Ok everybody, I know spring is a long, long time away right now, but I'm already getting jazzed up about turkey season. Nothing I love more than chasing a big ol gobbler through the woods in the morning. I've learned a lot about turkey hunting through trial and error the last few years, but I always seem to learn something new from the people on this site. So lets hear em. Your best tips on busting that gobbler come spring.

I think "experience" is the pest tip you can give. They're one of a kind, and make for a challenging hunt. Very rewarding when successful. So for everyone that wants tips, there's mine

Shut up sit still and stay put.

call quieter than you think you should. MUCH quieter!

Yup, the last two responses sum it up. Don't call too much! Get him interested with some soft clucks and play hard to get. If he's gobbling at every sound you make and not getting any closer he's waiting for you to come to him. Drive him crazy with your silence! Scratch the leaves and quiet clucks like you don't care about him and you're just feeding. And don't let him see you move!

Start by Reading what Pat Ely has posted above on this Forum.

JW

Ask questions onTHIS forum!!

When you feel the need to get up and make a move (gobbler hung up, haven't heard anything, getting bored/restless), hold tight for another 15 minutes...he could be coming in quietly. I couldn't tell you the number of times i've called and called in good spots and heard nothing, got up to move and immediately spooked birds that were on their way in but didn't make a sound.

I'll do a spin off of a post above. If you have one hung up on the other side of a creek that won't fly over do your best to make him love sick. Fire that bird up with some excited yelps and cutts. Really pour it on him and make him gobble till he's dizzy. Then just shut up. It will be hard when he's on the other side gobbling and spitting and drumming. 9 out of 10 times he will shut up too after a few minutes. Scratch in the leaves and you can just about bet if he wants it bad enough he will fly over. I've done this numerous times. Matter of fact I did it this year and called all three of them across the creek. I would say between the 3 of them they gobbled over 500 times from the roost to where they pitched down to the creek bank before I got them across. It was my best hunt in 11 yrs. of hunting turkeys.

Patience!!

Get something comfortable to sit on. I purchased a turkey hunting chair several years ago and it isa difference maker if you have a long wait. Movement will ruin a hunt quick if the bird is close.