I was reading a post on here the other day and someone mentioned the wealth of accumulated knowledge on here that is mostly wasted. I've hunted these birds for 22 years and I continue to learn from you guys and the birds themselves every year. What are some things you guys would like to pass on to new combers or old pro's alike?.
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Good topic, Scott. I wouldn't say the knowledge here is wasted so much as that some of us are not all that good at putting what we have learned here to good use! ;D :D
In answer to your question,...and this applies to our newer hunters more-so than our experienced guys,...is understanding that turkey hunting is often more about "hearing" than it is "seeing". Most hunters start out hunting game that is hunted mostly by sight, and I think they tend initially to hunt turkeys that way.
For me, personally, realizing that finding turkeys first by relying on hearing them rather than seeing them was a real key to becoming more consistently successful in hunting them. To take that one step further, my success was even more compounded by realizing that I could induce them to gobble to let me know they were there,...even when they were not visible.
If I was to name one single factor,...that is, outside of the basics of learning to use a turkey call and applying that calling,...I would say it was understanding the importance of using my ears rather than my eyes.
To be successful it all has to do with preparation. Good calls and understanding your calls and using cadence. Having a good understanding of basic woodsman skills can play a big part in how you apply your tactics in hunting these gobblers. Turkey hunting gear, like a satchel/vest, gun, shells calls and snacks all play a part in how much time you can spend in a day chasing gobblers. Scouting, finding gobblers, and patience all play a part. More turkeys are killed from 10:00 - 3:00 more so than any other time of the day.. We all have tips and tricks, and believe me I have tried it all on a smart old gobbler and at the end of the day came out of the WOODS mad, cursing and wanting to cry all the way back to the truck. But the next day I'm back hunting gobblers again... :TooFunny:
Quote from: GobbleNut on January 24, 2023, 12:18:32 PM
Good topic, Scott. I wouldn't say the knowledge here is wasted so much as that some of us are not all that good at putting what we have learned here to good use! ;D :D
In answer to your question,...and this applies to our newer hunters more-so than our experienced guys,...is understanding that turkey hunting is often more about "hearing" than it is "seeing". Most hunters start out hunting game that is hunted mostly by sight, and I think they tend initially to hunt turkeys that way.
For me, personally, realizing that finding turkeys first by relying on hearing them rather than seeing them was a real key to becoming more consistently successful in hunting them. To take that one step further, my success was even more compounded by realizing that I could induce them to gobble to let me know they were there,...even when they were not visible.
If I was to name one single factor,...that is, outside of the basics of learning to use a turkey call and applying that calling,...I would say it was understanding the importance of using my ears rather than my eyes.
This is fantastic advice, god gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for this reason, listen, listen, listen. What I can share with you that changed the game for me is really 2 things. The first is Soft, limited calling. I started to realize that it is rare to move through the woods and hear a hen "hammering" away. Soft and infrequent calling is more natural in the woods IMO. The 2nd thing is how I move through the woods. I used to be a "D-9 in a China Shop", moving like a freight train through the woods. Now, it takes me several minutes to move 100 yards. These 2 tactics that I learned by "Listening" have increased my success ten-fold. I also leaned early on to take advice like you see above from GobbleNut and the steady, courteous, and extremely knowledgeable members on this forum. You will quickly learn who these people are from their posts. Good thread....
Quote from: GobbleNut on January 24, 2023, 12:18:32 PM
Good topic, Scott. I wouldn't say the knowledge here is wasted so much as that some of us are not all that good at putting what we have learned here to good use! ;D :D
In answer to your question,...and this applies to our newer hunters more-so than our experienced guys,...is understanding that turkey hunting is often more about "hearing" than it is "seeing". Most hunters start out hunting game that is hunted mostly by sight, and I think they tend initially to hunt turkeys that way.
