First Time Turkey Tips?

[YoungMountainman]

Hey All,

This year, I am going turkey hunting in eastern Washington for the first time ever! I am not sure where to look so do any of you guys know of good public land that have worked for you in the pass? (if you don't want to tell me your honey hole it wont offend me ) I am exited but really want to bag a gobbler! What are some good tips for a beginner turkey hunter to increase his chances of getting a nice tom! My dad and i are not sure whether we want to be guided or not so if you could name a few guides! One last thing, i am learning to call so if you could give me some good tips for calling in turkeys with any type of call that would be great!

[turkeyfeather]

The best way to learn to call is to watch you tube and then try to mimmick the call or find a local seminar and go to that. One of the best 2 hours I spent was at a seminar put on by a pro staffer from Primos.

[SB]

Put in time to find birds, as far as calling; be cautious on public land for safety reasons.

[Fishnfowler]

I think it is really hard for someone to figure out birds on strange ground.  I would pick a place with a lot of birds and room, then plan on going there many years in a row.  After a couple of times out, things will start to click. 

[turkeydancer]

I am doing a turkey hunting seminar on Sat Feb 22nd from 1pm - 3 pm at Cabelas-Tulalip store. It's free, but they ask that you pre-register @ 360-474-4880.   It includes the basics plus how to use calls. 

 As far as birds itself, the northeastern part of Washington accounts for 68+% of the state harvest and there is a lot of publiic land. 

There is also some good outfitters like Bearpaw (Colville) and YJ (Davenport area) available but at a cost. 

I wouldn't worry about the harvest itself ... just go enjoy the time with family and friends ... harvesting a turkey is just a bonus that will always come with time, if not right away.
 

[Gobble Doc]

Be safe.  It is easy to get excited.  Do as much scouting before the season as you have time for.

[RadSav]

If I had two tips to give it would be to not over think turkeys and know your turkey anatomy.  All too often guys get caught up in the stories of the impossible sharp eyed turkey and over think how they are going to go about tagging one.  While their eyes are second to none they are still just a dumb bird.  A big muledeer is twice as difficult to get in range IMO. 

A turkeys vitals are not where the average guy thinks they are.  The internet is full of turkey anatomy drawings and pictures.  Print a few out and repetitiously burn it into your memory.  Probably more important for us bowhunters, but never hurts the scattergunner either.

I might add a tip or two on gear as well;
Face mask or face paint and gloves are essential turkey gear.
You don't need a cannon to kill a turkey, but a turkey choke will pay for itself in a BIG way. 
More hunters are shot during turkey season than any other hunting season.  No red, white or blue clothing, gun colors or arrow fletching!!!
Be safe

[KFhunter]

I don't even need a call,  just call them in vocally 

#1 tip is figure out where they want to be and call them to you,  don't try to call them where they don't want to be.  Assuming you've located some.


Ok this guy got me beat 

Unbelievable all vocal turkey calling!!!!

I bet I could get that good with a little work though 

[RadSav]

#1 tip is figure out where they want to be and call them to you,  don't try to call them where they don't want to be.  Assuming you've located some.

Oooo!!  Good tip

[KFhunter]

ya    kind of a no brainer huh


but you see guys trying to call them out of a pasture full of cow patties to scratch through and into timber ALL THE TIME

I guess if you don't have permission to hunt the pasture I can understand,  but then you need to catch them on the way to the pasture.

[YoungMountainman]

Thank all you guys for the amazing tips!!!

[PA BEN]

ya    kind of a no brainer huh


but you see guys trying to call them out of a pasture full of cow patties to scratch through and into timber ALL THE TIME

I guess if you don't have permission to hunt the pasture I can understand,  but then you need to catch them on the way to the pasture.

It all depends on the toms mood. I once called a tom 400 yds across a field and shot him at 9 yds. Strutted and gobbled the whole way.

[kevinp16]

It took me 3 years to get my first bird down on public land. As said above, learn the area you want to hunt in and stick with it. Also the biggest mistakes I made my first year was over calling and moving too much.

Do a call and if you hear a gobble wait at least 5 mins before calling again then repeat until you see the Tom. This has always worked for me and seems to drive the toms crazy and is forced to come take a look.

[Gobble Doc]

If you don't have luck near the opener of the season then go try again in mid-May.  You might be surprised.   

[KFhunter]

If you don't have luck near the opener of the season then go try again in mid-May.  You might be surprised.   

That's cheating!   


great time to take the kids out though

[ckr]

This is great info.  It's my first time out as well but I will be focusing on getting my 9yr old a bird. 

[turkeydancer]

I am doing a clinic at Cabelas-Tulalip on Feb 22nd from 1pm to 3pm just a few minutes from Marysville. I know it can help and I hope you and your son can make it.   

[ckr]

Thank you sir for the info on the class.  If I am not working we will be there!

[tonymiller7]

My biggest tip is to SHUT UP.  My first couple of years I called way too much, hard not to when that Tom is gobbling his darn head off at you.  But they'll hang up and then you'll want to call more and more and more and more.  The best advice I can give is to just shut up and when you do call, call very quiet they'll think the hen is leaving and could come in.  I called a couple birds in last year that I'm pretty sure I would have over called to in the past.