Turkey hunting newbie with questions

[koribustard]

I've just started turkey hunting (although I've done a lot of quail and pheasant) and have a few questions that I hope someone will have the patience to answer.

1) Locating turkey:  I see turkey in my yard fairly frequently and my house backs up to several square miles of federal land that allows hunting.   I've been out a few mornings, found some good cover near a clearing or meadow, and sat and called with no success.   Question:  What am I looking for in terms of good turkey terrain, vegetation, etc.?  I live near the coast and we have a lot of sandy ground, pitch pines, and scrub oak.

2) Preferred ammo:  I haven't gotten a shot yet, but if I did I'd be shooting Remington Premier Magnum Turkey Loads (#6)....comments?

3)  Calling:  I'm by no means a good caller yet.  I use a diaphragm (to keep my hands free) and I "think" I'm mimicking a "yelp" and a  "cluck" okay (but I'm not a turkey -- though some may disagree -- so who knows).  Question: What is the best call method for a complete novice.

4) Any comments on general approach and strategy would be helpful.  Also, I've set up a game camera a few times but still haven't captured turkey despite the fact they show up in my yard from time to time.  However, my game cam has located quite a few deer.

Thanks for any advice!

[o2stk1]

I assume your are going to try spring time hunts, to locate try getting on a hill overlooking some bottoms and draws and put em to bed. they are pretty vocal when flying up for the night. imho a pot call or box is a little easier for the novice to run. push pull calls also. there are some good trky sounds on line to listen to and try to learn from if you don't have someone to show you. pattern your gun all are diff. I shoot 5s try some 4/ 5 /6 and see which has the denser pattern at say30 yards. try setting back in the brush somewhat not in front. check around work, church, school games ect. and see if you can find someone who hunt them, most will help you, most wont take you to their spots. good luck its lots of fun and after 20+years they can still make you shake your head

[renegade19]

I've just started turkey hunting (although I've done a lot of quail and pheasant) and have a few questions that I hope someone will have the patience to answer.

1) Locating turkey:  I see turkey in my yard fairly frequently and my house backs up to several square miles of federal land that allows hunting.   I've been out a few mornings, found some good cover near a clearing or meadow, and sat and called with no success.   Question:  What am I looking for in terms of good turkey terrain, vegetation, etc.?  I live near the coast and we have a lot of sandy ground, pitch pines, and scrub oak.

2) Preferred ammo:  I haven't gotten a shot yet, but if I did I'd be shooting Remington Premier Magnum Turkey Loads (#6)....comments?

3)  Calling:  I'm by no means a good caller yet.  I use a diaphragm (to keep my hands free) and I "think" I'm mimicking a "yelp" and a  "cluck" okay (but I'm not a turkey -- though some may disagree -- so who knows).  Question: What is the best call method for a complete novice.

4) Any comments on general approach and strategy would be helpful.  Also, I've set up a game camera a few times but still haven't captured turkey despite the fact they show up in my yard from time to time.  However, my game cam has located quite a few deer.

Thanks for any advice!

1. Scout.  They go where they go but often do the same things daily.  Look for turkey sign....poop, areas where they've scratched, feathers, tracks, dust bowls. 

2.  Whatever works for you.  shoot a little and see.  Check the forum areas that pertain to guns and ammo and see if anyone shoots your setup.

3.  I think a slate call is the easiest to learn on.  Practice, practice, practice.

4.  Lots of tactics work.  Sometimes it depends on the calling, sometimes not.  It's never bad to be where they're headed before they get there.  Get out, enjoy the experience and don't be afraid to think outside the box from time to time.

Good Luck!!!

[renegade19]

PS:  You'll learn something new every trip.  And, just when you think you've figured them out, they'll make you look silly all over again.

[willy8457]

If you are hunting in the fall look for food sources, Most of a turkeys day is spent feeding, if you can locate what they are feeding on you will find turkeys.

[koribustard]

Thanks for the tips.  I should have mentioned that we're in the middle of a two week fall hunt.  What's driving me crazy is that I see them around the roads and houses (where I can't hunt) but when I scout around in the wooded areas behind the roads and houses where it is legal, I can find no sign of them.   I'll keep looking and will check my trail cam today.

[mikejd]

By the way. Welcome aboard. And you have come to the right place. Some of the very best turkey hunters around on here. I hope we can answer all of your questions.