I am brand new to turkey hunting, or hunting at all for that matter. I am doing my best to learn as much as possible. I am very fortunate to have an AMAZING Mentor who has been teaching me to call so hopefully I will be somewhat ready for the spring. Do any of you have any advice for a Novice as to what I should be working on? What sounds, calls etc? Any advice is appreciated
Thanks
Sounds like you are on the right track. Do as much research as you can, there is endless information out there. I would really concentrate on a basic hen yelp. What kind of call have you been practicing with? Also scouting and learning where turkeys want to be is equally as important. You cant kill birds that arent there.
Best advice I can pass along is, 85% of turkey hunters call too much. The hard part is figuring out when NOT to call.
My advice is have fun and don't get discouraged. Just starting out in today's times Its easy to become dependent on certain aides. If that's what someone likes then more power to them. As a newbie i'd recommend trying different styles and draw your own conclusions as to what you enjoy more. For some of us there's nothing like sitting with your back to a tree with a call and gun/bow. Others enjoy sitting in a blind watching turkeys come to decoys. Choose what you find the most enjoyable and don't let internet hunters determine how you rate your success. Always remember that most advice you get from the Internet is worth every penny you pay for it.
This could really get interesting,...based on past discussions of this topic.
A quick summary of my perspective: There are some very basic turkey hunting calling and hunting strategies, and your mentor will guide you in the right direction on those. There are also some very specific strategies that apply to a whole array of situations,...and also to what, where, and when you are hunting.
For example, your calling and hunting strategy for chasing public-lands Merriam's gobblers in the west will likely be very different than that of pursuing a small-tract Eastern gobbler somewhere.
Learn the basics first. Experience in the field is the best teacher for those specific situations.
Develop a love for the birds. The rest will fall into place over time. Keep it fun. Good luck!
Good example are the last few posts. Between Gobblenut and myself we have over 100 years of turkey hunting experience. But yet we differ a lot of times on strategies because where each of us hunt is totally different. Plus he's a little senile.
Quote from: guesswho on December 22, 2016, 08:28:31 AM
Good example are the last few posts. Between Gobblenut and myself we have over 100 years of turkey hunting experience. But yet we differ a lot of times on strategies because where each of us hunt is totally different. Plus he's a little senile.
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: ...Somehow I had a feeling a wise-a$$ comment was on the way.... :toothy12:
Patience, patience, patience. Give that gobbler time to work to you. If he answers your calls early, he'll be back to check on you.
Listen to the other hens and mimic what they are doing.
Take up golf :newmascot:
Don't get discouraged. Turkey hunting has many highs and lows. Enjoy the process and be observant. You can learn a lot just by paying attention to what is happening in the woods and with turkeys. Above all else have fun. The most dissapointing day in the woods can turn into the best in an instant as long as your out there trying.
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Tip #1
Hunt where there are turkeys. Sounds stupid, but a lot of wasted time and discouraging trips are a result of not finding areas that are holding birds. Spend time scouting / listening before the season.
Tip #2
If you can see a bird, he has already been looking your way. Turkeys have a remarkable ability to pinpoint your location from your calling. Be extra, extra careful about your movements - like laying a call down, picking up your gun or shifting your point of aim, etc.
Tip #3
Know your shotgun. Pattern your gun. Know where and how it shoots. Try to find the best shell / choke combo for YOUR gun. Try to limit your shots to 40 yards or less - but don't let them get TOO close.
Tip #4
You can learn a lot on the internet. YouTube videos, forums like this etc.guesswho said it best, some information is worth more than other.
Tip #5
Hunt safe / Have FUN!
on top of all that's been said, go hunt places that have a lot of birds. It will help shorten your learning curve. It'll give you more encounters, faster, which will add up to more experience over a shorter time period.
