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Message
3
Posted on 1/17/25 at 3:19 pm to dpier16
Be patient is the best advice I can give you.
It can happen very fast but most of the time it requires patience.
Just because a turkey doesn’t answer you doesn’t mean he doesn’t hear you.
Call softer rather than louder.
I’ve killed more turkey 10am to 12pm than any other time of the day.
It can happen very fast but most of the time it requires patience.
Just because a turkey doesn’t answer you doesn’t mean he doesn’t hear you.
Call softer rather than louder.
I’ve killed more turkey 10am to 12pm than any other time of the day.
Posted on 1/17/25 at 4:19 pm to Theduckhunter
quote:
Ideally, find someone who turkey hunts and go with them.
Best advice in here. If you have a buddy who knows what he's doing, ask him to go with you. Most turnkey hunters would love the opportunity to hunt a new spot and would likely call one in for you showing you what to do along the way.
Posted on 1/17/25 at 4:24 pm to jchamil
Most "great" turkey hunters love killing them, but would blow air back into them and bring them back to life if they could.
All the greats ive hunted with have more fun calling birds in for newbie hunters than they would if they shot the bird themselves.
While im a long way from even being a "good" turkey hunter--the hunts I remember most are the ones where I called in birds for someone.
As jchamil said, Im sure you have a friend that is at least a decent turkey hunter. They will love to call for you. (just make sure that friend isnt one thatll slip back in there when your at work--you'd be surprised how many turkeys have ruined friendships)
All the greats ive hunted with have more fun calling birds in for newbie hunters than they would if they shot the bird themselves.
While im a long way from even being a "good" turkey hunter--the hunts I remember most are the ones where I called in birds for someone.
As jchamil said, Im sure you have a friend that is at least a decent turkey hunter. They will love to call for you. (just make sure that friend isnt one thatll slip back in there when your at work--you'd be surprised how many turkeys have ruined friendships)
Posted on 1/17/25 at 5:12 pm to b_w
Ever been in a Tree Stand when a Turkey comes flying into the Tree to Roost????sounds like a 747 hit the tree
LOL
Posted on 1/17/25 at 5:41 pm to b_w
quote:
Learn me on turkeys
What few survived the drought last year are about to be finished off by the freeze and snow. Everyone just needs to get bass boats and hope that one day in the distant future a huntable population becomes a reality again.
Posted on 1/17/25 at 7:02 pm to b_w
I learned today that they can swim.
Posted on 1/17/25 at 10:10 pm to b_w
Sit still.
Don’t make a bunch of racket. Let the woods wake up and they will either gobble…..or they won’t.
They will win more than you will.
Don’t make a bunch of racket. Let the woods wake up and they will either gobble…..or they won’t.
They will win more than you will.
Posted on 1/17/25 at 10:23 pm to b_w
They are going to roost along the creek. Concentrate on that area, get close before season and just listen. On 200 acres you should be able to narrow their location down pretty quickly. There’s a few guys on the OB that are Sitka queer for those birds, if they chime in and offer to help I’d invite them. You will ultimately regret it, turkey hunting is like a crack addiction.
Posted on 1/18/25 at 6:15 am to dpier16
quote:
trapping racoons
I finally located a trapper to help us with that. I can’t DIY because I live nearly 4 hours away, and although I hate those bastards, I’m not going to leave them in a trap for weeks. I’ve tried everything to keep them out of my feeders, I think they’ve evolved too far for any of the usual deterrents to work. The trapper is cheaper than a good thermal scope, so come February 1, it’s on.
IMO, if you have a lot of turkeys (at least in Mississippi) it means the habitat isn’t ideal for deer. Turkeys like to be able to see a long ways, deer don’t want to be seen a long ways. As the trees have matured from an agricultural to forest conversion my cousin did 20+ years ago, deer hunting (especially quality of bucks) has greatly diminished, but man, do we have some turkeys.
Posted on 1/18/25 at 6:19 am to Icansee4miles
quote:
IMO, if you have a lot of turkeys (at least in Mississippi) it means the habitat isn’t ideal for deer. Turkeys like to be able to see a long ways, deer don’t want to be seen a long ways. As the trees have matured from an agricultural to forest conversion my cousin did 20+ years ago, deer hunting (especially quality of bucks) has greatly diminished, but man, do we have some turkeys.
Maybe that was the goal
Care to share the trapper’s contact info?
Posted on 1/18/25 at 6:25 am to The Levee
Where are you located? He’s close to us in Leake County (East Central MS)
Posted on 1/18/25 at 8:57 am to Icansee4miles
quote:
I can’t DIY because I live nearly 4 hours away, and although I hate those bastards, I’m not going to leave them in a trap for weeks.
