Turkey Hunting etiquette

Balkan

Balkan

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the big smoke
so I'm walking along a path in the woods on my first turkey hunt ever and as I turn a corner, I spot a decoy. I freeze, not knowing if the guy who set it up has spotted me. I looked and looked very carefully but I couldn't see anyone so just to be safe and as to not cause further disturbance I backtrack about 15 minutes and take a different path.
My question is, should have I called out "hunter here"...I'm sure the guy must have spotted me since I was in plain view and had an orange vest on. What are the norms during such an encounter?

In addition, is anyone willing to share info on a spot within 2 hrs of Toronto where I can go an test my luck. Please PM me. The spot where I was this weekend doesn't seem to hold much of a turkey population. It's full of deer tracks though.
 
In my opinion you did the right thing. The other day I was all set up with 5 decoys out and two a--holes walked right through them bold as brass without an apology. As far as spots to hunt have you looked at the Simcoe forest? Most guys are pretty protective of their areas as they are getting fewer and far between and I must say I'm getting to be one of them.
 
Seen quite a few deer tracks while i was out Turkey hunting this morning, but alas, didn't see many turkeys. Except the hen that hung out about 50 yards away from us.
 
I think you should always call out when encountering another potential hunter.
Backing out of the area doesn't mean he knew you were there.
If I lived in the Toronto area, I would head north to Barrie/Orillia area. Tons of birds and tons of property.
 
I don't hunt turkey, but I think you did the right thing.

I know that 1) if you were to stroll up and start yelling, and it wasn't an emergency, I would be pretty angry for you scaring off the game.

2) I don't shoot at something unless I am 100% on the identification. Maybe some people aren't like me, but I am pretty sure I could tell the difference between you, 6 feet tall, wearing a bright orange vest; and a turkey coming to harass one of my decoys.

Then again, are you sure they were decoys? Maybe turkey's have gotten smart to our methods and you got tricked by a bunch of birds that were standing really still. :D
 
oops, maybe just to be sure I should have taken out the decoy's head and in the case it did turn out to be a decoy apologize and give him one of mine.

The continuation of the story is that at the suggestion of some fellow CGN-ers, I went to a spot about an hour east of T.O. my buddy and I spoted a few females but no toms. I was planning to give it one last try on Saturday but the forecast calls for a storm. Where do the turkeys hide in a storm? It's probably a stalking game when it's raining instead of a calling game?
 
Balkan said:
I was planning to give it one last try on Saturday but the forecast calls for a storm. Where do the turkeys hide in a storm? It's probably a stalking game when it's raining instead of a calling game?
Click to expand...

Except in rare circumstances it is next to impossible to stalk turkeys with a shotgun. You will NOT be able to get within range. Did you fall asleep during your turkey hunting course? :slap:

Turkeys will usually stick to the edges of fields during rainy periods. They have to rely more on their keen eyesight instead of their hearing. They will still respond to calling except during the heaviest rain. Remember wild animals live outside 24/7 & their lives go on rain or shine :). Season is over now in Ontario but there is always next Spring to look forward to.
 
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