Thinking about getting into it...

[giles]

I've never been interested in Turkey hunting. Growing up in Ottawa county, it just never made much sense to drive for hours over a stupid bird… Well, now I live in a area that holds birds. I actually have a small flock that basically lives in my yard. I don't want to kill any of those, all though the Tom is pretty respectable. I really enjoy listening to them in the morning and don't think it would be a challenge to kill one. I can call them almost onto my porch, from my couch...

Anyways, the people that do Turkey hunt seem to be hooked like some kind of drug has them. I don't do drugs, and would like to get this addiction in my blood!

I've learned the the sound of the call really doesn't matter. It just needs to sound the same every time. From watching it on TV, it seems you can't move and need to be very well hidden. They do seem to respond to blinds fairly feel though (which I have one). They also seem to respond very well to decoys (which I don't have). It seems that the guys that live to hunt these things can't get enough. With this in mind, I would think that someone would be more than happy to help a new guy out. Me being the new guy… I know of some spots that I always see turkey every time I deer hunted it. It's public? If that matters much, I've never seen anyone else hunting it though.

I'm not asking for anyone to take me to the honey hole, I understand that. I'm just sticking this feeler out for anyone that goes out and gets their tag filled out and still has the urge to go. I know a couple spots with turkey, I just don't have a couple key parts. Decoy, calling experience, or general bird habits. Because from what I've seen, no way it could be that easy.

FYI, I'd like to do this with my crossbow…just because. Thanks in advance, I understand if you don't have the time either. Spring is a busy time of year!

 

[Spencie]

Turkey hunting can be very exciting or very dull! I really enjoy it but not as much as bowhunting for deer. Aside from lack of competition, knowing the terrain seems to be the number 1 factor in killing birds. Unless you are an elite caller you need to be in the general direction of where the bird wants to go. Calling needs to be the proper rhythm, sound is not that important. I am a fidgety person and can NOT sit still....my muscles ache if they aren't moving...so learning when to move is very important. I hunt public land in WV. Public birds are a real challenge but that makes it really rewarding. Finding private land with minimal pressure is your best bet.

What county are you in?

 

[giles]

Highland, northern. Could almost call it Fayette/Clinton/Highland

 

[Spencie]

Highland, northern. Could almost call it Fayette/Clinton/Highland

Apparently that's so far away from me I don't have a clue where it is. lol

Just looked it up. Not as far as I thought. I've made too many trips to the dredded Chillicothe area for High school athletics. Always wanted to try arrowhead hunting in that area.

 

[giles]

Hahaha! The only reason I ever go to Chill is for the VA. I guess people like to arrow head hunt in my area, I've never done it. I like to pick up fossils from the creek out back though. I've got a couple rock gardens started around the house.

 

[hickslawns]

Just took it up in the last couple years. Meh. It is alright. Good thing about it from what I can tell: People don't seem to get as possessive over turkeys as they do deer. You want to kill one? Ask. Good chance someone will drag you along and you will both enjoy it. Sort of like squirrel hunting. YOu shoot a squirrel on their property and they aren't going to get all bent out of shape like it was a deer. lol

 

[giles]

Just took it up in the last couple years. Meh. It is alright. Good thing about it from what I can tell: People don't seem to get as possessive over turkeys as they do deer. You want to kill one? Ask. Good chance someone will drag you along and you will both enjoy it. Sort of like squirrel hunting. YOu shoot a squirrel on their property and they aren't going to get all bent out of shape like it was a deer. lol

Man, I have a squirrel problem and can't talk anyone into coming and taking them out. I kill about 40 every season and I'm the only one in my house that will eat them. So I just posted the area I live in, if anyone wants to come get their fill of tree rats, come and get them! BUT leave MY fuggin deer alone, lol.

 

[Jason Short]

I've been thinking about getting into it as well this spring. I know absolutely nothing about turkey hunting though lol so I'm not sure yet

 

[Mike]

It's stupid. The turkeys are always "over there".

 

[yotehunter]

I started five years ago. I must say I'm hooked. When you put one too roost, its like the night before your first deer hunt. You can't wait to get under him and hear him gobble at the break of day. I love it. Almost, just almost better then the opening morning of bow season.

 

[bowhunter1023]

Just took it up in the last couple years. Meh. It is alright. Good thing about it from what I can tell: People don't seem to get as possessive over turkeys as they do deer. You want to kill one? Ask. Good chance someone will drag you along and you will both enjoy it. Sort of like squirrel hunting. YOu shoot a squirrel on their property and they aren't going to get all bent out of shape like it was a deer. lol

Yep. Hearing a turkey gobble is cool and shooting them in their fat, ugly face is cool too. But I really could care less of I go or don't go. For me it's just an excuse to get out in the woods. I spend more time napping, scouting for deer and looking for sheds than anything. A nap in the spring turkey woods is hard to beat.

 

[Jackalope]

I'm one of those guys you speak about. I grew up turkey hunting in Mississippi but got away from it after joining the military. Eventually I moved to ohio and started deer and turkey hunting in Vinton county. The birds were heavily pressured and smart. It made for some frustrating hunting. Eventually I linked up with a fellow member here that lives in my county and we started hunting together. We've killed some nice birds over the years with the exception of last season.

With that said, turkey hunting is in my blood. I would take the month off and hit WV, KY, and Ohio if I could. It's just flat out the most fun you can have in the woods with your clothes on. It can also be the most frustrating, make you cuss and kick stumps hunting there is too.

