New Turkey hunter questions and another fowl question???

rubberdown

rubberdown

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Okay, I hunted turkey ONCE for 1 morning a few years ago and never went out again due to being covered in ticks and turned off completely on ever doing it again BUT I'm going to try it again this spring.

1st Turkey hunting question, does ANYTHING work to keep the ticks off you or make them head the other direction?

2nd Turkey question, while we were setting up for a duck hunt last year, way across our pound we were going to hunt, right around sunrise, we saw about 30 Turkeys come out of their roosts as they woke up for the day. It was like watching the woods raining butterballs LOL. Question is this, if we find where they are roosting like this, could we actually get out there really REALLY early before they wake for the day and set up right among the trees they are roosted in, or would they just wake up and fly away as we walked in and found a nice tree to sit up against? I'm thinking getting out there at like 3 or 4 in the morning and just wait till its legal to load the gun and get ready to hunt.

Last question, someone I know told me if Geese are on a pond and it is dark because its well before sunrise, they wont take off in the dark, even if you are walking out to your blind and they hear you coming, they will stay on the pond in the dark because they will not take off in the dark. Is this guy just dumb or is there some truth to his comments?
 
I think your question about tics is a good one. I got covered in them and so did the inside of my truck last year. I was so worried to bring them in my house and have them spread inside. I kept feeling them all over me for weeks even though nothing was there.
 
1- Wear lots of bug spray, cover yourself in clothing, wear long sleeves and gloves and tuck your shirt into your pants...

2- Don't set up in the roost, set up outside of the roost and begin calling them at first light.... also, the big toms will roost near the hens but not with them... so listen fo rth egobbles to know where they are coming from

3- Usually geese will not take off in the dark... but this doesn't mean you can go slamming and banging around and expect them to stay put...
 
Thermocells are pretty damned good against flying insects, at least when it's not windy or when you're in an enclosed space like a blind. Don't think it does a thing about ticks.

I haven't had ticks yet when turkey hunting (early season), but have been mauled just walking about in the countryside or at the range. Very creepy.

Given all the cold we might be lucky this year in having them come later. Find out if you're in an active area but take precautions regardless http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/disease/lyme.aspx

Do all you can to prevent getting one on you. http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_people.html. DEET on your skin and/or permethrin on clothing. Long socks. Do up wrist or ankle ties if you have then, or buy some short straps at the dollar store and close openings.

Then do some serious tick hunting every day when you get home. Don't panic if you find one - serious disease is extremely rare and generally only happens if they've been feeding on you for more than 24 hours. A check at least once or twice a day is a good idea, but more is probably not necessary.
 
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I spray my clothes with permethrin (sp?) It will treat your gear for 6 weeks or 6 washes and will kill any tic that touches you. Be careful because it will also kill cats (not harmful to dogs) Don't let it contact skin, sounds like bad stuff but I absolutely despise tics and will do anything in my power to avoid them (even if it means growing a third arm) Thermocell is the cats ass when it comes to skeeters and black flies.
As for turkeys, scout hard and pay attention to what they are doing. Try to be where they want to go. A whole book could be written on that topic so that's the short version. good luck, spring turkey hunting is awesome
 
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