What calls do I need to master?

Like everyone has noted the two easiest calls to master are the box call and the slate. I personally prefer primos brand calls because over the past several years they have come up with several newbie-friendly turkey calls. Primos's Heart Breaker box call is in my opinion the best box call out on the market. It produces sharp cuts and soft yelps however the call is a tad pricey. They also have a new line of sonic dome diaphragm calls that position the call correctly in your mouth. Its a great call for hunters trying to learn to use a diaphragm call. This website will aid in teaching you the natural sounds of turkeys.

http://www.nwtf.org/all_about_turkeys/calling_tips.html

Do I need Decoys?

I personally prefer to use decoys howeverI know many turkey hunters who are just as successful if not more successful than I am. I like using them in just about every situation because it gives the bird something to look. I ve had to many birds come in and not see the bird thats been calling to him and get skiddish. I prefer two hens and a jake set up because i ve had very good success with this set up. Last season I wacked two long beards that came busting in looking to kick a*s. The jake decoy seems to always p*ss them off.

How do I scout?

This has to be my favorite part of hunting. I started scouting for turkey a couple weeks ago by putting a trail camera up and a fedder to help the deer herd throughout the winter and see how manylong beardsare roaming the property. When scouting for turkeys pay close attention to open fields beings long beards love strutting in the open to attract the attention of any lone hens in the area. I am not too sure where you are located but in my home state of Pennsylvania we have many hills and the turkeys seem to always roost where the hillsides come to a point. Contrary to what IHUNTANDFISH had to say about calling I have nothing againstusing a turkey callto locate a longbeards right before the season however I believe too much calling and calling from the same location repeatedly is not a very good idea. I like usinga box call to get a gobbler to sound off from a long way off when the season comes nearer and i ve never had any problem with this method but hey everyone has their own method to success. One thing you need to understand before you head into the woods in pursuit of a longbeard is that you are hunting a bird. These animals are dumb, plain and simple. What makes them hard to kill is their instinct. I ve called in groups of birds that have been shot at and missed twice before finally killing one. Good luck this season and let me know if you have any other questions.