For me, personally, realizing that finding turkeys first by relying on hearing them rather than seeing them was a real key to becoming more consistently successful in hunting them. To take that one step further, my success was even more compounded by realizing that I could induce them to gobble to let me know they were there,...even when they were not visible.
If I was to name one single factor,...that is, outside of the basics of learning to use a turkey call and applying that calling,...I would say it was understanding the importance of using my ears rather than my eyes.
I agree, killed a bird last year on a piece of public that sees tons of pressure on the 3rd week of season by hearing a group of 3 toms walking in a holler below me, I sat down behind a tree on the other side of the hill, gave a couple yelps, and scratched the leaves. Kept tabs on them by hearing the leaves and a crow started dipping at them, when the first one popped up at 10 yards, I rolled him. Your ears are extremely important, and not just for a gobble!
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Quote from: Greg Massey on January 24, 2023, 01:04:22 PM
To be successful it all has to do with preparation. Good calls and understanding your calls and using cadence. Having a good understanding of basic woodsman skills can play a big part in how you apply your tactics in hunting these gobblers. Turkey hunting gear, like a satchel/vest, gun, shells calls and snacks all play a part in how much time you can spend in a day chasing gobblers. Scouting, finding gobblers, and patience all play a part. More turkeys are killed from 10:00 - 3:00 more so than any other time of the day.. We all have tips and tricks, and believe me I have tried it all on a smart old gobbler and at the end of the day came out of the WOODS mad, cursing and wanting to cry all the way back to the truck. But the next day I'm back hunting gobblers again... :TooFunny:
Tips from one of the best!
Best advice I ever got was from a famous old timer that told me, don't hunt where there re no turkeys.
Don't push the issue. You don't have to kill him in the first 30 minutes of daylight. Adapt to the situation and let the turkey do what he wants to do instead of trying to make him do something you want him to do. And learn to make fun of your mistakes while at the same time making mental notes of why you didn't kill him on that last set-up. Turkeys will hand you your rear end more times than not, but he will also leave you with an experience to help better prepare you for round two.
Quote from: guesswho on January 24, 2023, 04:33:20 PM
Don't push the issue. You don't have to kill him in the first 30 minutes of daylight. Adapt to the situation and let the turkey do what he wants to do instead of trying to make him do something you want him to do. And learn to make fun of your mistakes while at the same time making mental notes of why you didn't kill him on that last set-up. Turkeys will hand you your rear end more times than not, but he will also leave you with an experience to help better prepare you for round two.
WELL I GUESS, us old timers should be charging for our turkey hunting experiences and knowledge. Like these call builders ... :TooFunny:
Best thing I can pass on! Quit jumping up and down and screaming like its your very first rodeo! Especially if it is on video or if its a jake.
Quote from: Hook hanger on January 24, 2023, 07:14:02 PM
Best thing I can pass on! Quit jumping up and down and screaming like its your very first rodeo! Especially if it is on video or if its a jake.
The cardinal rule is never let them know that you exist. Whooping and hollering after a kill violates that rule.
Lot of things to learn here, I still credit many of you for helping me to get my first turkey. I still respect ya'll for offering the help y'all did when I got here.
Quote from: Sir-diealot on January 24, 2023, 10:13:05 PM
Lot of things to learn here, I still credit many of you for helping me to get my first turkey. I still respect ya'll for offering the help y'all did when I got here.
You deserve it my friend.....
Quote from: Tom007 on January 25, 2023, 04:58:06 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on January 24, 2023, 10:13:05 PM
Lot of things to learn here, I still credit many of you for helping me to get my first turkey. I still respect ya'll for offering the help y'all did when I got here.
You deserve it my friend.....
