just wanted to say hi.....

[ArMountainMan]

just wanted to say Hi to everyone......and thanks for what i' ve been learning here and for what I will learn. I' ve been reading this forum for about a week now.

I tried deer hunting for the first time about two years ago and have become fed up with the waiting and never seeing anything. Last spring I was invited on a turkey hunt near the white river here in arkansas and was instantly hooked. We didn' t take a bird but just the excitement of listening to the birds and calling them was amazing....as I" m sure you all know!!

ok...now for my question.........
I recently obtained an aerial shot of the land I intend to hunt this spring....what exactly should I be looking for? What things are obvious and what things are not so obvious that I should pay attention for? I realize that hours looking at maps cannot make up for time scouting in the field but the maps surely help..right?


Again thanks in advance you guys!!!!

[strut]

Welcome ArMountainMan, I would look for big open timber ridges and mark any fields that you may find on your map, Also remember any creeks or branches or any other thing that may block you from calling one in. You are right no amount of looking at a map will take the place of pre-season scouting but it sure don' t hurt to know the lay of the land. Get out before season and listen is some of the best scouting you can do.

[Bobgobble2]

AMM,welcome to the roost !I will use topo' s and airiel' s to mainly look for flat and steep terrain!This gives me an idea somewhat where to start in that I would like to cover as much ground as possible!With that said I do believe though theres no subsitute for good old fashion scoutin with your legs.I use my quad alot if possible in traveling roads,trails,and creek bottoms looking for tracks!In another month the birds should be getting close to sounding off regularly at daybreak and a vocal gobbler can save alot of time and effort if your in the right spot in hearing one.Set-up at high point before daybreak and put your ears on and listen for those morning breaking gobbles!Hope it helps Bob!

[MOTurkeyTamer]

Welcome to the board AMM!! Always room for more!

[G-Dawg_02]

welcome to the board..
Scouting is obviously the best way, but what i use my arial maps for is looking for spots i think would be good, and then i mark spots where i have found sign or seen birds working.. Again, Welcome!

[FroMan]

Welcome aboard! It' s always good to have fellow Arkansan turkey hunters join up. Learn and post! Good to have ya.

[jalvja]

AMM,You already got some great advice so I' ll just say welcome to the flock.

[Adrian J Hare]

Welcome from me Too ! Boy you guys on in this place all night or what !
AMM if your going to jump in with everyone , just becarefull jumpin in beside Ol MayTom you' ll go clean over your head bud ! ...BT