Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

Hey, I am new to Old Gobbler forum and happy to be here and look forward to future posts/topics of conversation.  With that being said, I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I will be hunting in Southern Illinois this spring and I am thinking about jumping across the river to hunt the Big Rivers WMA in North Western Kentucky for a few days while I am that close and was just curious if anyone in here had hunted it before? Not looking for specific locations or any kind of tips on where to start or anything like that. Just asking if anyone knew how the bird population was and if anyone had any luck hunting it in the past. Any general information would be helpful.  Thanks!

 :turkey2:

Welcome aboard, not many folks are going to give any info these days on specific locations.

Go down and get boots on the ground!

Noted. Again, not looking for specifics, just general knowledge as far as past experiences/success.

If it were me I would study aerial maps until you were cross-eyed then put boots on the ground. Spend all day, take a lunch and binoculars.
Sorry to say, but providing the information you are asking is generally frowned upon on this forum. That's just the state of turkey hunting in 2025.

I lived in the Paducah area for close to ten years and honestly can say I never heard of it. Maybe a newer WMA? Drive 90 minutes or so east of Paducah and you'll find some other public.  In the late 90s early 2000s they were hit hard.  Can't imagine what they would be like now.  KY Fish and Wildlife once had some very detailed harvest data on their website for both deer and turkey.  Good luck.

Mentioning specific spots even just questioning about them causes spot burn. Not a good idea bud

hilliard113 - IMO - the "spot burn" fanatics on this forum are extreme at times so as a new guy don't worry about it.  FYI Kentucky's Harvest Data pages does all the spot burning you'll ever need.  Those on some local KY forums always cry and moan over this.  I had not looked at it for some time but did last night. I may have missed it but the WMA you are asking about wasn't listed although it does exist.  It was established after I had moved to Florida so that explains that.  Again good luck and enjoy this forum for what it is.

Public opinion has really shifted on the open distribution of spot particulars lately ..to the status of "LOW BROW"

Anyways let me share with you some info - in turkey hunting the biggest problem isn't the turkeys..its the people !

I can literally look on satellite images and tell you like a CIA photo analyst where "enemy guerrilla concentrations " are holed up , lol

I go directly to the areas that are the FURTHEST away from and road , trail etc....I will ride a mountain bike for 4 miles ...I actually have a folding kayak...cross a river ...once you are far...far away from other shotgun toting hunters ..in suitable habitat ....there you will find a good chance of quality hunting

I had a secret turkey hunting spot for several years on a island in the middle of a river.. this island was 4 miles long by 300 yards ...its was practically devoid of trees  exept a few short immature willow trees that were like large bushes ..I had to be dropped of in the mornings because I didn't want anyone seeing my truck there ..I killed alot of gobblers there...look in places others with overlook

Also talk to the area biologists

Don't know bout kentucky but most south eastern states will have either a wma turkey harvest for previous years, and/or a county harvest from previous years. You might get lucky and get someone to private message you but if i were you id get on kentuckys game and fish website and see what kind of info they have on last year's harvest.

KY has one of the longest running and best harvest data info sites on line. Easy to find and easy to navigate. Multiple years harvest on both private land by county and WMAs by name.  Florida's FWC web site now mirrors this.  IMO many states have mirrored KY's publicly accessible data.

:welcomeOG:

Lots of times the game commission will help you where you may want to start. Just a little tidbit  :anim_25:

Welcome to Old Gobbler. This is a great turkey hunting forum! If you start naming specific WMA's you're not going to get much of a response. I know you said not specifics but that's kind of regarded as specific I'd say. 


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Be sure and have your account set to accept Private Messages.  Another little forum secret is that often someone will respond that way if they don't want to deal with the spot burn criticism.  And for heaven's sake don't ever even hint you've watched an episode of THP or they'll be no "cool guy" spot for you at the lunch table.
I hope you aren't one of the many one time posters who after being shamed by this bunch is never heard from again. 

Quote from: joey46 on March 29, 2025, 08:53:45 AMhilliard113 - IMO - the "spot burn" fanatics on this forum are extreme at times so as a new guy don't worry about it.  FYI Kentucky's Harvest Data pages does all the spot burning you'll ever need.  Those on some local KY forums always cry and moan over this.  I had not looked at it for some time but did last night. I may have missed it but the WMA you are asking about wasn't listed although it does exist.  It was established after I had moved to Florida so that explains that.  Again good luck and enjoy this forum for what it is.

