Need advice for NJ Spring Gobblers(long)
 

I've been hunting gobblers in NJ for the past two years. I haven't ahd success, but have gotten gobblers to answer my calls in previous years. In the past, I overcalled too much after the toms responded and moved too much, hence I was doomed for failure. I've been reading up on the subject and have learned patience and little movement is critical. I hunt on public grounds and the area is "pressured". This year, I am taking a youth hunting with me and will have the oppportunity to go before the season officially opens for youth hunting day (i will not be hunting) and think this is an excellent opportunity for the youngster to harvest a tom as there will be very few in the woods on this day, and the toms won't have been exposed to excessive calling yet. Please give the best advice you can in terms of scouting in preseason, how to best maximize the special "youth hunting day" before the official start of season and provide me advice for when I am hunting during the season on highly pressured land. Also, don't laugh about NJ turkey hunting, there are many in the state and the population is flourishing. In addition, please wish me good luck in the lottery drawing.

RE: Need advice for NJ Spring Gobblers(long)
 

Welcome to the roost NJ,I'll try to keep this short.If you know there are birds in an area you are half way home.Get out on a Sunday afternoon and walk the area(get to know the lay of the land)Afew weeks before the season get out before daylight,try to find a spot where you can hear the most ares from,and listen.Now you've heard a few gobblers gobble on the roost,Make a mental note of where these birds are.Pick a bird you wanna try for and on openin mornin try to get within 150yds or so of where he is roostin.Now you are in place on openin mornin and he gobbles,make a few tree yelps to let him know where you are and don't call anymore till he hits the ground.If he answers your tree yelps he knows where you are and he is interested.After he hits the ground make a few soft calls,if he answers stick with it if he doesn't get a little louder and aggressive,when you find what he likes stick with that.This is just a basic tactic to get you started.I know the guys here can add to this.Good luck have fun and be safe and thanks for takin a youngun huntin.