getting set-up

[tank21]

Hi all, new to turkey hunting but do hunt a lot in general...I am getting a bit more set up for turkey and trying to go about it smartly and shorten the learning curve.  If there is anything you can add, please do so!  Thank you for the help in advance!

As a precursor, the property I hunt on is in Cheney, on private land and the birds are not pressured.

Questions: 
1.  10 gauge or 3" 12 gauge?  I have an SP-10 and an 870 express and am wondering which to go with?  It seems that the 10ga shells are becoming more and more less common and setting this gun up and using it as the goose/turkey gun might keep it around a bit longer.  But 20Ga have killed many a gobbler and maybe it's over kill?  Don't really care about weight. (I don't think.)

2.  Is getting a turkey choke a no brainer, really should get one kind of deal?  Or does the full choke suffice?  I know the whole patterning topic will come up so let's pretend we are at the water cooler and are arguing personal experiences.  Is there a favorite brand for said chokes? 

3.  Should a person really have sights?  Or is the bird barrel bead enough?  Do you need a new barrel with iron sites or does a snap-on Tru-glow type work well?

3.  I currently have a 3" #5's in my 12ga for shells....nothing fancy; just 3"er's.  Are the new TSS shells and the other max turkey, special blend, pretty much heat seeking rounds worth the price at $5 a trigger pull?  If you only shoot a couple a year, it really doesn't seem that bad but I also don't want waste money either.  How about preferred shot size?

4.  Calls.  I have a mouth call, slate call and a box call.  Do I need to be good at them all?  At first?  I know that eventually that will be the case as they are different pitches and so may get different attention based on gobblers in the area.  But if I were to be good at one to start, which is "best"?  Seems to me the mouth call would be good because of the no movement thing but it also gives me the most trouble getting good at.

5.  Decoys.  A jake decoy is what I have now....Is that enough?  Should I be getting a hen too?  Gobbler?  All of them?  Probably depends and time and experience that will tell you what to put out?

6.  The backpacks with the butt seat seem like a pretty good idea  Should I get one?

Thanks again everyone, I look forward to learning more!

 

[270Shooter]

You dont need sights, just know where your gun patterns when you keep the rib flat and can only see the bead. 3” 12 gauge shells kill turkeys like lightning as long as they pattern well enough, which many do. Keeping shots inside 40 yards I’m betting you don’t need a tighter choke than a factory full but again, need to pattern the gun and shell combo. You need to sound reasonably like a turkey, “good” is a relative term because they all sound different and I’ve heard some pretty funny sounding real hens. The most important thing is to know when to call and not too call too much. A vest with a bit pad is very nice to have.

[TheStovePipeKid]

1: I use a 12 gauge along with the rest of my family. Seems to be the norm for most people starting out. I've seen here on the forum that as hunters look for more weight savings and less donkey kicks they eventually transition to 20 gauge, or .410.

2: I have always used a turkey choke when turkey hunting. As a newb it was just something we all bought cause it said turkey on it. I currently have a 2" extended turkey choke on my shotgun and would recommend you get one if you can afford it. I've never regretted having one.

3: I've hunted with fiber optics for almost a decade. Buy a nice set that replaces the bead and attaches to your vent rib. You'll thank yourself when you get into the woods.

3B: Winchester Longbeard XR in 3". Buy a box and you'll be good for your first season. Pattern with regular light loads and then confirm your pattern with a couple of turkey loads. Stay away from the super expensive stuff until you know you'll be out turkey hunting often enough to justify the expense. I use number 5. Just a personal preference.

4: It is a great advantage to be good at all of them. If you are better with one than the other I would say build on what you have. Each has positives and negatives.

5: Decoys are really like everything else in turkey hunting. Do you need them? No. Do they help get birds? Maybe. You can kill birds without them, and you can kill birds with them. I would take a shot with your jake and at the end of the season decide if you want to add to your setup.

6: I've never cared for turkey vests, nor the butt pad. I've had 8 hours days on my butt and have never really been comfortable sliding around on the pads. I'm switching to a low profile chair this year.  If you don't have anything to sit on yet you will want to get something.

