Eric Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 Hello All I am am looking into trying turkey hunting this spring and possibly fall. I am from Iowa and have never turkey hunted before and could use some help. I know of some areas that hold turkeys from when I am out deer hunting and will try my luck at it. Most my hunting friends don't turkey hunt but I am wanting to get into it as I hear it can be as addictive as deer hunting. Plus it would be awesome if I could get a beard and fan or full mount of one someday. I am looking for advice on you veteran turkey hunters on getting me started. I have no idea on what would be the best calls to start out with, when to call and not, or where to stage decoys etc. Any and all advice will be helpful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nut Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 Welcome to turkey hunting Eric. Just keep reading the forum threads and you could go back a year or so. Pretty much everything you need to learn is here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 That sounds great, Eric. I assume you have a good ole 12 guage to shoot with? Just get some camo, a face mask and a call. I would reccomend a good box call for beginners, they are easiest and have a great sound. Also, you can pick up a few diaphragms really cheap. A few even come with a CD to help you learn the calls. Best thing is to find a mentor to go with. Lots of tricks to the trade in learning how to locate them, make them gobble, identify droppings, etc. Nothing gets your blood pumping like hearing a gobble just over the ridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Eric...welcome to the addictive world of turkey hunting:). I find it even more addictive than bow hunting deer. Only turkey and elk talk back while you hunt them and that is what makes the hunt so much more exciting for me. When that deer wanders into my shooting lane and gives me the shot, ambush style; I go into robot mode and apply the mechanics I've rehearsed all summer long. But when you hear a love sick gobbler sounding off, getting closer...closer...closer and he is putting on a heck of a show...Man, I gotta tell you there is nothing like it:). You are going to learn to hate hens. They are the alarm system for the flock and most of the time if you get busted...it will be by a hen. Go back and read some of the older threads, like Nut has recommended. There is a plethora of info available from some VERY good turkey hunters here on this board. Capitalize on that info. Good luck;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GooseKiller24-7 Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 yep just keep on reading the older threads and they should help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesse8953 Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 My 1st year too. I have learned a lot from the great hunters on this form! Time ,patience,and some luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boparks Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Hello All I am am looking into trying turkey hunting this spring and possibly fall. I am from Iowa and have never turkey hunted before and could use some help. I know of some areas that hold turkeys from when I am out deer hunting and will try my luck at it. Most my hunting friends don't turkey hunt but I am wanting to get into it as I hear it can be as addictive as deer hunting. Plus it would be awesome if I could get a beard and fan or full mount of one someday. I am looking for advice on you veteran turkey hunters on getting me started. I have no idea on what would be the best calls to start out with, when to call and not, or where to stage decoys etc. Any and all advice will be helpful Hi Eric, You said "as addictive", .It's more addictive than deer hunting (biased opinion) which you'll find out when you have a gobbler strut in and experinece "the show". You'll never be right again afterwards. Like others have said having someone to mentor with is helpful as will be listening to all these guys on this forum. Watch videos and read as much as you can. Good woodsmanship and patience will take you a long ways. Know that you can kill plenty of birds just using box calls , slates, and glass which are easy to use with practice. In other words you don't have to be a great caller or use a mouth call like the pros. Know that you only need to call as much "as it takes" if the bird appears to be coming in. Tone it down / soft call if a birds in close. Sometimes playing hard to get and just stopping calling can break an ol bird loose. I say this because I remember one of the things I used to screw up with was cranking on a box call when a bird was way out and continued when he came to 60 - 80 yards and was too stupid to know why he was hanging up. I could write a book on what not to do. Keep in mind these boys can see bugs on trees 20 yards away so you can't get away with much of anything where you might with some deer. Camo up head to toe and sit on the shade side of the tree if possible. The greatest thing about turkey hunting to me (outside of gobbling and strutting) is that success hinges on a multiude and combination of decisions you make on each hunt. Where to start, how close to get, where to set up, when to move, when to stay put, when to call or back off. What call to use. It's one of the greatest hunting experiences you'll have. You'll know you have issues when evrything from creaking doors to normal sounds begins to sound like a turkey or evry time you here a crow call you stop and listen for a gobble.. Good luck to you . Bobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Buy a Turkey target and find out where your gun is shooting the best pattern. How far away, or how close to you, can the bird be before you can effectively kill him is what your trying to figure out. Try your best deer hunting skills out on them...then adapt what you know to what you learn. My first bird was a spot and stalk on a very windy day with a bow. The bird was on the edge of an open field facing away from me..all I was trying to do was see how close I could get and I killed him at 10 yards. Regardless of what you attempt to do...you will learn from your mistakes hunting turkey. You can do this and be very happy with the results. Blame us if you want to after you get addicted...we'll be proud to take that distinction;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kid Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 hey buddy there are going to be a lot of tips and tricks on this website that your going to be able to use,, but the biggest load of information yoour going to get is actually being in the woods/fields and seeing your turkeys first hand, watch what they do and try to mimic them,, at first it might be a little discouraging but don't give up,, because sooner or later your going to find a lonely tom thats going to want you to play some sweet love to him and thats when you lower the boom!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 where you located in Iowa the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted March 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Thanks to everyone for the replys and helpful advice (especially Bobbys input). I know it will take many hours in the woods figuring these thunderchickens out but I am sure I will enjoy it very much. I am from central Iowa about a 20 minute drive west of Iowa City on I80. Thanks All!!! Oh and good luck to all of you this spring!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twowetdogz Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 It's all good advice above. I'm new to this forum, so don't really know much about old posts yet, but from the advice on here so far, I'd say that it's probably some good advice. My best advice is to get out there and experience it yourself, or better yet, do your best to find somebody who will let you tag along for a couple hunts (even if you can't take a gun, and can only watch). That's by far the best way to learn. There are some good videos out there too that will give you some perspective on some ideas, and let you hear some calling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Great advice here! Check your laws, but if you can hunt past 12:00pm or 1:00pm, I would go out during those times as well. Because after the morning is over, the hens usually will get down and nest, then the gobblers will go looking for another hen. Mid-Mornings and afternoons are a great way to hunt turkeys. Sit still and be ready, they will come running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boparks Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Good point. I take very few birds off the roost and most between 9:00 and 12:00 noon. Birds off the roost will fire you up because they gobble but hens will likely take them away from you 80% of the time. For me at least. "Persistence" should be added to the recipe. Bobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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