Texas turkey hunt

[Chickenlips]

I'm planning a hunt in Texas this spring.  I spoke with an outfitter in south Texas and he recommended that I schedule my hunt for the 1st week of April.  I originally chose Texas because of the March opener.  I've never hunted Texas before and I've never hunted with an outfitter.  I was Hoping to hear what y'all thought about that.  Maybe the hens are sittin and the gobblers are desperate?  I'm not sure but I'm paranoid about getting ripped off.  I appreciate any advice.  Thank you

[Sir-diealot]

First thing I would do is call a wildlife biologist or whatever TX calls their Department of Conservation and get an idea as to when they normally tend to start talking and breeding and go from there.

[Upfold99]

I went in April once and the run and gun hunt was way over.  Birds had been hunted hard before I got there. They wanted us to sit in blinds and deer hunt them.  Not a great hunt.  Just ask your outfitter particular questions regarding the hunt experience your seeking

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

[GobbleNut]

The comments made already are spot on when talking about hunting TX.  If you really want to HUNT turkeys...that is, not sit in a blind over a feeder like Upfold says...you need to be really careful about who you go with. My suggestion would be to get the specifics in WRITING about the hunt prior to committing to anything...and especially before giving anybody any money. That's not to say that there aren't some legitimate outfits in TX that offer REAL turkey hunting, but I've heard too many stories similar to that of Upfold's experience.

As for timing, I have hunted mostly in north and central Texas and at the start of the season on a number of occasions. From what I/we found, the birds were borderline being ready to go. Gobblers were still flocked up, but some would show interest. I think things would be better in mid-April, but (again, as Upfold says) if you are hunting a place that's catering to a bunch of hunters, the birds may have been called-to and picked over enough that the ones that are left may be pretty skittish. 

In summary, do some research and be careful about who you choose to go with...and make sure you have that check book with you when you decide...    

[NYturkey]

I booked my first Texas turkey hunt for this March in southern Texas. The outfitter I chose makes you sign a contract. One of the stipulations was that I cannot hunt within 1,000 yards of a feeder or near a roosting tree and that I must call them in and hunt them sportingly. There are good outfitters available, you just need to do your homework.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ryanmc]

I'm planning a hunt in Texas this spring.  I spoke with an outfitter in south Texas and he recommended that I schedule my hunt for the 1st week of April.  I originally chose Texas because of the March opener.  I've never hunted Texas before and I've never hunted with an outfitter.  I was Hoping to hear what y'all thought about that.  Maybe the hens are sittin and the gobblers are desperate?  I'm not sure but I'm paranoid about getting ripped off.  I appreciate any advice.  Thank you

What part of Texas, this makes a big difference.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chickenlips]

I'm planning a hunt in Texas

What part of Texas, this makes a big difference.

I would be hunting in the southern part of Texas

[Chickenlips]

I went in April once and the run and gun hunt was way over.  Birds had been hunted hard before I got there. They wanted us to sit in blinds and deer hunt them.  Not a great hunt.  Just ask your outfitter particular questions
regarding the hunt experience your seeking

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

I live in WV and that has been a favored poacher tactic for many years.  I would rather not hunt if I had to do it that way. 

[PharmHunter]

As everyone said, make sure you research and vet the outfitter thoroughly.  Check references if you can, etc and just have conversations with them.  In my experience in The Hill Country, the first week of April is an excellent time to go.  Good luck!  Will be there for the opener of the N zone, at a buddy's ranch, just before we open here in SC and can't wait. 

[Chickenlips]

Hey everyone, I appreciate all the good advice.  Thank you, Chris