I assume we've all read about old timers saying a turkey can see your eyes , I remember an very successful older turkey hunter saying an old gobbler can spot a man sitting at a tree, thinking we all should be wearing lighter camo. How do you more experienced turkey slayers feel about it ? What other myths , facts or legends have you heard of? I mean what he said was an old gobbler looks at the base of trees for hunters
Turkeys cannot see through trees as some have reported.
They can, however, see around trees so you better be still.
Old Timer's sayings... 1) A turkey can spot a tick crawling up the bark of a tree at 200 yards. 2) Making one putt a turkey knows the tree you're sitting under at 200 yards.
A deer thinks every hunter is a tree, but a turkey thinks every tree is a hunter.
Best thing you can do is sit still and only move when you can get away with it. I'm sure I've had plenty take notice of my eyes blinking when they get close, may not spook but body language tells me they have taken notice and keep a safe distance away. A turkey that's been sprayed and run at and lived can get pretty darn sharp. I suspect that's what was meant. I call them devil turkeys. The kind that goes to putting the instant he comes into sight no matter how well hid you are, decoys or no, and always seem to know what's going on. If you've ever hunted one then you know what I am talking about. Thank the Good LORD there ain't many of them.
I don't believe none of it. Or maybe I do but allow me to explain. I believe if turkey are real pressured they get slicker. Ok that being said my older daughter hates covering her face. She uses any excuse to uncover it. Her face, neck, blonde hair and whatever hooded shirt she's wearing showing. Never once seen a bird blow coming in with her completely sitting like that. Hair blowing in the wind, face, neck, eyes exposed. I was amazed what her doing so taught me. I'd not recommend this but I've kee kee by mouth whistle birds in twice wearing a red wool rich jacket. Those flocks didn't spook either.
Now how bout this one. The state was doing trap/ transfer a biologist told me. The cannon net had an extension cord going to it. When the birds saw that cord they totally freaked. He said after that they had to be real careful to cover cord.
Turkeys can swim as good as they can fly ...
#1 Myth, "That turkey is call shy" . LMAO.
That's a 4 year old, I can tell by his gobble. (???)
A turkey can hear what your thinking.
Patience kills turkeys. (My opinion, for every one it kills, 3 or 4 get to live another day).
Can't call a turkey uphill. Can't call a gobbler across a creek. Both have merritt but are simply not always true.
If a turkey could smell like a deer, we would never kill one.
That's a 25lbr, I have never looked at a turkey and could tell how big he was, but hear someone tell me every year they saw a huge bird.
As far as turkeys seeing you, be still, play the shadows and they will see you a lot less, have had birds pick me off for no apparent reason and have had birds seem blind and dumb at the same time!
Quote from: Spitten and drummen on March 09, 2020, 07:12:12 PM
Can't call a turkey uphill. Can't call a gobbler across a creek. Both have merritt but are simply not always true.
i've always heard the opposite. "can't call a bird downhill"
where i live you're either going uphill or down. i've killed one bird coming down hill in my life. maybe these sayings actually dictate how we choose to hunt? lol i was taught to stay above the bird, hence i killed most birds as they came uphill
"Turkeys going to do what a turkeys going to do." Was the first saying I ever heard... As the guy explained learn what a turkey does.
As far as I have seen, it's motion more than anything that will get you busted. Couple of years ago I was out taking down a blind after season ended, drove my quad in right to it, parked and started on it, next thing I hear is a gobble, I kept working and another gobble and he's closer, I finally am packing blind in bag and next thing is I have that tom walking within yards of me just in the timber. I froze and he went right on by and still gobbling as he went. I was wearing some jeans and a shirt, no camo and he never spooked.
MK M GOBL
A smart old Tom can see an Optic lense at 100 yards...... :turkey2:
Turkeys know that's a hunter calling.