[Russ McDonald]

Questions:  1.  10 gauge or 3" 12 gauge?  I have an SP-10 and an 870 express and am wondering which to go with?  It seems that the 10ga shells are becoming more and more less common and setting this gun up and using it as the goose/turkey gun might keep it around a bit longer.  But 20Ga have killed many a gobbler and maybe it's over kill?  Don't really care about weight. (I don't think.)

Pattern your gun for sure.  5 shot is really good.  12 or 20 GA is fine.

2.  Is getting a turkey choke a no brainer, really should get one kind of deal?  Or does the full choke suffice?  I know the whole patterning topic will come up so let's pretend we are at the water cooler and are arguing personal experiences.  Is there a favorite brand for said chokes? 

Again pattern your gun.  Factory full choke will work fine but your gun may shoot differently with different brand and different shot size.3.  Should a person really have sights?  Or is the bird barrel bead enough?  Do you need a new barrel with iron sites or does a snap-on Tru-glow type work well?Sites are nice but like one person already said if you know how your gun patterns you should be fine.  Aim for the neck.

3.  I currently have a 3" #5's in my 12ga for shells....nothing fancy; just 3"er's.  Are the new TSS shells and the other max turkey, special blend, pretty much heat seeking rounds worth the price at $5 a trigger pull?  If you only shoot a couple a year, it really doesn't seem that bad but I also don't want waste money either.  How about preferred shot size?

I use Hevi-Shot Magnum blend.  5,6,7 shot.  I rolled up the bird in my avitar at 40 yards.  I used 5 shot before switching.  I would say get comfortable using single shot size ammo.  Pattern your gun.  Seeing a theme here 
4.  Calls.  I have a mouth call, slate call and a box call.  Do I need to be good at them all?  At first?  I know that eventually that will be the case as they are different pitches and so may get different attention based on gobblers in the area.  But if I were to be good at one to start, which is "best"?  Seems to me the mouth call would be good because of the no movement thing but it also gives me the most trouble getting good at.

You have a great start on the basic call.  What you have is basically what I have in my vest.  Add a locator call too.  Become proficient with each call.  Your box and slate calls will be your easier ones to learn and master.  When I teach my classes on basic turkey hunting I always tell people to learn using a mouth call.  Turkeys seeing really really good so you have to keep you movement to nothing.  If you have a bird coming in to you alot of times he will see you before you see him so be absolutely still or very slow in your movement.

5.  Decoys.  A jake decoy is what I have now....Is that enough?  Should I be getting a hen too?  Gobbler?  All of them?  Probably depends and time and experience that will tell you what to put out?

Get a hen decoy.  Having a jake decoy is good but if you put him out you will want a hen with him.  A tom isn't really going to get mad at a alone jack unless it is with a hen.  Then that tom will be like get away from my lady.  If it is alone jake that tom will probably think boy that is a stupid boy there isn't anything over there.  If you are good with your calling a get a tom really worked up and looking for a fight he may come in on the jake.

6.  The backpacks with the butt seat seem like a pretty good idea  Should I get one?

Seat is a big yes.  Get a good seat pad or I use and low profile turkey chair.  I used one on a guided hunt where I wasn't hunting and fell asleep in it.  Very comfortable.  You going to be sitting for a couple hours or more on a setup so being comfortable is a must.
If you have time stop on over to the Big Horn Show in Spokane 21-24 of this month.  The Spokane chapter will have a table set up and I believe they might be doing a clinic or too on calling.


Enjoy

[Rainier10]