Some birds are easy and will basically run right in and all but put their beak in your barrel. Others will make you waste days and days of frustrating hunting.

With that said, leave the blind at home. You'll get far more enjoyment leaning against a tree with your face mask on.

Stuck around and read up here. Our turkey hunting talk is usually going full
Bore by March and I'm confident you'll find what you're looking for.

 

[hickslawns]

Yep. Hearing a turkey gobble is cool and shooting them in their fat, ugly face is cool too. But I really could care less of I go or don't go. For me it's just an excuse to get out in the woods. I spend more time napping, scouting for deer and looking for sheds than anything. A nap in the spring turkey woods is hard to beat.

My cousin loves it as much as deer hunting. I know there are guys who would rather turkey hunt than deer hunt. I suppose it is similar to duck hunting for some. I know guys ate up with it. For me personally? It is in the spring. Knowing year to year I may or may not be able to make it out (due to my work schedule) probably keeps me from getting overly pumped up about it. Give it a try Giles. Try it with a buddy who enjoys turkey hunting. Be a good time and a change of pace if nothing else.

 

[Fluteman]

I started turkey hunting three years ago after hearing my buddies talk about how much I would enjoy it if I actually gave it a shot. I didn't know crap about turkey hunting, but decided to tackle it on my own. The first year was lots of trial but mostly error, and I didn't kill a bird. The second, I got ahead of a group of birds and killed a Tom. Last year, I killed two birds, and killed both within an hour of them flying down. I'm not sure I call well enough or know enough about calling to bring one in from a good distance, but I feel confident in getting close to where they roost and bringing one in.

The best tip I could give you would be to get out there and find where they roost. If you can get close, it's only a matter of time before you can bust one. And it is a lot of fun too, especially when they are gobbling!

 

[giles]

Yep. Hearing a turkey gobble is cool and shooting them in their fat, ugly face is cool too. But I really could care less of I go or don't go. For me it's just an excuse to get out in the woods. I spend more time napping, scouting for deer and looking for sheds than anything. A nap in the spring turkey woods is hard to beat.

I think you might be on to something…"excuse to get out in the woods"

I do plan to try it out. I've got nothing to loose by trying?

I really enjoy the way people are passionate about it and get all freaked the hell out about an little thing that goes with it. You know the type, the ones that you just want to video when they hear the word "turkey". Reminds me of that damn bacon dog commercial. Thats just cool to me.

 

[Spencie]

I think you might be on to something…"excuse to get out in the woods"

I do plan to try it out. I've got nothing to loose by trying?

I really enjoy the way people are passionate about it and get all freaked the hell out about an little thing that goes with it. You know the type, the ones that you just want to video when they hear the word "turkey". Reminds me of that damn bacon dog commercial. Thats just cool to me.

You will like it if you have any close encounters. Pre-season scouting can be a blast. Many times I've laid down so I wouldn't spook them. I've had them gobble at less than 10 feet....can not describe what a gobble sounds like at that distance...WOW.

 

[giles]

I must have some weird birds around me then. I can't tell you how many times they've been in my yard (mowed grass area) gobbling away. Last spring my kid got up and closed the window because they were waking him up.

 

[giles]

That first pic, I'm standing on my porch drinking a beer, smoking a cig, and using a box call.

Second pic is me standing in my trophy room looking out the back window. (My second favorite window to stare out….)

Third pic is this one blonde phase that I think is cool. She's HUGE also. That Tom is pretty impressive also, but he's small compared to the one in the first pic.

 

[brock ratcliff]

They are not the brightest animal in the woods. They are not especially hard to kill. They are a lot of fun...more fun than hunting deer, IMO. I've killed some big birds, and some with egg shells still on their heads, and none was more of a trophy than the other. However, to me, there is nothing better than having a bird gobbling ever so often as he walks in to his death. Knowing your quarry is on the way but not really knowing how long it will take is what makes turkey hunting fun to me. Do not fall to the temptation to call if you actually want to shoot one. A hot bird will stand and gobble all day long, but if he is gobbling, he isn't headed your way, he is waiting for you. I've been guilty of calling, a lot, just to hear them gobble, but it is not the way to make them look for you. If you want to actually shoot, call just enough to keep tabs on his movement toward you. And don't move....

 

[Spencie]

They are not the brightest animal in the woods. They are not especially hard to kill. They are a lot of fun...more fun than hunting deer, IMO. I've killed some big birds, and some with egg shells still on their heads, and none was more of a trophy than the other. However, to me, there is nothing better than having a bird gobbling ever so often as he walks in to his death. Knowing your quarry is on the way but not really knowing how long it will take is what makes turkey hunting fun to me. Do not fall to the temptation to call if you actually want to shoot one. A hot bird will stand and gobble all day long, but if he is gobbling, he isn't headed your way, he is waiting for you. I've been guilty of calling, a lot, just to hear them gobble, but it is not the way to make them look for you. If you want to actually shoot, call just enough to keep tabs on his movement toward you. And don't move....

I totally agree with your comment that they are not the brightest animal in the woods. He will gobble to let you know where he is and puff up and do the "I'm the smartest bird in the world dance". lol
But (there's more than 1 way to skin a cat) if he is gobbling to let you know where he is but not coming in and you know the terrain and know where he is headed you can easily move to a better location to either ambush or call from the new spot. Many times a slight change in position is all it takes to convince him to come your way. ONLY DO THIS IF YOU ARE CONFIDENT YOU HAVE THE WOODS TO YOURSELF.