Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

Every year I walk away from turkey season learning something. This year was very odd here. It was unseasonably cold . Not sure if that had anything to do with it but I just couldnt find a bird that gobbled more than twice once his feet were on the ground. So to combat that I would get as close as I could to him when he was in a tree resulting in bumping more birds off the roost than I care to mention. I think my hearing is not what it used to be and its harder to pinpoint exactly where they are.

That I've got to old to do it anymore hunt one day takes three days to get over it.

That I'll never chase easterns again after moving to KS from IA. Rios are a walk in the park compared to those birds.

Just because you run around in the woods with hundred dollar calls and some costing more ...doesn't mean your going too kill turkeys... i found that out years ago... sound in the box or the pot... helps a lot....

I learned that the turkey hunting I grew up with is quickly fading into the past.    Also learned not all gobblers are straight.

Tagging out 10 days in the season sucks


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I learned that I haven't given myself enough credit for how good I can be at outsmarting myself.

I also learned that just because you are watching a squirrel on the ground next to your leg doesn't mean his buddy isn't about to jump on your shoulder.

Quote from: Rapscallion Vermilion on May 22, 2018, 07:08:26 PM
I also learned that just because you are watching a squirrel on the ground next to your leg doesn't mean his buddy isn't about to jump on your shoulder.

The end result could be a good locator call.

Takeaway this year was just because you had a lot of turkeys last year doesn't mean you'll have a lot the next year. The population can take a nose dive quick.

I learned I can still loose stuff pretty well. Also hills don't get any easier as I get older and was reminded to not over think it. Lastly I have unfinished business next spring.

I had my best season in a long time...tagged 3 birds and hunted 3 days...here in illinois..no birds here last year this year they were all over...you just never know!

I need a chiropractor as a hunting partner

Quote from: jed clampett on May 22, 2018, 08:31:22 PM
I had my best season in a long time...

So did I................

I learned that you really CAN cyber-scout your way to success.

I also reaffirmed that my forums signature line is 100% true.  Sometimes I just have to test my patience WAITING for that time and day.

I learned several things:


1 - In the future, I will use more PTO chasing Spring Gobblers than October Whitetails
2 - Sneezing can shock a gobbler into gobbling.
3 - The streak of being unable to kill a gobbler that you have to back away from when you locate him will likely never be broken.
4 - I'll always still chase gobblers that I have no chance of killing.

I don't know.  I feel dumber every year.

#1 - I love buying/trying new calls but seem to kill the majority of turkeys with mouth calls that I make for pennies on the dollar. I'll try not to buy as many new calls next year. Yeah right...lol

#2 - A 20 ga is NOT less gun than a 12 ga.

1.  Being patient and playing hard to get can work really well. 
2.  Jakes aren't always that dumb (just ask my buddy).
3.  Calling in a bird for someone else and seeing their thrill is still better than killing one yourself.
4.  Hooks "Enforcer" mouth calls just "fit" me for some reason.
5.  My 870 Super Mag loves, loves, loves the Winchester XR Longbeards and I do too now.
6.  The Blind Hog (me) sometimes finds the acorn and has an unbelievably great year.

I had to RE-learn Patience. And remember that as skilled as I think I am, I'm dealing with turkeys.


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I learned that black hills merriams are more hard headed then all other merriams.

Quote from: stinkpickle on May 22, 2018, 09:25:52 PM
I don't know.  I feel dumber every year.

I'm glad I'm not the only one!!!!

that my obsessive nature has gone into overdrive with different types of calls and calling. still calling and our season closed over a month ago.

That it's much easier to kill a bird 1800 miles from home than on the farm where you always hunt.

Quote from: guesswho on May 22, 2018, 06:44:06 PM
I learned that the turkey hunting I grew up with is quickly fading into the past.    Also learned not all gobblers are straight.

Because of the population taking a hit or the new type of hunting that has filtered into turkey hunting?

Quote from: cuttinAR on May 23, 2018, 12:12:52 PM
Because of the population taking a hit or the new type of hunting that has filtered into turkey hunting?

