Author Topic: turkey questions (Read 9244 times)

carvermoe · « **on:** March 27, 2009, 03:55:33 PM »

Hi guys,Im new to turkey hunting.If you have seen them in a spot feeding last year,will they be back in the same area this year?Also hunting a small hill that they live on and come off to water at the river,where do you likely set up?Do they pretty much us the same routes? Thanks for any help.

OneHorn · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2009, 05:31:17 PM »

It depends, if the know there is food there and thay have been going there year after year then most likely they will be in the general area feeding. If i were you i would go in the night befor and roost the birds and then the next morning try and get like 50-70 yards from the roost tree and start out with some real soft yelps.

Tokul · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2009, 07:07:03 AM »

Not knowing how close you live to this area, I'd strongly suggest dramatically increasing your odds of success by scouting these birds. Put on your camo and get out there and watch what they're doing. Don't make a sound just watch them. Lots of factors go into what birds do year to year and sometimes things happen that change what they do.

OneHorn · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2009, 11:46:51 AM »

well im sure he knwos to scout there Tokul

turkeydancer · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:19:47 PM »

Maybe not ...see " new to turkey hunting". With all game, your odds go dramatically up with the scouting. Setup between the roost tree and where they feed/water ... then over strut zones, or any where they are frequenting. Setup as close as you can without bumping the birds (hopefully 150 yards or less dependent on cover, terrain, light of day.

OneHorn · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:36:38 PM »

well i realize it says " new to TURKEY HUNTING" which most likely means he has hunted other animals befor so therefor he knows he should scout. Im not guna jack this guys thread so carvermoe just do what i said in my first post and like turkeydancer resaid. If you need any other help feel free to pm me

turkeydancer · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:51:06 PM »

OneHorn nothing was meant, but ... I wish I had a nickel for every new turkey hunter that thought you just drive up the road until you see one, jump out, load the gun and pop them ... or thought that you didn't need to scout them any more than they do a grouse ... so I've learned over the years not to assume that someone knows ...

OneHorn · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:56:24 PM »

Very true turkeydancer. the infamous " ROAD HUNTERS".

Phantom Gobbler · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2009, 09:47:06 PM »

Hey, what's wrong with road hunters?

Even hardcore "turkeymen" use their wheels to scout out new areas, locate birds and spot turkey movements.

OneHorn · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2009, 09:58:03 PM »

I guess what we were trying to say is that it does suck when a guy walks way back in and then someone passin you on a four wheeler and half the time they aint even supposed to be in there. a "Real hunter" uses the legs that god gave him.

wastickslinger · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2009, 10:35:40 PM »

Quote from: OneHorn on March 28, 2009, 09:58:03 PM

I guess what we were trying to say is that it does suck when a guy walks way back in and then someone passin you on a four wheeler and half the time they aint even supposed to be in there. a "Real hunter" uses the legs that god gave him.

Man that would be a long walk for me from Moses Lake to the Blues. Good thing I dont mind driving to my spot.

Ok enough of me being a

In my experiences with turkey they are creatures of habit. Year after year they roost in the same trees and eat in the same fields and strut down the same openings. Now that being said there are way more factors that are usually involved. Scouting will help but you just never know what that tom will decide to do when he wakes up and flys down. Thats the fun thing about turkey hunting. You gotta be ready to improvise.

I would say make a trip over and scout em out real quick, NO CALLING or MESSING with them. Just watch like others have said. My guess is you will find that they are still there.

Good luck!!!

OneHorn · « **Reply #11 on:** March 28, 2009, 10:51:11 PM »

Hahahaha that was a good smartass comment wastickslinger!!! Made me laugh

carvermoe · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2009, 12:06:07 PM »

Thanks for the imput guys,I didn't mean to start anything,just wanted to gobble up a few ideas.I am going to scout next weekend and use your suggestions when season starts. thanks again.I'll report back.