Quote from: joey46 on March 29, 2025, 08:53:45 AMhilliard113 - IMO - the "spot burn" fanatics on this forum are extreme at times so as a new guy don't worry about it.  FYI Kentucky's Harvest Data pages does all the spot burning you'll ever need.  Those on some local KY forums always cry and moan over this.  I had not looked at it for some time but did last night. I may have missed it but the WMA you are asking about wasn't listed although it does exist.  It was established after I had moved to Florida so that explains that.  Again good luck and enjoy this forum for what it is.

Seems odd the way you view guys having brains bout protecting spots. Hey would you announce exactly what wmas you hunt? Be a great idea to share?

Skim through the 389 page Member's List on this forum and see how many have posted once or twice and then not at all.  This forum's elite have driven more away than you can even guess bud

Quote from: joey46 on March 30, 2025, 06:13:10 AMSkim through the 389 page Member's List on this forum and see how many have posted once or twice and then not at all.  This forum's elite have driven more away than you can even guess bud

Look at the users online. This time of year the Guests far outnumber the Members. I just looked and it's 1321 guests and 55 members. Post something on here and it is public info. Lasts quite a while too.

Western Kentucky has some turkeys.

Quote from: joey46 on March 30, 2025, 06:13:10 AMSkim through the 389 page Member's List on this forum and see how many have posted once or twice and then not at all.  This forum's elite have driven more away than you can even guess bud

Brother you're speaking like a man with an inferiority complex. No one is looking at you badly. Im pretty sure I heard a bunch of guys never heard of that wma keying in a search after they read the question though. 
I also noticed you didn't post up your spot so perhaps it's ok to blow someone else's areas but not yours?
I'll also say you seem to be sensitive to things you don't like but have no prob smoke screening to the point of calling guys fanatical trying to make a thought seem irrelevant. That's the way of the newer generation. Doesn't work imo.
And in case Joey doesn't understand this is why so many don't come on here as much. Some really overly sensitive users looking at things in odd ways.
Op be advised nothing is against you either. Good luck this season

The "newer generation" LOL.  I'm 78.  Anyone can bring up KY's list of public areas and pick and choose a WMA convenient for them. For a new guy to post a question here and be scolded and treated like a cheater for even asking is bogus.  Mentioning a specific area, he has never seen, is far from a criminal offense. Even for this elitist bunch it was too much to go unchallenged. I have already sent him a PM with alternate choices to consider in the Purchase area of KY.   

Quote from: Ihuntoldschool on March 30, 2025, 10:52:04 AMWestern Kentucky has some turkeys.

Yes it does and when one reads the KY telecheck harvest report and list of WMAs they can use that information to narrow their search.  As an alternative they could come on a turkey forum, ask a question, and be scolded and "given a good talking to" for even asking.

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Quote from: Bowguy on March 30, 2025, 11:40:52 AM

Quote from: joey46 on March 30, 2025, 06:13:10 AMSkim through the 389 page Member's List on this forum and see how many have posted once or twice and then not at all.  This forum's elite have driven more away than you can even guess bud

Brother you're speaking like a man with an inferiority complex. No one is looking at you badly. Im pretty sure I heard a bunch of guys never heard of that wma keying in a search after they read the question though. 
I also noticed you didn't post up your spot so perhaps it's ok to blow someone else's areas but not yours?
I'll also say you seem to be sensitive to things you don't like but have no prob smoke screening to the point of calling guys fanatical trying to make a thought seem irrelevant. That's the way of the newer generation. Doesn't work imo.
And in case Joey doesn't understand this is why so many don't come on here as much. Some really overly sensitive users looking at things in odd ways.
Op be advised nothing is against you either. Good luck this season

Same crap, different year....it was the same stuff last year from him. Everybody is an elitist if they don't think like he does.

Quote from: joey46 on March 30, 2025, 02:35:29 PMThe "newer generation" LOL.  I'm 78.  Anyone can bring up KY's list of public areas and pick and choose a WMA convenient for them. For a new guy to post a question here and be scolded and treated like a cheater for even asking is bogus.  Mentioning a specific area, he has never seen, is far from a criminal offense. Even for this elitist bunch it was too much to go unchallenged. I have already sent him a PM with alternate choices to consider in the Purchase area of KY. 

If you're 78 than I'd think you could interpret things like a man. Who is so sensitive they think anyone was scolding?
Why do you think you must go against "the elitist bunch".

