New to the Turkey Game

[Honey Badger]

First off, please let me introduce myself to the forum, this is my first post.  I've been browsing many of the posts here, lots of great info from lots of helpful folks, thanks to all for creating a venue like this!  I'm an Army vet who just returned from Afghanistan (3rd tour) a couple of months ago and am looking to get my feet wet with wild turkey hunting...being in the woods helps with the transition process.  I live in the Olympia area and I'm making the long trip to the NE corner to increase my chances of getting into birds (learned from this site this is wise to do) so I can begin the learning process.  I'd like to be clear that I'm not asking "where the birds are" or trying to cut corners in anyway, rather, I'm wanting to pick the brains of folks willing to share in this wonderful community.  My research to this point has led me to take my wife and son to the Pend Oreille Refuge (which ive sounded like a knuckle head miss-pronouncing for a week now until a buddy corrected me) for a few days on opening day.  I've hunted other small game so I'm aware that I need to get out and just do it.  We are bring our motorhome which will restrict my hunting transportation to mountain bike and hoofing it which I am not afraid of at all, and would actually prefer putting some serious miles on the feet.  What I'm looking for are tips/things to look out for from people who have hunted that area (or if there is a better camp area to leave directly from camp on foot or bike).  I've done hours of research on gear, calls, tactics, etc, but am still a turkey hunting dumb dumb and not afraid to admit it...I'm open to any advice but again, I'm not trying to cut any corners...I've got to put in my time.  My plan is to head out a few miles from camp via bike, stash it and head a few miles in the hills and hopefully learn to call in some birds.  I realize as a first timer the odds are stacked against me and I am more the happy with just learning from my mistakes.  However, I wouldn't kick any turkeys out of my sights if I got the chance  I've never been to the refuge and I'm only hoping I'll be able to hunt like this while also making it a family trip.  I'm bringing a hen box call, a crow call, cammo, $20 hen decoy (don't even know what to do with it...will figure it out...trial and error), shot gun, my mountain bike, and some mole skin for my blisters. Any advice for a highly motivated FNG that isn't afraid to burn some leather to increase my chances. Thanks for sharing and good luck to everyone this spring!

[baldopepper]

Well, Honey Badger sounds like you've  done your homework and now comes the fun/work part.  Many of us started the same way as you are now and the best teacher is on the job training.  Many first time turkey hunters have trouble with what I feel is the most important part of turkey hunting and that's patience.  Don't be in a hurry, go slow and keep your eyes and ears open.  Getting out before daylight and listening to locate roosted birds is a good start (beware the opener as there's a good chance other hunters will already be on them and courtesy dictates "first come first serve").  Early morning is a good time to locate, but the best calling time is quite often between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.  If you should get an answer, sit down get hidden up a bit and be PATIENT.  Movement of any type is a real killer, I swear those birds can see just the slightest head movement from 100 yards!!! I suppose you've already read all this type stuff, so my advice is to do just what you're gonna do-get out there and start learning-none of us on here haven't had them make fools of us more than once so don't be discouraged if that happens.  It 's a great time of year to be out-lots of deer, grouse strumming and spring starting to pop.  Dress the kids warm-supposed to be pretty cold and nasty the first couple of days and make sure you check them every night for ticks (they can be bad this time of year) Hope you have good luck on the birds, but getting out with the family this time of year in that area will be a great time whether you puff one or not!! 

[Wacenturion]

I'm assuming you are referring to the Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Area southeast of Colville.  You plan sound just fine.  You will find birds scattered throughout that area.  Taking the mountain bike and getting away from the gravel roads will pay dividends.  Any bird one can shock gobble from an vehicle accessible gravel road will be well attended to by more than one or two hunters.  Better to avoid those birds unless you stay awhile and everyone leaves after the first week.

Turkey hunting, like all hunting is situational learning.  After putting in the time one starts to realize, hey, I've been there done that, and your approach to the same situation now changes in anticipation of the new working.  The more time spent playing with birds, the quicker one learns some of these things.

The best piece of advice I can give you as a new turkey hunter who obviously wants to learn is the following.......

1.  Go with game plan.  Camp in the area, then get as far away from campsite, road as possible with mountain bike scouting and hunting.  Success for this step is to find some birds away from the proximity of those who drive the roads shock gobbling birds.

2.   Once you have found a area that has some birds and is remote enough form the roads reducing the chance of someone coming in on you, start hunting it from before dark to as long as you can during the day.  Midday breaks may not be the best time to take a break, as some gobblers are looking for hens after the morning get together.  Take a break 8-9ish if nothing going on.  Go back to camp, eat etc.  Get back out there and hunt till dark.  This time spent is primarily to learn what is going on in the turkey woods.  After a few seasons one realizes the morning hootenanny is just that...a hootenanny.  Exciting yes, productive, rarely.  Birds are together and will give you the vocal show.  Fun when it's all new and listening to those gobblers go off if exciting, but seasoned hunters sleep in, eat breakfast, have coffee and get about business shortly after that.  More birds are killed from 9 to 4 than any other time for the most part.  Of course birds are killed right off the roost too, but I would wager most turkey hunters who have spent years doing this, have had more success during the day.

3.  Keep it simple.  Forget the decoy to begin with.  If you have located gobbling birds, get comfortable, up against a tree to protect you back in case someone hunts your calling..it happens, believe me.  Be concealed...camo...face net of some sort...green or camo, brown socks etc...no white anywhere.  Call softly and infrequently...pretend your a contented hen, scratching and feeding.  Movement is a deal breaker....if you move while working a bird, make sure it's in slow motion...very slow motion. 