Questions:  [/size]1.  10 gauge or 3" 12 gauge?  I have an SP-10 and an 870 express and am wondering which to go with?  It seems that the 10ga shells are becoming more and more less common and setting this gun up and using it as the goose/turkey gun might keep it around a bit longer.  But 20Ga have killed many a gobbler and maybe it's over kill?  Don't really care about weight. (I don't think.)  Pattern your gun for sure.  5 shot is really good.  12 or 20 GA is fine.2.  Is getting a turkey choke a no brainer, really should get one kind of deal?  Or does the full choke suffice?  I know the whole patterning topic will come up so let's pretend we are at the water cooler and are arguing personal experiences.  Is there a favorite brand for said chokes?  Again pattern your gun.  Factory full choke will work fine but your gun may shoot differently with different brand and different shot size.3.  Should a person really have sights?  Or is the bird barrel bead enough?  Do you need a new barrel with iron sites or does a snap-on Tru-glow type work well?Sites are nice but like one person already said if you know how your gun patterns you should be fine.  Aim for the neck.3.  I currently have a 3" #5's in my 12ga for shells....nothing fancy; just 3"er's.  Are the new TSS shells and the other max turkey, special blend, pretty much heat seeking rounds worth the price at $5 a trigger pull?  If you only shoot a couple a year, it really doesn't seem that bad but I also don't want waste money either.  How about preferred shot size?I use Hevi-Shot Magnum blend.  5,6,7 shot.  I rolled up the bird in my avitar at 40 yards.  I used 5 shot before switching.  I would say get comfortable using single shot size ammo.  Pattern your gun.  Seeing a theme here  4.  Calls.  I have a mouth call, slate call and a box call.  Do I need to be good at them all?  At first?  I know that eventually that will be the case as they are different pitches and so may get different attention based on gobblers in the area.  But if I were to be good at one to start, which is "best"?  Seems to me the mouth call would be good because of the no movement thing but it also gives me the most trouble getting good at.You have a great start on the basic call.  What you have is basically what I have in my vest.  Add a locator call too.  Become proficient with each call.  Your box and slate calls will be your easier ones to learn and master.  When I teach my classes on basic turkey hunting I always tell people to learn using a mouth call.  Turkeys seeing really really good so you have to keep you movement to nothing.  If you have a bird coming in to you alot of times he will see you before you see him so be absolutely still or very slow in your movement.5.  Decoys.  A jake decoy is what I have now....Is that enough?  Should I be getting a hen too?  Gobbler?  All of them?  Probably depends and time and experience that will tell you what to put out?Get a hen decoy.  Having a jake decoy is good but if you put him out you will want a hen with him.  A tom isn't really going to get mad at a alone jack unless it is with a hen.  Then that tom will be like get away from my lady.  If it is alone jake that tom will probably think boy that is a stupid boy there isn't anything over there.  If you are good with your calling a get a tom really worked up and looking for a fight he may come in on the jake.6.  The backpacks with the butt seat seem like a pretty good idea  Should I get one?Seat is a big yes.  Get a good seat pad or I use and low profile turkey chair.  I used one on a guided hunt where I wasn't hunting and fell asleep in it.  Very comfortable.  You going to be sitting for a couple hours or more on a setup so being comfortable is a must.
If you have time stop on over to the Big Horn Show in Spokane 21-24 of this month.  The Spokane chapter will have a table set up and I believe they might be doing a clinic or too on calling.


Enjoy

 
I think. 

Definitely front running post for smallest font of the week.

[tank21]

 

Ha, I completely agree.  I was able to zoom in and get the text read though.  Thank you for the input, this is good stuff and exactly what I was looking for.  I hope to get more!

[Russ McDonald]