Quote from: GlockGirl on December 22, 2016, 07:59:16 AM
I am brand new to turkey hunting, or hunting at all for that matter. I am doing my best to learn as much as possible. I am very fortunate to have an AMAZING Mentor who has been teaching me to call so hopefully I will be somewhat ready for the spring. Do any of you have any advice for a Novice as to what I should be working on? What sounds, calls etc? Any advice is appreciated
Thanks
Welcome to the wonderful world of turkey hunting. It can become a lifelong obsession but a very good one as far as obsessions go. It's good to hear that you have a mentor. That can mean so much, especially in your early days.
You've been given some excellent advice already. Here's a link to an article that I wrote for
Turkey & Turkey Hunting Magazine many years ago that you may find interesting. http://www.turkeyandturkeyhunting.com/hunting-tactics/endofseason
While it discusses "end of season advice" it's really advice for a successful career in hunting these wily birds.
Thanks,
Clark
Do some scouting not just at daylight if you can either be where he is headed or get between where he is and wants to go some simple yelps and clucks may get the job done you don't have to be a pro
Quote from: Gamblinman on December 22, 2016, 08:54:02 AM
Patience, patience, patience. Give that gobbler time to work to you. If he answers your calls early, he'll be back to check on you.
Listen to the other hens and mimic what they are doing.
The best advice you will ever get.
Quote from: SteelerFan on December 22, 2016, 09:12:37 AM
Tip #1
Hunt where there are turkeys. Sounds stupid, but a lot of wasted time and discouraging trips are a result of not finding areas that are holding birds. Spend time scouting / listening before the season.
This is turkey hunting 101. Hunt where the birds are. The best calling in the world can't call a bird that isn't there.
All great advice as always from some of the best. Gonna be a great season Glock Girl.
Remember that the turkey will win the encounter many, many, many times. His whole life is based on not getting killed and eaten. Respect and salute him when he wins and then try hard to shoot his butt the next time.
Appreciate the beauty of the hunt even if you don't kill a bird. It's not all about killing. Sunrises, gobbles on the roost. Doesn't get any better.
Learn a locator call. Your choice. It'll help.
Learn to use a mouth call.
Don't be afraid to move if you need to. It'll help. (Some may not agree with this.)
Shoot and pattern your gun until you trust it 100% and find out how far you can for sure kill one the first shot.
NEVER, EVER underestimate their eyesight. EVER.
Don't move, don't blink, don't shake when he's coming in. (Good luck with not shaking!)
Have fun, enjoy the experience. It's by far the best hunting I've ever tried. Hands down!
Quote from: renegade19 on December 22, 2016, 10:58:56 AM
NEVER, EVER underestimate their eyesight. EVER.
And give his ears as much or more credit than you do his eyes.
Glock Girl,welcome. Being your going after your first one here's one way to consider. Locate you a good sized flock with at least 2-3 gobblers in it just before the season. From that point on start studying them and stay with that flock until you kill one. Learn their roosting spots, learn how they range out from their roost, learn where the fresh feeding sign is in their daily range, learn likely nesting areas,etc.In short, learn as much as you can about that particular flock. This will help you develop a sense of how turkey's behave and that will benefit you in the long run. Don't get to hung up on calling but you do want good calling. You may find that being persistence is what will kill you your first turkey. It did for me,lol. Get after them hard and it will happen for you.
Quote from: guesswho on December 22, 2016, 08:17:45 AM
My advice is have fun and don't get discouraged. Just starting out in today's times Its easy to become dependent on certain aides. If that's what someone likes then more power to them. As a newbie i'd recommend trying different styles and draw your own conclusions as to what you enjoy more. For some of us there's nothing like sitting with your back to a tree with a call and gun/bow. Others enjoy sitting in a blind watching turkeys come to decoys. Choose what you find the most enjoyable and don't let internet hunters determine how you rate your success. Always remember that most advice you get from the Internet is worth every penny you pay for it.
Some of the best advice right there for any kind of hunting not just Turkeys. Chief
Hunt were turkeys are and spend as much time in the woods as possible.. Also don't waste your money on cheap calls, buy good quality calls...Listen to the turkeys and learn the basics...let the turkeys tell you what they want....don't over call and lot of patience's. Also make sure your gun is shooting good...Time in the WOODS AND LOT"S OF PATIENCE"S.............