Phantom Gobbler · « **Reply #13 on:** March 29, 2009, 01:51:35 PM »

Don't mind us NW turkey hunters .... we all start getting testy this time of year waiting to get out in the turkey woods!

turkeydancer · « **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2009, 07:25:51 PM »

Good luck ... just got my banquet done last night and the reports today ... now I need to go kill something!

I bicycle for birds in western Wa. I was basically talking about the guys that will 2 or 4 wheel around locked gates that say no motor vehicles past this point ... watched easterns start putting and heading for cover 5 minutes before I heard the vehivle and 10 minutes before they arrived

... not only cost me a few chances at easterns in the past, but costs these "oblivious" people everytime they do it ... heck, I'm 58 years old and still enjoy the walk or bicycle ride ... I'm just saying get off or out of the motorized vehicles and enjoy a real hunt

OneHorn · « **Reply #15 on:** March 29, 2009, 07:33:58 PM »

I bicycle for birds in western Wa. I was basically talking about the guys that will 2 or 4 wheel around locked gates that say no motor vehicles past this point ... watched easterns start putting and heading for cover 5 minutes before I heard the vehivle and 10 minutes before they arrived

... not only cost me a few chances at easterns in the past, but costs these "oblivious" people everytime they do it ... heck, I'm 58 years old and still enjoy the walk or bicycle ride ... I'm just saying get off or out of the motorized vehicles and enjoy a real hunt

[/quote]

Couldnt have said it better

NWTFhunter · « **Reply #16 on:** March 29, 2009, 09:51:32 PM »

When I find unattended vehicles in places that they are prohibited, for some reason they either have flat tires or missing plug wires....... Crazy isnt it ?

buck470 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 30, 2009, 11:12:01 AM »

I know a guy that carries side cutters, they work great on Valve stems!

NWTFhunter · « **Reply #18 on:** March 30, 2009, 06:21:12 PM »

Pruners do toooooooo

arintime · « **Reply #19 on:** March 30, 2009, 11:04:14 PM »

HMMM! That sucks! No, I carry these pruners to clean my bird

!

NWTFhunter · « **Reply #20 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:55:55 PM »

Ya it does suck for anyone who leaves their unauthorized vehicles where they are not supposed to be and they come back to find it in such a condition.

Sorry if that offends anyone....... just adhear to the rules and I suppose it wouldnt happen huh ?

STIKNSTRINGBOW · « **Reply #21 on:** March 31, 2009, 05:58:40 PM »

In my experiences with turkey they are creatures of habit. Year after year they roost in the same trees and eat in the same fields and strut down the same openings. Now that being said there are way more factors that are usually involved. Scouting will help but you just never know what that tom will decide to do when he wakes up and flys down. Thats the fun thing about turkey hunting. You gotta be ready to improvise.

I would say make a trip over and scout em out real quick, NO CALLING or MESSING with them. Just watch like others have said. My guess is you will find that they are still there.

Good luck!!!
[/quote] I am having a problem with easterns near my home (Centralia) I locate them one day, I dont call or even try to get close enough to take a picture, then I go back and they are nowhere to be found and the search starts again.

highclimber · « **Reply #22 on:** March 31, 2009, 06:35:17 PM »

My Dad is 68 years old a family man. Served his country in the Military. Has taken my brother and my son and myself hunting our whole lives. We use to hike in five to six miles for a week and hunt. Eight years ago he had need replacement but it didn't slow him down. Than 3 years ago he had a heart attack and a stroke. He lives to go hunting so I bought one of those yamaha rhino. The game department lets him in some areas. So I take him hunting for four days a year. I don't use it for myself. He probably won't be able to do this much longer but if he can I will take him. I would hate to come back to the motorized vehicle and find it damaged and have to go for help. Just my two cents.

