5SHOT Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 I am looking for some first hand advice on hunting Rios in Oklahoma. I will be hunting Rios for the 1st time in the second week of April. I will be hunting a ranch near Rosston which is in the northwest part of Harper County. I've read alot of articles on Rios but I rather here from you guys.. How do they differ from Easterns? Do they like alot of calling or do they need more of the soft stuff like here in PA. It sounds like they aren't hunted as hard as they are hunted here and I know each gobbler is different but as a general rule what do they like? I know when I went to Nebraska for merriams they liked alot more calling than the birds back here but I went at a time when they were really henned up. That leads to my next question. I will be hunting 4/11,12 and the 13th. Where are your turkeys in the breeding cycle at this time??? Will they still be henned up or will they be leaving the gobblers and going to there nest each day?? So what is your best advice to hunt these Rios??? Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3whunt Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Re: Hunting Rios in Oklahoma The best advice I can give is to hunt them in the evening. Rios seldomly change roost sites. Waste away the first morning listening for them and find exactly where they are roosting. That evening you will be fine. I use an extremely loud Knight and Hale Box call when I hunt Rios. The terrain is usually flatter and and doesn't carry sound as well as the thick forest you are hunting in PA. Not all Rios, but most of them, will investigate almost any call. You will be fine. They are a ton easier to call than Eastern birds. Relax and good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5SHOT Posted March 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Re: Hunting Rios in Oklahoma Thanks for the advice 3whunt! I'm looking forward to my first Rio hunt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Re: Hunting Rios in Oklahoma I'll 2nd what 3whunt said. Although I've only hunted Rios in different parts of Texas I do belive they should act the same as Texas Rios. Hunting them coming off the roost sometimes is hit or miss if they go right to hens. Chances are you'll find some birds that won't be with hens right off the roost but probably most will. I've actually had better luck working Rios between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 in the afternoon. By then some are getting away from hens and unlike Eastern birds they are more apt to gobble their heads off looking for more hens to hook up with before they think about heading back to the roost. My advice is hunt all day and cover as much ground as you can. While on the move looking for Rios use a loud higher pitch call to locate them. If one responds he's liable to come running in or may take his time, depending on the bird so be prepared to set up right away if you get a response during the day. From that point on just play out the hunt the way you feel like you need to if you feel like you need to re-position to work the bird in. BTW, I've also found when working Rios that they prefer a higher pitch call than the Eastern birds I hunt at home. About all I'll use hunting Rios are box calls and slate calls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5SHOT Posted March 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Re: Hunting Rios in Oklahoma Thats what I am talking about!! Rhino, Thank you for your 1st hand experience!! I feel like I am better prepared already!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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