Advice for a "newer" turkey hunter

[logy]

Hey all,

I am wanting to get some advice. I started hunting turkeys back in 2009. Around 2015-2020, life got a little busy for me so turkey hunting took a backseat. I ended up going back to school and starting a new career. I was able to sneak in a little hunting then, but I wasnt super successful. During Covid, I started turkey hunting again and the spots I normally went to, had people hunting them. I have always hunted difficult spots (requires alot of hiking energy to get to any good turkey hunting). So that left me trying to find a new spot. I somehow decided to give this one spot a shot and it has turned into my turkey hole. It is off the beaten path, it is difficult to hike, and it is a "smallish" public spot. I have had a lot of good action on that spot. I have called in a couple hens over the years, worked quite a few gobblers, and had a lot of close call. The close calls where: 1) I somehow missed a shot (I watched this turkey strut and gobble for about 30 minutes and I think I got emotionally attached to him). 2) I am awful at judging ranges and I thought the turkeys where out of range, when in reality they where about 40 yards from me. 3) Bumped the birds one day because they made 0 sounds until they putted at me.

I know this piece of property very well. I kinda "know" where they like to roost. But what I have noticed is, they aren't always on that property. Sometimes they are on the private property next to it.

With that stated I got pointed in another direction at this other piece of public property to go hunt. No clue why it doesnt get hit harder, but it just doesnt. Last season, I was going to this place little more then my other one because it was a little closer to my house and a couple times I could stop by that place after leaving work. My problem is I don't know that piece of property like I know that smaller one. This piece is just over 1000 acres. A lot of is big timber, lots of ridges, and a couple tall grass fields/ fields that got planted with trees, and with some private property agriculture fields in the area.

The questions I have are the following:
1) Im struggling with putting the picture together on this big acrea parcel. It seems like their are endless food sources for them on this land. What are other things that I need to look for that will help me complete this picture?
2) would you branch out into learning more about this new parcel, or would you just stick to the smaller piece knowing the limitations it brings?

[GobbleNut]

On both properties, the very first thing I would be doing is determining if turkeys are roosting on either of them (or close by) by being on each of them at first light in the morning and listening from a good vantage point for gobbling.  If I heard gobbling, I would (mentally) mark those roost sites for future hunts and additionally try to pattern those birds as to what they are doing when they leave the roost to determine where to set up on them. I would then initially focus on hunting those birds on early morning/daylight roost hunts.

If I determine no turkeys are roosting on either property, but are perhaps roosting on another property within earshot, I would then focus on choosing a location where I could call to those birds and maybe pull them over to my side. (Note: since these are public areas, there may well be other hunters that may be doing the above already. If so, you will have to adjust your hunting tactics due to that fact. If not, consider yourself very lucky.)

If I find that neither of those options is feasible (don't hear gobbling turkeys anywhere), but know that turkeys are coming onto the properties during the day, I would evaluate the terrain and vegetative features and make an educated guess as to where it would be most advantageous to set up for daytime hunts.

In all cases, apply good calling tactics and patience based on the circumstances (which it sounds like you have been doing already since you have had encounters with gobblers in the past). And finally,...shoot straight!    

[logy]

When do you start listening for morning gobbling? A month out from the season start date? Do you just wake up some mornings and go into the woods?

You brought up a lot of good points in that reply. Years previous, I never really roosted birds the night before a hunt. I am going to try and add that tatic into my overall strategry. I would just show up in the morning, listen, and then make a move. If I didnt hear anything I would pack up and leave.

Another flaw I have identified is a huge lack of patience on my end. I had a lot of personal things going on starting in 2021 that made relaxing in the woods hard. To compound that, I was watching a lot of hunting videos online and I was expecting the hunt to be "30 minutes" long. My goal is to do some longer sits this year.

I have a little one at home so, sneaking away this season might be a little more challenging. What are some preseason prepartion you would do if you where planning on doing later morning sits? Say 10 am.

I guess my previous strategy has been more of the following: 1) lets wing it and see what happens. 2) Run and gun with aggressive calling. I feel this strategy is based on luck.

[davisd9]

Hunt to learn not to kill.

[logy]

Hunt to learn not to kill.

Thats why it is called Turkey hunting and not Turkey Killing!

[GobbleNut]

When do you start listening for morning gobbling? A month out from the season start date? Do you just wake up some mornings and go into the woods?

You brought up a lot of good points in that reply. Years previous, I never really roosted birds the night before a hunt. I am going to try and add that tatic into my overall strategry. I would just show up in the morning, listen, and then make a move. If I didnt hear anything I would pack up and leave.
 

In my experience, you are much more likely to hear gobbling approximately 30 minutes before sunrise (and fifteen minutes on either side of that) than any other time of day.  If you have been on either property during that time period and have not heard gobbling anywhere, that would make me suspect that there might not be gobblers roosting on the properties or within earshot. 

Evening listening for gobbling on the roost is a bit "iffy".  There are places where it is worthwhile...and there are places where it is pretty much a waste of time.  In either case, using a locator call may entice a response from a gobbler that might not otherwise sound off.

When you should start listening for roost gobbling prior to your season can vary some. You might hear gobbling a month or more before your season starts due to WHEN your season starts in relation to the onset of breeding behavior by your turkeys. Where I hunt, I have found that the gobblers will start reliably gobbling on the roost a couple of weeks before the start of the season here. I think if you can be on those properties at daylight until sun-up a week or so before the season, you will get a pretty good idea if there are gobblers around.

If you try evening roosting to listen for gobbling, I have found that the period from about fifteen minutes after sunset to full darkness is when our birds will gobble on the evening roost. If you do not hear volunteer gobbling during either period, try using a loud locator call to entice gobbling. Also, if possible, I always try to listen for roost gobbling on calm mornings and/or evenings. 