Quote from: captpete on March 30, 2025, 04:12:01 PM

Quote from: Bowguy on March 30, 2025, 11:40:52 AM

Quote from: joey46 on March 30, 2025, 06:13:10 AMSkim through the 389 page Member's List on this forum and see how many have posted once or twice and then not at all.  This forum's elite have driven more away than you can even guess bud

Brother you're speaking like a man with an inferiority complex. No one is looking at you badly. Im pretty sure I heard a bunch of guys never heard of that wma keying in a search after they read the question though. 
I also noticed you didn't post up your spot so perhaps it's ok to blow someone else's areas but not yours?
I'll also say you seem to be sensitive to things you don't like but have no prob smoke screening to the point of calling guys fanatical trying to make a thought seem irrelevant. That's the way of the newer generation. Doesn't work imo.
And in case Joey doesn't understand this is why so many don't come on here as much. Some really overly sensitive users looking at things in odd ways.
Op be advised nothing is against you either. Good luck this season

Same crap, different year....it was the same stuff last year from him. Everybody is an elitist if they don't think like he does.

Idk how some guys hate other turkey hunters or their opinion.
Must be awful to be that unhappy

The majority of the posters on this board seem to be over 60 years old.  They have experience and have seen the rise and fall of turkey hunting and have a lot to offer.  However, they are TERRIBLE at accepting change. 

If you notice, most of the posts are trying to 'return to the way it used to be'. And longing for the good ol' days. But that's simply not going to happen.  It just isn't.  There's no point in arguing it.  Social media is here to say, technology is only going to increase, equipment is only going to get better. Turkey hunting is changing.

Fighting against it, is futile.  It's understandable why folks want to go back to the hay day.  But it's nothing more than daydreaming.  Reality is moving on with or with out them.

For what it's worth, I'm not saying one way is right or wrong. I'm simply saying that it's like fighting to go back to the typewriter in 2025.

Quote from: CALLM2U on March 30, 2025, 05:08:12 PMThe majority of the posters on this board seem to be over 60 years old.  They have experience and have seen the rise and fall of turkey hunting and have a lot to offer.  However, they are TERRIBLE at accepting change. 

If you notice, most of the posts are trying to 'return to the way it used to be'. And longing for the good ol' days. But that's simply not going to happen.  It just isn't.  There's no point in arguing it.  Social media is here to say, technology is only going to increase, equipment is only going to get better. Turkey hunting is changing.

Fighting against it, is futile.  It's understandable why folks want to go back to the hay day.  But it's nothing more than daydreaming.  Reality is moving on with or with out them.

For what it's worth, I'm not saying one way is right or wrong. I'm simply saying that it's like fighting to go back to the typewriter in 2025.

I'm 37 - this has nothing to do with age. You can be 20 and still respect an area and the people that frequent it by not posting information online.

No one should just "accept" impolite, thoughtless activity.

Quote from: CALLM2U on March 30, 2025, 05:08:12 PMThe majority of the posters on this board seem to be over 60 years old.  They have experience and have seen the rise and fall of turkey hunting and have a lot to offer.  However, they are TERRIBLE at accepting change. 

If you notice, most of the posts are trying to 'return to the way it used to be'. And longing for the good ol' days. But that's simply not going to happen.  It just isn't.  There's no point in arguing it.  Social media is here to say, technology is only going to increase, equipment is only going to get better. Turkey hunting is changing.

Fighting against it, is futile.  It's understandable why folks want to go back to the hay day.  But it's nothing more than daydreaming.  Reality is moving on with or with out them.

For what it's worth, I'm not saying one way is right or wrong. I'm simply saying that it's like fighting to go back to the typewriter in 2025.

I think there is some truth to what you say. For many of us, though, we would rather not add to the change. I bet many would agree that this change is not going to be for the better.
However, if we need some more action, I could climb into the pulpit and deliver a sermon on the evils of food plots, trail cameras, decoys, blinds, and e-bikes.
All of which is absolute fact and not personal opinion at all.

joey reminds me of the thousands of people I have met that move to Florida and tell us yokels how we should do things. 

I think people don't come back because they were only interested in the question they asked. 

It's not rare on any forum.

so you're saying no one is going to drop me a pin 😂. Boy that question got some of you worked up. Sorry, didn't mean to create such an argument between some... so I guess I'll just go check harvest reports that are public knowledge on the internet for the answer I was asking for... also on the internet 😂

I know that often folks with some knowledge will PM info, just not usually on the open boards because once posted it is searchable forever.  There is nothing at all wrong with asking and we sure hope you stick around.  This is the ONLY turkey site on the interwebs that is worth following.  I have blocked three posters on here and 2 of them are gone and the other I unblocked and all is fine. 

Welcome aboard.

As you see, and like others have said, it's best to contact a local biologist in the area you want to hunt. Or a game warden. They will give you valuable intel. At minimum, how the population is doing. I look at all the data I can too in the area I'm going.

I won't step foot in another state without talking to at least one if not both and obsessing over every piece of data I can find about the areas birds

78?? Brother get off Internet forums and go outside


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Thanks for the tip.  I would but I'm working on a thread titled "Spot Burn". Maybe can get a sponsorship from OnX.