First time turkey hunter. Many questions!

[Guest Heter32]

I'm a first time turkey hunter in Ohio. I will be using a rem 870 extra full choke. Any advice on loads would be great. Im starting off easy with a box call. My other question is how do I know when to yelp, purr, or cluck? I really have no idea hwo to start calling for them. Any suggestions here would be much appriciated.

[scotman]

I'm a first time turkey hunter in Ohio. I will be using a rem 870 extra full choke. Any advice on loads would be great. Im starting off easy with a box call. My other question is how do I know when to yelp, purr, or cluck? I really have no idea hwo to start calling for them. Any suggestions here would be much appriciated.

What size guy are you, what is your build? You can can get anywhere from 2 3/4 - 3 1/2 inch with shot size 4,5 or 6. But it all depends on what your barrel can take that determines the length of a shell you can get. Picking what shell you shoot is more of a preference that will determine what you are most comfortable with. Lots of practice at the range. That way you can determine how well and at what distance that particular shell and shotgun holds a effective pattern to harvest a turkey. If you setup and paper plate as a target the more pellets that hit the plate the more your odds are increased at harvesting a bird. The birds I have harvested where at 40 yards or less that is the effective range i'm comfortable with.

I will leave the rest of your questions to the more experienced turkey hunters around here.

btw here is a link for a turkey load comparison chart this might help you some http://www.cabelas.com/comparison-chart-1/turkey_loads.shtml

But how I learned to call was by watching The All Stars of Spring video series they offer at the realtree store and quaker boy cassette tapes but now they sell the cd version I see.

http://www.quakerboy.com/store.php?crn=210

http://www.realtree.com/store/category/18/startat/1/s/0/

[Guest Steve_Foate]

I'm a first time turkey hunter in Ohio. I will be using a rem 870 extra full choke. Any advice on loads would be great. Im starting off easy with a box call. My other question is how do I know when to yelp, purr, or cluck? I really have no idea hwo to start calling for them. Any suggestions here would be much appriciated.

I like Winchester loads. All I can say is find a buddy, and buy some different shells ( shot size and MFG). The reason I say that is it will be cheaper for all of you, because you can share them with each other. then find the one that patterns the best for your gun, and say with. I hope this helps. As far as the calling goes, all I can say is listen to what the birds are saying that day. I like to use a soft yelp when they are close or the purr when it looks like they are getting nerves. If you get a chance go to www.treetopturkeys.com They have one of the best CD's out there of real turkeys calling. This will help you with the rythem you will need in your calling.

Steve.

[Rhino]

With as many questions as you have, maybe now would be a good time to read some articles and advice about tactics too along with watching some CD's like Steve suggested.

Here's a link to the NWTF's web site regarding turkey hunting tactics. You can also find more informations about hunting turkeys in the pull downs under "For Hunters" including calling tips.

http://www.nwtf.org/hunting_tactics.html

[The Kid]

i shoot an 870 too number 6 shot works best for my gun, but it might be different for yours. a box call is really good to yelp and cluck with,, for me purring is easier on a slate because i can't do it with my mouth,, help me out guys if i'm wrong but i was always told that a yelp means that the hen is like saying " like here i am where are you,, cutting means the hen is excited which sometimes works to get a birds attention and to get him in closer to range,, i think purring is the ticket in my opinion,, sometimes hens will purr while they eat, like when there relaxed,, if i have a bird out there lets say 100 yards hung up i will purr and the purr again, followed by a cluck.. repeat this 2 or 3 times, i've had really good luck with this strategy,, with turkeys and calling wise its normal for the hens to go to the toms,, so essentialy what your doing is trying to play hard to get.. i hope this is a little bit of help that will help you this spring,, i know evertime i head out in the woods i learn something new.. if you go to the photography and video section there is a guy that has turkey calling tips heres the link

http://www.realtree.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70544

[Ethan Givan]

Turkey hunting is probably the most enjoyable, but most challenging type of hunting you can do. It takes lots of time and practice to become a good turkey hunter. Read every article in magazines or on the internet about turkey hunting that you can. If I tried to tell you everything about turkey hunting ( which I cant because Im no expert turkey hunter ) I would be here all night typing. Experience will teach you the most, so get out there and spend lots of time in the hunting woods. Dont get discouraged because I know guys that have hunted turkeys for seven or eight years before connecting on a bird. I hunt with a Remington 870 as well. Mine patterns best with Winchester Supremes with # 5 shot.

[13littleones]

High brass #6 shot and aim for the head, or you can shoot at the body and watch it run away..

[CamoGuy]

Shot Size - You need to try different loads. Each gun patterns differently and shoots different shots sizes in different ways.

Your gun will handle up to 3" mags I believe. 3" shells extend your range some and give you additional shot pellets in your pattern, both increase your chances of a clean kill. If you are comfortable shooting 3" shells, I highly recommend it.

Personally I won't shoot anything smaller than #5 shot. As you can see, some guys prefer #6, but in my opinion, after you go smaller than #5 shot the loss of energy is greater. Here is a chart showing the energy delivered by each pellet size.

As you can see, the larger the pellet size the less total pellets in the shot, but the higher amount of energy delivered upon impact.

Pellet -------Shot Count ------- Energy @ 40 yds.

Size -----------1 oz.-------------- in Ft. Pounds

# 6 ------------225-------------------- 2.3

# 5 ----------- 170-------------------- 3.5

# 4 ----------- 135-------------------- 4.4

Also, heavier shot such as #4 or #5 will penetrate the thick layer of body feathers better, should you shoot low and hit the body instead of the neck or head, and reduce the chance of wounding a bird instead of killing it.

Calling - Calling is difficult to give advice on. As others have recommended, you should go to some websites. The NWTF site that Rhino mentioned is very good. I also recommend renting/buying some videos and listening to the "pros" call and watch the reactions they get.

If you can master the yelp, the purr and the cutt, then you are off to a good start. I killed my first bird using nothing but yelps because that is all I knew how to do.

The box call is the best one to start with. It is the easiest to master and use and IMO turkey react very well to it. I carry a box call with me everytime I head into the woods and swear by them.

Good luck!!