Spring Turkey Hunt

[ChumpMcgee]

#3731

Hello Hunters and Shooters,

I just signed up for the first time to get a Spring Turkey license. I am pretty excited to give this a shot. I have never seen a turkey on the land that I hunt but I know they are around from previous deer hunts and listening to them gobble in the spring when I am out morel hunting. I really do not know much about turkey minus they have incredible eye sight and can be very tough to shoot let alone with traditional gear.

As far as the hunts go I basically know you need a call maybe some decoys and to sit very still. I will be setting up a natural ground blind and be there early in the morning and hope for the best basically.

I am looking for some tips on when the best time a day is to hunt as well as when what time of day is it time to call it quits. Also I am looking to read some hunting stories as well too 🙂 thanks everyone

[1shot]

#22862

I like to hunt turkeys just like Deer, set-up in tree-stands along field edge where they are coming out in the morning, decoy is nice to have, I just use gentle calling, hen clucks…

For a more active hunt, I’ll find the area they are tree’d up at night by shock-gobbling at sunset and listening for an answer, then being close at sunrise to call after they fly-down…

I call as little as possible, they get educated fast…

Stalk really slow and quiet to within 100yards of the night trees, then be set BEFORE they fly-down…

Good Luck and Enjoy… (YUMMM on the Morels, do you use them yourself or sell to high-end restaurants??? (Good money from a traditional pastime)

[David Fudala]

#22919

We don’t have a lot of turkeys as far north as I am but I love hunting them all the same. I’ve gotten one in ten years and I still look forward to every season. The spring woods are magical! I would recommend picking up several different kinds of diaphragm calls and learn how to use them well. I say several different kinds because it can take a few to find one that fits your mouth properly. They are essential if you are not going to sit in a blind and with using a bow. Gotta be able to be extremely still and have your hands on the bow. That’s about the only advice I would offer. I’m sure there’s a lot better and more successful guys on here that can help with the rest! Welcome to the madness! You dont know what you’ve done to yourself, turkeys are addicting!

Best of luck!

[mhay]

#23725

Turkeys ? Ain’t nothin’ like ‘TRICKIN’ OL’ TOM’,,,well , it’s a tie between watching the arrow hit the mark and fooling a turkey,,,very addicting .

I agree with the statement about the mouthcall . Hands free and effective . Though it is a task to master for many folks.

Decoys are not always effective and are over rated in my opinion. Besides , I want to be the one that deceives the bird .

Avoid open woods . Calling from a place that is clean of understory will allow the turkey to view your location from a long way off. He sees no hen or sees you move and he’s gone . I like to have enough cover that forces the bird to come looking . Here in Ohio a lot of spring hunters quit after the woods green up simply because it limits their being able to see through the brush . They are missing out on some fine action .

Soft hen yelping , soft clucks and purring .Also , gobbler clucks and 2-3 note gobbler yelps . Imitating the 3 and four stroke scratching is very effective as long as you are sure the bird can’t see your movement.

I have never killed a turkey with archery tackle . I did get an old bird to 12 yards and he walked behind the big cedar just as I had hoped he would so I could draw my bow . I know he could not see me or by bow but he heard my shirt sleeve as I drew . He never stepped out . He ran straight away keeping the cedar between him and me .

Keep in mind , you are not required to sit . My back no longer allows me to sit to a turkey . I simply stand and lean against the tree.

If during a hunt you decide to move to another area , always stop and throw out some soft calls from below a ridge top ,,,,Tom might be on the other side,,,,,I have made this mistake more often than I care to admit .

[ChumpMcgee]

#23854

Thanks for the advice on the mouth calls I was looking at the Minnesota DNR website for the regulations and what not and they have to audio on how to hunt spring turkeys better here in the state. I will be looking up more information the rest of the winter on how to trick these birds into coming in. I do not want to hunt turkey from a pop up blind but may have to see if I can get a cheap one just in case of emergency 🙂

The area that I have in mind that I will hunt has a 10-15 foot limestone rock formation which I believe they are flying down from (least last fall) which if they are still in the area come spring I will most likely set my blind so my back is against the cliff and hope for the best. We will see it will be fun to get one of these gobblers!

[Charles Ek]

#23902

I grew up in Minnesota and have hunted turkeys here in NH for the last few years. One of the best guides for beginners I’ve seen on the subject is published by Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: Maine Spring Wild Turkey Hunter’s Guide. Virtually every part of it is applicable to hunting in the Gopher State as well.

[Bunyan Morris]

#27089

And the addiction begins!:D:D

This year will be my first attempt at hunting a spring gobbler with my recurve. I’ve taken many with the scatter gun and that option is still open because hunting turkeys is tremendously exciting.

