it is my belief that turkey hunting is %50 woodsmanship %40 scouting and %10 calling. main rules are hunt where there are turkeys (scouting) know your area and how to counter move on the turkey and most important be PATIENT and sit STILL (woodsmanship) when calling atleast for me call as LITTLE as possible make him search for you, don't call just to hear him gobble and don't call right after he gobbles (calling).
That looks just about right. Interesting how you break that down, I'll be thinking about that all day.
when I first started hunting turkeys in the mid 80's only a couple of my friends hunted them and information was hard to come by. through trial and a TON of error I slowly, some what figured things out, number one being over calling will chase more birds away then bring them in. also just because you LOVE the area you hunt if it does not have turkeys you will NOT get a turkey....
Being where there are birds and being where they want to be.
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I do fell calling plays more than 10 percent in killing birds...you need to learn and spend time listening to birds and depending on what they are tell you, you need to adjust your calling to them....Some birds don't like a lot of calling and others like aggressive calling...also you will have the silence birds...If you do have birds in the area and say it's one of those morning you don't hear a bird, you still have to hunt them like they are gobbling....woodsmanship 35 percent, scouting 40 percent and 25 percent calling...
My key is based on a decent knowledge of turkeys and their behavior, which allows me to react instead of think.
my opinion is that if there are plenty of birds where you hunt , then even a novice can score consistently. so foremost is having an area with plenty of birds. so location 50 percent , woodsmanship 35 percent and calling 15 percent.
My keys:
Knowing how to find birds to hunt: Effective use of maps to pre-scout hunt areas; Use of effective locator tactics; (probably 25%)
Woodsmanship: Learning the birds you are hunting and using the right approach to any given hunt scenario; knowing how to assess what a bird is doing and how/where to set up on him; (probably 25%)
Calling: contest-level calling ability is not nearly as important as knowing when and what to say to the turkeys; learning basic calling principles and learning how to assess a gobbler's responsiveness to different calling tactics; (probably 25%)
Persistence and perseverance: Dedicating enough time to turkey hunting is required to be consistently successful and not giving up when things are not going well; staying after them and sticking with it; (probably 25%)
The ability to quickly adapt to the situation at hand, whatever that may be. It applies to everything in the equation. As stated above - being able to react, and to do so on the fly.
The biggest flaw I see with some folks is going into a hunt with a preconceived notion, then being thrown for a loop when things don't go the way they envisioned it in their mind - which is more times than not. And it's a hard lesson for some folks to learn.
I don't have any areas that would be considered "prime" hunting. I have loads of acreage but not a lot of birds. I consider knowing where birds are 20%,
Woodsmanship and knowing turkeys 40%, calling skills 40%, and 100% effort at all times. I know that doesn't add up quite right but I am from WV so....
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Quote from: J-Shaped on May 09, 2017, 02:25:42 PM
The ability to quickly adapt to the situation at hand, whatever that may be. It applies to everything in the equation. As stated above - being able to react, and to do so on the fly.
The biggest flaw I see with some folks is going into a hunt with a preconceived notion, then being thrown for a loop when things don't go the way they envisioned it in their mind - which is more times than not. And it's a hard lesson for some folks to learn.
This sums it up for me as it covers all aspects.Scouting:knowing where birds are.Woodsmanship:knowing how to read birds and how to react.Calling:This to me is the biggest variable.Some hunts its 75% others its 10%.All depends on what the bird you are hunting wants that day.I think the biggest key to a lot of long time successful turkeys hunters is the ability to react and not overthink everything.Setting up where you think turkeys should come to you instead of setting up where they want to be no matter how "good" you think a setup is.If he dont want to be there he wont be.Most importantly no matter how much you think you know there will always be a bird somewhere that will prove otherwise.
Quote from: guesswho on May 09, 2017, 01:47:24 PM
My key is based on a decent knowledge of turkeys and their behavior, which allows me to react instead of think.
I wish I had this ability.
Sometimes I feel like a glacier. I gain 1 foot, then loose 3.
:welcomeOG:
Quote from: Spitten and drummen on May 09, 2017, 02:05:49 PM
my opinion is that if there are plenty of birds where you hunt , then even a novice can score consistently. so foremost is having an area with plenty of birds. so location 50 percent , woodsmanship 35 percent and calling 15 percent.
