2022 Wild Turkey Thread

Dodosmike said:
Im hoping to get out for spring Turkey hunt this year. Just bought some land to screw around on, and low and behold, I have about 45 turkey on my cams on weekly basis for most o the winter. No toms yet though.

Trying to figure out what I "need" to start.

Was going to sit in my deer box blind. How wary are they really? Do I need a camo barrel on my 12g (blued on now)? Full camo clothing? Calls? Decoys?

I need a "Turkey hunting for dummies book".

As close to hunting them I've been was hearing them walk by me deer hunting and roosting in the trees around me.
Click to expand...

They are very wary but as Jmcc mentioned, remaining motionless trumps camo.

The other thing to consider is that turkeys often "relocate" during the spring. I've know lots of guys who get all excited seeing a big flock in an area all winter only to wonder where the hell they all went come spring. Be prepared to hunt a different part of your property once they start breeding.

My last bit of advice is buy decent decoys. You only need one or two to start so get good ones...the experienced guys and gals can call in birds using a sock on a stick for a decoy or no decoy at all. If you're starting out though, having a realistic looking decoy ups your chances of success.

Have fun - wild turkey hunting is awesome.
 
I was thinking that if I am lucky this spring, I will try to keep the feathers and add them to my existing foam decoys to give them a more realistic look.
There are a few videos on doing that... only caveat is catching the first one with the crappy decoys.
 
AdamRoby said:
I was thinking that if I am lucky this spring, I will try to keep the feathers and add them to my existing foam decoys to give them a more realistic look.
There are a few videos on doing that... only caveat is catching the first one with the crappy decoys.
Click to expand...

You. had better be real fast if you plan on catching one. They are quick buggers ;)
 
AdamRoby said:
I was thinking that if I am lucky this spring, I will try to keep the feathers and add them to my existing foam decoys to give them a more realistic look.
There are a few videos on doing that... only caveat is catching the first one with the crappy decoys.
Click to expand...

If you’re not successful, let me know. I’ve got more wings and tails than I know what to do with...
 
AdamRoby said:
I was thinking that if I am lucky this spring, I will try to keep the feathers and add them to my existing foam decoys to give them a more realistic look.
There are a few videos on doing that... only caveat is catching the first one with the crappy decoys.
Click to expand...

I think in one of the latest Meat Eater's on YouTube, the guy they were hunting with did exactly that with his decoy.
 
Made the switch from 3.5" Mag Blends to 3" TK7's this year. Compared side by side, the 3.5" shells were being blown out in both chokes tested. Got out today to pattern, here are the 3" TK7's at 30 and 40 yards out of a Rem Turkey/Predator choke. I'm happy to be saving money and unnecessary pain from the 3.5" shells.

20220409_175823.jpg
 
Last edited:
3” shells have always patterned better in my gun. I now carry a few 3.5” shells just for the odd coyote that comes into my decoys looking for a meal. Gotta use them up somehow
 
Slamfire76239 said:
The stock has to rest against his shoulder, not his arm….
Click to expand...

This. Good way to develop a flinch from the pain and punishment.

Only time I got really bruished patterning turkey loads I took many shots becausr by the time I was sighted in and took a final shot to confirm, I was off again. Thought I was flinching before I finally realized the scope screws wiggled loose. Ughh... use loctite on your turkey rigs folks, rookie mistake.
 
squidxm said:
This. Good way to develop a flinch from the pain and punishment.

Only time I got really bruished patterning turkey loads I took many shots becausr by the time I was sighted in and took a final shot to confirm, I was off again. Thought I was flinching before I finally realized the scope screws wiggled loose. Ughh... use loctite on your turkey rigs folks, rookie mistake.
Click to expand...

It looked from my angle he had it sitting properly but he had on a coat and an insulated vest so i couldnt confirm. The pics show it was clearly not. But he seems to understand where it shouldve been now.

Went through about 15 slugs, and 16 different turkey loads, plus some target loads early
 
Anybody seeing turkeys around southern Ontario? Been setting up on some spots and doing some driving and scouting and it’s been quiet these last few weeks. I’ve only seen a large flock in a field a few times. Most often it’s a lone jake or hen. Not hearing gobbling in the mornings at dawn either.
 
fader said:
Anybody seeing turkeys around southern Ontario? Been setting up on some spots and doing some driving and scouting and it’s been quiet these last few weeks. I’ve only seen a large flock in a field a few times. Most often it’s a lone jake or hen. Not hearing gobbling in the mornings at dawn either.
Click to expand...

Haven't seen my flock of 12ish in 2 weeks but did see a few in the field at Hay Swamp this morning.
 
fader said:
Anybody seeing turkeys around southern Ontario? Been setting up on some spots and doing some driving and scouting and it’s been quiet these last few weeks. I’ve only seen a large flock in a field a few times. Most often it’s a lone jake or hen. Not hearing gobbling in the mornings at dawn either.
Click to expand...

I hunt a bit east of you. Was watching large flocks all winter. About two weeks ago the flocks scattered. Typical end of winter start of spring behaviour, maybe a bit early this year.

But where I am, once the snow comes off the fields you typically dont see the big flocks again til late summer.

Usually just twos and threes or so.

Cant say why you arent hearing any gobbling. Maybe the birds just arent there.
 
The flock where I hunt broke up on the morning of April 13th. Thats a lot later then it usually does. My camera is still picking up some decent action but only one Tom in the last two days. The good thing is that it appears to be the Tom with the longest spurs of the bunch.

I got my blinds in place, trails cleaned and everything is ready to go. The turkey gun has been assembled, but with 9 days to go, I’m too excited to get sleep.

bVn7cHQ.jpg
 
Thanks guys. Up until a few weeks ago was when I was seeing the flocks in the fields. So maybe they were breaking up around beginning of April?

Been spending the last little while getting the blinds and spots cleaned up and scouting the areas and it’s been very quiet. I’m excited for opener :). But the wonky weather might be messing with things a little it seems? Usually by now you would get some shock gobbling from a call here and there?

1963beretta that Tom is a beauty!
 
1963beretta said:
3” shells have always patterned better in my gun. I now carry a few 3.5” shells just for the odd coyote that comes into my decoys looking for a meal. Gotta use them up somehow
Click to expand...



I agree with 3" patterning better.

I take a 223 along for the yotes.
 
Camera has been quiet since april 12. Getting pics of rabbits and bluejays so the camera is indeed still working. Will be setting up another camera in a different spot to see if they are cutting through another part of the property.
 
53Izzy744 said:
Camera has been quiet since april 12. Getting pics of rabbits and bluejays so the camera is indeed still working. Will be setting up another camera in a different spot to see if they are cutting through another part of the property.
Click to expand...

Dont get discouraged. My camera went from getting 8000 photos every couple weeks to getting 500. I’m physically still seeing birds, they are just out range of the video scope.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom