I am going out this wekend to do some scouting for spring turkey hunting. THe problem is i dont know what to lok for. What shold i be looking for..
Justin
When I go out scouting, I like to look for roost areas, strut areas, feeding areas and water. I' ll look for fresh turkey scratching, feathers, tracks & droppings. I' ll keep my eyes on the long open ridges, benches, saddles, south east facing ridges, logging roads, food plots and other openings. Of course I' m hunting the mountains which are hard woods, each type of terrian will bring other turkey areas. Look for where the turkeys are roosting, then try to figure out where they head next. Look for areas that a gobbler has been or will be strutting in. Also try to find routes to and from these areas that take you around the turkeys roost areas so that you won' t bump them when going in. Hope that made sense, I' ve got a killer sinus headache going on [&o]
__________________
" A vote is like a rifle: its usefulness depends upon the character of the user."
my friend Scott has covered it well.. Here is a guide that I use in seminars for the new hunter.
--------------------------------
Scouting Turkey areas
Taken in steps : As you scout your areas , keep your eye for the signs of the turkey ,, Scat , J- turds and Pop corn
, Dustings Bowls , Tracks and size , V shape Scratchings , Feathers and colour ,
Ask before entering the Property !
1/ Property areas and bounderys and listening for the sounds that Idenifiy the turkey,
Like TScottW99, I am also in Virginia. But, I' m stuck in the city/suburbs of Richmond, VA. Turkeys? Pfffft!!!! You FIND ME a turkey around here! ....NOT! The closest I have seen turkeys in near the Amelia WMA, but you would compete with 999,999 other public hunters on a small flock of 4 birds. When I did see the turkeys, they were in a farmers field and he had tons of NO TRESPASSING, NO HUNTING, KEEP OUT, YOU-COME-HERE,THE-POLICE-WILL-BE-TRACING-YOU-IN-CHALK, types of signs all over the place!! Ha ha ha ha.... So, as you can see, the turkeys aren' t stupid. They seem to " know" where it' s safe and where it' s not.
I scout several new areas per year and nothing beats laying down some shoe leather.
I scouted a WMA in GA this sunday that I was never on before.I got a point in the right direction from a message board and started out.
Scouting pays off in the season,there is no doubt about it.
Also,I have found some great deer spots scouting for turkey and vice versa.
Good luck
How to scout
You cant ask for any better advice then that right there !! COMEON
The closest I have seen turkeys in near the Amelia WMA, but you would compete with 999,999 other public hunters on a small flock of 4 birds. When I did see the turkeys, they were in a farmers field and he had tons of NO TRESPASSING, NO HUNTING, KEEP OUT, YOU-COME-HERE,THE-POLICE-WILL-BE-TRACING-YOU-IN-CHALK, types of signs all over the place!! Ha ha ha ha.... So, as you can see, the turkeys aren' t stupid. They seem to " know" where it' s safe and where it' s not.