NWTFhunter · « **Reply #23 on:** March 31, 2009, 07:03:27 PM »

Well if you take that into an area that is restricted to motorized vehicles, your breaking the law..... I dont have a problem with ATV's in areas that they are authorized.... You take it where it isnt allowed and there are a lot of guys out there that are going to show their dislike for you driving in an area that is restricted.
There is one place that I hunt that has a road specifically for them. But non the less we see *censored*es taking them on roads they are prohibited on. And you better believe we call the sherif if we see them riding behind locked gates. If they are dumb enough to get off of them and leave them alone you bet they get the message !

STIKNSTRINGBOW · « **Reply #24 on:** March 31, 2009, 07:47:30 PM »

turkeydancer · « **Reply #25 on:** April 01, 2009, 11:53:16 AM »

We have areas specially designated for diabled hunters and I know these are great areas with ample game (usually better than where we hunt). We do not have a problem with that, and I probably would not say anything to older or obviously diabled hunters behind the other gates myself ... but that's not who we are talking about ... it's the ones that just feel the laws do not apply to them.

STIKNSTRINGBOW · « **Reply #26 on:** April 01, 2009, 03:13:22 PM »

I still dont see what this has to do with topic of TURKEY QUESTIONS,

I dont like motorized vehicles

behind gates any more than the next guy, but I can find them

. It is turkeys I want to find. So can we please talk about turkeys?

OneHorn · « **Reply #27 on:** April 01, 2009, 03:20:24 PM »

Hey STIKNSTRINGBOW if you dont like what there talkin about how bout you just not say anything and that way arguements dont start.

carvermoe · « **Reply #28 on:** April 01, 2009, 08:02:02 PM »

sticknstringbow,Thanks for the ideas,and stickn to the question.This subject I guess brings up a lot of personal feelings and opinions.Remember though everyone,we are doing it for the same reason.Hunting! I do it,respectfully,ethical,and legal

yelp · « **Reply #29 on:** April 01, 2009, 09:26:15 PM »

This all got off topic when someone mentioned road hunters...Road hunting without permission is the problem...lots of guys don't know where they are at. We road hunt with permission...from all of the landowners..we use our vehicles ethically we don't chase down game and we respect others in whatever we do.

If you are on public land..ethics should come into play. I talk with lots of hunters over the years and many of them have no idea where they are at...they don't know how to read maps properly and some don't care. I take it upon myself to know where our boundaries are and where we can hunt on every piece we get permission or lease. I run off trespassers every year who think they are public land. I hate calling the sheriff but sometimes its necessary.

Now I can only speak from my experiences and I place no judgement on anyone on this forum...I believe most sportsman are ethical and there are a few guys that don't care at all.

On example is an area on public land that I hunted for several years...I saw lots of people every year. Many of the guys hunting I talked to were new to turkey hunting. Many of the camps brought trail bikes, motorcycles, ATV's..all legal to use. Every morning they would drive up the long gravel road up to the top of the mountain and hunt or trail hunt looking for the unexpected quarry. Every morning I would wake up to the fleet taking off in all directions..I would gather my stuff and step outside and listen..after the echoes disipated...a gobble. I walked 300 yards from my trailer and called in a tom and killed it. Brought it back and hung it up. 2 hours later the fleet would come back to the camping area...with nothing..they all come over and look at the turkey I killed and asked where I got it...

I would always start out with You aren't going to believe me..but. I trained a lot of new turkey hunters out of that camp for years. I trained them on woodsmanship, how to read sign, scratchings, habitat, roosting sites, calling, etc... They didn't know they were driving by several Hot spots to get to another and the turkeys would move back and away form the disturbed areas. Some of the guys returned over the years and many started killing more birds because they were understanding the habits and habitat that these turkeys used. Nothing was wrong with what they were doing but they weren't using what they were doing effectively. I did this several times...I had hunted this area and knew where most birds liked to be..I think I killed 6-8 birds out of that camp the furthest being 1/2 mile.

