This is my first year of turkey hunting are there any tips i should know? Use a shotgun or bow? What calls work the best? Blind or no blind? I'm going in the 5th season May 14-18. I'd rather use a bow, but other people tell me diffrent. I'f I don't get a bird that's fine with me. I the thrill of the hunt that we all love.

Yeh dude i hear ya...It will be my first time going out as well. Good luck, i dont have much advice, but assuming your using a bow, a blind would be a great benefit. And a mechinical broadhead that does not penatrate well.

First of all, welcome to the forums

I see you already have the right attitude, that is for sure!

As far as bow vs. gun, well that is totally up to you.

As for calls, in my arsenal, they all serve their own certain purpose.

Slate calls andbox calls will prob. be the most user friendly, and take minimal time to master. At most stores (around here at least--gander/cabelas etc) you can go play with all the different kinds of calls. I really like the Primos "Jackpot" with Slate. If you are up for a challenge, I'd go buy a diaphram (mouth call) with an instructional CD, and practice on that. For me, it is the most versitile, and for obvious reasons, uses the least movemement.

As buckmaster said, if you're usuing the bow, I'd use a blind. There are a ton out there, and not all of them cost an arm and a leg. Maybe you could borrow one too, for your first season.

You should scout the land you have access to, and make sure there are birds there. I like to go out mid-afternoon when the sun is high and glass fields and look for them there, but also go out at dusk and find there roosting area. I bring an owl call, and the plan is to get them to "shock" gobble and give away their location.

It's not a must, but if you can, use adecoy(s). If a turkey gets an eye on them, you'll have a better chance of him coming in to your set. There are a lot of different decoys, and everyone has their oppinions on them. I like to use a jake and a hen.

As far as broadheads, you can use whatever you use for deer, but I like to use a big mechanical.

Oh, and by the way...It is addicting. Everything about it

hey thanks for the info mn/kyle. I do have my own blind. I just came back from gander and picked up a Knight & Hale diaphram has 3 diff. calls came with. I've been trying it out since I bought it.

If i were you i'd try a bow for the first couple days, then after use a shotgun, i use mouth calls and the quaker boy Grand Old Master.. i love them. As far as blind or no blind, they always can help but if you have a good background then its just bout the same to me... Good luck

Bump. I know there are a lot of people who know Turkeys on the board.