Hope that helps...   

[Paulmyr]

I'd hunt both properties and be on the lookout to add more. You can never have too many spots.

This close to the season my scouting will be from the perimeter, mostly with my ears. Early mourning listening for roost locations and possibly keeping tabs on their direction of travel if they gobble much past fly down. After flydown I'll patrol the main roads looking for tracks on the softer shoulders and around puddles.

The big area I'd hunt to get familiar with it this season and save more invasive scouting for the off-season.

Later in the morning is when I kill a majority of my gobblers. Tips for late morning approaches would be tough without having knowledge of the properties. You'll get a feel for them as time passes if your able to hit the woods enough.

[logy]

Later in the morning is when I kill a majority of my gobblers. Tips for late morning approaches would be tough without having knowledge of the properties. You'll get a feel for them as time passes if your able to hit the woods enough.

You are 100% right. That bigger piece of property just feels overwhelming to scout due to the size. I did about 5 miles of hiking the other day and left with what feels 0 information. I just need to realize I have only hunted that piece a couple of times and it is going to take some time to learn.

I'd hunt both properties and be on the lookout to add more. You can never have too many spots.

You are 100% right. I have been researching a lot of RX burns and how turkeys seem to love that area. Interesting enought the national forest in my area has been doing some burns in some areas I want to go check out. Anyone else have experience with prescribed burns and turkey hunting?

[Paulmyr]

Advice on National Forest burn sites? Hunt em!

[Marc]

If the little one is big enough, take them along for some scouting...  I took mine when they were little, and they really enjoyed it.  Staying on logging roads and pulling a wagon if necessary...  Stop for ice cream (or pancakes) on the way home, and they will want to go again!

I enjoy scouting an new area after a rain, when there are moist areas where footprints are visible.  Look for footprints, poop, feathers....  Listen for birds.  Anywhere I hunt, I look for pooled water and any prints around it.

As GobbleNut points out, morning gobbling is much more reliable than evening  (all of his advice is generally good)...  I like to get on a high point where I can hear birds from multiple directions...

I will try a locator call, but if I do not hear birds, I will pull out a box call while scouting.  If I am not seeing sign, and cannot get a response, I am not generally going to hunt that area.

I have also found that most areas I hunt, 90% of the birds are on 10% of the property...  1000 acres is a good piece of property, and if you can find that 10% that the birds are on or travel through, it can lend to some good hunting experiences.

And areas of preferences can change (burns, drought, etc.).  Do NOT forget binoculars!  I hunt rolling oaks with a few pines...  Birds in my area have a strong preference for Digger Pines as far as roosting.  Bowl-type areas are also a strong preference for roosting.

[bbcoach]

From your follow up responses logy, you have realized that Patience is your biggest obstacle.  Turkeys, for the most part, aren't patternable.  They don't do the same thing or go to a certain place or have a time to be there, every day.  They don't have watches and are ON TURKEY TIME.  You are doing the right thing by scouting and locating birds and their travel routes.  Turkey hunting is a LEARNING experience that HAS to be taken with a BIG gulp of patience.  So slow down, continue learning from your mistakes and ENJOY ALL the experiences this sport has to offer. 

[logy]

From your follow up responses logy, you have realized that Patience is your biggest obstacle.  Turkeys, for the most part, aren't patternable.  They don't do the same thing or go to a certain place or have a time to be there, every day.  They don't have watches and are ON TURKEY TIME.  You are doing the right thing by scouting and locating birds and their travel routes.  Turkey hunting is a LEARNING experience that HAS to be taken with a BIG gulp of patience.  So slow down, continue learning from your mistakes and ENJOY ALL the experiences this sport has to offer.

I made a couple upgrades to my gear to aid in these sits. My new mindset is being patient like I am deer hunting. The upgrades I made to my gear deals with comfort. I got some new boots (Lowa Renegrades), bought a new pair of pants and top, but more importantly got a gobbler lounge.

[bbcoach]

From your follow up responses logy, you have realized that Patience is your biggest obstacle.  Turkeys, for the most part, aren't patternable.  They don't do the same thing or go to a certain place or have a time to be there, every day.  They don't have watches and are ON TURKEY TIME.  You are doing the right thing by scouting and locating birds and their travel routes.  Turkey hunting is a LEARNING experience that HAS to be taken with a BIG gulp of patience.  So slow down, continue learning from your mistakes and ENJOY ALL the experiences this sport has to offer.

I made a couple upgrades to my gear to aid in these sits. My new mindset is being patient like I am deer hunting. The upgrades I made to my gear deals with comfort. I got some new boots (Lowa Renegrades), bought a new pair of pants and top, but more importantly got a gobbler lounge.

The seat will make setting a lot more comfortable and nap in LOL (which I am firm believer in), but many will tell you when you are ready to move to another area or place, give yourself 30 to 45 minutes more.  Personally, when I haven't seen or heard anything for a good while and my mind is saying, time to go, I'll set a time on my phone and stay till the time is up. 

[bwhana]

All good tips but I'll add a simple one that may or may not have burned me before. When you setup on a bird, try not to choose a tree with saplings or other trees close in front of you that prevent you from moving your gun left or right. They always have a knack to come a little off from where you expect and that can cost you a bird.

[GobbleNut]

All good tips but I'll add a simple one that may or may not have burned me before. When you setup on a bird, try not to choose a tree with saplings or other trees close in front of you that prevent you from moving your gun left or right. They always have a knack to come a little off from where you expect and that can cost you a bird.

Very important point. I like to set up with some sort of vegetation in front of me to break up my outline, but I always make sure that it is far enough away that I can freely swing my gun when needed. Setting up such that you have to have excess movement with the gun to get around stuff that's too close in front will eventually come back to bite you in the butt at some point.