Every thing I read so far is true ;D
Quote from: bigriverbum on March 09, 2020, 07:31:19 PM
Quote from: Spitten and drummen on March 09, 2020, 07:12:12 PM
Can't call a turkey uphill. Can't call a gobbler across a creek. Both have merritt but are simply not always true.
i've always heard the opposite. "can't call a bird downhill"
where i live you're either going uphill or down. i've killed one bird coming down hill in my life. maybe these sayings actually dictate how we choose to hunt? lol i was taught to stay above the bird, hence i killed most birds as they came uphill
I'm with you on this one, always heard you can't call one downhill. If he has the high vantage point, he's gonna wait on the hen to show herself.
I don't know whether they can hear you blinking, or see you blinking...
I have had jakes walk up very close to me, obviously concentrating on my eyes though (while I was holding very still). Never have let a tom get close enough for such an inspection.
I do know that they can hear talking and whispering... It might not scare them most times, but no doubt they can hear it... And I have little doubt that there have been birds coming in that heard talking or whispering that never showed for the hunters having that conversation. I tend to hunt silently...
I've seen turkeys called down hill, up hill, cross beaver dams, fly across creeks, come through thickets and across wide open fields. Point being, they will go where they want, when they want at their own pace.
To quote one of our own wise sages, "Turkeys always follow their beak".
Quote from: gergg on March 09, 2020, 07:16:04 PM
If a turkey could smell like a deer, we would never kill one.
I'd pretty much agree with that one.. :icon_thumright:
Them tarkeys cain't larn nuthin' with thet thar little pee-brane of thar's...
Quote from: GobbleNut on March 10, 2020, 12:33:36 AM
Them tarkeys cain't larn nuthin' with thet thar little pee-brane of thar's...
and they drown if they look up in the rain donchta know?
Quote from: Marc on March 09, 2020, 10:47:53 PM
I don't know whether they can hear you blinking, or see you blinking...
I have had jakes walk up very close to me, obviously concentrating on my eyes though (while I was holding very still). Never have let a tom get close enough for such an inspection.
I do know that they can hear talking and whispering... It might not scare them most times, but no doubt they can hear it... And I have little doubt that there have been birds coming in that heard talking or whispering that never showed for the hunters having that conversation. I tend to hunt silently...
I had one coming in on a string and I didn't move a muscle but cut my eyes left cause I wanted to watch him walk in. When I did he immediately stopped ran that neck up adjusted those wings turned around and walked right back the way he came.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Don't forget about the old mossyhead
I raised some as a kid and have hunted them all my life. They are concerned with two things mainly, eating and procreating and will peck your eyes out over either. They don't reason, they react. They get conditioned for response. Once you learn that you can pretty much have your way with them.
"If'n you cain't call 'em all in an kill 'em, it is cuz you ain't as guud at it as I am"....
"you just don't know how to call"
Top 10 Louisiana myths. ( more of a top 10 techniques than myths)
1. Remove your muffler before season because turkeys can't hear trucks.
2. Door slamming and talking loudly to your buddy has no effect on Gobbling turkeys.
3. Any trail no matter how narrow or the fact that it is off limits to vehicles, should be driven down as far as you can get, because walking is bad for your health.
4.When you get to the end of the trail(see #3) throw all your garbage out on both sides of the trail. Household garbage, appliances(stoves,refrigerators etc.) and any beer cans or candy wrappers that has accumulated on the floorboard. Because Gobblers are attracted to garbage.
5. Do not for any reason wake up early or even try to get to your hunting area before daylight. It is much better to wait until Gobbling time and then drive your beat up truck( see muffler modification recommendation #1) 60 miles an hour down dirt roads slinging gravel. Drive up and down every road or trail drive right up to anyone you see or any parked vehicle. Then back up turn around and repeat until you have shut every gobbler in the area completely up.
6. Squawk on your box call as loud and fast as possible for as long as you can, while breathing from your mouth (the breathing technique is important) all real Turkey hunters are mouth breathers, your grandpa said so.
7. When by some accident you hear a Gobbler immediately start in his direction blowing a crow call as loud as possible while you stumble in his direction. Do not stop calling even after the Gobbler shuts up keep at it. When you think your close to were he was Gobbling just keep circling the area alternating blowing on the crow call and squawking on the box call.
8. Best time to use a crow call is in the black dark as early as possible preferably an hour before daylight. Best time to owl hoot is 2pm on sunny days.
