Fall turkey tactics

[huntingbg]

Hey guys, my dad and I have klickitat fall tags and went out today.  Tried calling, but didnt hear anything.  How does one usually hunt fall turkeys?  Thanks for any help.

[Gobble Doc]

I guess I would try to drive and look for birds rather than just sitting and using calls.   If you can split up a flock then you can call them back together with a kee kee.  I've been told to try to not hit the big females as the flock needs them through the winter.  Last year my son got his first bird and it was in the fall so it was good to see him get a bird after going through a few years getting blanked.  He has been trying for a long time to get a bird with his bow and it may come down to a fall bird for that to happen. 

[turkeydancer]

Two basic stategies:

1) If you have time enough to scout and spot some flocks, they are easy to pattern (ie: they are creatures of habit and will basically repeat their same daily routine until something changes it).  You can set up an ambush by setting up between where they fly down to and where they want to go (such as where they feed and/or water).

2)  As mentioned you can find the flock and then you can try splitting up the flock by running at it like a couple of screaming bushes.  Best done with people running in from different directions to scatter them to the four winds ... note that just pushing them all in one direction is not a scatter and will not get the desired results ... and you may have to attempt it again.  Once scattered, set up as close as you can to the scatter point. If you're trying to get a hen or jennie, wait at least 30 minutes, then start calling with kee kees and kee kee runs.  Hen assembly calls will work also.  If you're trying for a tom or jake, wait only about 5 to 10 minutes and call using gobbles.

NOTE THAT USING TURKEY CALLS PRIOR TO ANY SEASON TO TRY AND LOCATE THE BIRDS JUST TENDS TO EDUCATE THEM AND WILL MAKE IT LOTS HARDER TO ATTRACT THEM DURING THE SEASON.  ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE "BUSTED" BY THE FLOCK, THEY WILL RECOGNIZE YOUR VOICE AND GO THE OTHER WAY !
 

Good luck on your hunt ... 

[huntingbg]

Thanks for the awesome advice.  I will let you know if were successful!

[Gobble Doc]

If you try to bust up a flock remember that they FLY.  If all the birds take off in the same direction you can wave bye bye. 

[turkeydancer]

An old fat man like me is an expert at flushing  (versus scattering)  flocks ....

[kevinp16]

Try finding the roost. I know everyone say's that and in some cases it's not easy, but that's what we did Tuesday night and was out there first thing the next morning only to have them land all around us. Plus the hens are vocal in the tree trying to get the others to follow them up.

[Battle Ready]

Ill tell you were to stand near Lyle....they will be there around 7am.

[Battle Ready]

I used to guide guys on fall birds..i called it easy money. Most of my kills came from ambush set up on known flock locations. You can bust em up and run long strings of lost hen yelps or kee kee runs. But the best is being were there gonna be...out of the way old roads with acorns..dust bowls..oh and run and gun works too.