You have to have birds to kill birds so I agree with above, next is scout their physical location and patterns. Once you get there calling is only a small element
This is pretty simple 2 things, 1.) the time to do it consistantely and 2.) good land access
you dont need $300 calls or 200 different strikers thats for sure, most of the time a $6.95 mouth call will get it done all the time. Dont over think it
I think attitude and determination trumps calling and woodsmanship any day. if you keep going like the energizer bunny and have a positive attitude you will be successful.
I have lots to learn in many of these areas. I am real confident in my ability to find where turkeys want to be, but not so great in figuring out how to set up so they want to finish. I think my recent success shows I am better and then I lose a bird because he won't come that last little bit. Sometimes it is a turkey being a turkey, but it has happened to me often enough, I know it is a short coming I have.
As to calling, it is probably only 10% of the equation - unless it is done wrong! Then it becomes much higher. I have definitely learned from this site that less is more. The last 4 birds I have killed I probably only called to less than 5 times each. I wish I had more time to hunt other states to extend my season, but I already do enough traveling for hunting and fishing.
I have a lot to learn and find my shortcomings to be figuring out how the birds utilize the land where I hunt. I have no problem locating the birds and knowing the general areas they hang out, but I'm still learning a lot about how they navigate and utilize the different habitat on those areas. I would say 30% is locating birds, 30% how they use the land and knowing how to respond to their moves, 30% not giving up or taking defeat, and 10% calling
I dont put percentages on Turkey hunting because there are to many variables. Currently, I am hunting a very old and experienced bird. He has beaten me several times this season: some my fault. Some him just being a turkey. I could have killed him twice when flying as he came to my trolling calls. Where I walk a woodline and call. Once I was moving into a spot to set up and he was right on me and took off flying. Another he slept in and and I bumped him but had a flying shot agian. No glory in those type of kills.
Persistance is what I beleive it takes, plus a decent setup and loads of patience. If I kill him it will be on our terms. If I don't kill him we will play again in the fall. On calls: alot of people don't realize just how good a turkey can hear. Just a few notes is all it normally takes and not long contest calling. Just my 2 cents.
I think scouting should be least even w woodsman ship. Can't kill em if they aren't there
At home,most of the time, I'm under 50 yards from roosted turkeys so woodcraft is tops. Calling is a close second. Out west I might be 1/4 mile or so out of the game so calling is tops. All my hunting takes place on public land and 99% of the time I'm bow hunting. I Fall hunt with a gun because my .410 adds a new challenge to keep me motivated. I would say that hunting Spring and Fall has done more to speed up my self taught turkey hunting learning curve the most. Reading books by Lovett Williams is how I got my understanding of turkey behavior. The only reason I don't even rate scouting is because I've learned that turkeys use the same areas I hunt year after year.
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You definitely have to be around birds to be successful. But taking that out of the equation there's a lot of variables. Knowing the land your hunting can be especially beneficial to your success. However it seems as though a lot of my success has usually been determined by that split second decision when you strike a bird or see one or whatever. Where do you sit, do you move 50 yards closer, do you stick a decoy out, do I call, do I not, etc. I can think of a lot of turkeys that I'm pretty sure I would've killed if I would've just done something small like that. And usually hindsight is 20/20 and I know exactly what I should've done. However the more springs you put under your belt and the more you hunt, the more you are able to pick up on these things and use them in future hunts. I haven't been hunting very long at all compared to 95% of the guys on here but it seems like this is the case to me. If there was just a "key" to turkey hunting I don't think it'd be as fun as it is. Experience typically trumps all.
Quote from: idratherb on May 09, 2017, 05:26:51 PM
This is pretty simple 2 things, 1.) the time to do it consistantely and 2.) good land access
you dont need $300 calls or 200 different strikers thats for sure, most of the time a $6.95 mouth call will get it done all the time. Dont over think it
Bingo!!
Time in the woods with a shotgun trumps all
Woodsmanship 90%. Everything else 10%.
Time, I'm blessed to have a job that allows me for the most part to pick my days off so I'm able to hunt the "best weather and weekdays with less competition. After that it's paitence and 30+ years of experience.
2 things, SETUP (being where the birds want to be, which includes woodsmanship and scouting) and PATIENCE.
Tag. A lot of good advice here.
Confidence/patience (when the birds aren't talking, but you know they are around). That ties in with scouting/woodsmanship. You can kill turkey if you know their habits/where to setup without calling at all. Ambushing them isn't all that fun though. Physical fitness/desire to hike that extra mile/steep ridge to hunt that hard to get at bird if hunting public land.