This forum should be used to gain knowledge and share ideas. I believe if you use atvs or motorcycles don't just drive around, but stop every once in ahwhile and do some calling, etc...Remember that you may run into a hunter that just walked his butt off and you come riding by. HE may get upset but both should realize that neither knew eachother was there. I have seen this happen with boot hunters too... camo clad hunters hunting the same public land....Ten guys around the same roost tree...You never know where or who is in the woods...sounds spooky...

You want spooky.... I was working a bird one year on public land...the tom was getting closer but had hens... I was calling for some friends who were in front of me...I felt a tap on my left shoulder

A Fort Lewis Army Ranger had just tapped me on the shoulder to let me know he thought I was a turkey...I said Thanks as the *censored* rolled down my leg...I said hows it going..he said I thought you were a turkey...Oh....I then asked him if I could call..he said yeah I 'll get out of here..good job..later.. and left..

That was kinda creepy..

Sorry if I got off topic here guys...I just wanted to comment

Yelp out.

turkey slayer · « **Reply #30 on:** April 01, 2009, 10:02:57 PM »

I agree with Yelp. My self and a lot of other hunter spend a lot of tome getting permission to hunt property.
I also have ran into alot of hunter that don't no where they are or don't even no were the property lines are. Their is so many resource's out there to help us( County web sites with property owner and property lines) check it out.
I am 1 of those guys that use an ATV but only to get to an area to hunt.
Quick story about an ATV. My dads hunting partner went out to scout a flock of bird that we had been hearing. He pulled up in this little meadow and hit a crow call and the tom gobbled in the tree next him

( maybe 20 feet away from the ATV). He backed out of there and we shot the bird in the little meadow the next morning.

300UltraMagShooter · « **Reply #31 on:** April 01, 2009, 11:59:10 PM »

I was reading this thread and enjoying it.

That is until I read that some people on here believe they have a right to take the law into their own hands and vandalize other peoples property.

That is some sick *censored* right there. And way worse that going behind a locked gate!!!!! (not that I would ever go behind a locked gate)

I can't believe noone else stood up and said that is wrong.

All I can say is I am glad they didn't catch you doing it because they would have had every right to defend their property and you would have had no rights at all.

yelp · « **Reply #32 on:** April 02, 2009, 06:36:38 AM »

I want to go on record that I do not condone vandalism or sabotage, unless its in good fun like poo on a glove..LOL

300Ultramag is right that type of activity shouldn't be condoned, I would get (right down or picture of) ORV license if licensed, vehicle license plates, take photos with camera or cell phone camera and when you get out take info the local sheriffs office or timber companies office. I think..not sure here but the landowner has to press charges for a trespass ticket to stick..I think that maybe the same for unauthorized vehicle use of closed roadways, trails, etc.. Oh and bury your poo!

turkeydancer · « **Reply #33 on:** April 02, 2009, 07:27:50 AM »

I also agree with you guys ... two wrongs do not make a right (only a bunch of lefts make a right - lol) ... I personally will not lower my standards or ethics just because others do.

NWTFhunter · « **Reply #34 on:** April 02, 2009, 10:59:26 PM »

Well sorry to have offended any of you by my statement. But there are several places that we hunt which are CLEARLY marked...... No vehicles allowed beyond this gate. But every year some stupid *censored* rides around the gate. If we see him or her riding we call the sherrif. If the quad is parked and unattended, it might be missing a part when he she returns, and depending on where its parked, it could be a long push, or walk to your camp. I know that there are a lot of you that use your quads or trucks to get around and as long as you do it within the rules, I dont have a problem with it, more power to you. But as Yelp stated, you really have no idea how many birds your driving right past. And how your activities are effecting the wildlife.
If I offended anyone that rides behind closed gates that state no Vehicles..... too bad ! Your wrong, and you know your wrong ! Hope you dont ever meet me on that road because I will have it out with you.

Now back to turkey hunting

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Author Topic: turkey questions (Read 9244 times)

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