2022 Wild Turkey Thread

Who uses a Turkey vest?
I've considered them, just not sure if they would be useful or not.
Normally, I am hunting up north in the mountains, and even in May at 5:00 AM is it cold as a witches t!t out there. I normally have a t-shirt, sweater, parka, and sometimes a rain coat over that. Then as the the morning heats up, I remove layers. In Quebec, we have to stop at noon, I am usually down to a t-shirt by then and have to lug all the layers back in my bag. If it was always t-shirt weather, then perhaps the vest would come in handy, but with the parka and backpack I have plenty of storage. There is no fall season for Turkey in my area, or else that might also work.
 
AdamRoby said:
Who uses a Turkey vest?
I've considered them, just not sure if they would be useful or not.
Normally, I am hunting up north in the mountains, and even in May at 5:00 AM is it cold as a witches t!t out there. I normally have a t-shirt, sweater, parka, and sometimes a rain coat over that. Then as the the morning heats up, I remove layers. In Quebec, we have to stop at noon, I am usually down to a t-shirt by then and have to lug all the layers back in my bag. If it was always t-shirt weather, then perhaps the vest would come in handy, but with the parka and backpack I have plenty of storage. There is no fall season for Turkey in my area, or else that might also work.
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Most vests are adjustable and many run pretty large so you can use over layers. Depending on the vest, there is usually space to store clothing that you may need to shed throughout the day.

I run an Alps vest and it's very handy for when I'm on the move.
 
Turkey vest is well worth it. Lots of handy pockets to keep everything organized, Large back compartment can hold a turkey or clothes you shed during the day. The back rest and seat built into it makes sitting against random trees a lot more comfy
 
I try to carry less stuff when turkey hunting so ive never gotten in to the vest. My bibs or jacket have enough pockets for what i bring. When i use dekes i have a large duck decoy bag i sling over my shoulder. My fold up chair and screen blind fit in it with 5 or 6 dekes and then i just carry my gun in its case. Most of my turkey hunting is done in woodlots so i often just carry my gun and ammo.
If i had to many pockets i could never remember what pocket has what and that creates to much movement. My buddy i hunt with loves his vest but he brings like 8 calls and so much other gear hes like a walking sporting goods store.
 
I’ve have at least 6 Toms to target this spring....

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I captured footage of an awesome battle royal of Toms kicking the crap out of each other. Funny thing is that the hens didnt give a crap about all the commotion and a group of Jakes just stood there watching the feathers fly
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1963beretta said:
I’ve have at least 6 Toms to target this spring....
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Is that an auto-feeder? I was wondering if you could do a setup that will release a certain amount of feed at the same time every day, to kind of train then to be in the area at the right time.
Unfortunately, it is illegal in Quebec to bait Wild Turkey. :(

Reference

Baiting of wild turkeys for hunting is prohibited in Québec.
In addition, you cannot hunt wild turkeys within 100 metres of any place where bait has been spread, regardless of the species for which the bait is intended.
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AdamRoby said:
Is that an auto-feeder? I was wondering if you could do a setup that will release a certain amount of feed at the same time every day, to kind of train then to be in the area at the right time.
Unfortunately, it is illegal in Quebec to bait Wild Turkey. :(
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In Ontario you have to be 400m from any location bait is being used, unless it has been free of bait for at least 7 days. So yeah, they're being trained but the bait should be removed a week before the season/hunt.
 
brybenn said:
What you got in the pail?
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Corn. Although most of it gets eaten by the squirrels and racoons...

I put out feed during the winter months. Gives the birds an easy source of food when its toughest for them to find food and most importantly, it keeps the birds out of the landowners cattle barn which he definitely appreciates. Otherwise, he’d want them all killed.

Win/Win....Win
 
AdamRoby said:
Is that an auto-feeder? I was wondering if you could do a setup that will release a certain amount of feed at the same time every day, to kind of train then to be in the area at the right time.
Unfortunately, it is illegal in Quebec to bait Wild Turkey. :(
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Yes, it is a feeder and you can set it up to disperse up to 6 times a day for up to 6 seconds each time.

I dont live in Quebec. Ontario has different regulations as previously noted.
 
squidxm said:
In Ontario you have to be 400m from any location bait is being used, unless it has been free of bait for at least 7 days. So yeah, they're being trained but the bait should be removed a week before the season/hunt.
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This is correct. Feeder comes down well before the season starts to ensure the area is indeed bait free for 7 days. Its actually not enough to just take the feeder down a week before the opener as feed would still be present within that 7 day window. I even take it a step further and rake all the leaves in whole area including all the trails that I use in the bush. It makes it easier to get in and around my blinds without making a noise. Also ensures there is no feed remaining well before the 7 day regulation. Pain in the @ss to do, but I usually get some help from my nephew
 
Cool thread!

I just got my license a little while ago, hoping to get out for a turkey hunt in the spring. Would really love to try doing it on public land in Ontario (I regularly do Crown Land camping, living in Toronto and heading out using the atlas) but it seems most turkeys are on private land. I have a friend who hunts turkey, but its been years since he has done the public land thing.

