Turkey Hunting Basics

[cajunhunter]

Thanks for all of the warm welcomes.  There seems to be a wealth of info on the board but much of it seems so detailed and specific.  I am looking for some first year basics.  What time to go out? best way to locate? basic general info that most people take for granted.  Thanks

[Turkey Trot]

Turkey Hunting Secrets is a pretty good video, even though the production values look a little dated today. 

You should find someone that knows how to take you, you'll pick up on it faster that way.

http://www.turkeyhuntingsecrets.com/store/store-tapes-ths-video.htm

[cajunhunter]

There is more info out there than this.

[runngun]

Welcome to OG. You can learn alot here. I will try and give you a few things to think about. If you need help with learning to call, I would suggest Tree top turkeys (CD) pop it in your truck and listen and learn, practice your calling.
Go in and area that you know or believe has turkeys late in the evenings and listen. Most of the time turkeys will gobble when they fly up right at dark but not always. If you do not hear anything blow an owl call. Sometimes they will "shock" gobble at your owling. He answers, you now have a turkey "located".  Now you can get ready for a restless nights sleep. Set clock for "early". I have spent the night in my truck, so a "buddy" don't beat me to my spot. I have got up at 2am and drove 5 minutes from my house to prevent this as well.  Once folks realize you are "serious" or half crazy they will not bother you or try to beat you to the spot. Arrive at the spot one hour or so before daylight, I like to try to get within a hundred yards or so from where I "think" the turkey was the evening before. Keep in mind that sometimes turkeys will move in the night, due to being spooked or fighting with an owl, etc.  Sit down and listen, pay close attention and listen for hens, cause that can be a problem but not always.  If you dont get a turkey located in the evening you can go in the early morning find a sppot where you think a turkey is and listen from there. Right at daylight you can blow a crow call and see if you can get a turkey to gobble. If you locate one this way try to get close as you can and set up and try to call him to you.   There are NO ABSOLUTES in turkeys hunting. What a turkey won't do today, he will tomorrow, and it will get him kilt. Hope I was able to help you a little.   

Good Luck and God Bless
Ray

[wisconsinteacher]

Spend the entire day in the woods.  I have been on more birds from 10-2 than from sun up to 8 than I can think of.  Get a good call and learn how to use it.  From there, add a new call every year.  Pattern your gun to 40 yards and know when to use it.  Let the birds teach you.  I try to do these things every year and so far I have had good luck.

[jblackburn]

Sit still, call only when you need do, and shoot him in the pecker! 

Ok, seriously, that's not far from the truth. Patience is key. Turkeys will drive you crazy, but that is a huge part of the fun!  Beyond that, don't be one of the back at the truck at 8:30 am turkey hunters.  Most gobblers that do not run in off the roost are feeding and breeding (or trying to) for at least an hour off the roost.  After that it is loafing time (hey, we all need a nap after a big meal or time with the wife!).   

After 10:00 is a great time to kill a longbeard!

[Huntress]

Last year was my very first year ever hunting turkey.  I went with a ground blind since I chose to hunt with my crossbow and my son...  I bought some quality decoys...  Avian X quarter Strut jake was AMAAING!  ....set them 20 yards out from the blind and the rest is history...

I started out with a pot call since it was so easy to work and bought a couple of videos to watch and study.  My son and I also watched the Outdoor Channel incessantly and we learned alot.  Unfortunately, I didn't know this forum was here last year...  we didn't know a soul who hunted or had ever hunted turkey so we relied on TV and videos...

Our top 3 video picks for learning calls/turkey hunting:
Turkey Time University volumns I & II  and HS Strut:  So You Want to Be A Turkey Hunter

[cajunhunter]

Do I need Decoys?  I went to buy them from the supporter DSD and everything sold out.  What would be a good alternative?  How many do I need? Like to make a setup.

[Tail Feathers]

A lot of folks don't use decoys at all.
DSD's are excellent dekes but they are costly.
You can use one or five, it varies.  More may attract the birds or scare them off.
Turkey behavior can be hard to predict.
If you hunt mostly wooded area, you may not want any decoys.
If you hunt fields or open areas, you may want one or more.

[longspur]

Remember they have periscopes and ther eyes are only about a half inch from the top of there head. They know EXACTLY where the sound came from and they can see your eyeballs move. Time is not part of a turkeys life. The odds are stacked heaveily aganst you and that's what makes it so sweet when you bust ones head. GO GIT EM

[Huntress]

Do I need Decoys?  I went to buy them from the supporter DSD and everything sold out.  What would be a good alternative?  How many do I need? Like to make a setup.

Cabela's sells them, don't they?