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Author Topic: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?  (Read 7171 times)

Offline STIKNSTRINGBOW

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #15 on: February 03, 2018, 01:01:17 PM »
Start hiking hills NOW, just like elk hunting you need to be in some sort of shape.
I always curse myself for not being able to walk uphill fast enough, then being too winded when I get where I wanted to be.
If you are after Easterns, scout now lots of miles to locate birds, and the Toms are fighting now near me, pecking order and dominance displays.
The mountains are calling and I must go."
- John Muir
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Offline ctwiggs1

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #16 on: February 03, 2018, 01:10:06 PM »
Don't start turkey hunting is my advice.
if you do remember this.

1. you will end up buying a turkey specific shotgun
2. you will buy a turkey vest, one with a comfy seat
3. you will buy a box call, diaphragm call, and a huge assortment of others
4. of course new camo everything
5. you will buy a set or 2 of decoys
6. you will also have a bunch of new or old [ friends ] wanting you to take them to the honey hole
7. you will be compelled to go to clinics, read articles , watch hunting shows, etc.
8. you will have to suffer the agony of cooking and eating one
9. most important is the fact that when you call up your first tom, and hear him gobble
and watch him strut in. You will be addicted with no hope of treatment
Other then that have a great time.
That some it up pretty well lol
Yup :tup:

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Pretty much. It’s spring elk honestly.  Gobbling toms are a hoot

Offline aman

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #17 on: February 05, 2018, 08:35:47 AM »
Thanks Russ! I signed up for the Maryville clinic! Are you going to be there?
I am teaching it.  I may also be doing one at Cabelas in Tulalip too.

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Whoa! I did not expect that!

I'm looking forward to attending your class and meeting you Russ! Look for a young handsome guy  :tung:

Offline gaddy

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #18 on: February 06, 2018, 11:24:17 AM »
And don't forget bug and tick spray !! I know of a turkey that walked away when the hunter had a tick crawl across his neck at that most important time to be still. And watch where you sit !! I know of another missed opportunity that occurred when the hunter realized, just as the tom was clearing the last bush in range, that the stump he was leaning against was home to a million biting red ants. 

Offline Miles

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #19 on: February 06, 2018, 12:24:46 PM »
Without reading all the responses, learn how to use a diaphragm call.  Watch videos and practice the sounds.   I watched an instructional video about turkey calling  that Glen Berry made and for some reason the way he explained it, it just clicked for me.  Don’t be afraid to move around when locating, but learn to be patient once you locate birds.  They don’t all come running in immediately.


Good luck.

Offline Yelper Guy

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #20 on: February 06, 2018, 01:35:14 PM »
Camo is important, but movement by the hunter when birds are near is what blows it for many.
I've been scouting before with no camo, and saw a flock heading my way. I just stayed put - slightly crouched, and they walked by at about 5 yards.
They sensed me, but didn't bust - they just kept heading the way they wanted.
Be patient! When you think that gobbler isn't coming and you get up to move, he's standing right behind you.

Offline Gobble Doc

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #21 on: February 06, 2018, 02:11:38 PM »
Don't just sit in one spot all morning if you aren't hearing gobbles. I spent way too much time sitting in the same spot when I first started. Be flexible and willing to change your plan. If you do some scouting ahead of time you can mentally come up with plans A, B, C, etc. If A isn't working for some reason or someone else shows up in your spot then you have multiple back-ups. I've always had my best luck sometime around 10 am, plus or minus. Definitely spray your gear for ticks. 

Offline huntnfmly

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #22 on: February 06, 2018, 02:24:57 PM »
Pm sent
I'm your dam tour guide Arnie please don’t wonder off the dam tour.
Take as many dam pictures as you want ....
Are there any dam questions ..

Offline JasonG

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #23 on: February 11, 2018, 09:17:46 AM »
I'm into trying out Turkey's this spring. I'm new to hunting In general. Starting late at 39 years old.I have a shot gun . Anyone recommend a good turkey choke? Also I have a lot of first lite fusion camo. Do you guys think that would work?

