New to Turkeys
12-09-2002, 08:24 PM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 213
New to Turkeys
I just sent off for a spring turkey permit. I see flocks of 12-250 birds around here now. They have just established theirselves in the last 5-10 years around here. My question is, can I sneak in near their roosts at night and wait for shooting time? The bugars are really getting thick around here now and am mainly a waterfowl hunter with no turkey experience. Or should I smack them on the way or at where they are feeding? Or go evening and get them on the way to roost? Or even decoy them like ducks and geese?
12-10-2002, 06:29 AM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Marysville WA USA
Posts: 760
RE: New to Turkeys
During the winter turkeys will group up into flocks, so even though you see flocks of a hundred birds doesn't mean they will be like that in the spring. Not saying there won't be any birds there, more than likely there will be, but just not flocked together like that. One of the tactics to spring hunting is to find a roosted tom, set up w/in a hundred yards or so, and come sunup, start calling after the bird has touched the ground and wants to gather the hens he roosted with. I don't know about shooting a roosted bird being illegal, but I would compare it to shooting a duck after it has landed in your decoys. I know here you can shoot them out of the roost, but why? Takes the fun out of the whole turkey experience. There is nothing like bringing in a tom to your call - the closer the better.
You can use decoys - a couple of hens and a jake is a typical setup. They say it gives the tom something to focus on other than you. However, they are by no means a requirement. I have yet to shoot a bird with decoys set up. That isn't to say that every year I'll put them out because I hear stories of a big ol' tom stomping a jake decoy into the ground and I would love to see something like that. Good luck on your draw.
http://www.wanwtf.org
You can use decoys - a couple of hens and a jake is a typical setup. They say it gives the tom something to focus on other than you. However, they are by no means a requirement. I have yet to shoot a bird with decoys set up. That isn't to say that every year I'll put them out because I hear stories of a big ol' tom stomping a jake decoy into the ground and I would love to see something like that. Good luck on your draw.
http://www.wanwtf.org
12-10-2002, 06:57 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Calif
Posts: 1,894
RE: New to Turkeys
Good to see you in the turkey forum BudLight!I read your posts and conversations in the waterfowl forum quite often,as I am a N.Calif waterfowler myself!I have to definately agree with the fellas here and agree a 100% with WANWTF analogy of shootin ducks on the water.Calling and decoying ducks and geese to your spread is an absolute thrill but wait till a gobbler answers your call and struts his stuff into your set-up!Sounds like your in a great situation with the amount of birds you have access to,so your ahead of the game.I would suggest looking into purchasing a call such as a box type call or a peg and slate!These calls are some of the easiest to learn on and our all capable of making common turkey talk!A push-pin is really simple and quite effective!I would also suggest looking into purchasing a good video or two.H.S's So you want to be a Turkey hunter video is great for somebody new to the sport and one of the best series of videos in my opinion on the market is Denny Gulvas's.Hunting Spring Gobblers1 and 2 are terrific helpful videos not only to the new but novice alike!You can find these at www.midwestturkeycall.com
Hope this helps,and practice on those calls,welcome to gobblinfever my friend!!! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Monarch isn't a butterfly it's the King of the Spring!
Hope this helps,and practice on those calls,welcome to gobblinfever my friend!!! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Monarch isn't a butterfly it's the King of the Spring!
12-12-2002, 08:28 AM
#7
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 213
RE: New to Turkeys
I kind of thought they could be decoyed and called just like waterfowl. Glad to hear that. Think I am going to love this. In the meantime, I am going to do a lot of reading and watching videos and start practicing in late January. I'm already set on the scouting. We have flocks of turkeys checking out prices on new cars in my area. Maybe in a few weeks I will have gained enough knowledge to upgrade my questions to dumb! Thanx.
Rob
Rob
12-12-2002, 03:43 PM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Calif
Posts: 1,894
RE: New to Turkeys
I agree with BB there BudLight!I've been doing this for quite awhile and still ask questions,so post away man!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Monarch isn't a butterfly it's the King of the Spring!
Monarch isn't a butterfly it's the King of the Spring!