Im very excited to get out and give it a go! Got some gear, but still need a gun that patterns well. Thought my grandfathers Beretta A301 semi would do it, but at 20yds the pattern sucked using Challenger turkey loads
 
That brings up a good question I've often had. Turkeys tend to hang around farms, since there's always left over feed they can eat. I've been told to just go see the land owner to get permission to hunt on their land. My question is, do you immediately offer them money for the right to hunt their land, and if so, what do you offer? Is it contingent on your getting your gobbler? Do you offer a $20? Do you just say please and thank you? What kind of arrangement do you try to make? I am a bit intimidated to walk up to a stranger's door to ask for access to their land. It is also not always obvious who owns what parcel of land.
 
AdamRoby said:
That brings up a good question I've often had. Turkeys tend to hang around farms, since there's always left over feed they can eat. I've been told to just go see the land owner to get permission to hunt on their land. My question is, do you immediately offer them money for the right to hunt their land, and if so, what do you offer? Is it contingent on your getting your gobbler? Do you offer a $20? Do you just say please and thank you? What kind of arrangement do you try to make? I am a bit intimidated to walk up to a stranger's door to ask for access to their land. It is also not always obvious who owns what parcel of land.
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Great question. From what I hear, most people get a LOT of "NO's". My brother is interested in going turkey hunting this season as well, and so far every farmer he has asked has said no. The OP sounds like he has a good arrangement with a land owner....I think its a matter of something being in it for them, like what will you do for them in exchange. Not sure many care about the money part, but I have not tried knocking on a door yet.
 
AdamRoby said:
That brings up a good question I've often had. Turkeys tend to hang around farms, since there's always left over feed they can eat. I've been told to just go see the land owner to get permission to hunt on their land. My question is, do you immediately offer them money for the right to hunt their land, and if so, what do you offer? Is it contingent on your getting your gobbler? Do you offer a $20? Do you just say please and thank you? What kind of arrangement do you try to make? I am a bit intimidated to walk up to a stranger's door to ask for access to their land. It is also not always obvious who owns what parcel of land.
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It's been brought up several times in the Hunting section of the forum, I believe there's even a dedicated thread in there somewhere. Browse that section or do a quick search and you'll get lots of info on how to go about it. Good luck!
 
Wis3guy said:
Cool thread!

I just got my license a little while ago, hoping to get out for a turkey hunt in the spring. Would really love to try doing it on public land in Ontario (I regularly do Crown Land camping, living in Toronto and heading out using the atlas) but it seems most turkeys are on private land. I have a friend who hunts turkey, but its been years since he has done the public land thing.

Im very excited to get out and give it a go! Got some gear, but still need a gun that patterns well. Thought my grandfathers Beretta A301 semi would do it, but at 20yds the pattern sucked using Challenger turkey loads
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Try other brands and shot sizes. You will find a load that works. Federal premium with flight control wads and winchester long beard are generally always well performing in various guns
 
Wis3guy said:
Great question. From what I hear, most people get a LOT of "NO's". My brother is interested in going turkey hunting this season as well, and so far every farmer he has asked has said no. The OP sounds like he has a good arrangement with a land owner....I think its a matter of something being in it for them, like what will you do for them in exchange. Not sure many care about the money part, but I have not tried knocking on a door yet.
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Getting permission isn’t always as easy as walking up to a stranger and asking for permission. Thats actually rare in much of Ontario. Its about building relationships. I have never paid a cent for my arrangement. I offer my time with help for farm chores, I send out xmas cards, I bring a bottle of wine as a gift each time I go to the property, I fix sh!t when I see something that needs fixing and I act as the eyes and ears in the back 40 as the landowner never goes back there. Its a lot more effort then handing over cash. And believe me, when you have to haul out a rotting cow to the back 40, shovel a few tonnes of corn, hold cattle down when the landowner is elbow deep up its @ass or feeding 20ft of garden hose down its throat......you’d wish it was as simple as making an ATM withdrawal. This past weekend I found myself running through ankle deep cow sh!t for 30 mins trying to catch a couple chickens. Still cant get the smell out of the truck....
 
1963beretta said:
Getting permission isn’t always as easy as walking up to a stranger and asking for permission. Thats actually rare in much of Ontario. Its about building relationships. I have never paid a cent for my arrangement. I offer my time with help for farm chores, I send out xmas cards, I bring a bottle of wine as a gift each time I go to the property, I fix sh!t when I see something that needs fixing and I act as the eyes and ears in the back 40 as the landowner never goes back there. Its a lot more effort then handing over cash. And believe me, when you have to haul out a rotting cow to the back 40, shovel a few tonnes of corn, hold cattle down when the landowner is elbow deep up its @ass or feeding 20ft of garden hose down its throat......you’d wish it was as simple as making an ATM withdrawal. This past weekend I found myself running through ankle deep cow sh!t for 30 mins trying to catch a couple chickens. Still cant get the smell out of the truck....
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I think you misunderstood my post. I am saying exactly what you just posted, that money would be worthless. A farmer is going to want something in exchange, and cash isn't it....help around the property or with doing things is! Im green outta the hunting course, it was all in there! LOL.
 
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