9. When you hear another hunter calling to a Gobbler, go help him call! You've probably already met him during the #5 technique and he'll be glad to see you again. Just stomp as loud as possible toward the Gobbler using the proven crow/box call combo.
10. Start your season on your deer lease. After the second day of the season and you have completely shut every turkey on your lease down or ran him off the property, head directly to the nearest public land, after 8am of course. Spend as much time as you can meeting the other hunters and seeing if they are having any luck. Complain about the lack of turkeys and how much better it was in 1975, even though you started turkey hunting 3 years ago. About April 15 drive to Texas and pay to hunt over a deer feeder... kill two turkeys. Then post 100 pictures on Facebook so everyone will know you still got it!
Quote from: LaLongbeard on March 10, 2020, 09:59:29 AM
Top 10 Louisiana myths. ( more of a top 10 techniques than myths)
1. Remove your muffler before season because turkeys can't hear trucks.
2. Door slamming and talking loudly to your buddy has no effect on Gobbling turkeys.
3. Any trail no matter how narrow or the fact that it is off limits to vehicles, should be driven down as far as you can get, because walking is bad for your health.
4.When you get to the end of the trail(see #3) throw all your garbage out on both sides of the trail. Household garbage, appliances(stoves,refrigerators etc.) and any beer cans or candy wrappers that has accumulated on the floorboard. Because Gobblers are attracted to garbage.
5. Do not for any reason wake up early or even try to get to your hunting area before daylight. It is much better to wait until Gobbling time and then drive your beat up truck( see muffler modification recommendation #1) 60 miles an hour down dirt roads slinging gravel. Drive up and down every road or trail drive right up to anyone you see or any parked vehicle. Then back up turn around and repeat until you have shut every gobbler in the area completely up.
6. Squawk on your box call as loud and fast as possible for as long as you can, while breathing from your mouth (the breathing technique is important) all real Turkey hunters are mouth breathers, your grandpa said so.
7. When by some accident you hear a Gobbler immediately start in his direction blowing a crow call as loud as possible while you stumble in his direction. Do not stop calling even after the Gobbler shuts up keep at it. When you think your close to were he was Gobbling just keep circling the area alternating blowing on the crow call and squawking on the box call.
8. Best time to use a crow call is in the black dark as early as possible preferably an hour before daylight. Best time to owl hoot is 2pm on sunny days.
9. When you hear another hunter calling to a Gobbler, go help him call! You've probably already met him during the #5 technique and he'll be glad to see you again. Just stomp as loud as possible toward the Gobbler using the proven crow/box call combo.
10. Start your season on your deer lease. After the second day of the season and you have completely shut every turkey on your lease down or ran him off the property, head directly to the nearest public land, after 8am of course. Spend as much time as you can meeting the other hunters and seeing if they are having any luck. Complain about the lack of turkeys and how much better it was in 1975, even though you started turkey hunting 3 years ago. About April 15 drive to Texas and pay to hunt over a deer feeder... kill two turkeys. Then post 100 pictures on Facebook so everyone will know you still got it!
Man , you are spot on. And this folks , about sums it up.
Quote from: Spitten and drummen on March 10, 2020, 10:06:00 AM
Quote from: LaLongbeard on March 10, 2020, 09:59:29 AM
Top 10 Louisiana myths. ( more of a top 10 techniques than myths)
1. Remove your muffler before season because turkeys can't hear trucks.
2. Door slamming and talking loudly to your buddy has no effect on Gobbling turkeys.
3. Any trail no matter how narrow or the fact that it is off limits to vehicles, should be driven down as far as you can get, because walking is bad for your health.
4.When you get to the end of the trail(see #3) throw all your garbage out on both sides of the trail. Household garbage, appliances(stoves,refrigerators etc.) and any beer cans or candy wrappers that has accumulated on the floorboard. Because Gobblers are attracted to garbage.
5. Do not for any reason wake up early or even try to get to your hunting area before daylight. It is much better to wait until Gobbling time and then drive your beat up truck( see muffler modification recommendation #1) 60 miles an hour down dirt roads slinging gravel. Drive up and down every road or trail drive right up to anyone you see or any parked vehicle. Then back up turn around and repeat until you have shut every gobbler in the area completely up.
