1st year turkey hunting.

[kweedon]

I am taking a shot at turkey hunting this year for the first time ever. I have never even known people, until recently, that turkey hunt. I read a book and am planning on scouting some areas in March. Anyone got some tips for me to be successful?

Also, I'm planning on using my Remington 1100 mag. I read a couple places that they aren't good Turkey guns. Is this true?

Any feedback is appreciated.

[TheStovePipeKid]

My first advice is to start on the first page and go backwards until you've read through the titles of all the turkey forum posts. I've done it twice thus far. You won't have to read all the posts, but many will catch your eye and answer alot of your questions. You can get that done before spring. Scouting is good and you'll find alot of great info. The board comes alive after all the deer and elk have been shot, so you'll see alot more posts come spring. Post up the book title so we know where you are at info wise. As far as the shotgun, I use a single shot break barrel and can get a follow up shot just a hair slower than a pump. As far as I know the only bad shotgun for turkey hunting is an empty one. Good luck and it's great to have you on the turkey side. There's no going back.

[MADMAX]

Head to Colville
Find the public land
The  Little Pend Orielle refuge has camping areas
Lots of Turks and people
Gun should be fine, if you can screw in a pattern master and find your max range
Read the rules

[buckfvr]

loads of birds this year..............hwy 25 north of spokane rez, many places to find birds all the way north to Kettle.

[ljsommer]

If you're anything like me (4 trips, no birds) then bring whiskey and cigars and just make it a camping trip. The weather and scenery are usually worth the drive by themselves.

[TheStovePipeKid]

If you're anything like me (4 trips, no birds) then bring whiskey and cigars and just make it a camping trip. The weather and scenery are usually worth the drive by themselves.

A lot of hard truth in your post. I spent the better part of a decade almost getting turkey before I hit my stride. Spring isn't the best time to teach yourself to turkey hunt, but the scenery sure is great.

[Russ McDonald]

Your shotgun should be good.  Just pattern it. You may need a Turkey choke.  4, 5, or 6 shot is reccomended.  I was using Hevishot blended magnum 5,6,7 shot.   The most successful hunt for Turkey in the state will be the NE corner.   Biggest population of birds.  When you go out scouting it doesn't hurt to knock on some farmers doors.  They hate turkeys and some times will let you hunt on their property.  I will be at Basspro with ou NWTF both January 18th 1-4, Washington Sports Show January 22-26 where I will be doing Turkey hunting seminars.  I do a 4 pay series.   Wednesday and Thursday will be Turkey 101.  Friday equipment and Saturday will be calling.  April 5th at the Black Diamond Gun Club simpering at noon another turkey hunting clinic where you can bring your shotgun and pattern it.  There might be another clinic or 2 sprinkled in there before season starts.  Practicing calling is a good thing.  Took me almost 7 seasons before I got my first bird here in this state but I helped many more peole get their birds before I did. Good luck and hope to see you at a clinic.

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[kweedon]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I'm living in the TriCities and heard there was a lot of turkeys east of here. I'll try that first.

The book I'm reading is "Practical Turkey Hunting Strategies" by Ray Eye. Lots of information so far and a good read. I'm hoping to finish it this weekend.

I'll get my gun out and do some patterning with it. I've killed a whole lot of grouse and skeet with it so I am extremely comfortable shooting it.

[kweedon]

Your shotgun should be good.  Just pattern it. You may need a Turkey choke.  4, 5, or 6 shot is reccomended.  I was using Hevishot blended magnum 5,6,7 shot.   The most successful hunt for Turkey in the state will be the NE corner.   Biggest population of birds.  When you go out scouting it doesn't hurt to knock on some farmers doors.  They hate turkeys and some times will let you hunt on their property.  I will be at Basspro with ou NWTF both January 18th 1-4, Washington Sports Show January 22-26 where I will be doing Turkey hunting seminars.  I do a 4 pay series.   Wednesday and Thursday will be Turkey 101.  Friday equipment and Saturday will be calling.  April 5th at the Black Diamond Gun Club simpering at noon another turkey hunting clinic where you can bring your shotgun and pattern it.  There might be another clinic or 2 sprinkled in there before season starts.  Practicing calling is a good thing.  Took me almost 7 seasons before I got my first bird here in this state but I helped many more peole get their birds before I did. Good luck and hope to see you at a clinic.

