New guy here in the turkey forum.Last year was my first year turkey hunting and I had absolutely no succes.Did'nt even have an encounter with any.I had a couple of guys that took me on seperate trips and led me to believe they knewwhat they were doing.They seemed liked they knew aslittle as I did and would occasinally ask mewhat I thought about some of their suggestions.I thought your supposed to be the turkey hunter,I have no idea.I think my chances are better asking questions on this forum and trying on my own.I'd really like to get me a bird this year.
A couple questions to start off with.How would I know a area has turkeys.Is their signs to scout for?I never see any when I'm deer hunting so I don't really know how to pick a spot to hunt.
Secondlly what calls and accesories would be good for a rookie to start off with?I went right before the season started last year and their really was'nt nothing left to pick from.We got a Gander Mtn. this year and the shelves are stocked right now.I want to get my stuff early and start practicing.
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
James

The best way to know if there are turkeys on the property is look for scratchings in the leaves. The best thing to do is listen for birds before the season. If you hear birds gobbling you know they are there. If you dont hear a gobble chances are theres not a bird there. For calls everybody has their own preference. I would start off with a box or a slate call. They are pretty easy to get use to with a little bit of practice. Just keep checking this forum day to day and you will be ready by the spring. There are alot of great folks on here that are willing to help. Good luck and we cant wait to see pics of you and your turkey.

Look for tracks along dirt roads or what we Yankees call "Two tracks" unimproved roads through the woods. On foot look for Scratchings, as stated above. This will be noticeable turned leaves where the Turkeys have searched for food. Oaks are a good area. Look for feathers, terds and most importantly a "strut zone." This will be tracks that show the draging wing marks on the ground. The edge of an open area of woodlandor intersection of unimprove trails are allways suspect for a strutt zone. The Gobbler will go to these areas and strut in an effort to atracked hens.

[/align]Thats a pretty good start. There's a huge amount of information on this site

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[/align]http://www.huntingnet.com/turkey/

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Well ... if your really new to turkey huntig then you have a lot to learn , my best advice to give you is start reading.
There is a book out there called ( Wild Turkey ) it's part of the complete hunter series , you can find this book at any sporting goods store.
It also gives you expert advice on locating , scouting , calling , habitat , equipment and hunting techniques.
When it come to calls , take bullmoose advice and start off with a box or a slate / friction call then you might want to try a mouth / diaphragm call .

Likesaid before. I would get some books on turkey hunting and read as much as you can. Turkey hunting DVD's are a pretty good source of infotoo

Listen for gobbling at daylight and look for tracks, feathers, and scratching. Check out hardwood bottoms and the edges of fields (and any sandy areas out in the field). Look for tracks around mudholes (don't know what part of the country you're in or if your frozen in right now) and in the sandy areas along creeks. Look for upturned leaves (scratchings). Now, these will be widespread areas, not just a thin trail that a rooting animal like an armadillo will leave. The leaf litter will be turned over from the bottom up. They reach forward and rake the leaves backward, then take a step and repeat. So, there will not be much, if any, bare ground showing.

Cover a lot of ground. Might as well make a day of it and bring a sack lunch and hunt for sheds while you're at it. Take a camera and if you're unsure of what you're seeing, bring us a picture of it.

As far as calls go, I'd start with a single-sided box. They're just easier to learn on. I'm partial to a Lynch foolproof for a starter. I'd also get a slate. Learn to master those two first before moving on to a mouthcall. That might come easy or it might take you all summer to learn before next year.

When the season opens and it gets real, call as little as possible to keep 'em interested. Also, remember that you're up against the sharpest eyes in the woods. Think about each twitch of a finger before you twitch it! Don't swat mosquitos, scratch, or rub your nose. If he's close, squint your eyes so he won't pick up on a blink or eye twinkle as easy. I can't emphasise that enough! BE STILL! They will pick up ANY movement.

...and last, DO NOT CALL BEFORE THE SEASON!!!

oh,...and welcome to your new obsession!

Thanks for the responses.I'll take your advice and buy me some reading material and a box call.I'll keep you guys updated on my preseason scouting.My season does'nt start till April so I've got plenty of time.Maybe I can find me some turkeys in the meantime.
Thanks again,
JE

Scout Scout Scout!

May many good turkey books and mags to help you through the way, these forums are also great tools!
Good luck!

I have to agree with what has already been said, But I will try to add a few. If you can, try to scout from a distance! I mean that if the land you are hunting is partially open, try scouting with a spotting scope or binoculars. Just like scouting for deer. Like Barefoot said "make a day of it" and scout as often as you can to get a god idea of the flock in your area. You may also want to invest in a good ground blind! Once you have located birds on your property, set out your blind and spend some time just watching them and listening to them. You will be surprised at what you can learn from just watching them in their enviroment(i.e. vocal sounds, feeding and breeding patterns, etc..) This will also allow you to see the quailty of the birds you will be hunting upclose and not have to worry AS MUCH about your movements. I mean "as much" because you still have to be careful not to be seen moving while in the blind but if you do it may give you a little more room for error! This is also a good time to take a camera with you to get yourself some pictures of the flock. That way you can learn the physical differences of the birds you will be hunting and can help you learn how to field judge the differences. It is also a way you can share your adventures with the other people on this forum!LOL
Good Luck and Safe Hunting!!!

BamaHuntin, You didn't say whether you would be using a gun or bow? Not to discourage you but you may want to try gun first. You have a lot more room for error with a gun than with a bow! I am not questioning your ability with a bow but it is a whole other ballgame when bowhunting turkeys! You have to be able to get them real close. Also I meant to add that you may want to get yourself a couple of decoys. I would suggest an upright hen, feeding hen, and a jake.