Thanks Tom
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I was doing some more thinking and i just remembered what I'd consider to be the number one reason for my success over the years. Confidence. Having confidence in yourself, your calls, and your ability has helped me kill and call in a pile of birds for others. When I sit down to a turkey, in my mind, I'm eating that bird. And it seems to make me stay focused, give my best calls, and use every sense I have to get him. And if it doesn't work on that bird, that day. Then I've gained a bunch of intel I'll use on him the next day. And I'll go find another one. I had one hang up a couple years ago about 80 yards out, National forest land, open woods on top of a ridge that made a horseshoe, with a finger ridge off it, I was in the curve of the horseshoe because I figured he'd come right around there and be at 30 yards, him being an old gobbler, came up the thick stuff and hung up on the finger ridge. I was sitting behind a tree and could see him to my hard right. After him being hung up about 10 minutes, I kept my cool, had confidence in my calls and my set up and gave him the best fighting purr I could on my pot call, he broke and came running and I got him at 30 yards when he hit that curve. There's not a doubt in my mind if I would have had second thoughts about any of that, I'd have not gotten that bird. He was the only one on that mountain while 6 were gobbling on the next mountain over. Sticking to my guns and having confidence kept me from chasing the others and brought that bird home.
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Quote from: ScottTaulbee on January 26, 2023, 07:04:20 AM
I was doing some more thinking and i just remembered what I'd consider to be the number one reason for my success over the years. Confidence. Having confidence in yourself, your calls, and your ability has helped me kill and call in a pile of birds for others. When I sit down to a turkey, in my mind, I'm eating that bird. And it seems to make me stay focused, give my best calls, and use every sense I have to get him. And if it doesn't work in that bird, that day. Then I've gained a bunch of intel I'll use on him the next day. And go find another one. I had one hang up a couple years ago about 80 yards out, National forest land, open woods on top of a ridge that made a horseshoe, with a finger ridge off it, I was in the curve of the horseshoe because I figured he'd come right around there and be at 30 yards, him being an old gobbler, came up the thick stuff and hung up on the finger ridge. I was sitting behind a tree and could see him to my hard right. After home being hung up about 10 minutes, I kept my cool, had confidence in my calls and my set up and gave him the best fighting purr I could on my pot call, he broke and came running and I got him at 30 yards when he hit that curve. There's not a doubt in my mind if I would have had second thoughts about any of that, I'd have not gotten that bird. He was the only one on that mountain while 6 were gobbling on the next mountain over. Sticking to my guns and having confidence kept me from chasing the others and brought that bird home.
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The facts in this great story is evidence you know quite a few "Tips and Tricks" yourself. Well done, thanks for sharing....
Quote from: Tom007 on January 26, 2023, 07:12:37 AM
Quote from: ScottTaulbee on January 26, 2023, 07:04:20 AM
I was doing some more thinking and i just remembered what I'd consider to be the number one reason for my success over the years. Confidence. Having confidence in yourself, your calls, and your ability has helped me kill and call in a pile of birds for others. When I sit down to a turkey, in my mind, I'm eating that bird. And it seems to make me stay focused, give my best calls, and use every sense I have to get him. And if it doesn't work in that bird, that day. Then I've gained a bunch of intel I'll use on him the next day. And go find another one. I had one hang up a couple years ago about 80 yards out, National forest land, open woods on top of a ridge that made a horseshoe, with a finger ridge off it, I was in the curve of the horseshoe because I figured he'd come right around there and be at 30 yards, him being an old gobbler, came up the thick stuff and hung up on the finger ridge. I was sitting behind a tree and could see him to my hard right. After home being hung up about 10 minutes, I kept my cool, had confidence in my calls and my set up and gave him the best fighting purr I could on my pot call, he broke and came running and I got him at 30 yards when he hit that curve. There's not a doubt in my mind if I would have had second thoughts about any of that, I'd have not gotten that bird. He was the only one on that mountain while 6 were gobbling on the next mountain over. Sticking to my guns and having confidence kept me from chasing the others and brought that bird home.
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The facts in this great story is evidence you know quite a few "Tips and Tricks" yourself. Well done, thanks for sharing....