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Thanks! I'll look in to that. It sounds like these seminars are on the wet side?

[kweedon]

Any suggestions on a beginners call? I think I'm just going to start with a slate and a box call. I'll move to a diaphragm once I can master those.

[Russ McDonald]

Any suggestions on a beginners call? I think I'm just going to start with a slate and a box call. I'll move to a diaphragm once I can master those.

Exactly what I would suggest.   They're is a guy from Selah that does some clinics.   I don't know what his schedule is.   I have used HS Strut and primos for both slate and box calls.   I have mostly custom calls in both if those now.   Phelps has some really nice sounding diaphram calls.   I also use Zinc diaphram calls.  Tracy Zollar a guide out of Klickitat is making some nice sounding mouth calls to

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[bearpaw]

Any suggestions on a beginners call? I think I'm just going to start with a slate and a box call. I'll move to a diaphragm once I can master those.

Remember this, it doesn't matter what type of call you are using, what matters is that the birds think you sound like a turkey! If you don't sound right they probably won't come to your call, in fact they will go the other way, you would be better off not calling. Find the call that you can make the best sounds and learn what sounds you need to make to be effective. 

[buckfvr]

Ill second what bearpaw says.......and add that for me......I have far better response with a box or slate than I ever had with a reed.

[nwwanderer]

Lot of birds east of you, March 1 behavior is different than April 15 antics

[linxx77]

Last year was my first year of Turkey. I read everything I could find on this forum, and found a ton of success due to the great advice.

If you’re interested in coming up to Spokane, I can help get you into the birds. Like they said, the NE corner is amazing!

PM me if you’re interested. I’d love to “pay it forward” as they say.

Though, it’s only my second year so I’m still a rookie haha.


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[avidnwoutdoorsman]

If you do get a diaphragm, carry it with you in your vehicle. Great place to practice is while you are driving around town (to work). Can't get comfortable enough with a diaphragm in your mouth.

Slate pot calls sound the "best" but can be finicky in the rain. Glass pot calls will work in all weather.

Box calls are great for locating birds and beginners.

[HikerHunter]

Your gun should be just fine. I'd highly suggest buying a few brands of turkey ammo and patterning them in your gun. I was surprised at how different brands acted in my remington.

And while shooting turkeys over decoys in an awesome experience, don't get too hung up on it. I killed about a dozen turkeys before I shot one that came into my decoys.

Good luck and have fun with it!

[EWUeagles]

kweedon you going solo or with a bunch of guys?
Buy a mouth call before you by anything else, why? You can practice with them anywhere and they are crazy cheap. I practice when I drive all the times. I also have a box and slate call. I have killed a lot of birds with primos calls but if you want something local check out Pacific Calls. They are a great group of guys.

Your gun should be fine as long as you don't have a fixed choke. If you have a fixed choke contact a gun smith.

[nwwanderer]

Do not fret the gun, pattern it and you are ready, not unusual for a 410 to be the go to gauge.

[kweedon]

kweedon you going solo or with a bunch of guys?
Buy a mouth call before you by anything else, why? You can practice with them anywhere and they are crazy cheap. I practice when I drive all the times. I also have a box and slate call. I have killed a lot of birds with primos calls but if you want something local check out Pacific Calls. They are a great group of guys.

Your gun should be fine as long as you don't have a fixed choke. If you have a fixed choke contact a gun smith.

I'll be going hunting alone. It's all good I'm used to it. Lol.

My shotgun has a full choke barrel on it.

[kweedon]

Last year was my first year of Turkey. I read everything I could find on this forum, and found a ton of success due to the great advice.

If you’re interested in coming up to Spokane, I can help get you into the birds. Like they said, the NE corner is amazing!

PM me if you’re interested. I’d love to “pay it forward” as they say.

Though, it’s only my second year so I’m still a rookie haha.


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I'll be sticking down here to the South. I have a baby due April 18th so if the wife allows it I'll be driving out from home each morning.

[Machias]

If you can find a good turkey hunter to go with, even for one day, it will move you years ahead.  If you make a bad call, don't fret, just continue to call.  I was set up in Missouri many springs ago and was 100% certain that the dude walking in on me and calling was the absolute worst caller I had ever heard.  I guess the hen had a sore throat.

[HikerHunter]

If you can find a good turkey hunter to go with, even for one day, it will move you years ahead.  If you make a bad call, don't fret, just continue to call.  I was set up in Missouri many springs ago and was 100% certain that the dude walking in on me and calling was the absolute worst caller I had ever heard.  I guess the hen had a sore throat.

