a hen jumps up and flys off.
And gues what not a peep from either turkey.
The spots I seen the turkeys are really thick
And brushy and hard to walk in.
All the turkeys I have seen there have not made a sound.
I am pretty sure its because of all the hunting pressure.
So any one have any Ideas ?
Thank You
I know turkeys are there because I run into them.
The problem is they see me just a secont or two before I see them.
They make no sounds at all.
On the way into where I intend to hunt today.
I get almost to where I am going and I bump into a Tom.
He flys away as fast as he can.
It catches me by suprise and I have no time to react.
By the time I releize what happened he is to the moon.
Then I go on toward where I am going to hunt and
I come to a field where I intend to set up.
I am thinking I better sneak in guietly.
So I am sneaking in as quietly as posible.
And what happens a hen jumps up and flys off.
And gues what not a peep from either turkey.
The spots I seen the turkeys are really thick
And brushy and hard to walk in.
All the turkeys I have seen there have not made a sound.
I am pretty sure its because of all the hunting pressure.
So any one have any Ideas ?
Thank You
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 69
RE: How Do You Hunt Silent Turkeys ?
It sounds like you know where the birds are, I would try to get there earlier and set up and wait for them to come to you. Because of all the hunting pressure I wouldn't do too much calling if any. Just play the waiting game. Just my opinion. Good luck.
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NewLowell ,Ontario ,Canada
Posts: 2,765
RE: How Do You Hunt Silent Turkeys ?
The guys are right. It sounds as if your going in too late. Get up in the morning at Dark:30 and get in there before light. Everytime you bump a bird you add that much more presure to them.
Sit tight and only Purr and cluck soft. Don't move around the area to much. As stated about keep a Good eye for sneekers...BT
Sit tight and only Purr and cluck soft. Don't move around the area to much. As stated about keep a Good eye for sneekers...BT
#7
RE: How Do You Hunt Silent Turkeys ?
Birds like those are hard to deal with.It will take some skill,patience,and alot of luck.I am dealing with some turkeys like that.Seems like the thicker terrain has alot to do with it.I have heard birds in these areas gobble on the limb,and then shut down when they touch the leaves,just drumming and strutting.You will have to get in early enough to hear one on the limb.If you can tell where he is pitching down to you can make your game plan.Including just slipping close enough to the roost,to set up where he pitches down.
If you never hear one on the roost or the ground,you will just have to do some scouting.Knowing what they like to eat will help alot.You can find strut marks,orbig tracks,and set up in those areas.It will be tiring,but if you get one it will all be worth it.Also look for droppings,dust bowls(especially in late season when the hens are nesting),and sit around the spots where you have seenturkeys before.Try to get into those spots earlier,and just wait.If it gets later in the season,and you see solo hens in mid-day that is a great spot to sit near...during late morning or mid day.If you can find the big boys tracks,you can bet he'll be close to her some time during the day.
I'm not sure I would call,but if you must I would only cluck a few times.If you feel like purring or yelping do them quietly too.I watched a hen in the same type of thick area a few weeks ago.She was yelping softly,very short yelps,almost like tree yelps,but with a slightly higher pitch.
It's hard to hunt these ghosts.If you have another place to go.I would try there first,then when the action slows down,try this area again.Good luck to you.Hope I helped.
If you never hear one on the roost or the ground,you will just have to do some scouting.Knowing what they like to eat will help alot.You can find strut marks,orbig tracks,and set up in those areas.It will be tiring,but if you get one it will all be worth it.Also look for droppings,dust bowls(especially in late season when the hens are nesting),and sit around the spots where you have seenturkeys before.Try to get into those spots earlier,and just wait.If it gets later in the season,and you see solo hens in mid-day that is a great spot to sit near...during late morning or mid day.If you can find the big boys tracks,you can bet he'll be close to her some time during the day.
I'm not sure I would call,but if you must I would only cluck a few times.If you feel like purring or yelping do them quietly too.I watched a hen in the same type of thick area a few weeks ago.She was yelping softly,very short yelps,almost like tree yelps,but with a slightly higher pitch.
It's hard to hunt these ghosts.If you have another place to go.I would try there first,then when the action slows down,try this area again.Good luck to you.Hope I helped.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: cuyler new york USA
Posts: 290
RE: How Do You Hunt Silent Turkeys ?
yep....and if dark:30 am. is not an option....maybe come in from a totally different direction...not sure if you walk in the same places or on the same path every day....but try swinging wide...using the terrain to hide yourself...come in from behind where you normally see them...but be cautious...eyes peeled and stay quiet untill you set-up...they're silent...walk in silent
#10
RE: How Do You Hunt Silent Turkeys ?
I would look for another way in, and if at all possible, go before daylight.
If you've jumped him off the roost, heprobably stillbe roosting in the same area, but, he will be looking for you. And if you jump him up chances of him gobbling is slim to none.
I would setup around 100 yrds from the roost or if you know he is going to the field then go around the roost without tipping him off.
This probably ,means you have to leave earlier, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
Good luck!
If you've jumped him off the roost, heprobably stillbe roosting in the same area, but, he will be looking for you. And if you jump him up chances of him gobbling is slim to none.
I would setup around 100 yrds from the roost or if you know he is going to the field then go around the roost without tipping him off.
This probably ,means you have to leave earlier, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
Good luck!