Thank you Tom. It's amazing what you learn when you're passionate about something. Since I saw my first turkey at 6 years old twenty two years ago I've been obsessed with beating them on their terms and learning their language and what makes them tick. I love it!.
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Scott : This is great advice. Confidence is what has kept me going. I just started hunting turkeys 3 years ago and all three years got busted by smart Toms coming in and catching my slightest moves. This past April I changed my tactics and got my first turkey from a ground blind. I hunt by myself and have read a lot of articles about turkey hunting and am still learning from forums like this one. But the main thing is to have confidence in your self and equipment and keep a positive attitude. Keep trying and never give up and maybe your day will come like mine did this year.
I just cooked the breasts on the grill and they were great. Still reliving that hunt and can't wait until next season.
Quote from: Skeeter1 on May 13, 2023, 11:06:34 AM
Scott : This is great advice. Confidence is what has kept me going. I just started hunting turkeys 3 years ago and all three years got busted by smart Toms coming in and catching my slightest moves. This past April I changed my tactics and got my first turkey from a ground blind. I hunt by myself and have read a lot of articles about turkey hunting and am still learning from forums like this one. But the main thing is to have confidence in your self and equipment and keep a positive attitude. Keep trying and never give up and maybe your day will come like mine did this year.
I just cooked the breasts on the grill and they were great. Still reliving that hunt and can't wait until next season.
Absolutely!. Congratulations on your first bird!. And if you want some truly fine eating, get you some Louisiana Fish Fry in the blue bag, dump that bag in a gallon ziplock bag, chunk the breasts up in about 2" pieces, dip them in a couple beat up eggs and put chunks in that ziplock bag and shake them around in all directions, get about 2 or 3 inches of oil in a deep skillet and put it on medium high heat and drop them in there until they're golden, typically about 7 or 8 minutes. It'll make your tongue beat your brains out
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Some great advice above!
Advice I would add I to anyone attempting to enjoy the outdoors (hunting or fishing) is to be observant...
When I see a bird coming in now, I pay attention to the sounds other wildlife around him make, and which critters seem to get agitated.
When I am walking, I am looking for any sign.
When the birds are vocal, I am listening for the tone and cadence of the hens... What are the sounds that really set off the gobbles? I love observing hens, and hearing the those little chirps, soft yelps, and purrs.... When do they make what sounds and why?
When things go really well, I enjoy taking in the moment, and considering what made it happen.
When things go "wrong" I rack my brain trying to figure out why.
But... I also observe the other nature. One of the things I enjoy about turkey hunting is all the other nature I see (and hear)... From bluebirds, to raptors, to snakes, to bobcats... I enjoy it all, and sometimes... Feel like a 10 year old kid again. I have killed a couple birds, after long-since given up on the bird I was chasing, by sitting and watching something else captivating.
Being observant... Will improve your hunting skills, and make it more fun to be out there.
I've said it several times....patience and persistence.... but as stated above .... take in what's happening around you .... it's called woodsmanship... enjoy your surroundings
If you need to take pain killer's, medication or maybe hard candy to keep your mouth moist so you can play you trumpet but you are worried about the noise from the pills rattling around in the bottle or untwisting a celaphane wrapper then put them in one of the cinch sacks one of your calls came in. There is no noise and they are easy to handle even if wearing gloves.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230525/13ad6bba19f4f8fa888b1beec1c8e1d1.jpg)
I missed a real hog gobbler a couple of weeks ago. I was hunting with a younger friend who was doing all of the calling. He is a good caller, but called too much for me. I'm of the school of software and intermittent calling. Being still, knowing your gun, and woodsmanship work for me. I'll soon be 63, and I keep learning about turkeys. I love it
I find late season to be a challenge due to, well, everything, lol. But, one trick that has helped me with a few mature, late season wise and leery ol birds is this. I like to make a few hen yelps, like a bird searching for company. After that, i will hit a crow call, just to add some realism to my setup. While hitting my crow call, i will have my gobble tube in hand, and give a good shock gobble or two at the ol crow that is aggravating this hen and tom. It has worked enough that i won't hesitate to use this ploy in late season after around 7 in the morning and later. I have had several older birds come creeping in silent within an hour or less. Better not be fooling with your phone, you will get burnt, lol. I dont go crazy with this, maybe once an hour or longer, but it has paid some great dividends to say the least.