The newer tactics and styles of hunting that are replacing what we thought turkey hunting was 50, 40 or even 30 years ago.   I'm now a dinosaur in turkey hunting.   Time marches on!

I learned, once again, that turkeys that want to get killed usually do,....and turkeys that don't want to get killed, usually don't.   ;D

Quote from: guesswho on May 22, 2018, 07:30:30 PM

Quote from: Rapscallion Vermilion on May 22, 2018, 07:08:26 PM
I also learned that just because you are watching a squirrel on the ground next to your leg doesn't mean his buddy isn't about to jump on your shoulder.

The end result could be a good locator call.

Sure would, but needs to come with a defibrillator

 :TooFunny:

I re-learned that I often call too much.
I also learned that setting up on the other side of a gas well road to work a bird will guarantee that at least two gas well trucks will roll through five minutes apart as the bird begins to work to you. :'(

I learned that after all the TSS load development, the putting a red dot scope on my gun, the pattern testing, the sighting in, etc. I can still miss a bird at 30 yards.

Quote from: GobbleNut on May 23, 2018, 12:24:02 PM
I learned, once again, that turkeys that want to get killed usually do,....and turkeys that don't want to get killed, usually don't.   ;D

I feel like this really explains merriams hunting! Some days I feel like the best dang hunter in the whole world....other days I am the worst this land has ever seen hahaha there is no in between out west most of the time

Great thread.  Entertaining AND informative.  I learned (almost too late) to remember to be flexible.  Birds are different...areas are different...time of year is different.  Adapt.  I was doing my normal thing for three weeks with no luck.  Normal for me is relatively little calling...don't set up right on top of them...etc.  Relatively conservative.  It has worked well for me.  But I was having no luck so I said to myself...get aggressive in all facets.  What can it hurt?  Next morning dead bird by 5:20.

Quote from: guesswho on May 23, 2018, 12:22:14 PM

Quote from: cuttinAR on May 23, 2018, 12:12:52 PM
Because of the population taking a hit or the new type of hunting that has filtered into turkey hunting?

The newer tactics and styles of hunting that are replacing what we thought turkey hunting was 50, 40 or even 30 years ago.   I'm now a dinosaur in turkey hunting.   Time marches on!

What?  Old school stuff like no decoys or blinds, just you, the bird and your calling?  Still my go-to method 95% of the time.  My oldest two grandkids haven't killed birds over dekes, they are being taught like I learned.

I've learned that you never "learn" turkeys

Quote from: Tail Feathers on May 23, 2018, 03:20:16 PM
What?  Old school stuff like no decoys or blinds, just you, the bird and your calling?  Still my go-to method 95% of the time.  My oldest two grandkids haven't killed birds over dekes, they are being taught like I learned.

Yep.  Nothing against the new age guys.   I just hate to see that era become a fading memory for most.

Just because there were turkeys in this spot last year, last week or even yesterday that doesn't mean they're here today. Also, my masculinity is so strong that it flows through my calling which is the only reasonable explanation for the number of hens I called in before finally tagging out.


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It's nothing I learned this year, I just got re-educated in a big way. I made a couple of rookie mistakes of trying to move my head a couple of inches when I had a gobbler inside 20 yards.  Luckily, a breeze blew the leaves around me and the gobbler quickly ignored it.  I also rushed a shot on the same bird at 14 yards and shot clean over his head.  Bet I don't miss next time.  Trouble is I need to wait another 10.5 months before I can  hunt 'em again.  Now, if I could just get that miss to quit replaying in my mind over & over again....

Jim

Quote from: Dukejb on May 23, 2018, 05:06:58 PM
Just because there were turkeys in this spot last year, last week or even yesterday that doesn't mean they're here today. Also, my masculinity is so strong that it flows through my calling which is the only reasonable explanation for the number of hens I called in before finally tagging out.


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Us hairy chested he-men experience that a lot.  :funnyturkey:

Quote from: GobbleNut on May 23, 2018, 12:24:02 PM
I learned, once again, that turkeys that want to get killed usually do,....and turkeys that don't want to get killed, usually don't.   ;D

Should be on a hat, tee shirt and bumper sticker.