There must be something a little masochistic inside turkey hunters, because the gobblers will fool and frustrate hunters many more times than not. And yet we return every spring for more! Good luck!8)

[grumpy]

#27372

The biggest concentration of turkeys (yes the kind with fletching) here in Mass is inside of Rt 128 (a.k.a. Greater Boston). They have become backyard birds in city neighborhoods.

Most of the turkeys we see out here in Central Mass are on the road on the way to the laundry mat Sat mornings.

[ChumpMcgee]

#28212

It is strange to me I have always heard at how hard turkeys are to get but then I ask people in person on how they hunt them and they say they have to be one of easiest things to hunt as long as you know where they are. The guy I work with uses the camo burlap drinks his coffee wearing jeans and a flannel shirt in his blind and will shoot a turkey every year under 20 yards. He says he has had the birds try to mount his motorcycle AS HE WAS RIDING IT!

I don’t know what I am getting myself into but whatever it is it should be fun 🙂

[athensshooter]

#28525

I have been turkey hunting for nearly 15 yrs now and rather turkey hunt over anything else! I have killed 17 birds so far In indiana and the last three have been with my bow!! I love using my double blind they dont mind them a bit! Over the yrs ive learned alot from just sitting and watching them. Most people like to hunt them off the roost but I have found that pattering a certian bird mid day to be very helpfull, and what I mean is, is thst when the birds come off the roost they more likely are going to get with hens some what quick. After the hens split off to go to nest the toms normally have a hang out spot “strutting zone” thats normally where u will find me at! I like to go in and wait for them! Shooting a turkey is a trophy and when I started bow hunting them my passion took off to another level! My advice is to scout scout and scout and figure what they are doing and going! Good luck and stay patient!!!

[ChumpMcgee]

#18403

I got the letter in the mail saying CONGRATULATIONS!!! Woo Hoo! In just over 2 months I will be out in the woods again!

I have been doing some research and watching some videos of people turkey hunting and thought I would bring up this topic of “after the shot” with turkeys.

I understand that different situations calls for a different strategy but I will be hunting from the ground and I have seen several videos of the hunter as soon as they shoot a turkey they pop out of the blind and chase after the bird. This makes since to me. Turkey blood would seem very difficult to track, in my opinion. I don’t think they would bleed nearly as much, but I could be wrong about that. Obviously they want the bird and don’t want to lose the bird but just seems strange to me that this is the best method to chase a shot bird. Once again I could be wrong about this. Of course I have also seen the videos where the bird gets shots and flaps its wings for several seconds before its ended and basically stays in the same place.

What is are some other helpful tips that I should be aware of for “after the shot”?

[Steve Capps]

#18583

Welcome to the pursuit of wild feathers. Turkey hunting can be mastered but must be learned by doing. Recordings can teach you to call but that is only a small piece of the puzzle. The birds will teach you the rest. Killing one with an arrow is extremely difficult. If you are lucky enough to connect with one do not waste anytime getting on the wounded bird. I have had one even fly/glide off with my arrow in it. I found what was left of it a quarter-mile away. Coyotes had a feast but I got my arrow back.

[mhay]

#18660

Well said , 48 . Spending a lot of time among the birds , in observation , is in my opinion priceless . Right now is a great time to do it while they are flocked up .

But , I don’t recommend calling to them at any time unless in a hunting situation or in a Park .

When they are in the big flocks they can demonstrate every conceivable vocalization and all manner of body language . Not that they won’t be seen doing things like that in small groups , it just seems to be more prevalent when they are in the big groups .

Number 1 goal in the life of a turkey is survival . Number 2 is to be the BOSS,,,,,tom or hen , it’s the same .

[ChumpMcgee]

#18713

Thanks for the input! As of right now I know that I have gobblers in the public land that I hunt, I have heard them gobbling when I am out morel hunting, I have seen feathers all around my ground blind that I set up last year, and I have heard them coming out of a roost in the early morning. BUT I have never actually seen one.

I want to start to scout for them in the next month after some of this snow melts up here and I can get my car back into the woods. From what I have read an hour before sunset be glassing the fields and be around at sunrise when they are coming down from the roost. Any other suggestions on when you scout for them or how to find a roosting tree?

[mhay]

#18909

If my memory is correct , the Eastern Wild Turkey is what you will be dealing with in Minnesota . Easterns may use the same general area for roosting but not necessarily the same tree . They favor , more times than not , a tree which on the side of a ridge yet its top is at or near the crest of the hill . Easterns may roost in one area for a week or so then move as much as a mile away .

Scouting is dang near as much fun as hunting and can be just as much work.Get out early ,predawn , and get up high if possible .From here you’ll be able to hear any birds within a reasonable distance if the air is calm . You mentioned hunting public land and I recommend getting a fresh map of the area and keep it with you on the scouting trips . Note the locations of any and every single turkey as well as any group you hear .