4.  Don't be afraid to relocate if a gobbler teases you.  The reason he isn't coming all the way to you can be for any number of reasons.  The most common is he is with a hen or hens and simply responding.  The way it works in the turkey woods is the Gobbler announces his presence and location and during the course of the day hens go to him to be serviced.  They leave the gobbler and tend to their nest laying an egg.  Repeat the same scenario each day an hour later each day as far as the egg laying for enough days to pass for the hen to have a clutch of say 10-14 eggs.  At that point she starts incubating and will only leave the nest to defecate and get some moisture or a quick bug.  That is why henned upped gobblers tend to come in better later in the season...they are now henless and willing to travel.

5.  The reason I pointed the above out is so we can go back to the front end of that statement.  Don't be afraid to relocate.  If you can use a locator call....not turkey call, but say a crow, peacock, woodpecker (my favorite up that way...shhhhh), close the distance on the gobbler slowly, even if it takes a couple hours to go a quarter + mile.  What one needs to do is get close enough with the locator calls to then get in position, wait about 15-20 minutes for everything to quiet down, then hit him with a couple soft yelps.  If you are close enough....within what I call his comfort zone, he will just think it's another hen coming to him.  There is a fine line though, distance wise.  You may have to close some additional yardage, even if you think you are almost on him.  Remember...hens go to him...he's a lazy ass, you might need to get closer.  When you get within that zone, call and he goes ballistic...get gun up and slowly watch for movement.  Don't call unnecessarily.  Keep it soft and lowed keyed.  If you do the Outdoor channel loud party calling, he'll likely think that you must be one bad ugly hag, and want nothing to do with you.

6.  Just remember, another best piece of advice....if you are in an area, have birds, and no competition, use the above and keep reminding yourself that you have all day to fool this old gobbler.  Don't get in a rush.  I've killed quite a few birds that responded early in the morning, later in the afternoon.  Just took me time to figure out where they wanted to die.  Also by doing this each day you have not tipped your hand and spooked the bird(s).  There is always tomorrow.  Again...you have all day...expanded means you have another day...you have several days, you have all week.

Hand getting tired typing....maybe some more later.   
 

[Mfowl]

PM sent.   

[Honey Badger]

Wow, what a load of great information.  Exactly what I was looking for  Wacenturion: your wisdom and guidance is much appreciated, I'm excited to put into action!  Baldopepper: thanks for all of the great information.  Especially the part about checking the wee-one for ticks, never gave it any thought.  I'll do my best to contain my excitement and remain patient.  I am humbled by everybody's willingness to share.  Cheers! 

[Gobble Doc]

Honey Badger,

Ticks have been mentioned.  I recommend that if you are going to be sitting next to a tree then you go get some tick spray for your clothes.  There are several brands such as Sawyer that you spray your clothes with in advance and let them dry.  The first few years I got covered with ticks and it drove me crazy.  After the spray I haven't had any more problems.  Pyrethrin based spray. 

[JLS]

 

Man, what a great write up on tips.  I'm hoping to kill turkey #2 here next week.  #1 died at about 12:30 in the afternoon.

[Tom Tamer]

Would recommend it as a great family outing. My two kids been going with me since age 5 now the oldest has bagged two of her own. My wife loves it because of the interaction aspects and "Chess game" as I call it of turkey hunting. Especially with young ones let them do the calling and be involved. Where you plan to go is a good place to start. Lots of birds and lots of area. Remember the turkey is the best teacher of all and don't be afraid to mix it up and try different approaches. Good luck and most of all THANK YOU for your service to this GREAT Nation!

[Hangfire]

The advice from Wacenturion is about as sound as you can find. The time frame for when the most turkeys are killed is spot on, however when you do call a bird in from the roost which doesn't happen very often. It is the greatest turkey hunting experience out there. I have had it happen on opening day and the last day also. Most of the time the first light experience is exciting, birds gobble, your doing your best and they go the wrong direction, or just fly down from the roost and go completely silent. It is not a waste of time as you have found out where birds are and can come in later and hunt them again. I have found as I gained turkey hunting experience, that I call much less, not as loud and kill more birds. Be observant, concealed,  no movement and no noise and you will learn a lot.

[Honey Badger]

Hangfire, thanks for the reply, it's much appreciated.  Is there anyone who has used mountain bikes for turkey hunting?  It's looking like I'll need snow tires opening day!

[Tom Tamer]

Biking is a great way to cover some ground. I at one time had a great spot some 4 miles behind a gate. I've fitted my bike with gunrack and a small platform for hauling parts. I know of some who haula small trailer behind for gear. I've been known to strap a pop up blind chairs heater and archery tackle on a bike. Figured if I got a bird I'd have to eat it on the spot....had no room for hitchhikers.

[janttihunter]

Im heading to Little Pend with my wife on May 3rd. Good Luck!!!

[coachcw]

whats the best elevation to be looking for birds right know in okanagan ? Some great info guys ty.

[BOWHUNTER45]

all sounds good guys ... if you can find and make one gobble right now you have a good chance at killing him ...Just got back and it took us a little time to get on the hot ones but we killed 3 in 2 days ...I post stories tomorrow ...It was a good time for sure 

[turkeydancer]

   Good news JB ... you're a turkey harvesting machine !!! Can't wait for the story ....