The biggest thing I learned is don't get stuck in a rut. No matter how good the hunting "seems" like its going to be in an area, scout other places. Nothing like a good backup plan.

They might gobble like crazy in 45 degree rain.

Sit tight....had 2 times I went chasing gobbles, lost track of them, then heard them where I started.

The bond you can develop with a friend or family member hunting is extremely deep and unexplainable

I learned that getting on a lease doesn't mean you are going to be in turkey heaven. I may get on another lease or join a club at some point in the future, but I won't sign back on for the lease I was on this year. :-[ :-[  :TrainWreck1:

Take a hard look at a new farm in the daylight, and leave a marker on the road.Otherwise, you may be in the wrong place at 0 dark thirty.This happened to me this year, still got a nice gobbler, in a beautiful area. Also, in the open hill country, stay down on the crick, in the hardwoods, if it's light out, otherwise they will see you.You look for a deep cut, going up to the flat, high ground.

I finally got the message that I call way too much and way too loud. If they really want to come he already knows where you are ( talking easterns here)...too much calling and they hang up...plus I put in alot of miles getting in position on my "sure thing" spot and got outsmarted every morning...hit my last plan C spot and killed at 6:35 am...what I learn every year is that I really know nothing!!

I learned that a 20ga with tss is deadly.  I've had a great season and tried something different.  I felt I hunted smarter not harder.  I did more scouting and less calling.  I also got more aggressive in my set ups on gobbling birds.  I really pushed into their bubble and it worked on all of my birds.  I was in a position where they had to come check me out.  I also called a lot less then before and I think that helped out.  My first 3 birds came in a total of 5 sits before or after work.  Bird 4 took 3 hunts to get lucky on.  On the second hunt on my 4th bird I saw him in a field with a hen and I let them go away naturally.  I never called, I just watched them and the following morning, I was able to get him as he touched the ground looking for me.  In the past, I would have pushed them and tried  every call on them but it was hot and he was not strutting just feeding to his roost so I slipped out and waited. 

Some guy said on here that you have to adapt to different variations.This is true.I learned a while back, to change my way of hunting, depending on the situation, and terrain.The biggest thing I ever learned, is don't let them ever see you!!! Stay in the cover, and call.

Just more experience reading the bird's attitudes.  Knowing when to move on a bird and doing so quickly and stealthily versus knowing when to stay patient in your setup.  Knowing where they want to be is vastly more important than skill in actual calling.

I learned a real cold January, followed by a real warm February, followed by a real cold March plays heck on gobbling in my neck of the woods. 

I also learned that having and plan A,B, C and D does not always work if there are few birds there.  A and B have accounted for 90% of my birds in the last 10 years, both for me and others with me, and they were empty this year. 

I learned that going as a guest on a permit where you only hear one bird gobble sucks - not because that meant I was not gonna shoot, but because I did not feel right making the decisions on what to do and I believe it cost us a bird.  He was scared to get too close and did not believe me when I told him the bird was hung up.  By the time he did, the bird was walking away and we could not get in front of him.  Should have moved 30-45 minutes earlier.

I learned that if I keep hunting turkeys, I will always have more to learn.  I had not been blanked in many years, but I was this year.  Hello, my name is Humble Pie - take a big bite.  It tastes like doo doo, but I think it is good for ya.

Pre-season and in-season scouting is paramount as are permissions on private land with no hunting pressure. Its a good feeling knowing that you will be setting up in a known strut-zone where you have been seeing birds doing the dance for days or weeks before. Even for out of state trips on public land, a few days of scouting goes a long way especially for a no quota Osceola.