Questions:  1.  10 gauge or 3" 12 gauge?  I have an SP-10 and an 870 express and am wondering which to go with?  It seems that the 10ga shells are becoming more and more less common and setting this gun up and using it as the goose/turkey gun might keep it around a bit longer.  But 20Ga have killed many a gobbler and maybe it's over kill?  Don't really care about weight. (I don't think.)  Pattern your gun for sure.  5 shot is really good.  12 or 20 GA is fine.2.  Is getting a turkey choke a no brainer, really should get one kind of deal?  Or does the full choke suffice?  I know the whole patterning topic will come up so let's pretend we are at the water cooler and are arguing personal experiences.  Is there a favorite brand for said chokes?  Again pattern your gun.  Factory full choke will work fine but your gun may shoot differently with different brand and different shot size.3.  Should a person really have sights?  Or is the bird barrel bead enough?  Do you need a new barrel with iron sites or does a snap-on Tru-glow type work well?Sites are nice but like one person already said if you know how your gun patterns you should be fine.  Aim for the neck.3.  I currently have a 3" #5's in my 12ga for shells....nothing fancy; just 3"er's.  Are the new TSS shells and the other max turkey, special blend, pretty much heat seeking rounds worth the price at $5 a trigger pull?  If you only shoot a couple a year, it really doesn't seem that bad but I also don't want waste money either.  How about preferred shot size?I use Hevi-Shot Magnum blend.  5,6,7 shot.  I rolled up the bird in my avitar at 40 yards.  I used 5 shot before switching.  I would say get comfortable using single shot size ammo.  Pattern your gun.  Seeing a theme here  4.  Calls.  I have a mouth call, slate call and a box call.  Do I need to be good at them all?  At first?  I know that eventually that will be the case as they are different pitches and so may get different attention based on gobblers in the area.  But if I were to be good at one to start, which is "best"?  Seems to me the mouth call would be good because of the no movement thing but it also gives me the most trouble getting good at.You have a great start on the basic call.  What you have is basically what I have in my vest.  Add a locator call too.  Become proficient with each call.  Your box and slate calls will be your easier ones to learn and master.  When I teach my classes on basic turkey hunting I always tell people to learn using a mouth call.  Turkeys seeing really really good so you have to keep you movement to nothing.  If you have a bird coming in to you alot of times he will see you before you see him so be absolutely still or very slow in your movement.5.  Decoys.  A jake decoy is what I have now....Is that enough?  Should I be getting a hen too?  Gobbler?  All of them?  Probably depends and time and experience that will tell you what to put out?Get a hen decoy.  Having a jake decoy is good but if you put him out you will want a hen with him.  A tom isn't really going to get mad at a alone jack unless it is with a hen.  Then that tom will be like get away from my lady.  If it is alone jake that tom will probably think boy that is a stupid boy there isn't anything over there.  If you are good with your calling a get a tom really worked up and looking for a fight he may come in on the jake.6.  The backpacks with the butt seat seem like a pretty good idea  Should I get one?Seat is a big yes.  Get a good seat pad or I use and low profile turkey chair.  I used one on a guided hunt where I wasn't hunting and fell asleep in it.  Very comfortable.  You going to be sitting for a couple hours or more on a setup so being comfortable is a must.
If you have time stop on over to the Big Horn Show in Spokane 21-24 of this month.  The Spokane chapter will have a table set up and I believe they might be doing a clinic or too on calling.


Enjoy

 
I think. 

Definitely front running post for smallest font of the week.

  That is to funny.  Should always proof read

[Russ McDonald]

Questions:  1.  10 gauge or 3" 12 gauge?  I have an SP-10 and an 870 express and am wondering which to go with?  It seems that the 10ga shells are becoming more and more less common and setting this gun up and using it as the goose/turkey gun might keep it around a bit longer.  But 20Ga have killed many a gobbler and maybe it's over kill?  Don't really care about weight. (I don't think.)  Pattern your gun for sure.  5 shot is really good.  12 or 20 GA is fine.2.  Is getting a turkey choke a no brainer, really should get one kind of deal?  Or does the full choke suffice?  I know the whole patterning topic will come up so let's pretend we are at the water cooler and are arguing personal experiences.  Is there a favorite brand for said chokes?  Again pattern your gun.  Factory full choke will work fine but your gun may shoot differently with different brand and different shot size.3.  Should a person really have sights?  Or is the bird barrel bead enough?  Do you need a new barrel with iron sites or does a snap-on Tru-glow type work well?Sites are nice but like one person already said if you know how your gun patterns you should be fine.  Aim for the neck.3.  I currently have a 3" #5's in my 12ga for shells....nothing fancy; just 3"er's.  Are the new TSS shells and the other max turkey, special blend, pretty much heat seeking rounds worth the price at $5 a trigger pull?  If you only shoot a couple a year, it really doesn't seem that bad but I also don't want waste money either.  How about preferred shot size?I use Hevi-Shot Magnum blend.  5,6,7 shot.  I rolled up the bird in my avitar at 40 yards.  I used 5 shot before switching.  I would say get comfortable using single shot size ammo.  Pattern your gun.  Seeing a theme here  4.  Calls.  I have a mouth call, slate call and a box call.  Do I need to be good at them all?  At first?  I know that eventually that will be the case as they are different pitches and so may get different attention based on gobblers in the area.  But if I were to be good at one to start, which is "best"?  Seems to me the mouth call would be good because of the no movement thing but it also gives me the most trouble getting good at.You have a great start on the basic call.  What you have is basically what I have in my vest.  Add a locator call too.  Become proficient with each call.  Your box and slate calls will be your easier ones to learn and master.  When I teach my classes on basic turkey hunting I always tell people to learn using a mouth call.  Turkeys seeing really really good so you have to keep you movement to nothing.  If you have a bird coming in to you alot of times he will see you before you see him so be absolutely still or very slow in your movement.5.  Decoys.  A jake decoy is what I have now....Is that enough?  Should I be getting a hen too?  Gobbler?  All of them?  Probably depends and time and experience that will tell you what to put out?Get a hen decoy.  Having a jake decoy is good but if you put him out you will want a hen with him.  A tom isn't really going to get mad at a alone jack unless it is with a hen.  Then that tom will be like get away from my lady.  If it is alone jake that tom will probably think boy that is a stupid boy there isn't anything over there.  If you are good with your calling a get a tom really worked up and looking for a fight he may come in on the jake.6.  The backpacks with the butt seat seem like a pretty good idea  Should I get one?Seat is a big yes.  Get a good seat pad or I use and low profile turkey chair.  I used one on a guided hunt where I wasn't hunting and fell asleep in it.  Very comfortable.  You going to be sitting for a couple hours or more on a setup so being comfortable is a must.
If you have time stop on over to the Big Horn Show in Spokane 21-24 of this month.  The Spokane chapter will have a table set up and I believe they might be doing a clinic or too on calling.