Haha, this is very true! I've heard some bad calls in the woods only to find out they were from real birds

[Cab]

these are my turkey tips but I think it should help you as a newbie:

-Scouting before season is key, if you can find sign or hear birds at least you know where they are. If you can't locate birds or don't know where they are simply get up early(5amish) and when you hear ravens/crows talking you know turkeys should be talking. See if you can locate them or their general area you're in business. If you do find where they are but can't get them to play ball GO BACK the next day. turkeys do the same thing pretty much everyday at that part of the year. I got busted one morning, went back the next day and the group of jakes came right in as last time but this time I was ready.(doubled up that morning)
-Face masks are your friend, be covered head to toe in camo and DO NOT MOVE turkeys have incredible eye sight.
-Get there early preferably the day before you want to hunt so you can see whats going on(with people and birds).
-LISTEN at sunset, sometimes the toms will talk a little bit and you can locate them for the next morning!
-Ticks wise I personally have not had too many on me but thats purely because I spray down with permethrin spray(READ THE INSTRUCTIONS some sprays state to NOT spray on clothing that will be against the skin, follow this).
-Slate calls and Box calls are my personal favorites don't worry about diaphragm calls if your new, focus on hunting location since that is much more important. I called in a tom my first day turkey hunting ever and it was on a cheap box call and I had almost no idea what I was doing.
- On that note DO NOT CALL TO MUCH! number 1 thing new people do that they shouldn't, call once if you get a response wait at least 15-20 mins. That Tom knows where you are and is going to usually come in slow. It can take an hour to get a tom to come in 100 yards. Remember you are trying to get this Tom to go against the normal practice of mating. normally he calls and SHE comes to him so playing hard to get can help. I've had bird stay in the same spot gobbling over and over and only until I learned to make them look for me was I able to kill birds.
-Terrain, generally speaking turkeys if nervous prefer to walk UP hill rather than down.(they can turn and kick off the hill side to fly away)
-Weather effects birds, birds can be moody and day to day change how much they call but generally I have noticed ESPECIALLY when it's foggy or poor visibility they won't talk at all. Don't get frustrated, they're around just not talking.
-Decoys are a must in my eyes, go ahead and get the super cheap foam ones they work just fine and actually are much easier to pack.I run just a lone hen as I've had jacks get super nervous around jake decoys and not come in. Decoys are meant so that the Tom has something to focus on, if you don't have one he will be looking around a lot more meaning he can spot you or you moving a lot easier. Place decoys about 20 yards from you and have the backside facing the direction you want him to come in. I've heard, in the morning that Toms like to come in with the sun at their back because it will show off their tail feathers to a mate. place it in a way so that he has to walk PAST you, I also like to have a tree he will go by and that allows me to pull my gun up.
- If you're going to get another call I would get a crow call as a locator call. They are natural enemies and crows/ravines have done wonders for me while running and gunning. I use a simple roll out blind and a butt pad with my pack which has 1 foam hen rolled up. if you use a locator call or any call be in cover of some sort, bird can pop out of no where.
-Morning time is talking time, around 9-10ish hens go off to lay an egg so some birds will start talking again. I personally if I haven't heard anything like to run and gun to locate birds to set up on plus it's more exciting.
-Finally learn how to identify Morels and bring a bag to pick some, it's one of the best parts of turkey hunting because you don't have to go home empty handed. It's almost as fun as turkey hunting honestly and when the birds can't be found or heard it's a great way to stay positive!
-If you can't find birds or Morels, just shed hunt like I do. Might as well since you're out there.

Hope this helps and if you want any other tips feel free to PM me, I'd be happy to help. Turkey hunting is wonderful, frustrating and incredibly challenging.....welcome to the long beard addiction 

[253shotgunner]

 
Cab pretty much nailed it. I would emphasize the following:
1) Pattern you shotgun. Know exactly how it will pattern with your shot of choice.
2) Scout, at a minimum, the day before. That has saved me a bunch of time and it gave me confidence in the area that I was hunting.
3) Movement is everything. I always use a leafy face mask to peak from the side of a tree. I like to set up behind a tree and when the tom's head/neck presents itself, I take the shot. All my shots have been 20 yards or less using a tree as my blind. Good luck!