Check if a blind will work for your mentor's style of hunting.
A great asset for a beginner, as it "hides" mistakes such as moving, head turning, helps with excitement (Turkey Fever). Plus a good shooting stick used from a blind helps a lot with "Turkey Fever". Most of all have fun. Some of my best times have been the ones that got away!
:fud: :OGani:
Wow, thanks everyone! Such great advice. I can't wait for spring to get here :)
Also, there is a ton of very good information on this website.
Spend some time, if you have it, reading old threads.
I would pay particular attention to anything guesswho or GobbleNut posts...both have a lot of insight that will be useful.
And, don't get too bogged down in the choice of guns/chokes/loads...there are lot of more important aspects of turkey hunting.
Greg
:camohat: The best teachers are the birds themselves , listen to them they have a rhythm to their calling. Watch the birds they will teach you how to kill them. And read good turkey books as by Kenny Morgan, Lovett Williams and John MacDonald. Good Luck and above all be Patient.
,
One thing I'll add that I've seen new hunters do is focus to hard on the gobble and not realize that the hens may come in first and get caught squirming around either hens bust them or a non gobbling tom sneaks in and catches them
Quote from: marshboy on December 23, 2016, 06:31:14 AM
I would pay particular attention to anything guesswho or GobbleNut posts...both have a lot of insight that will be useful.
Greg
Hey Greg,...Questionable advice,...I know one of those two guys is a real Goober. :toothy12: :newmascot: :toothy12:
Learn to call decently, scout, scout scout and set up in a good spot, well hidden for an ambush. Be patient with them. Turkeys live on turkey time, not people time.
It is a blast, hopefully you can do a few hunts with your mentor before you venture out on your own. Have fun with it!
So many good replys from members here! Scout well a month before opening day on 4 Saturdays and a few Sundays. Check well in those hardwoods around streams where hens could be nesting. Use that 1 caller that you feel most comfortable with and add more as you go. Luck to you.
Quote from: GobbleNut on December 23, 2016, 11:43:21 AM
Quote from: marshboy on December 23, 2016, 06:31:14 AM
I would pay particular attention to anything guesswho or GobbleNut posts...both have a lot of insight that will be useful.
Greg
Hey Greg,...Questionable advice,...I know one of those two guys is a real Goober. :toothy12: :newmascot: :toothy12:
By process of elimination I have come to the conclusion your talking about me.
Good to see you got your internet privileges at the old folks home reinstated.
Guesswho, cohutta strutter and gobblenut, as well as others gave you some good advice. As far as call type, that is whatever you feel comfortable with. Forget the call types, like I said, it is whatever you can play the best...I haven't used a mouth call in 5 or 6 years and kill my limit every year! It is just whatever you get proficient with and feel the most comfortable using! Woodsmanship is the biggest part of killing turkeys. I know guys that can't call worth a flip, but they kill turkeys every year. Generally, less is more!!! For instance, back when I first started, 32 years ago, I would just do yelps and clucks. Along came the audio cassettes telling about the cutting and mating cackles. My kill ratio went down!! STICK TO THE BASICS!!!!!
To expound on Mark's point a bit more, I think that too many turkey hunters think they need to try to use mouth calls because they have seen too many TV shows and/or watched the very best mouth callers using them. Most "regular" turkey hunters will never become as proficient with a mouth call as they can be with the various box and pot calls that are available nowadays,...and the learning curve with friction calls of this type is much shorter.
In the last couple of decades, turkey call makers have really mastered the art of producing calls that will very realistically duplicate turkey vocalizations, and do so with minimal effort and practice. ...And there are a great many really good call makers on this site selling great, reasonably-priced calls.
Most hunters are better off obtaining a good pot/box (or both), learning how to use them well to make the basic turkey sounds, and then sticking to that in their hunting. Too often, we try to make things more complicated than they really need to be.