6. Squawk on your box call as loud and fast as possible for as long as you can, while breathing from your mouth (the breathing technique is important) all real Turkey hunters are mouth breathers, your grandpa said so.
7. When by some accident you hear a Gobbler immediately start in his direction blowing a crow call as loud as possible while you stumble in his direction. Do not stop calling even after the Gobbler shuts up keep at it. When you think your close to were he was Gobbling just keep circling the area alternating blowing on the crow call and squawking on the box call.
8. Best time to use a crow call is in the black dark as early as possible preferably an hour before daylight. Best time to owl hoot is 2pm on sunny days.
9. When you hear another hunter calling to a Gobbler, go help him call! You've probably already met him during the #5 technique and he'll be glad to see you again. Just stomp as loud as possible toward the Gobbler using the proven crow/box call combo.
10. Start your season on your deer lease. After the second day of the season and you have completely shut every turkey on your lease down or ran him off the property, head directly to the nearest public land, after 8am of course. Spend as much time as you can meeting the other hunters and seeing if they are having any luck. Complain about the lack of turkeys and how much better it was in 1975, even though you started turkey hunting 3 years ago. About April 15 drive to Texas and pay to hunt over a deer feeder... kill two turkeys. Then post 100 pictures on Facebook so everyone will know you still got it!
Man , you are spot on. And this folks , about sums it up.
pretty good, but you forgot to shoot your shotgun at dawn because turkeys will gobble at gunshots I've heard them do it
Quote from: hotspur on March 10, 2020, 11:11:33 AM
pretty good, but you forgot to shoot your shotgun at dawn because turkeys will gobble at gunshots I've heard them do it
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Gun shots are a favorite but so are truck horns. Last season I had been listening to 3 Gobbler every morning before the opener for a week. They started at daylight and gobbled pretty good till 9 or 10 am. All three roosted within a 1/4 mile of a gas line right of way but each a couple hundred yards apart. Opening day a guy drove his pos truck into the middle of the gas line and steadily honked the horn for 30 min by the clock lol. I know for a fact a turkey did not gobble anywhere in the area for a solid week after the opening day debacle. Probably a hundred trucks in the area not a single shot fired from daylight to dark ?
Louisiana is a very competitive state we are every year in the running for number 1 in worst roads/highways, lowest literacy, lowest testing scores. But the area the state shines in? Louisiana has the worst turkey hunters in North America, it's not even a close race. Alaska no doubt has better turkey hunters than La. I've hunted a lot of states and I feel confident La will not be beaten in this regard.
I've heard the statement that turkeys won't cross fences. However, I have experiences that say if the tom really wants what is on the other side of the fence, he will cross it.
Quote from: LaLongbeard on March 10, 2020, 12:49:14 PM
Quote from: hotspur on March 10, 2020, 11:11:33 AM
pretty good, but you forgot to shoot your shotgun at dawn because turkeys will gobble at gunshots I've heard them do it
Gun shots are a favorite but so are truck horns. Last season I had been listening to 3 Gobbler every morning before the opener for a week. They started at daylight and gobbled pretty good till 9 or 10 am. All three roosted within a 1/4 mile of a gas line right of way but each a couple hundred yards apart. Opening day a guy drove his pos truck into the middle of the gas line and steadily honked the horn for 30 min by the clock lol. I know for a fact a turkey did not gobble anywhere in the area for a solid week after the opening day debacle. Probably a hundred trucks in the area not a single shot fired from daylight to dark ?
Louisiana is a very competitive state we are every year in the running for number 1 in worst roads/highways, lowest literacy, lowest testing scores. But the area the state shines in? Louisiana has the worst turkey hunters in North America, it's not even a close race. Alaska no doubt has better turkey hunters than La. I've hunted a lot of states and I feel confident La will not be beaten in this regard.
[/quote]
Lived in LA my whole life, killed my first 3 birds in LA 14 years ago
Haven't hunted in my own state for turkeys since then
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
a turkey can see you wiggle your toes while you have your boots on..
