Need some advice on turkey hunting.
 

i have never been turkey hunting before but recntly purchased a turkey gun and plan to take up the sport. im not real sure where i will need to go. i was wondering if the turkeys that i see during fall bow season would still be in the general area in the spring and what places to setup and where to setup any info would help.

RE: Need some advice on turkey hunting.
 

This is a question that is asked alot.

Most times there will be birds in the same area come spring , just not the numbers you see in the winter. Setups have to do with Scouting. Food , water, strutting, roosting areas are the main points to find while scouting...BT

RE: Need some advice on turkey hunting.
 

In the fall, the toms tend to run together and the hens and poults run together in groups. Sometimes they merge for a little while and feed. (I guess they're checking out the chicks and exchanging phone numbers) Come springtime, though, and the toms spread out and sort of steak out a territory. The hens scatter to go to the toms. There will most probably be some turkeys where you are seeing them during deer season, BUT there will also be birds where you don't see them now. Do some scouting within a few weeks before your season opens. Get there early and listen. Wear out some shoe leather. Look for tracks, feathers, droppings, dusting spots, turkeys. Listen closely throughout the day. BUT DO NOT CALL!

You can break up the monotony while doing this and look for sheds and box turtle shells. (they make good calls with a little work.) Go with a friend or a young-un.

Just remember, the fun in turkey hunting is in the hunting, not the killing.

RE: Need some advice on turkey hunting.
 

Frito welcome to the flock here,as you can see we have some fellas that know there stuff!!Take to heart the info these 2 gentlemen have given ya on your question cause in my book there right on the money!!!;)

RE: Need some advice on turkey hunting.
 

Round all of these guys up and make huntin.net a t.v show.......we would make Turkey call a run for their money:D

speaking of turkey call who is that guy who does the tip's section with no teeth? he sure knows how to use those mouthcalls! ;)

RE: Need some advice on turkey hunting.
 

Agree with everything said.

For the most part, the turkeys you see in the fall will be in the same area as next spring. You have found the right spot. Do some additional scouting now through right before your spring season to pinpoint their roosting sites, strutting zones, travel patterns, etc.

The 2-3 weeks before your season is critical to be out scouting in the morning at first light and again about an hour before dark. I'm able to really see where my turkeys are going off the roost and coming from before they fly up to roost.

As barefoot mentioned, you can be doing other things while scouting and hunting turkeys in the spring. I've found some new deer hot spots, mushroom and shed hunting. Do not be even tempted to go scouting with a call, leave them at home.

RE: Need some advice on turkey hunting.
 

Welcome to turkey hunting! I'm sure you'll love this sport! I agree with all that
has been said. These guys have pretty much told you that scouting is important
so I won't harp on it. Invest in some good camo and calls. Sit still and aim for
the bottom of the neck if you get a shot. Learn all you can about turkeys and their patterns and how to call them and you'll be successful. There is no feeling
in the world like that beating of your heart when a big tom gobbles and struts
right in front of you. Good luck and have fun hunting the wild turkey!

RE: Need some advice on turkey hunting.
 

I'm in the same situation as you. I was bowhunting a couple weeks ago and saw 5 toms walk 25 yards from in a stand of pines. Then they went out to a wheat field to feed. Then came back through on the other side of me then flew up to roost. Will they use the same roost through the winter and into spring season? Or does it vary daily or seasonaly?

RE: Need some advice on turkey hunting.
 

As long as the flock is not bouthered they will stay close by the food source. When the food supply runs low they will move again to another supply. Easterns will roost in the same area as long as they are not busted, now the same tree, not all the time. I'm sure there will be some birds in the area come spring...BT

RE: Need some advice on turkey hunting.
 

Titleist,one other thing to consider here is although there may be possibly still a few birds roosting there because of a consistent the food source as BT stated,food will play second fiddle to the need to breed come spring.What will happen in many circumstances is these bachelor group of gobblers who've tolerated each other through most of the year will start to look at one another as rivals for the ladies and begin to break-up and move off establishing there own turf.So dont be surprised to find a gobbler or two still there but not necassarily that group of 5 still in tact!!;)Bob...