Quote from: GobbleNut on May 09, 2017, 02:06:42 PM
My keys:
Knowing how to find birds to hunt: Effective use of maps to pre-scout hunt areas; Use of effective locator tactics; (probably 25%)
Woodsmanship: Learning the birds you are hunting and using the right approach to any given hunt scenario; knowing how to assess what a bird is doing and how/where to set up on him; (probably 25%)
Calling: contest-level calling ability is not nearly as important as knowing when and what to say to the turkeys; learning basic calling principles and learning how to assess a gobbler's responsiveness to different calling tactics; (probably 25%)
Persistence and perseverance: Dedicating enough time to turkey hunting is required to be consistently successful and not giving up when things are not going well; staying after them and sticking with it; (probably 25%). I agree, you have to put the time in, and get out there in the dark, and don't use a light.Scout the land in the middle of the day, so you don't spook birds. Scout, and pattern the birds. Know where the water is. They like springs, and swampy areas.They don't like wind, so look for the deep cuts.Im going out in the morning with my bow, I shot a real nice gobbler with my 20, a week ago, and the only reason I got him was, I knew the land really well, from scouting.
To me it is about finding birds and finding out were thy want to be. ..if you get this down pay you will kill birds
I don't have any percentages to go by, but here's a few random thoughts.
I think the most important part of turkey hunting is to have access to places where turkeys like to live. You could be the best caller on the planet, but if there aren't any gobblers around to hear & react to it, you're just wasting time making noise. It gets discouraging fast when there's no turkeys where you hunt.
You had better know what patterns best out of your gun and how to shoot straight. I've seen too many turkeys get wasted because somebody "missed". If that gobbler's within a good killing range, there's no excuse for missing. Either you screwed up or you screwed yourself by not being familiar with your gun/choke/ammo. Practice with the ammo you intend to hunt with. If your ammo it is too expensive to practice with, find some other hobby and leave the turkeys to the rest of us. You are the supreme predator, act like it by being the most efficient, lethal shot possible.
Be the tree. Almost everything out there loves to eat turkeys and those turkeys act like they know they're delicious. If they don't know you're there, they will act normally. You have to know how to keep your cool and don't spook the turkeys. Getting anxious or trying to move too fast will get you busted. Learn to sit still. You can fidget & make phone calls all you want in the truck on the way home.
You can't know a piece of land too well. Turkeys live there full time and the better you know where they like to spend time, the better your chances of crossing paths with them.
You don't need to be a world champion caller to be a successful turkey hunter, you just need to sound good enough to convince a curious gobbler to come investigate where you are.
Keep an ace up your sleeve. It is fine to take others hunting on land you have rights to hunt, just don't be surprised if they return without you. The more people you tell about where you hunt, the fewer turkeys you'll see there, especially if it is public land. I have no problem teaching somebody else how to turkey hunt, but we'll be hunting on their land, not mine.
Jim
Ronnie, you want to show them???????
Quote from: M Sharpe on May 12, 2017, 06:53:28 PM
Ronnie, you want to show them???????
My real keys, or key. Three things I always have with me. My Sharpe Wingbone or Cane Call, The String which they come in on, and The Key to success, which is attached to The String. No stinking DSD to tote around :TooFunny:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/olesixbeards/DSCN0152_zps9818954e.jpg)
Be persistent , know the land you hunt well, stay out of sight, where good camo, don't call to much, use a slate call, know when to use a decoy, and when not to.
Quote from: guesswho on May 12, 2017, 07:21:29 PM
Quote from: M Sharpe on May 12, 2017, 06:53:28 PM
Ronnie, you want to show them???????
My real keys, or key. Three things I always have with me. My Sharpe Wingbone or Cane Call, The String which they come in on, and The Key to success, which is attached to The String. No stinking DSD to tote around :TooFunny:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/olesixbeards/DSCN0152_zps9818954e.jpg)
Now that's what I'm talking about there!! What more could a guy want????
1.Knowledge: Whether you're hunting your home turf or a new piece of public ground you've only Internet scouted, understanding and knowing turkeys is critical. You'll see this necessity increase in criticality when you show up and the birds are henned up with minimal gobbling or the weather becomes inclement.