Offline Russ McDonald

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #24 on: February 11, 2018, 10:45:11 AM »
I'm into trying out Turkey's this spring. I'm new to hunting In general. Starting late at 39 years old.I have a shot gun . Anyone recommend a good turkey choke? Also I have a lot of first lite fusion camo. Do you guys think that would work?
Camo will depend on where your hunting but for the most part not moving is the biggest thing when turkey hunting.   If as turkey catches movement they will become very alert.   They will also lock onto that movement.   I would get a super turkey choke.  All chokes are going to work differently with your shot gun.   Best thing to do is pattern your gun.  Reccomended shot size is 4,5,6.  Each *censored* size will pattern differently in your gun to.   If you pattern your gun correctly you will be fine.  I shoot a Stoeger P350 with manufacture super turkey choke.   With 3" 5 shot Federal turkey loads. 

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Russell McDonald
President South Sound NWTF Chapter and WA state board NWTF
The opinions expressed in my posts do not represent those of the forum.

Offline BPturkeys

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #25 on: February 11, 2018, 03:51:57 PM »
Good advise by a lot of good turkey hunters, I would only add where to shoot a turkey. Aim for the base of his neck. Most of the time people shoot over the top of the birds because in the excitement of the shot you don't get down on the stock properly. Some guys say "oh, shoot him in the head"  which is great, but I say aim for the base of the neck and you'll put more birds in the pot and watch a lot less run off.

Offline hunter399

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #26 on: February 11, 2018, 07:12:40 PM »
Don't start turkey hunting is my advice.
if you do remember this.

1. you will end up buying a turkey specific shotgun
2. you will buy a turkey vest, one with a comfy seat
3. you will buy a box call, diaphragm call, and a huge assortment of others
4. of course new camo everything
5. you will buy a set or 2 of decoys
6. you will also have a bunch of new or old [ friends ] wanting you to take them to the honey hole
7. you will be compelled to go to clinics, read articles , watch hunting shows, etc.
8. you will have to suffer the agony of cooking and eating one
9. most important is the fact that when you call up your first tom, and hear him gobble
and watch him strut in. You will be addicted with no hope of treatment
Other then that have a great time.

I don't totally agree.
1). Turkey tag
2).Full choke shotgun ,size 5,or 6 shot.
3).A box call

Everything else is optional,no need to spend a whole roll of money to have a good time.
GOODLUCK!
I rather piss in the wind,then have piss down my back.

Offline Cab

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #27 on: February 12, 2018, 08:45:58 AM »
There is a lot of turkey hunting advice on here and also on youtube so take advantage of it. Here is a few things I've learned.

-Turkey some days are chatty as hell and other wont talk at all. Don't let this get you down, try and figure out where they go in general. They often have a route they like to take daily and it can be surprising how "on schedule" they can be. Had a group of jacks come in at 6:20 one morning silent and bust me while I was packing up to move. Next day sat in the same spot and at 6:30ish they came right in again to the same spot....bagged out and didn't even have to call.

-start with a box call then move to a slate but always have both with you. I love my slate but nothing has the volume of a box call. Study the rhythm of yelps and mimic it, box call is perfect way to start.

-Not needed but is really nice to have is this set up: and this I love this set up because it allows you to be flexible/ run and gun yet comfortable for long sits in the morning. the set up weight nothing. I dont have these exact ones but in general the whole set up cost about $30-40 total.

-Don't worry about expensive decoys, had plenty of birds come into cheap foam birds. Even seen photos of guys using blown up trash bags and having it work.

-Have fun! Enjoy the challenge of turkey hunting! Turkey's can be incredibly frustrating but when it all works out and you have a tom come in on a string it might be the most amazing feeling I've ever experienced while hunting. Side tip, where the turkeys aren't talking and your about ready to give up, do some morel picking if you can. I find mixing the two is a great way to stay out in the woods and still hopefully come home with something. Best of Luck  :tup:

Offline aman

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #28 on: March 16, 2018, 09:29:46 AM »
Thanks so much Russ! Great clinic

Offline Russ McDonald

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Re: How do I get ready for my first turkey hunt?
« Reply #29 on: March 16, 2018, 11:20:44 AM »
Thanks so much Russ! Great clinic
Glad I could help out.

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Russell McDonald
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The opinions expressed in my posts do not represent those of the forum.

 


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