Quote from: LaLongbeard on March 10, 2020, 12:49:14 PM
Quote from: hotspur on March 10, 2020, 11:11:33 AM
pretty good, but you forgot to shoot your shotgun at dawn because turkeys will gobble at gunshots I've heard them do it
Gun shots are a favorite but so are truck horns. Last season I had been listening to 3 Gobbler every morning before the opener for a week. They started at daylight and gobbled pretty good till 9 or 10 am. All three roosted within a 1/4 mile of a gas line right of way but each a couple hundred yards apart. Opening day a guy drove his pos truck into the middle of the gas line and steadily honked the horn for 30 min by the clock lol. I know for a fact a turkey did not gobble anywhere in the area for a solid week after the opening day debacle. Probably a hundred trucks in the area not a single shot fired from daylight to dark ?
Louisiana is a very competitive state we are every year in the running for number 1 in worst roads/highways, lowest literacy, lowest testing scores. But the area the state shines in? Louisiana has the worst turkey hunters in North America, it's not even a close race. Alaska no doubt has better turkey hunters than La. I've hunted a lot of states and I feel confident La will not be beaten in this regard.
[/quote]
Ya but Missouri is still #1 in meth labs, suck it LA
I don't believe in sitting out in the open. Too many things can happen, that will spook the bird.I hide well in brush, or downed trees.I do lay out in the open at times, but I use the lay of the land for an advantage.
Well, say what you will...or believe what you will...but I've had them pick me up by seeing my eyes. If I'm calling a bird in and there are hens involved I always spin my head net around and look through the netting. I've had close hens see my eyes, but not if my headnet is spun.
Quote from: Bearcat1997 on March 10, 2020, 04:00:53 PM
I've heard the statement that turkeys won't cross fences. However, I have experiences that say if the tom really wants what is on the other side of the fence, he will cross it.
Years back I was w a buddy. I actually didn't bring my gun. We walked in n got em to gobble and start in relatively quickly.
He passed by me hunkered down n stuffed his 10 ga in my hands, said "you're shooting".
5 gobblers flew over a goat fence and came to us. 4 left
Just when you think they won't, they will. Just when you think they will, they won't. At least around here.
Quote from: Turkeyman on March 11, 2020, 06:37:27 AM
Well, say what you will...or believe what you will...but I've had them pick me up by seeing my eyes. If I'm calling a bird in and there are hens involved I always spin my head net around and look through the netting. I've had close hens see my eyes, but not if my headnet is spun.
Good advice. Thanks
I think they can definitely spot a guy at the base of tree. And probably see eyes too.
You got to think... everything wants to eat them. Especially coyotes, so a lot of ground level predators for a turkey. I think they can pop up a ridge and scan real quick for anything that shouldn't be there.
I've always felt, that if you can see the turkey, the turkey can see you. Unless it's of course looking away at the moment.
Movement is everything. They can see, but its the movement that catches their eye. I've been unmasked in a clear cut next to a sun bleached stump and had a bird walk to where I thought about grabbing it. Wasn't until he finished his loop and stepped behind my strutter I lifted my gun. He caught that movement all right and presented his neck for a clean kill. That was one bird though.
Something I heard as a tip from Elk hunting that I use on turkeys that also seams real. Humans have eyes on the front of their face like a predator. Don't look at an elk when you cross paths archery hunting. Instead keep you head down and look at its feet. When the time is right look up while drawing your bow, and shoot. Fast forward to elk season and this was all but the case. Come across a cow elk and keep you head down not to present your eyes and she would hang out, even walk by, and not alert the bull she was with. When I heard this and then experienced it. I had to draw the similarity to turkeys and why I think the myth is they can see the whites of your eyes. Could it be true more in the fact in that is what they are looking for.... where are the eyes on this other animal? In the front like a coyote, opposum, raccoon, bear, wolf, etc? Or on the sides like an ungulate?
When you spot question mark shaped turkey poop underneath a tree, you can rest assured that gobblers are using it as a roosting spot.
Can't call one down hill, or they will spot the whites of your eyes.