I learned to be extra thankful for my dad and uncles for taking me hunting when I was younger, and to try to store up extra patience when I take a new young hunter. I took my 16 yr. old cousin on his first turkey hunts this year. A bull moose could not have made more racket. I tried to explain how well turkeys can see and hear, but he constantly talked out loud, coughed, moved around, stuck his bare hands out of the blind, practiced aiming his shotgun, you name it. I gave him an unused mouth call and one of my pot calls for him to take home and practice with. Emphasis on take home. I thought surely he knew to wait until we were out of the woods but he decided to start practicing right then while we were hunting. When none of this was going on the whole time we hunted he was staring at his phone, texting. I guess I'm just old school, and must be only person in the world that doesn't own a cell phone. Anyway, we were extremely fortunate to finally get a bird to answer us and start coming in after 4 days of hunting. We were in a blind and I whispered for him to be ready and he lays his phone down, picks up his gun and sticks it out of the blind bare hands and all and shoulders it. Needless to say we saw nothing. I know its going to come up for me to take him again.... but me and him are going to have a long talk first.

That I still don't know nearly enough about turkey hunting.

It was reinforced to me that a turkey will do what a turkey wants to do. There is no obstruction too big for a turkey to work around if he wants to do so...or too small to keep him from coming forward to you. It was reinforced to me that turkeys will respond to my calling based on the experiences that they have had in the situation which I'm trying to present. If he is hesitant to come my way based on what he is hearing or seeing, try to change it to something more to his liking. He is in control of what I'm trying to present. To paraphrase the infamous Zig Ziglar, "You can get the gobbler you are after if you can convince him that you are helping him get what he wants".

I learned that when you see them on top of a hill strutting, and there is timber between you and the bird, and they disappear, they are probably with a hen, and moving away.So you move fast up that cut, and hopefully they are still in range when you reach the top.He will not come down hill to your position, so move up hill, if you don't see him for 15 minutes.

I learned to place the back of the decoys where you think the gobbler will come from. I had a gobbler come in and turn away from the decoys. He went out and strutted but the decoys were then facing him and would not follow him. I called, he gobbled for 20 minutes but I could just sense he was waiting from them to come to him. Then he walked away. Time from first contact to his walk away was one hour.

Idiots are getting thicker and thicker every year.  I also learned it was absolutely hilarious to watch 3 different groups of hunters surround a public land field using full strut decoys and watch the gobblers leave out of the field unscathed. It was absolutely amazing the risk these hunter's were putting themselves in using these decoys on heavily hunted public ground.

Something I learned years ago. Most people are causal turkey hunters and don't care to put in the time or effort to be good at it. Its the reason so many jump on whichever new fad promises quick results and minimum or no effort. I didn't think it was possible for people to get more lazy but I was wrong. Had a guy drive by right past me on a closed FS road while I was walking to a gobbler, I guess he couldn't hear the gobbler from the car lol he drove past me I walked a few hundred yards called up and shot the gobbler an here he came back up the trail. I was looking for a limb to hang the gobbler to take pics and he stopped an stared with that mouth breathing dumb look I've come to expect in Louisiana.
No effort at all to learn the Turkeys language or to even become somewhat turkey sounding with there calls. I had several people calling to the gobblers I was working and most sounded like a buzzard being choked lol. I don't understand why someone would spend so much time and money on guns and scopes and TSS and decoys and do not even know what a hen yelp is suppose to sound like. I guess the thing I'm reminded every year is to be thankful for the mouthbreathers if they ever accidentally learn to hunt there won't be anymore gobblers left there's so many of them.

I learned that a 300 lb woman that hasn't worked a day in her life will walk 5 miles to pick mushrooms.  And scream every time she finds one. Turkeys don't like that. None.

Quote from: Phillipshunt on May 28, 2018, 06:08:11 PM
No effort at all to learn the Turkeys language or to even become somewhat turkey sounding with there calls. I had several people calling to the gobblers I was working and most sounded like a buzzard being choked lol. I don't understand why someone would spend so much time and money on guns and scopes and TSS and decoys and do not even know what a hen yelp is suppose to sound like.

Mostly because all they see are so called "experts" on TV "hunting shows"(the only real hunting going on is for wallets) that sound that bad too, so they think that's the way they're supposed to sound LOL.

