I live in Mississippi and I've never been turkey hunting. I go deer hunting all the time though. Can you give me the basics? I know you can buy blinds and stuff or hide in grass (maybe?) im not sure. but can't you do it in a stand too? I have a 12ga. shotgun and a .243. i know you're supposed to use a shotgun but isn't it legal to use a rifle too? your preference? also where should you go. near water, fields, certain plants? any baits or calls you recommend? thanks for the help

Check your state's law on using a rifle. It varies. Also be prepared for a rash of garbage from arrogant turkey bowhunters who think you're going to hell for asking such a question. What they fail to realize is that at times out west that is the ONLY way to hunt turkey, due to laws, terrain, seasons, orange requirements, etc. But in their world their way is the ONLY way, whether it works for you or not.

Depends on your state on all your questions. Here we can use a stand, but can't use rifles. I am not a huge blind guy, but they do work. Get you one that can give you room if you need a blind. If you are going to sit you might as well be comfy.
Also are you asking for fall or spring turkey? The way you approach the hunt is different.
Calls- start with a good/easy box call, this is the longer thin call with the moving lid. A very easy call is the Primo Box Cutter. Pot call (peg and pot) is a friction call that is about 3" or so. There are good commercial calls, but you can get a custom call for about the same price as a commercial (PM me for specifics). I like slate over glass.
Mouth calls are the toughest and you should start now if you want to use these. They will make you gag a little, but start trying to have them in more each day. Start by trying to make any sound- this call fits in the roof of the mouth. Quaker Boy makes a foam fit that is good, HS also and Primo has a sonic dome call that helps with starting. Get a 2 reed call to start. PM with any other questions.

New to turkey hunting -- this past spring was my first time out -- but my word of advice is find their strut zones. Spent all day in and out of the woods with no luck. Found a strut zone and set up a decoy early the next morning. Called in a hen who proceeded to call in 3 of her friends and not more than 20 minutes later we had a tom fly in. Sure, everything came together perfectly from our positioning to where the hens were set up to which direction the tom came in (basically walked directly in front of me ~30 yards out), but knowing when/where they strut was a huge help.

What is the area like that you're hunting? Mine was in an area of northern Michigan that was nothing but woods for miles -- our strut zone ended up being a 40 yard clearing with power lines that ran for miles.... placed the decoy under the power lines and set up camp just inside the woods. The woods provided great cover for us and had a wide open shot of anything in the clearing.

After about 12 years of turkey hunting I can give you this advice. Be prepared to go home empty handed way more often than carrying a bird. One has to have a lot of patience when after these wary old birds. Rest assured though it is quite an exiting event the first time you get a bird to respond and even more so when ypu bag your first long beard.

Spend time researching in the tips and tactics section and other posts. Too much data here to want to recreate the wheel!

Of course, I can't help but give you one tidbit...Don't Over Call!!!!!

Follow them back to their roost tree; then be near by (100 yards) early the next morning......................Bang - Dead bird !

Go to the gobble...don't be shy....alot of hunters will stay put, if that bird is hung up, move....you have nothing to lose if that bird isn't coming in anyway....