2. Stealth: Getting close to turkeys in the areas they feel comfortable in will yield very high dividends. I see guys on here talking about being 100 and 150 yards from turkeys when they are working them. Sometimes, that's all you're going to be able to get due to terrain or habitat but most of the time you can get closer. Whether it involves getting up earlier or crawling in the mid 30 extra yards with your face in the dirt, the fewer steps I have to ask a turkey to take to get into gun range translates into a bird that is far more likely to come in for a look.
3. Calling: All things being equal, a great caller will kill far more turkeys than an average or poor caller will. Great callers have turkey rhythm, cadence and they understand that they aren't just making noise: they're communicating and speaking another language. When you begin to understand that vocalizations can be used by hunters to create scenarios that turkeys identify with you'll see higher kill/hunt ratios. When you become extremely proficient and lifelike in your ability to create those sounds, you'll see a striking difference. Most guys I know who say calling skills arent an integral part of turkey hunting don't have them and don't hunt with guys who do.
Adaptability: You cannot hunt turkeys one way or with one method and consistently produce success throughout all phases of the breeding cycle. You also can't hunt turkeys in different parts of the country the way you always do at home. Think outside of the box and use different tactics. A good illustration of what I'm talking about is guys who don't roost turkeys or guys who only hunt fields from tents with decoys. If you want to be a killer, you have to master and recognize scenarios where alternative tactics should be applied.
QuoteQuote1.Knowledge: Whether you're hunting your home turf or a new piece of public ground you've only Internet scouted, understanding and knowing turkeys is critical. You'll see this necessity increase in criticality when you show up and the birds are henned up with minimal gobbling or the weather becomes inclement.
2. Stealth: Getting close to turkeys in the areas they feel comfortable in will yield very high dividends. I see guys on here talking about being 100 and 150 yards from turkeys when they are working them. Sometimes, that's all you're going to be able to get due to terrain or habitat but most of the time you can get closer. Whether it involves getting up earlier or crawling in the mid 30 extra yards with your face in the dirt, the fewer steps I have to ask a turkey to take to get into gun range translates into a bird that is far more likely to come in for a look.
3. Calling: All things being equal, a great caller will kill far more turkeys than an average or poor caller will. Great callers have turkey rhythm, cadence and they understand that they aren't just making noise: they're communicating and speaking another language. When you begin to understand that vocalizations can be used by hunters to create scenarios that turkeys identify with you'll see higher kill/hunt ratios. When you become extremely proficient and lifelike in your ability to create those sounds, you'll see a striking difference. Most guys I know who say calling skills arent an integral part of turkey hunting don't have them and don't hunt with guys who do.
Adaptability: You cannot hunt turkeys one way or with one method and consistently produce success throughout all phases of the breeding cycle. You also can't hunt turkeys in different parts of the country the way you always do at home. Think outside of the box and use different tactics. A good illustration of what I'm talking about is guys who don't roost turkeys or guys who only hunt fields from tents with decoys. If you want to be a killer, you have to master and recognize scenarios where alternative tactics should be applied.
I like this post and Gobblenuts the best. Fall hunting took my calling to a new level when I learned how the birds talk to each other...Family. I hear a lot of people say calling is a low percentage of the package and for 85% of hunters that is true, because they are calling to the turkeys and not talking with them. Most people would say I am an obsessive caller and call too much, but I'm not calling to my birds I'm talking with them. A good conversation is deadly. Now as season goes conversations get shorter, quieter and more subtle as too many loud mouths have made the birds wary. I like getting close, also and doing it quietly!!! I will tell you the number one key to killing turkeys.....hunt green birds, the less human interaction they have the more gullible they are....the good outfitters know this, because the bread on their table depends on success rate, so they keep a lock on their land. This is a luxury most people don't have, so we have to learn better skills.
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on May 13, 2017, 07:04:03 PM
1.Knowledge: Whether you're hunting your home turf or a new piece of public ground you've only Internet scouted, understanding and knowing turkeys is critical. You'll see this necessity increase in criticality when you show up and the birds are henned up with minimal gobbling or the weather becomes inclement.
2. Stealth: Getting close to turkeys in the areas they feel comfortable in will yield very high dividends. I see guys on here talking about being 100 and 150 yards from turkeys when they are working them. Sometimes, that's all you're going to be able to get due to terrain or habitat but most of the time you can get closer. Whether it involves getting up earlier or crawling in the mid 30 extra yards with your face in the dirt, the fewer steps I have to ask a turkey to take to get into gun range translates into a bird that is far more likely to come in for a look.