It’s not at all uncommon to hear one gobble at any time of the year , but from this date forward to April or May the gobbling will be more frequent and some days they carry on from predawn to after on the roost that evening .

On your map you should note every saddle on each ridgeline . . In your scouting check these spots for droppings , scratchings and feathers . Saddles ,,benches on the side of a ridge ,,steep points ,,all these terrain features are places that turkeys favor and use often .

After the sun is up and you know or believe the birds have left the roost tree you can simply ease around the woods . Take your time . Walk in the same pace or step time as a turkey . Don’t drag your heels . Be deliberate with each step . Stop by a tree . Just remain still and listen . After a few minutes move another few yards . Stop and listen . Don’t be surprised when an old gobbler starts gobbling at your movement . If one does , just hug a tree and remain perfectly still , he’ll likely come over for a visit .

When it comes time to hunt , PATIENCE is critical . Being still ,,,perfectly still,,,,stump still is vital. They always stop on their way to a call ,,or the sound of your steps in the leaf litter ,,they stop and look and listen . If you move the tip of your nose 1 inch to the right or left while he’s looking , GAME OVER .And you may not be aware he is out there .

Their eyesight is incredible,,,,,,,,,,,,,they see color too.

Their hearing is equal or possibly better than their eyes.

I better stop for a while .

[Steve Capps]

#18922

A locator call (peacock works well) blown loud at sunset will allow you to locate their roost for the next morning hunt. the unexpected sound causes the birds to respond immediately. Be careful to avoid setting up too close to the roost as they will spot you from above before they even fly down. Be sure to check your state regs for hunting hours as some places don’t allow calling of any type after noon.

[ChumpMcgee]

#19652

Wow that is some great info, and I must say I absolutely LOVE scouting for game! I love being in the woods just walking around and being out. The area that I hunt is about 200 acres and 100 of the acres is flat grassland with no cover. I know the woods pretty darn well but I do like the idea of marking where I have heard turkeys that can be very useful in my mind. I have got a new respect for bird eyesight after this past winter bow hunting for pheasants, they do do EVERYTHING which I assume is very similar to turkeys. I will make sure that I really scout out the ridge lines which will give me plenty of work to do because the whole area is filled with hills rock formations small cliffs etc. MAN I AM GETTING PUMPED JUST THINKING ABOUT THIS!

Would you recommend setting up blinds in certain areas or do you thing it would be difficult since each day I could be in a different area? I personally do not like the pop of blinds I am more of a natural ground blind when it comes to hunting and if all fails I can just blend in with a some fallen branches too if it comes down to it. Thats how I got my first deer last year 🙂

[Steve Capps]

#19668

I have always used whatever natural cover is available. There is plenty available in the spring. This allows me to be flexible with my setup.

[mhay]

#19882

I don’t care for the pop up or portable blinds . I try to keep things as simple as possible . I do not hunt open areas for turkeys , and therefore I’m always in the woods and there’s always a tree to stand by .

Of course the tricky part to this will be getting to full draw . I have killed a few turkeys with the shotgun and Have been able to mount the gun slowly and drop the bird . There have been a couple times I was in a predicament that required fast action . Those times I moved very fast to turn my body and shoulder the gun . Both times the birds were in ROAD GEAR before I was looking down the rib on my double. My point is , I believe it is possible to reach full draw on SOME birds , without being completely hidden in a pop up blind.

Another thing to consider is the excitement . For me it generally becomes a sound of rushing air in my ears ,,,,my heart beating up in my throat , and generally heavy breathing.

I’ve seen how my broadhead cuts little loops in the air caused from my excitement as I’m watching a deer approach my stand . Turkeys have a far greater effect on my pulse and breathing than deer and for me this is something to be aware of ,,,’cause ol’ tom will spot that occilatin’ broadhead from a way off.

[Etter1]

#20945

There is a feller on here handled “tailfeather” that Ive heard tell knows a thing or two about chasing turkeys.

[TurkeyCommander]

#21942

Best of luck to you out there. You’re definitly in for some excitement.

Soft clucking with a mouth call + scratching in the leaves with the feathered end of an arrow seems to mimic a feeding bird quite well. Ive had curious birds come browsing unannounced on my set up doing that.

[ChumpMcgee]

#22045

Thanks for all the help I new I could find some ideas from the wise men on this site 🙂 I also just read the latest TBM and got some additional ideas. I am going to look back at past spring issues as well to see what else I can find! Shoot Straight Everyone!

[ChumpMcgee]

#25420

Oh boy now I know I am excited cause I had a dream that I shot 2 birds last night…..unfortunately that would be illegal in Minnesota to do so. It was still pretty awesome! Hopefully that is just a sign of things to come 😀

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