I learned that buying fancy 20-ga. shells, two red dots, multiple choke tubes, multiple calls, new decoys and a few other odds and ends didn't help bag a turkey; didn't even point a gun at a turkey in 16 outings. 

But, I did find a few new spots to hunt next season.

Quote from: JonD. on May 28, 2018, 09:27:14 PM

Quote from: Phillipshunt on May 28, 2018, 06:08:11 PM
No effort at all to learn the Turkeys language or to even become somewhat turkey sounding with there calls. I had several people calling to the gobblers I was working and most sounded like a buzzard being choked lol. I don't understand why someone would spend so much time and money on guns and scopes and TSS and decoys and do not even know what a hen yelp is suppose to sound like.

Mostly because all they see are so called "experts" on TV "hunting shows"(the only real hunting going on is for wallets) that sound that bad too, so they think that's the way they're supposed to sound LOL.

My future son in law took up turkey hunting this year. He told me he was watching some of those shows and some You Tube channels.  I told him they are fine for getting all excited, but don't think you are learning anything about turkey hunting or calling.  So we had a crash course this past offseason.  Step 1, get a load and pattern it.  Check.  Step 2, learn how to cluck, purr and soft yelp.  Told him that would kill 90% of the birds he encounters.  Check.  Told him to scout and find some birds. Check.  Told him to be still and wait for the bird that wanted to come to have time to come in on turkey time, not our time.  Check.  He killed a bird on his second solo hunt.  He was like a young un at Christmas when he called me to tell me about his bird and to tell me how it went down.  He was sitting exactly in the spot I told him where I would start listening at his property and he never had to move.  Just sat down and let the bird come.  Perfect. 

I keep reading this thread.  One of the better ones.  Lots of wisdom and advice woven throughout.  Experience is most often the best teacher I've found.  Can pick up tips for sure...but there's nothing like getting out there...cold/sweaty...ticks and bugs...stone silence from the birds...getting your butt kicked by a bird over and over.....and learning from it.  Threads like this can help fill in some knowledge gaps however. 

I learned I don't bounce as good as I used to.
Dry creek crossing can be hazardous.
It is possible, with the right Turkey vest, to go an entire season without losing something (first time in nearly 40 years).
I can have the same hunter miss multiple birds on the same hunt and still smile at them.

I remembered what I learned last year. On two different occasions this spring, I arrive about a half-hour before gobble time as close as I dared get to the spot where they were at this time the previous morning. When the first bird gobbled some 100 yards away, I did not try to get closer but instead just held my ground. Sure enough, a gobbler opened up less that 50 yards away and I would have spooked him off the roost had I tried to move closer to the first bird I heard or tried to put out my decoys. In addition, I also learned that a hen repeatedly aggressively purring followed by a loud sharp cluck will pull in a gobbler from barely hearing distance to right there in less that a minute; however, the gobbler will hang up at about 75 yards and the hen will go to him, not offering a shot. Turkeys take me to school on a regular basis!

Just cause everyone else loves em, I learned to put the super tight longbeards back in the cabinet. I shoot a mossy 835 with a .660 Jebs choke my buddy got for me. First year with new choke and #5 longbeards and combined with my natural shake,lol, for me suck!! Missed 2 longbeards this year under 30 yards. Ya it looks good on paper but when your left scratching your head, you go back to the old faithful Winchester supremes!! ????

I actually learned this a few years ago but I reminded myself 5 times this year. You don't need those goofy dekes to trick a gobbler into range.  ;)

That you don't need a $400-$600 pot or box call to take turkey's.

I took 5 gobblers this season and the highest price call used was a $125.00 box call.

Quote from: Yelper on June 20, 2018, 03:00:49 PM
That you don't need a $400-$600 pot or box call to take turkey's.

I took 5 gobblers this season and the highest price call used was a $125.00 box call.

Haha for real

I don't get into these bidding wars over status calls but I have a good $1000 invested in my modest call collection while the majority of my turkeys are worked with with a $18 scratch box and $8 mouth call combo I've been running for 3 years.