3. Calling: All things being equal, a great caller will kill far more turkeys than an average or poor caller will. Great callers have turkey rhythm, cadence and they understand that they aren't just making noise: they're communicating and speaking another language. When you begin to understand that vocalizations can be used by hunters to create scenarios that turkeys identify with you'll see higher kill/hunt ratios. When you become extremely proficient and lifelike in your ability to create those sounds, you'll see a striking difference. Most guys I know who say calling skills arent an integral part of turkey hunting don't have them and don't hunt with guys who do.
Adaptability: You cannot hunt turkeys one way or with one method and consistently produce success throughout all phases of the breeding cycle. You also can't hunt turkeys in different parts of the country the way you always do at home. Think outside of the box and use different tactics. A good illustration of what I'm talking about is guys who don't roost turkeys or guys who only hunt fields from tents with decoys. If you want to be a killer, you have to master and recognize scenarios where alternative tactics should be applied.
Well stated.
Never walk out in the open, when it's light.Stay in the trees, and if one is gobbling, don't try to move to close. Find a thick bush, and hide real well. You can usually tell which way he will come, don't move, and have your gun up.
Knowing where the turkeys are and where they want to be is about 95% of it for me.
Esse quam videri
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on May 13, 2017, 07:04:03 PM
1.Knowledge: Whether you're hunting your home turf or a new piece of public ground you've only Internet scouted, understanding and knowing turkeys is critical. You'll see this necessity increase in criticality when you show up and the birds are henned up with minimal gobbling or the weather becomes inclement.
2. Stealth: Getting close to turkeys in the areas they feel comfortable in will yield very high dividends. I see guys on here talking about being 100 and 150 yards from turkeys when they are working them. Sometimes, that's all you're going to be able to get due to terrain or habitat but most of the time you can get closer. Whether it involves getting up earlier or crawling in the mid 30 extra yards with your face in the dirt, the fewer steps I have to ask a turkey to take to get into gun range translates into a bird that is far more likely to come in for a look.
3. Calling: All things being equal, a great caller will kill far more turkeys than an average or poor caller will. Great callers have turkey rhythm, cadence and they understand that they aren't just making noise: they're communicating and speaking another language. When you begin to understand that vocalizations can be used by hunters to create scenarios that turkeys identify with you'll see higher kill/hunt ratios. When you become extremely proficient and lifelike in your ability to create those sounds, you'll see a striking difference. Most guys I know who say calling skills arent an integral part of turkey hunting don't have them and don't hunt with guys who do.
Adaptability: You cannot hunt turkeys one way or with one method and consistently produce success throughout all phases of the breeding cycle. You also can't hunt turkeys in different parts of the country the way you always do at home. Think outside of the box and use different tactics. A good illustration of what I'm talking about is guys who don't roost turkeys or guys who only hunt fields from tents with decoys. If you want to be a killer, you have to master and recognize scenarios where alternative tactics should be applied.
Stated like a turkey killer.
To the newer hunters, you can kill turkeys with just decent calling. But the real killers with the massive number of kills are on another level. I can go to my local impoundment and catch bass. I would not ever place in a high dollar tournament there though. My point is you can learn on the job and I think the really good hunters I know seem to learn all the time.
AWESOME and very well said
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on May 13, 2017, 07:04:03 PM
1.Knowledge: Whether you're hunting your home turf or a new piece of public ground you've only Internet scouted, understanding and knowing turkeys is critical. You'll see this necessity increase in criticality when you show up and the birds are henned up with minimal gobbling or the weather becomes inclement.
2. Stealth: Getting close to turkeys in the areas they feel comfortable in will yield very high dividends. I see guys on here talking about being 100 and 150 yards from turkeys when they are working them. Sometimes, that's all you're going to be able to get due to terrain or habitat but most of the time you can get closer. Whether it involves getting up earlier or crawling in the mid 30 extra yards with your face in the dirt, the fewer steps I have to ask a turkey to take to get into gun range translates into a bird that is far more likely to come in for a look.
3. Calling: All things being equal, a great caller will kill far more turkeys than an average or poor caller will. Great callers have turkey rhythm, cadence and they understand that they aren't just making noise: they're communicating and speaking another language. When you begin to understand that vocalizations can be used by hunters to create scenarios that turkeys identify with you'll see higher kill/hunt ratios. When you become extremely proficient and lifelike in your ability to create those sounds, you'll see a striking difference. Most guys I know who say calling skills arent an integral part of turkey hunting don't have them and don't hunt with guys who do.