I'll add my two cents for what it's worth.
Patience and Persistence has killed many a bird.
• Listen more and call less.
• Soft "Come hither" calling is more advantages.
• Scratch some leaves, sound like a turkey feeding.
• Listen, but keep a keen eye for any movement.
• When you are about ready to give up and call it quits for the day give it another 45 minutes or so.
Get comfortable and relax.
• Buy a lounger, good chair or a good seat cushion.
• The more comfortable you are the less fidgeting you are going to do.
This will make your hunt more enjoyable, and you will stay in the woods longer.
Know what you and your equipment can do!
• Pattern your shotgun.
• Know your limits and that of your weapon and ammo you are using.
• In the off season practice your calling.
Enjoy your time in the woods, don't make it stressful as each hunt is memorable in it's own right.
Turkey hunting is a chess game. You move, he counters. He makes a move, you counter.
Each of you are making calculated moves with full awareness of the likely outcome of those decisions.
• Maybe he finds a mate.
• Maybe you kill a bird.
Relax and enjoy the game!
Quote from: Turkeybutt on June 13, 2023, 06:12:35 AM
I'll add my two cents for what it's worth.
Patience and Persistence has killed many a bird.
• Listen more and call less.
• Soft "Come hither" calling is more advantages.
• Scratch some leaves, sound like a turkey feeding.
• Listen, but keep a keen eye for any movement.
• When you are about ready to give up and call it quits for the day give it another 45 minutes or so.
Get comfortable and relax.
• Buy a lounger, good chair or a good seat cushion.
• The more comfortable you are the less fidgeting you are going to do.
This will make your hunt more enjoyable, and you will stay in the woods longer.
Know what you and your equipment can do!
• Pattern your shotgun.
• Know your limits and that of your weapon and ammo you are using.
• In the off season practice your calling.
Enjoy your time in the woods, don't make it stressful as each hunt is memorable in it's own right.
Turkey hunting is a chess game. You move, he counters. He makes a move, you counter.
Each of you are making calculated moves with full awareness of the likely outcome of those decisions.
• Maybe he finds a mate.
• Maybe you kill a bird.
Relax and enjoy the game!
Well said, great advice!
I agree. great advice from some awesome people... Enjoy yourself and respect the animals your chasing ... It's not always KILL KILL KILL ...
Great post all!
Quote from: Greg Massey on June 13, 2023, 09:36:56 AM
I agree. great advice from some awesome people... Enjoy yourself and respect the animals your chasing ... It's not always KILL KILL KILL ...
Quote from: Tom007 on June 13, 2023, 08:40:42 AM
Quote from: Turkeybutt on June 13, 2023, 06:12:35 AM
I'll add my two cents for what it's worth.
Patience and Persistence has killed many a bird.
• Listen more and call less.
• Soft "Come hither" calling is more advantages.
• Scratch some leaves, sound like a turkey feeding.
• Listen, but keep a keen eye for any movement.
• When you are about ready to give up and call it quits for the day give it another 45 minutes or so.
Get comfortable and relax.
• Buy a lounger, good chair or a good seat cushion.
• The more comfortable you are the less fidgeting you are going to do.
This will make your hunt more enjoyable, and you will stay in the woods longer.
Know what you and your equipment can do!
• Pattern your shotgun.
• Know your limits and that of your weapon and ammo you are using.
• In the off season practice your calling.
Enjoy your time in the woods, don't make it stressful as each hunt is memorable in it's own right.