Enjoy

 
I think. 

Definitely front running post for smallest font of the week.

  That is to funny.  Should always proof read

There that is better 

[Rainier10]

Questions:  1.  10 gauge or 3" 12 gauge?  I have an SP-10 and an 870 express and am wondering which to go with?  It seems that the 10ga shells are becoming more and more less common and setting this gun up and using it as the goose/turkey gun might keep it around a bit longer.  But 20Ga have killed many a gobbler and maybe it's over kill?  Don't really care about weight. (I don't think.)  Pattern your gun for sure.  5 shot is really good.  12 or 20 GA is fine.2.  Is getting a turkey choke a no brainer, really should get one kind of deal?  Or does the full choke suffice?  I know the whole patterning topic will come up so let's pretend we are at the water cooler and are arguing personal experiences.  Is there a favorite brand for said chokes?  Again pattern your gun.  Factory full choke will work fine but your gun may shoot differently with different brand and different shot size.3.  Should a person really have sights?  Or is the bird barrel bead enough?  Do you need a new barrel with iron sites or does a snap-on Tru-glow type work well?Sites are nice but like one person already said if you know how your gun patterns you should be fine.  Aim for the neck.3.  I currently have a 3" #5's in my 12ga for shells....nothing fancy; just 3"er's.  Are the new TSS shells and the other max turkey, special blend, pretty much heat seeking rounds worth the price at $5 a trigger pull?  If you only shoot a couple a year, it really doesn't seem that bad but I also don't want waste money either.  How about preferred shot size?I use Hevi-Shot Magnum blend.  5,6,7 shot.  I rolled up the bird in my avitar at 40 yards.  I used 5 shot before switching.  I would say get comfortable using single shot size ammo.  Pattern your gun.  Seeing a theme here  4.  Calls.  I have a mouth call, slate call and a box call.  Do I need to be good at them all?  At first?  I know that eventually that will be the case as they are different pitches and so may get different attention based on gobblers in the area.  But if I were to be good at one to start, which is "best"?  Seems to me the mouth call would be good because of the no movement thing but it also gives me the most trouble getting good at.You have a great start on the basic call.  What you have is basically what I have in my vest.  Add a locator call too.  Become proficient with each call.  Your box and slate calls will be your easier ones to learn and master.  When I teach my classes on basic turkey hunting I always tell people to learn using a mouth call.  Turkeys seeing really really good so you have to keep you movement to nothing.  If you have a bird coming in to you alot of times he will see you before you see him so be absolutely still or very slow in your movement.5.  Decoys.  A jake decoy is what I have now....Is that enough?  Should I be getting a hen too?  Gobbler?  All of them?  Probably depends and time and experience that will tell you what to put out?Get a hen decoy.  Having a jake decoy is good but if you put him out you will want a hen with him.  A tom isn't really going to get mad at a alone jack unless it is with a hen.  Then that tom will be like get away from my lady.  If it is alone jake that tom will probably think boy that is a stupid boy there isn't anything over there.  If you are good with your calling a get a tom really worked up and looking for a fight he may come in on the jake.6.  The backpacks with the butt seat seem like a pretty good idea  Should I get one?Seat is a big yes.  Get a good seat pad or I use and low profile turkey chair.  I used one on a guided hunt where I wasn't hunting and fell asleep in it.  Very comfortable.  You going to be sitting for a couple hours or more on a setup so being comfortable is a must.
If you have time stop on over to the Big Horn Show in Spokane 21-24 of this month.  The Spokane chapter will have a table set up and I believe they might be doing a clinic or too on calling.