Same boat here, I need to do a night predator hunt and pick off as many as I can. Hopefully get a a few of the coyotes as well
Good stuff, keep it coming. Definitely need a Sherpa on the calling in and have a few buddies that have had some decent success.
Posted on 1/18/25 at 9:59 am to b_w
Calling is overrated. If you can do a basic yelp and not overdo it you can kill turkeys. They’re not nearly as smart as people make them out to be, they’re just paranoid crackheads.
Posted on 1/18/25 at 10:08 am to b_w
This year will mark my 25th Turkey Season. Not sure how many I’ve harvested; but, it’s more than a few. A couple of World Slams and numerous Grand Slams. Fortunate to have gotten into it before its popularity really exploded.
Sort of eased out of the throttle a few years back once it became really apparent that Turkey populations were on the decline. Work now with a local NWTF Chapter guiding youth and women’s hunts. Much more fun seeing people harvest their first and being a part of that.
As stupid as this may sound; the key to successful turkey hunting is being where the turkeys are. You can’t kill what’s not there. I’ve seen properties loaded with turkeys in the Fall; which are turkey ghost towns in the Spring.
There’s plenty of marginal to poor turkey hunters who tag out every year simply by being on prime property. Put them on a piece of public land and they don’t even know where to start.
Learn a few simple calls. A yelp, cluck and purr. Read the room. If the birds talk a lot you can call a lot too. If they are tight lipped, less is usually more. Pattern and know your gun. Nothing more disappointing than finally getting your chance and blowing it with a miss. Believe me; it happens to even the experienced vets too.
Just like trying to manage for trophy deer; age structure is important for turkeys too. Pass on Jakes unless you are just covered up in birds. The Jake’s are next years long beards. Bad hatches happen. If you aren’t seeing any Jakes; understand that if you harvest all the long beards it may be a while before the population rebounds. I’m talking 4-5 years under ordinary circumstances. Sometimes letting some gobblers survive the season is the best way to ensure a sustainable population.
There’s pretty clear evidence that a predator control and trapping program helps Turkey populations. Coyotes and raccoons being the top offenders. Shoot the yotes whenever given a chance.
Sort of eased out of the throttle a few years back once it became really apparent that Turkey populations were on the decline. Work now with a local NWTF Chapter guiding youth and women’s hunts. Much more fun seeing people harvest their first and being a part of that.
As stupid as this may sound; the key to successful turkey hunting is being where the turkeys are. You can’t kill what’s not there. I’ve seen properties loaded with turkeys in the Fall; which are turkey ghost towns in the Spring.
There’s plenty of marginal to poor turkey hunters who tag out every year simply by being on prime property. Put them on a piece of public land and they don’t even know where to start.
Learn a few simple calls. A yelp, cluck and purr. Read the room. If the birds talk a lot you can call a lot too. If they are tight lipped, less is usually more. Pattern and know your gun. Nothing more disappointing than finally getting your chance and blowing it with a miss. Believe me; it happens to even the experienced vets too.
Just like trying to manage for trophy deer; age structure is important for turkeys too. Pass on Jakes unless you are just covered up in birds. The Jake’s are next years long beards. Bad hatches happen. If you aren’t seeing any Jakes; understand that if you harvest all the long beards it may be a while before the population rebounds. I’m talking 4-5 years under ordinary circumstances. Sometimes letting some gobblers survive the season is the best way to ensure a sustainable population.
There’s pretty clear evidence that a predator control and trapping program helps Turkey populations. Coyotes and raccoons being the top offenders. Shoot the yotes whenever given a chance.
This post was edited on 1/18/25 at 10:43 am
Posted on 1/18/25 at 10:08 am to Icansee4miles
quote:
I’ve tried everything to keep them out of my feeders,
If you’re feeding corn, you’re going to have coons. Trapping studies have shown you can reduce them by 80% and they’ll be back to were they started after the next year. No harm in trying but temper your expectations.
quote:
IMO, if you have a lot of turkeys (at least in Mississippi) it means the habitat isn’t ideal for deer.
Fundamentally they all want the same things, sunlight hitting the ground. There are finer details around brooding cover and deer are more adaptable than turkeys, but if you have turkeys you will have deer.
Posted on 1/18/25 at 6:13 pm to dpier16
quote:
Start trapping racoons as soon as Deer season ends and you will see a nice increase in your poult hatch as well. It's done wonders on our property
Get rid of your armadillos, too. They love turkey eggs.
Posted on 1/18/25 at 6:29 pm to Theduckhunter
Switch to cracked corn after deer season and feed them until it’s illegal. If u can plant some shite they like like Chufa etc do so
Posted on 1/18/25 at 8:25 pm to Icansee4miles
North of woodville off 563
Posted on 1/18/25 at 8:40 pm to b_w
It is a blast.....you will get hooked.
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