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Learned that at 65! can still roll under barb wire fence

Learned belly crawling to a knoll in a pasture takes a long time when one is old

Learned that a guide in OH who takes off in the dark with no light and the briars get higher the farther down hill you walk that it's best to ask the guide what he does for a living BEFORE you let him take off  and finding out later that he is an active duty marine sniper- seriously!

Learned that my fear of going to Mexico for 10 years was just that - misjudged fear

That the light at the end of the tunnel is getting narrower each year  and that each day afield is precious

Learned that a walkers game ear is a great tool when you have hearing loss in one ear. I was hearing birds and messed up because they weren't where I thought they were. Having 2 good ears helps you pinpoint what direction the gobble came from and with the game ear I could here the little sounds that a bird makes that I never would have heard if I didn't have it in my ear.

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Discovered that even having a full knee replacement on 4/30 did not keep me from chasing them. Killed in Mo prior to the surgery. And 12 day after here in PA. Second bird died on the 22nd.  Was also able to call several up for my son and one of his buds.  I guess it all depends on how bad a person wants to hunt.

I learned a broken beer bottle can deflate a tire really fast. I also learned I can change a tire really fast when a storm is quickly approaching

Quote from: Happy on June 21, 2018, 02:05:11 PM
I learned a broken beer bottle can deflate a tire really fast. I also learned I can change a tire really fast when a storm is quickly approaching

I learned that a few years back when heading to a tournament weigh in.  Missed the money by one pound, but made the weigh in by 10 minutes. 

I learned here that if you don't call a bird in with a platz pot and kill him with a greenleaf 870, your not doing it right.   :z-twocents: :popcorn:

Quote from: donjuan on June 21, 2018, 05:31:36 PM
I learned here that if you don't call a bird in with a platz pot and kill him with a greenleaf 870, your not doing it right.   :z-twocents: :popcorn:

I will never do it right then.

Quote from: wade on May 24, 2018, 06:03:37 AM

Quote from: GobbleNut on May 23, 2018, 12:24:02 PM
I learned, once again, that turkeys that want to get killed usually do,....and turkeys that don't want to get killed, usually don't.   ;D

Should be on a hat, tee shirt and bumper sticker.

Should be carved in a stone somewhere.

Couple more things I learned...............

Wyoming has some of the most IGNORANT turkeys on earth.

If you don't have some SERIOUS diggers on your truck, you ain't going hunting in Wyoming or Nebraska after it rains.

It is possible to bring approximately 200 pounds of dried Wyoming mud home to Pennsylvania inside the wheel wells of your pickup.

Just because you killed a bird in the morning does NOT mean your red dot will still be zeroed that afternoon.

I will never buy another Weaver optic as long as I live.

One of the coolest things you will ever do is watch your brother work and kill a bird from 1/2 mile away through binos.

20 gauge turkey guns are for REAL !!!

Taking "green" hunters can be very frustrating

Going from a split v to a ghost cut  was a great idea.

Just cuz you shot 2 Toms in an area last year in 2 hours, doesn't mean there will be any there this year...

Apparently Toms have a locating "Yelp"..... No it wasn't a hen.....

Quote from: IAGobbler87 on June 21, 2018, 09:28:02 PM

Apparently Toms have a locating "Yelp"..... No it wasn't a hen.....

I was once told by a wise old turkey hunter that when you hear that singe gobbler yelp, it's his final verification that the hen is there and the hunter should respond right away with a single cluck.

Quote from: Tail Feathers on June 22, 2018, 10:21:30 PM

Quote from: IAGobbler87 on June 21, 2018, 09:28:02 PM

Apparently Toms have a locating "Yelp"..... No it wasn't a hen.....

I was once told by a wise old turkey hunter that when you hear that singe gobbler yelp, it's his final verification that the hen is there and the hunter should respond right away with a single cluck.

That's exactly what I did. He closed the last little bit of distance and that was that. Only sound he made the whole time.

Learned that im not as great if a turkey hunter as I thought. It doesnt hurt to get humbled though. It was a super tough year all the way around.

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I remembered how much fun it is to help others kill a bird.


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