Adaptability: You cannot hunt turkeys one way or with one method and consistently produce success throughout all phases of the breeding cycle. You also can't hunt turkeys in different parts of the country the way you always do at home. Think outside of the box and use different tactics. A good illustration of what I'm talking about is guys who don't roost turkeys or guys who only hunt fields from tents with decoys. If you want to be a killer, you have to master and recognize scenarios where alternative tactics should be applied.
Never under estimate the vision of a bird.They can see you from 600 yards, or more.Always wear a face mask, put all black around your eyes.Always wear gloves.Use different camo on a farm, as opposed to a ranch.Use heavy magnum loads.Get down in a ditch if possible.
I have not read all the Posts so this is completely objective based on about 20 years of turkey hunting several states.
1. Persistence- Don't go home at 8:30 because you haven't heard a gobble for an hour I kill more birds between 9-12 than off the roost.
2. Woodsman ship- Learn where the turkeys want to go if you are in a bad location you will rarely call one in / kill that bird
3.Set up- Put some thought into your set up think things through where the turkey is likely to come in how well am I hidden where am I likely to shoot turkeys often do unexpected things but early in my turkey career I blew many more opportunities because of being lazy when setting up.
4.Learn about turkeys- This probably seems like common sense but turkeys do different things and react differently to decoys calls etc from north to south and from March to June. Don't always use the same strutting gobbler decoy and the same loud yelping calling sequence.
5.Callling- See number 4 but the best teacher for me have been live hens and being around real turkeys don't over use the loud yelps there is a time and a place to let that box call sing but soft cluck puts and yelps will call more birds in over a lifetime.
6. Know your weapon and its limitations- Shoot your gun get comfortable with where it patterns and how far you can shoot find the best set up for you. I prefer a scope or red dot it took me missing a few more than I should have before I took sighting my shotgun in serious.
7. Don't put to much pressure on yourself- Early on I would get so focused on killing a bird that I wouldn't truly enjoy the experience to its fullest extent until typically I would kill one or two on that season. At the end of the day its just a turkey we are all out there for the experience.
Quote from: bghunter777 on May 18, 2017, 11:21:33 AM
At the end of the day its just a turkey....
Blasphemy! :toothy12: ;D :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
Public Lands seem to be getting tougher. Late Season-- I use very soft yelps and purring.
#1 key, don't spook em.
^^^this. I have a buddy that goes in late and busts birds off the roost Spring and Fall or walks around bumping birds in early archery season and it DOES change things.
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Location, location, location
I fairly new to turkey hunting and some years have only had a weekend or two to hunt. What I have found to be very consistent is:
* when walking and calling, don't call unless you are prepared to sit on the spot and have a good spot to sit.
* set up is crucial e.g where you sit and how you sit. Too close to edge and you have no way to adjust once the bird is in shooting range, too far and he sees you before the game starts, not enough cover, you might get lucky and if you aren't comfortable, it is a mentally and physically stressful which leads to mistakes.
* soft clucking and purring is absolutely deadly on birds that go silent, you just have to have patience.
* walking in and later walking out knowing that I've had a good time and learned something new is what it's all about for me.
90% location, 10% everything else.
If you are in an area that holds a lot of birds with very little pressure then success seems to be very, very high. That's my experience.
Hard pressured public land you are almost best to hunt later in the day, avoid as many people as you can and call sparingly. That is where the woodmanship seems to come into play more.
I know guys who shoot turkeys on private land every year who lack good hunting skills. However, they don't need them because they are premier access.
Kevin
Being willing to put some walking miles in and lots of scouting are keys for me.
I'm probably going against the grain here, but calling to me is very important. Being able to put urgency in your call helps a lot. Sometimes challenging the gobbler's girlfriends turns a hunt around in a hurry. Not being afraid to make a mistake is important. I've made bad moves before, and will again, but I make far more successful moves than the mistake ones. I've always felt that making a blunder just allows me to hunt again the next day.
Getting as close as possible to the bird is very important, especially in the later part of the season. Take advantage of heavy foliage to get close-gobblers can lose interest very quickly late in the season.
Again, these are just things that have worked for me over the last 34 years.