Quote from: Moore on September 17, 2014, 12:02:18 AM
So on the way to work I'm see three long birds in this field every day I as I go to work. I'm going to try to fall turkey hunter. Just looking for advice on how to hunt the fall birds.
This will be the first time in many years that I miss the fall season unless I go to Kentucky to hunt with a friend or back to Illinois for a brief trip and hunt.
Patterning them will certainly help. Birds start to really "flock up" in the fall. Mature gobblers don't do that however. You may see 2 or 3 together or a mature gobbler and some subordinate birds of jakes but they won't be in those large flocks of 100 or more that are common in the fall.
The classic scatter and call back really does work. That's mainly what I've done for many years. If you can locate an area where turkeys are (the number one rule for turkey hunting success) then find a flock, scatter them, either by running at them yelling, barking like a dog or shooting in the air, you can sit down, wait just a few minutes and start to call. I use a kee-kee and then just imitate whatever call they are using. They will come back.
If you can go out the evening before you plan to hunt and locate where the birds are roosting and then scatter them once they are on the roost, that also works. You come back the next morning and call. They will try to regroup. Please check regulations in your area to make sure this strategy is legal where you are of course.
Fall hunting is great fun and you'll learn more about turkey behaviour than you ever can in the spring. You'll hear the various calls they make and be able to watch how they interact. Fall hunting made me a better spring hunter.
I hope you have a great time.
Thanks,
Clark
