New Turkey Hunter

[MossySNPR]

Hey guys, I just need to know a few things about turkey hunting because I'm a total newb at it. I am in Ontario Canada.

1. At what time of the day is best to hunt turkeys?

2. If I do not use a decoy, will this limit my chances of shooting a bird?

3. My only sightings of turkeys in real life are in fields at the sides of country roads and highways. Would it be ethical to drive around to a good turkey field in the country, see a flock, park the car around a bend or something, and circle around through the woods while they are eating in the field and call one in?

4. I will be using a Browning bottom loader, 12 ga., with full choke and #5 shot, is this an ok set-up? (#5 shot is the best shot for my gun with turkey's)

[huntn4bucks]

Re: New Turkey Hunter

1. At what time of the day is best to hunt turkeys?

I've probably killed 90% of my turkeys before 9:00 or 10:00am. That percentage is kind of misleading since I tend to hunt more in the mornings than in the evenings. BTW...it is legal to hunt all day where I live.

2. If I do not use a decoy, will this limit my chances of shooting a bird?

Not at all. This coming season will be the first time ever that it will be legal to use decoys in Alabama. Turkeys can definitely be killed without the use of a decoy. I've done it many times!

3. My only sightings of turkeys in real life are in fields at the sides of country roads and highways. Would it be ethical to drive around to a good turkey field in the country, see a flock, park the car around a bend or something, and circle around through the woods while they are eating in the field and call one in?

As long as you have permission to hunt the area, I don't see anything wrong with it.

4. I will be using a Browning bottom loader, 12 ga., with full choke and #5 shot, is this an ok set-up? (#5 shot is the best shot for my gun with turkey's)

I use #5s and if your gun patterns well with them...it will definitely get the job done.

Best of luck!

[Guest Squirrelbuster]

Re: New Turkey Hunter

1) Mornings is generally best, but don't rule out other times of the day. If you can hunt all day than do it. Here in New York, we can only hunt till noon, so I stay out until noon.

2) A decoy will generally help keep the birds attention away from you, but sometimes a bird could be decoy shy due to pressure of other hunters using decoys. As far as limiting your chances on a bird, many a tom has been shot without using a decoy.

3) This I will not comment on because this could be a controversal topic in ethics that I don't feel like arguing about. Some people may say it is unethical some may say it is totally ethical.

4) As far as the gun setup, it will be plenty to take down a bird, as long as the pattern with your shot is to the desired effect at different ranges. Make sure the shotgun has a pattern good enough to make several pellets go into a turkey's head at about 40 yards and you should be good. The most common shot sizes used in turkey hunting is #4, #5, and #6.

One thing I forgot to mention, is your shells 3 inchers, because I wouldn't use anything smaller than 3 inch loads, stay away from those 2 3/4" loads.

[HeviShot]

Re: New Turkey Hunter

I will agree to everyone comments.I do not think there is anything wrong finding birds in a field and then positioning in front of them.It is no different than roosting one the day before or locating one in the morning. You still have to call to get the birds to come to where you are.