Looking for Turkey Tips

[CFMopar]

So went on my 2nd turkey hunt.. Still have yet to get a bird and was looking for some advice from the more experienced turkey hunters.


So today i get up early, head out to my friends property where he said he saw 3 birds the other day and got two himself last year. Set up my blind at the edge of the tree line @530 and set up my decoys. 2 hens and a jake. I give it a half hour and start calling. Work it till 830 At which point not hearing or seeing anything I take a break and head over to my buddies place for a quick coffee. Back in the blind around 930 I notice a bird a short time later not far out, maybe 25 meters kind of 3/4 turned away. I was thinking it was a female but wasn't sure. Decided to give a few clucks to see if I could draw it in closer to ID it better. Do the clucks and its head pops up and it runs off. Give it ago for another hour and a bit but nothing else.

Pack up decide to drive around and scout farmers fields in the area. Around 12 I see two toms off in the distance walking the tree line of a farmers field eating. Knock on the door get permission and hike out to the field. As I approach the two scurry into the tree line. Not overly worried since I expected that I set up my tom and hen ina matting position. Figured if it were two Toms maybe they're be pissed if they saw that. Waited a bit to let it settle and started calling again. Not to long later I see the toms walking my direction eatting as they go. I start to get excited thinking this is it. About 60 meters out maybe they change date direction and just start walking away eating in no real rush. As if not interested. Watch them for a bit they dip over a small crest out of site. I decide maybe they were intimidated or something by my jake decoy. Even though they looked like good sized birds. I put my 2nd hen out and started calling again. They walked to the edgeof the field and then turned around and made their way back. One ended up going into the tree line. The 2nd kept coming for a bit but never got as close again.

Neither time could I seem to get them interested enough to gobble. Even the pair of toms seemed to be just fine eating.

Any tips to make my 3rd attempt a success? I own the red head 3 decoy pack and a the quaker boy triple threat call.

I was wondering if the pair in the field could hear the calls well.? It was a bit windy and to me, the call doesn't seem that loud.

Sorry for the typos. I typed this on my phone.

 

[hunter148]

I will give it to you quick and dirty. Unlike the videos turkeys do not come running every time you see them and touch a call. I have heard some of the worst calling coming from real turkeys but they do so sparingly and if they are coming let them do so and be quiet.

Turkeys are not stupid. A blind helps but it still helps if you are hidden in an edge or fence row as these critters live there 365 and IMO most turkeys more than a year old have seen decoys and many have been present when one has been shot and a big ugly guy usually jumps up to claim the prize. I personally wait until all the live birds leave before moving.

Brings us to you need to pick a spot and hunt. Where the two toms are is where i would be. I have shot just as many birds an 2:00pm as at daylight. Pick your spot let the birds do there thing. I have hunted birds for a week or more and had close calls, been totally ignored and for whatever reason one day they come running across a wide open field and into range before you know it. The lack of gobbling has to do with the cold IMO as it slows things down and if two toms running together are not gobbling chances are there is a bigger one about.

Get out and enjoy every chance you get. There is no secret, magic, voodoo ritual that will make them appear in range when you want. I have had them hang up for an hour and come or go the other way. I am fond of telling folks that are new to this "You're on turkey time now". Do your part and try not to over educate the birds to much and they will cooperate eventually.

 

[Runningfool]

I'm far from an expert but I'd suggest perhaps moving around less and calling less. It sure sounds like you've got some great properties to hunt and if I were you, I'd stick in one spot till 10 or 11am before pulling out. I'd also be in my blind a bit sooner; I like to shoot for decoys out and everything squared away and quietly sitting for 5:10am at the latest this time of the year.

As a new turkey hunter it is awfully tempting to over-call and in my experience this can put a Tom off as quick as anything...like hunter148 says, the videos and tv shows make it appear that you should keep calling them in like you are reeling in a fish! I will call once every 45 mins or so. If a gobbler is responding to my call in the distance, I may keep it up and answer him but if he is close enough to see my decoys I generally shut up and wait. I may try enticing him in after 40 mins or so if he appears hung up and unwilling to close the distance or if he leaves (but beware the false "I'm leaving" antics of a cocky old Tom). Between patience on your end and curiosity/lust on the turkey's end you should close the deal. Good luck.

 

[RabidM4U5]

I would also avoid letting them see you walk out and set up, no wonder they didn't want to come close!

 

[Adrian J Hare]

Get rid of the jake and even one hen. Sounds like they are decoy shy and have played that game. Even try no decoys and limit your calling.

 

[DVXDUDE]

I think you got other hunters around and the birds are decoy or call shy. That's how it is where I hunt. I use one hen, try to locate them before sunrise and set up close enough (few hundred yards away) and do my fly down call and if they gobble I don't call again. Usually see them working my way after 30mins, sometimes gobbling to every soft yelp I make, other times silent and seek right in.

I have had some weery Toms not gobble on the roost or on the ground and take their sweet time coming in. I got a big boy last year that snuck in from behind me, I heard him spitting and drummin before I seen him. Got him at 8 yards

 

[Adrian J Hare]

and something else to think about. There is no cover or leaves on the trees. Every hunter that bumps birds pressures them. With no leaves the birds seem to catch movement much easier. Don't try to get to close because they are awake before light. This is the first year I have heard bird gobble in the black dark here.