Turkey hunting is a chess game. You move, he counters. He makes a move, you counter.
Each of you are making calculated moves with full awareness of the likely outcome of those decisions.
• Maybe he finds a mate.
• Maybe you kill a bird.
Relax and enjoy the game!
Well said, great advice!
Enjoy the game and hunt safe.
Yes ... always enjoy the prep....the scouting and the game
But always remember to be 100% safe
All good advice. I've always been persistent but when I slowed down and started exercising some patience things really came together. Really looking and listening to what's going on around me and moving slowly and deliberately through the woods allows all of your senses to take in what's going on around you. Move like a coyote or bobcat. Stay in the shadows and observe what's happening around you. You're hunting another living thing so act like that. With respect to shooting, know your gun and pattern it. If your gut tells you to take the shot take it. If have second thoughts let him walk. He may offer a better shot or you'll get up with him another day. It's just not worth the disappointment and worry that comes with wounding a bird. Last is just have fun
A little side note about getting in tune with what's going on around you in the Turkey woods. Back when I first started turkey hunting I took an extended trip to northwest Ga at the beginning of my third season. Up until that point I had only managed to harvest one gobbler. I was intent on figuring things out. Needless to say it was a weird spring. I didn't hear a turkey gobble for almost 3 weeks. I was in my early 20's and had been hunting since around 7 years old wreaking havoc on the local squirrel and rabbit populations where I lived with a pellet gun which led to deer hunting by the time I was 13. I was good at sneaking around and being quiet and a very good deer hunter by the time I took this trip but wasn't having much luck getting close to or even hearing any gobblers.
About about 2 weeks into my trip I decided to take a break and headed to Nashville for a couple days to meet up with a friend who was in a band. The evening I arrived they had band practice and I was allowed to listen in. After 2 weeks of listening for clucks, purrs, twig snaps, anything that might indicate a turkey was near, when that drummer hit his snare drum it rattled my senses. My whole body would flinch. It almost felt like being electrocuted. I had to put on ear muffs if I was going to stick around. After about 4 songs with the muffs on, my senses became acclimated to the loud music and I could take them off. I could still feel that snare drum but it was manageable.
Quote from: Paulmyr on July 28, 2023, 11:36:53 PM
A little side note about getting in tune with what's going on around you in the Turkey woods. Back when I first started turkey hunting I took an extended trip to northwest Ga at the beginning of my third season. Up until that point I had only managed to harvest one gobbler. I was intent on figuring things out. Needless to say it was a weird spring. I didn't hear a turkey gobble for almost 3 weeks. I was in my early 20's and had been hunting since around 7 years old wreaking havoc on the local squirrel and rabbit populations where I lived with a pellet gun which led to deer hunting by the time I was 13. I was good at sneaking around and being quiet and a very good deer hunter by the time I took this trip but wasn't having much luck getting close to or even hearing any gobblers.
About about 2 weeks into my trip I decided to take a break and headed to Nashville for a couple days to meet up with a friend who was in a band. The evening I arrived they had band practice and I was allowed to listen in. After 2 weeks of listening for clucks, purrs, twig snaps, anything that might indicate a turkey was near, when that drummer hit his snare drum it rattled my senses. My whole body would flinch. It almost felt like being electrocuted. I had to put on ear muffs if I was going to stick around. After about 4 songs with the muffs on, my senses became acclimated to the loud music and I could take them off. I could still feel that snare drum but it was manageable.
Multiple scientific studies have shown that just spending even an hour in nature can positively affect brain activity. After a few days your brain function actually changes and you operate on more alpha waves versus beta waves and natural dopamine also increases. This can also be accomplished with meditation. It's no wonder your perception of something like a drum was different or averse after an extended time in the woods.
I think now the biggest inhibitor to allowing people to actually relax and reset in the woods is our phones. It's hard to truly immerse yourself in the woods when checking a phone. I hate my phone but i also have to have it for work etc... so there's that.