This topic should not disappear down the list so quickly.
In contemplating what factors in my turkey hunting career were, and still are, most important to my success, right at the top of the list is the use of locator calls. Others here have brought up the idea of hunting where there are turkeys,...and there is no easier way to find them than by using a good, loud locator call at the proper time.
Sure, there are places where the use of locators is unnecessary, but there are lots of places and conditions where they are invaluable. I can honestly state that I have killed dozens of gobblers that I would likely not have killed (or even known were there) by first finding them with a locator call.
My advice to any novice in this game: get several loud locator calls (crow, owl, gobble tube, coyote howler,..whatever) and start the process of learning what is most effective where you hunt,...and when they will work. Hint: I have never hunted anywhere in this country where a good locator call will not get gobblers to gobble in the hour before sunrise.
Being from southeast GA, a locator call is always with me......except my one and only time I hunted out of state. A friend and I went down below San Angelo one year and I didn't feel the need to take one. From the stories he'd told, it was nothing uncommon to hear 15-20 birds gobbling at any given time. HA!! That wasn't the case there. He'd hunted Texas several times but not this area. We got there late afternoon and was shown the area we would be hunting. We went to see about killing a gobbler. The only thing he had in his vest was a peacock screamer. Boy did they light the world up!!! They'd gobble at that thing every time he'd blow it!! I still don't own one......I do carry a crow call and owl hooter, every time!
Some really good advice here.
If you like watching hunting shows and videos, forget 90% of what they do and say. There are some exceptions, but many of them are hunting butterball factories and they are trying to sell their gizmo or whatsit and will overcall to make themselves and their product look good.
No matter what some say, a turkey is not smart. What they are, is wary and random. Everything in the woods wants to eat them. They have keen senses, but will ignore things that surprise you. Don't get discouraged when you think you have a Tom patterned and he pulls something totally different. It is hard for you to know what he is going to do in the morning when he does not know himself ahead of time. With that being said, it is much easier to call him when you are already at a place he likes to be. Learn to spot turkey sign. Learn to figure where he will most likely be and what time of day he is likely to be there. In general, not specific to one Tom. You'll start to get the feel for how they think and will be way ahead of the game.
Like said before, some of the worst callers I have ever heard have been live hens. You don't have to be perfect. Cadence is more important than anything. You are playing an instrument, but it does not matter much if it is a little out of tune, just be in time. Not overcalling was the single and most important lesson I have learned (and am still learning). I called one this year to 60 yards and then he lost interest and wandered away. If not for the sage advice from this site (and from my brother's pa-in-law) I probably would have wandered away too. But I decided to sit tight and see if he came back to where that hen was calling at first light. Sure enough, about an hour later he snuck in and took a truck ride.
You will bump birds. You will spook birds. You will over call and under call. You will even miss some birds. Don't get discouraged. What I lack in skill (which is plenty) I make up in perseverance. The hunter most likely to kill a Tom is the one in the woods. The season is over way to quick, so make the most if it. My group's motto "You can sleep when you are dead"!
The text from an old article.
1. It's Just One Bird!
That turkey that you hear gobbling is just one bird.
He's not the only bird you'll ever hear. He's not the only bird you'll ever see. If he sees you it won't ruin his life. If he sees you, it won't ruin your life. If you spook him, he'll get over it. If you spook him, you'll get over it.
Think of it this way. If you dropped one potato chip out of a bag full and it fell into a big pool of muddy water, you'd just say, "Okay, I have a lot more in this bag, I'll just eat another one." If you don't shoot the first turkey you hear, if he sees you and runs away, if you spook him, you've just dropped one potato chip out of your bag into that pool of muddy water. Relax, you've got a bag full. They'll make more.
2. It's Just One Hunt
Your life does not depend upon your killing this turkey for you to survive.