Enjoy

 
I think. 

Definitely front running post for smallest font of the week.

  That is to funny.  Should always proof read

There that is better 

 

[Sneaky]

buy a quality turkey call - get a good sounding, loud pot call. practice with it as much as you can. Having a call that can command the turkeys to you is the key.

[kevinlisa06]

Hi all, new to turkey hunting but do hunt a lot in general...I am getting a bit more set up for turkey and trying to go about it smartly and shorten the learning curve.  If there is anything you can add, please do so!  Thank you for the help in advance!

As a precursor, the property I hunt on is in Cheney, on private land and the birds are not pressured.

Questions: 
1.  10 gauge or 3" 12 gauge?  I have an SP-10 and an 870 express and am wondering which to go with?  It seems that the 10ga shells are becoming more and more less common and setting this gun up and using it as the goose/turkey gun might keep it around a bit longer.  But 20Ga have killed many a gobbler and maybe it's over kill?  Don't really care about weight. (I don't think.)

I hunted years with a 12ga and now use a 20ga. Less weight is nice also a sling is very helpful.

2.  Is getting a turkey choke a no brainer, really should get one kind of deal?  Or does the full choke suffice?  I know the whole patterning topic will come up so let's pretend we are at the water cooler and are arguing personal experiences.  Is there a favorite brand for said chokes? 

Have always used a Turkey choke if you can’t get a decent pattern with what ya got now get a Turkey choke. Lots of choke tubes on the market and you can spend some good coin on some of them.

3.  Should a person really have sights?  Or is the bird barrel bead enough?  Do you need a new barrel with iron sites or does a snap-on Tru-glow type work well?

Fiber optic sights are great especially in low light conditions. Be mounting a Red Dot on my 20 ga very soon.

3.  I currently have a 3" #5's in my 12ga for shells....nothing fancy; just 3"er's.  Are the new TSS shells and the other max turkey, special blend, pretty much heat seeking rounds worth the price at $5 a trigger pull?  If you only shoot a couple a year, it really doesn't seem that bad but I also don't want waste money either.  How about preferred shot size?

Shoot what patterns the best in your gun. I shoot Apex TSS 9’s. Pattern Pattern Pattern!

4.  Calls.  I have a mouth call, slate call and a box call.  Do I need to be good at them all?  At first?  I know that eventually that will be the case as they are different pitches and so may get different attention based on gobblers in the area.  But if I were to be good at one to start, which is "best"?  Seems to me the mouth call would be good because of the no movement thing but it also gives me the most trouble getting good at.
Sound like you have a good start on calls. They are addictive I have close to 20 Pot style calls and 4 box calls. A Crow call may be helpful as well.

5.  Decoys.  A jake decoy is what I have now....Is that enough?  Should I be getting a hen too?  Gobbler?  All of them?  Probably depends and time and experience that will tell you what to put out?
I have a hen deke have I used it maybe a handful of times. Never killed a bird using one.

6.  The backpacks with the butt seat seem like a pretty good idea  Should I get one?

Up to you I use a vest the seat is great keeps you comfy and your butt warm.

Thanks again everyone, I look forward to learning more!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tank21]

Thank you everyone for the input.  I have never heard of a pot call before and am quite surprised and a little embarrassed to say so.  I will check those out and pick one up.  If there is a favorite kind/brand please let me know.  All good stuff.  Really appreciate the help.  I'm sure I could have scrubbed the forums and found the info but having the personal touch and fresh off the top of the head information is fantastic.

Thank you!

[konradcountry]

I would take the 10 just for kicks.

Check midwayusa for ammo.

[Iveexcaped3]

I bought a wood haven cherry classic crystal. All hand made in USA (even their mouth calls), comes with 2 strikers that they hand test on your call with, and the owner is a avid turkey hunter. Haven’t used it yet but I’ll let you know how it works hopefully by the end of day April 15th 

FF to 19:40 about the company