New to Turkey Hunting

A7Xfan78 · 10-20-2006, 04:07 PM

I am thinking about starting Turkey hunting in the spring. i was wondering what i should get as far as decoys, calls, etc. anything you can tell me would be helpful, as well as any advice.

Rob/PA Bowyer · 10-22-2006, 08:24 PM

Pick up several style of calls and practice with each. I'd recommend a Pot call, glass or slate or one that has both like the MOJO from River Valley Game Calls, also a box call, perhaps a mouth call and get proficient with it. The push/pull button box calls are as simplistic as they come and do work, perhaps pick up one of those. There's a saying in the turkey industry, if your vest doesn't weigh 50 lbs, your not turkey hunting...lol That comes from turkey knowledge that every bird is different and one single call will not work 100% of the time, you'll want to switch them up on each calling location

Decoys, you can do without them with good calling. Decoys can also hurt you in different circumstances. Rather than spending money on decoys, I'd recommend getting a good turkey vest to carry your calls and have you comfortable when calling one in, a comfortable turkey hunter is a still turkey hunter.

r33h · 10-23-2006, 08:29 AM

being a beginner, definitely get multiple calls as Rob/PA Bowyer suggested, but make sure to get a box call. They are super easy to use and are pretty loud for locating birds. I find myself using a slate call most of the time and I always have a mouth call in my mouth. I am not the best at using it, however, when there is a gobbler in sight you won't be able to move very much and you will want both hands on the gun. The mouth call will be the hardest to master, but is the most effective. There is so much you can talk about calls, so the best thing to do is google search "turkey hunting basics" or something like that.

As far as decoys go, I like to use a two hen and one jake setup. I have only been using decoys for one year, and from what I have read, there is several "strategic" ways to set up your decoys in the field to really bring them in. One thing that I have found with decoys, though, is gobblers really get fired up when they see the decoys and I have had several come running, literally 30 miles per hour, and then stop about 50 to 60 yards out and wont come any closer. This has happened several times and I have also read about other hunters having the same problem.

Once you get going, I think you will really, really like it. There is something about calling the bird and it responding to your call that deer hunting doesn't offer. I prefer turkey hunting over deer hunting mainly because of the interaction between me and the bird.

swamp rooster · 10-23-2006, 09:15 AM

If you know any turkey hunters try to talk to as many as possible about there hunts and tricks they use.You will find that most of us turkey killers will answer your questions and try to help you out and get you started in the right direction .Maybe try a few of there calls ,then you will kinda get the idea what to buy,and as far as decoys ,out of 50 plus days a year hunting birds i might use them two or three times, they have definently hurt me more than they help, in the past 16 years hunting.some birds will run in to them and others will hang up.Plus be very carefull using decoys esspecially jakes and toms i have had my decoys shot twice and that will scare the sh.. out of ya.By other hunters sneeking up on me and shootin like wild cowboys.So just be careful with decoys.

SJAdventures · 10-28-2006, 08:31 PM

For new turkey hunters I would start by getting some DVD's/VHS' and start watching some turkey hunting what they do. There is a mountain of turkey calls on the market and you will have to trial and error some like the rest of us have done. You'll see a call and you will try it and it may work for you and it may not. For a beginner I would recommend the K&H Slatex for a friction call, it is the easiest friction call I have ever used. Like said the push button yelpers are easy for the beginner to use. A decent box call (K&H, Lynch, Primos,etc.)are fairly easy to use. Mouth calls you just have to start buying some and see which ones you like. Primos makes a couple of stacked ones that are easy to use.

Arrowmaster · 10-29-2006, 12:50 PM

I myself prefer the Quaker Boy calls. Although I do have some Primos and a slate by Cody. I use the decoys everytime out. But as others said they can help ya and hurt ya. Just this year I had that happen. I had a Tom at about 60 yards and he was hung up. Not coming. I then had 2 more toms coming in on the side of me and when the first Tom saw them he ran for them and wouldnt let the other 2 come to my decoys. He pushed them away and walked off with them. But after they left about 1/2 hr later, I called one in and the rest is history... Oh how I love turkey hunting...