You're not Daniel Boone, coming through the Cumberland Gap with a party of women and children who depend on you to kill the game for the season. Your life is not dependant upon killing a turkey. You life is not dependant upon your killing this turkey. You have food at home, your family will survive. You hunt because you want to hunt. You hunt because you enjoy it. You don't "win" every time at anything. You won't "win" every time you hunt.
3. Take a Chance
Move on that turkey. Switch your position. Do something!
If you spook him, you spook him. If he sees you, he sees you. So what!
You will lose more turkeys by inaction than by action. A turkey is not some magical bird that can sense what you are thinking. He really can't hear your heartbeat or see your eyes blink either. There are lots of things that move in the woods, there are lots of noises in the woods, there are other animals in the woods, there's nothing special about your being there. You're as much a part of the grand scheme of things as that tree that you're leaning against and as that turkey you're hunting.
He took a chance when he flew down from the roost this morning. Why? Because he had to take a chance. It's part of his life. Make it a part of yours.
4. Ignore the "Roar of the Crowd"
The "roar of the crowd" won't make you a better hunter. The "roar of the crowd" only lasts for a little while anyway. The "roar of the crowd" will be for someone else eventually. Hunt for your personal satisfaction and the enjoyment that you get out of it, not for glory or congratulations from others — not even your family members or your closest friends. Hunting is a personal choice and so is the pleasure.
Enjoy the hunt for your personal pleasure, not for the glory of showing off your kill or for the "roar of the crowd."
5. Know What You Know
When you know what you know, you can afford to take chances. You will know, what you know when you have:
The self-confidence to be willing to "lose" a bird, if that means that you really went after him; the self-confidence to understand that there are times when you "win" and times when you "lose;" the self-confidence to know that you must take chances in life and that you can't let the fear of failure be greater than the desire for success; the self-confidence to enjoy the hunt for yourself and not for the "roar of the crowd."
You can make yourself a better hunter and you can be ready for the next season by putting these five simple rules into practice in your hunting lifestyle.
Nothing here is meant in any way to minimize any aspect of hunting safety or of ethical hunting practices. Those are a given. You must know how your gun shoots and how you can shoot it. Most of all, however, you must have the self-confidence to go for it and walk out of the turkey woods knowing that you gave all you had and made your very best effort.
That will help you make your next hunt, a hunt with no regrets.
Thanks,
Clark
Learn how to hunt by the rules so when you harvest that gobbler you know you have truly earned him. You have to give that bird every chance to live another day and when you play by the real rules you do that. Respect the bird and understand that the hunt is so much more important than the kill. Practice your calling a lot as that is how the game is played, just call him to you. If you have a good mentor, then he/she will teach you the difference between being a good turkey hunter vs. just being a turkey killer. Be patient, don't take shortcuts, if you learn how to call and hunt turkeys you won't need to rely on gimmicks to cheapen the experience that have become so commonplace in turkey hunting these days. The best book you can read is One Man Game by Ken Morgan. This will teach you how the game is played and everything you need to know about the rules and fair chase. There is also a section on how to really score your bird, and compile your turkey hunting score. Model yourself after the old school hunters if you want to really learn to be a true turkey hunter. The best books on the subject were written many years ago. Have fun.
Quote from: ferocious calls on December 22, 2016, 08:27:39 AM
Develop a love for the birds. The rest will fall into place over time. Keep it fun. Good luck!
This
Best advice I know is put the time in before the season and learn their pattern. It will usually repeat itself.
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1. Always strive to position yourself in the "perfect" calling position. Quality set ups will contribute significantly to harvests.
