BC Turkey hunting

tootall

tootall

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There is a new opening for turkey in BC now. It has been Limited Entry, and only in the Kootenays so far, but now it is a regular season, and in Region 8 also.
I have never been turkey hunting. What info/advice can you guys offer a newby? Gear, tactics, spring or fall, morning or evening. And especially info on where is a good location. Preferably in region 8, as I am in the LML
Thanks in advance.
 
I understand that the area north of Osoyoos should be good for turkey hunting. Lots of private land, so please check out with the landowners for permission before hunting :)
 
North of Osoyoos would be MU 8-1, farther north would be MU 8-9 (Naramata area) north-west of Osoyoos would be 8-2.
The regs show that only 8-1 and 8-9 are open for the fall hunt, and in those two units any turkey is open.
I guess that is a sign that the numbers are up enough to have two openings (sping and fall).
Do you have a preference for spring or fall hunts?
 
If you have a chance, come and do some pre-hunt checking in 8-01, and also get permissions from landowners to hunt on their property.

I never hunted turkey in 8-01, but I am told that is is fair to good.
 
BC Turkey's are not yet scared of hunters, so far they have been kind of tame and a pretty easy hunt, no need to call them in, no need for the full body camo and no shortage of birds. Grande Forks to Creston is loaded with them, in the Spring they seem to spend more time in the open though and lower, I have seen them pretty high up and in snow in the fall while I was deer hunting. Personally I would prefer a fall bird as they are not so full of pine and larch needles.
 
There are just a ton of birds in the Kootenay's this year. 4-9, 4-8, & 4-15 have lot's of turkey. THere are many places to hunt them on public land. Many I have seen this year are simply feeding on the side of the highways.

Find power line right of ways and walk them, once you get near a water source start calling. There will be turkeys around. My spring turkey last year was full of clover & snails. ;)


SS
 
Too much fun I was at work today a little bored studying my regs and saw that we could hunt gobblers this spring in a few weeks. Open season too !
I read as much as I can all magazines for example...

Us ready-mix operaters have lot's of time to read I tell Ya.;) :)
 
So, does anyone living up around that area want to invite up to do some hunting on your property?
Can't hurt to ask.
 
A friend asked about using a .22 rimfire. The BC regs allow rimfire for upland game birds, so it is legal. I am wondering if it is practical or effective?
Most of what I read talks about patterning shotguns for turkey hunting. Is this becuase other provinces or states only do shotgun? Or is it because shotgun works best?
As mentioned before, I'm NEW AT THIS!
Thanks for all help.
 
tootall said:
A friend asked about using a .22 rimfire. The BC regs allow rimfire for upland game birds, so it is legal. I am wondering if it is practical or effective?
Most of what I read talks about patterning shotguns for turkey hunting. Is this becuase other provinces or states only do shotgun? Or is it because shotgun works best?
As mentioned before, I'm NEW AT THIS!
Thanks for all help.
Click to expand...

It's strange how they will allow you to use Rimfire, and Shotguns, but not Centerfire on Turkeys...yet you can use all of the above on the much smaller Grouse.

Yet another one of those strange reg issues.:rolleyes:

I have read that in the USA were the Turkeys are very wary, many use a special uber tight patter Turkey choke in they 12 gauge. Be interesting to here more about this. from fellow Canadian GunNutters. :)
 
I would not recommend a .22 for turkeys... unless you can hit them in the head every time. They will just get up and fly away with a body shot and you will not likely retrieve your bird... it will likely die far far away and be coyote bait.
I have witnessed this phenomenon with arrow shot turkeys, the arrow passes right through but if it does not sever the spine or a wing they are up and flying.
If you are going to be successful get yourself a 12 gauge with the heaviest load of #5's or #6's you can put in your gun and shoot them in the head at 30yards or under!
 
Like BIGREDD says if you're using a 22 you better hit it in the head. I took a turkey a few years ago back when it was limited entry and used a .22 and the next year my brother took one on a LEH tag with a .22 as well. Both were head shots.

On my bird I learned a valuable lesson, when a turkey is strutting and all ploombed out his head swells up about twice its size and turns white. This gives you a larger target *BUT* it is all flesh. My first shot on my bird was right through the flesh under its jaw, my second shot put the bird in the freezer.
Aim for the eye or just under it if you have a broadside, back of the head if hes walking away or right in the nose if he's facing you.
Spend some time behind your .22 practicing. you need pinpoint accuracy.

Brambles
 
BIGRED and Brambles,
Thanks for the tip, I would have drilled the bird centre of mass if I had not read these posts.
That is exactly what sort of real world info I am looking for.
Thanks.
 
tootall said:
So, does anyone living up around that area want to invite up to do some hunting on your property?
Can't hurt to ask.
Click to expand...

No replies yet?
I would like to go out on the Easter weekend, that is opening day.
Saturday April 15, maybe scout the area on Good Fri.
 
Another thought.
If I want to practice using a friction call, are there any MP3 files on the net that I can download and listen to?
And what brand calls do you recommend?

EDIT found a very short hen call. http://www.varmintal.com/ahunt.htm About 1/3 down the page
 
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