2. Call less. Think more.
Quote from: Ihuntoldschool on December 26, 2016, 06:23:21 PM
Learn how to hunt by the rules so when you harvest that gobbler you know you have truly earned him. You have to give that bird every chance to live another day and when you play by the real rules you do that. Respect the bird and understand that the hunt is so much more important than the kill. Practice your calling a lot as that is how the game is played, just call him to you. If you have a good mentor, then he/she will teach you the difference between being a good turkey hunter vs. just being a turkey killer. Be patient, don't take shortcuts, if you learn how to call and hunt turkeys you won't need to rely on gimmicks to cheapen the experience that have become so commonplace in turkey hunting these days. The best book you can read is One Man Game by Ken Morgan. This will teach you how the game is played and everything you need to know about the rules and fair chase. There is also a section on how to really score your bird, and compile your turkey hunting score. Model yourself after the old school hunters if you want to really learn to be a true turkey hunter. The best books on the subject were written many years ago. Have fun.
I like you I hunteroldschool. However, you could say a nice thing or two about the guy who wrote the forward to Kenny's "One Man Game".
Many great tips offered hear from many experienced hunters. The only thing I could offer beyond all that has been said is.....
When you have spent considerable time working a bird and the ol'Tom Has not stepped into view or quits responding and you get that first notion that it is over and it is time to get up and move...DON'T MOVE. Your legs are cramped...butt hurts... but suck up and make yourself sit still, quiet, and ready for at least another 20 or 30 minutes longer.
Twice I have popped up too early after I perceived it was all over and spooked the birds that were almost in sight and range. I relive these busts and other misses and mistakes more often than my successful hunts.
Patience and perseverance.
Best of luck
Sound like a hen turkey, not a turkey hunter. That sounds pretty simple but there's a lot to it. How you walk, where you are, what you say to him, how loud you say it, how fast you respond to him, scratching leaves, doing flydown cackles with wing beats. . . The list goes on and on. Only way to learn how to be a turkey is to spend time with them.
Best advice I could ever give is wait on a gobbler until you can't wait any longer, then wait 30 more minutes. A lot of birds show up in that 30 more minutes. Welcome to the addiction!
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I have some of my best hunts in crappy weather. I find on my way home and see a few gobblers in crap weather. . . Why not? Misting rain, blind on a field age. Enjoy the time. Don't gauge the success of a hunt on whether you harvest a bird. Oh yeah, shoot! I don't know how many birds my first time hunters let go because he wasn't sure if they were close enough.
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Best advice I can give is setups. Most of my hunting is in hardwoods, big ridges.
Be on the same level or above the bird before you call. I'm not saying they won't go down hill, just putting odds in your favor. It's easier to get him to come up hill or straight to you.
Set up where that bird has to be within 30 yards of you before he can see you. Keep your gun pointed in the last direction he gobbled.
Listen for him walking, drumming etc... when you set up like this as soon as you see the bird, he's in range. Make him come looking for you with his head up!!
The first time that head pops up, don't move your gun, he's looking for movement of the hen.
He will bring it down and start walking, that's when you line up the gun.
Patience patience patience ... as long as he's closing the distance he's interested. Once he's answered you a few times and worked his way toward you, be quiet, soft purrs and scratching in the leaves will put him in your lap.
Everyone has different methods and tactics. You will develop your own over time.
Sometimes he just won't commit, usually that may be the case of over calling, hunting pressure and he may have been shot at a time or two.
In that case relocate, circle left or right calling as you go. Sometimes moving 40 yards left or right, even away from him will peak his interest and ad realism to your set up.
Good luck, it's very addicting to match wits with that old tom.
Quote from: perrytrails on January 04, 2017, 05:10:16 AM
Keep your gun pointed in the last direction he gobbled.
This is an excellent point to be made for beginners. I have seen more gobblers get away from inexperienced hunters because they were not adjusting their positioning,...themselves and their guns,...to an approaching gobbler heard in the distance. We have engrained the idea of remaining still when a bird is coming so much that it seems a lot of newbies are afraid to make those adjustments in their positioning needed to kill a gobbler when he finally gets there for fear that he will see them.
Turkeys are wary, but they are not magicians. They can't see through trees and brush between you and them as they approach. If a bird is gobbling as he comes, or otherwise letting you know where he is at, make adjustments in your positioning while he is on his way so that you are in shooting position and with gun pointed in his direction before he gets where he can see you.